Do you guide, or do you order?

If you are a good communicator, people will look up to you, seek your opinion, seek your in-put and you will be asked to lead as well. The skill of communication and leadership work hand in hand. Belonging to a professional organization can be a training ground to becoming a better speaker and leader.In most organizations, you work your way up. I look back on my days in the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Dallas chapter and the succession plan. I spent a year in each office: secretary, 3rd vice president, 2nd vice president, 1st vice president, then finally to the president’s position, for a five-year term.

Many organizations have shortened this plan. It is hard to get a commitment from an individual for such a long time period.

I am also a member of the Southwest Forum, which is part of ISM. The forum is comprised of members in a five-state area, representing Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. I started with the forum working as facility chair for the Southwest Supply Management Conference. I served five years as facility chair, and then moved to two years as vice-chair. At the conference, I will take office as chair of the Southwest Forum.

The Southwest Forum is presenting the 63rd Annual Southwest Supply Management Conference on October 7-9, 2009 at the Marriott Dallas/Plano at Legacy Town Center. Join us for an educational and networking experience. You can choose from 30 workshops and earn 12 continuing education hours (CEH).

I’m especially looking forward to the closing session at this year’s conference, which will feature Carl Youngberg, professional speaker and author, talking about his book “Make Yourself Matter - Becoming Your Own Best Asset.” I hope to get his book at the conference and write a book review here in the future.

As they say here in Texas, “Ya’ll come”. For more information, go to our website www.ismswscf.org.