Our second Profile in Leadership is of Maureen Babcock, ILTA ’09 Conference Co-chair and Manager of Systems Administration at Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. This is Maureen’s first year as Conference Co-chair, and she has used this opportunity to enter the (sometimes) scary world of social networking! Last year, Maureen was the Executive Track Chair for the ILTA ’08 Conference, and she clearly learned a lot from the experience. Here are some of her insights on leadership:
What does leadership mean to you?
In my mind, I keep hearing the words “by example” following the word “leadership.” Leadership by example.
There are so many theories out there on what it means to be a leader, how to be a leader, how to get in touch with your inner leader…..
The management techniques and approaches that have stuck with me over the years are those I experienced from leadership examples shown to me. Being an example ties in closely with mentoring also. To me, a leader is someone who wants to share their experience. A leader is someone who finds great satisfaction in reaching back to help someone else along the path. A leader is a mentor to someone who wants to learn, empowering another with information that can help them achieve their goals, the goals of the company and better the company as a result.
What makes you a leader?
Genetics? Environment? My managers, peers and subordinates? It’s probably a little of all three. I rather think I have become a leader in whatever capacity I may be perceived to be one primarily as a result of a few personal quirks:
- I expect more from myself than anyone to whom I have reported to has ever asked of me. I want my words, actions and work product to be the best I can make them. I care about the quality of work product I produce, both from the perspective of how it can add value to my Firm but mostly because I demand it from myself.
- I thoroughly enjoy mentoring. I find it fascinating to see how, when I do pass knowledge on, others take it, run it through their own personal filters and come out with an approach that is different yet also effective. Seeing that keeps me on my toes, makes me remember that there usually isn’t one way to accomplish something. It reminds me to include others in my own decision-making process. It ties me to the team and keeps me aware of the meaning of a team effort.
- I know I will never know all the answers. But I know who to go to for advice or answers when I need them.
- I try to listen more and talk less. Oddly enough, I have noticed that this is becoming easier as I get older!
- I try to resist a quick response when I disagree or don’t understand someone else’s viewpoint. I have found often that when an idea/opinion/advice being given to me doesn’t make sense or doesn’t seem that it will ever pan out the way it is being described that I need to give it some time. This of course depends greatly on who is talking to me but generally if I respect them for their experience and track record already, I owe it to them and to myself to let their counsel sink in and be understood before I respond or make a decision.
- Finally, I have come to embrace the simple fact that I am not always right and that that is ok. This last one has been a great gift!
How has ILTA helped you become the leader you are today?
Last year at conference, I had the opportunity of serving on conference committee as the executive track chair. That experience broadened my horizons to a national as well as to an international scope. I have had the extreme luck to have met and worked with a number of industry leaders as a result. Through their input and example I have added more to my understanding of true leadership in both my work and my personal life than I can ever thank them for! In that track, there was a wonderful session, “Going from Manager to Leader : How to See the Forest for the Trees,” put on by Judi Flournoy and Don Jaycox. Their comments increased exponentially my consciousness of the difference in scope between management and leadership.
I have been working this past year as a first time ILTA officer and as the junior co-chair for our upcoming conference this August. Working with my co-chair, Michele Gossmeyer, the conference committee track coordinators, track chairs and PGVPs, members of our current BOD and the ILTA staff has offered me many new opportunities to use, change and improve my managerial, people and communication skills.
For some years now, I have been a conference attendee. After each conference, I have returned to my office with new ideas, renewed enthusiasm and a fresh view of my Firm’s needs and how best to serve them all due to the networking with my ILTA peers. It has truly been the greatest opportunity to meet and share ideas and approaches with them all!
What volunteer roles have you held for ILTA?
I started by volunteering during conference registrations and to assist the track chairs in their sessions. I have served as the Executive track chair on last year’s committee which segued into my current volunteer position of conference co-chair.
What prompted you to get involved as a volunteer leader with ILTA?
The contacts, new ideas, best practices and educational content of conference as well as value that the ILTA publications, listservs and regional meetings has added to my experience has been invaluable to me in meeting and exceeding the demands of my responsibilities at my firm. After so many years of enjoying the fruits of the labor of other volunteers, my peers, I felt it was high time to give something back! It’s a real honor to have the opportunity to be an ILTA officer working to serve our membership as so many of those members have served me.
What led you in the direction of working with a Peer Group or on Conference Committee?
I got a call in late 2007 from my current conference co-chair, Michele Gossmeyer. She pitched me the idea of serving as the Executive track chair for the 2008 conference. After hearing what she had to say about serving on conference committee, it sounded like an opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up. I pitched her back on what I thought I could add and my enthusiasm on being considered to serve and before I knew it I was drafted!
On Monday, we’ll hear more from Maureen and what she thinks about our upcoming conference!
Filed under: 2009 Conference
