Welcome to our weekly Profiles in Leadership feature! Our first remarkable leader is Michele Gossmeyer, ILTA ’09 Conference Co-chair and Global IS Administration/Communication Manager at Mayer Brown LLP. Michele is our senior conference co-chair, having served last year, and is well-known for her dedication to delivering amazing programming to our conference attendees. At this year’s conference, her term as co-chair will end, but she will begin serving on ILTA’s Board of Directors as Peer Group Liaison. Here are some of her insights on leadership:
What prompted you to get involved as a volunteer leader with ILTA?
My colleague (and former co-worker) Eric Anderson asked me to serve on conference committee when he was co-chair. Eric’s energy and enthusiasm for the organization was absolutely contagious. For those of you who know Eric, he is all about ILTA – once he gave me more background on the value, opportunity (and fun), I was hooked!
What does leadership mean to you?
Being an integral part of a team that balances direction, guidance, listening and learning.
What makes you a leader?
I’ve been very fortunate to have many great mentors in my life, both personally and professionally. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from all of them is to treat people with respect, regardless of “assigned” levels, titles or roles. There is something to be learned from everyone and leading is as much about constantly learning as it is about teaching. I try to determine when it’s the right time to talk and when it’s the right time to listen – both have such a valuable place in leadership.
How has ILTA helped you become the leader you are today?
ILTA has offered me SO many opportunities to learn, share and offer the value of my experiences and knowledge. I really think of my ILTA “career” as an MBA on fast-forward. The interactions I’ve had with my ILTA colleagues have provided me with opportunities to constantly practice all of the above. I’ve had many great leaders welcome me into ILTA. They’ve shared their knowledge, encouraged and recognized my strengths, gently coached me through my weaknesses and offered me support and assistance to achieve each new goal. They’ve done so with such contagious energy and enthusiasm that I can’t help but want more!
On Tuesday, we’ll hear more from Michele and what she thinks about our upcoming conference!
Filed under: 2009 Conference
