Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1402657
6 I PSAI Association Insight, July 7, 2021 But as I often tell the folks at my company, I wouldn't ask you to do anything I wouldn't do. So let me tell you a bit about how I got on the Board and what it's been like. I wanted to grow as a leader. I'd been in the portable sanitation business for years before I got involved in the PSAI. Once I plugged in, I realized I'd been missing a lot. Fast forward a couple of years to the fall of 2014. The PSAI had made changes in how it ran elections for the Board of Directors. It was going to be an open process; anybody that had been a member for a year or more could nominate themselves or someone else to serve. I still didn't have a ton of time, but I was intrigued. I believe in giving back, and I thought maybe I could be helpful in improving the industry that was my bread and butter. By this time I'd been running companies for many years. I knew there were more dimensions to effective leadership than just being the boss at the company I owned, and I thought maybe by running for the PSAI Board I'd get the opportunity to develop in some different ways. I already knew I enjoyed the people at the PSAI. So even though it was a time commitment, I decided to run and see what happened. Even though I was a relatively new face in the Association, I was elected the first time I ran. Since March of 2016 I have worked Learn to Lead: Serve on the PSAI Board of Directors (continued from page 1) (continued on page 7) on the governing Board, co-chaired the Training Committee and participated on numerous other committees, and served in each of the officer positions. I can honestly say the experience has helped me grow in many ways. I have learned how to vision, problem-solve, and work collaboratively with peers. That's a different set of leadership muscles than those I used just being in charge at my own company. I also realize now how being on the Board transforms you into a perceived industry leader. That brings another whole level of responsibility and ability to influence things, so long as you grow your listening and persuasion skills. The truth about the time commitment. During these past seven years on the Board, I've been busy with my family and church commitments. Our children graduated from high school and moved on to their next steps. I sold my company and now work in a leadership role for the firm that bought me out, shuttling between our offices in multiple states. I still enjoy my hobbies. Like many of you I'm a busy guy. Sometimes it's a lot. But serving on the PSAI Board and doing the other things you love can all be done—and it's worth it. For every hour that I've spent in meetings for the PSAI, I've likely gotten that and more back out in ideas, growth opportunities, and perspective. I guess it's one of those "glass half full" things. If you focus on how much time it takes, it won't be nearly as fun or rewarding as if you focus on the results of the time investment. I'm glad I did. You will be part of a group that visions for the future, leads initiatives, and helps carry out our events—you'll lead in ways others haven't seen before.