You Can't Out-Give What You Get

WWW.IECI.ORGThe magazine for today’s electrical and systems contractorInnovation. Education. Insights MARCH 2012 Success. Crisis Management: Are You Prepared When DISASTER Strikes?

Short Course You Can’t Out-Give What You Get By Christian D. Malesic, IOM Tutor: We all can be more and we can do more. Michael Kallmeyer (left) presents an IEC National Award to Leadership is a level of involvement that causes Bobby Tutor (right) L eadership is a daunting topic. We all recognize some of us to reach outside of our comfort zone. It it when we see it; yet, have difficulty describing is human nature to take the path of least resistance, Kallmeyer: The bottom line is they have to use it. Why do some choose to lead chapters and to just be a member and let someone else lead. That their own judgment to care for the big picture of the the national association while others do not? What is safe, but we do not grow if we follow that path. organization and their constituents. Usually, they are makes them leaders? How do they make decisions? mutually inclusive – you can do both. These are the topics of many academic scholars Kallmeyer: Membership, golf tournements, and all of over the millennia. Thousands of white papers, books, the other events are extremely important. Leadership Tutor: When you are selected to lead, you are entrusted and studies have been written and conducted on the positions fulfill a sense of duty. The collective needs with a Duty of Care. You are selected for leadership subject. It should not surprise you that there are resources, but it also needs leadership and management. because of your good judgment, so there are times thousands of definitions of “leader” and “leadership.” you will need to make those tough decisions. Rather than provide you with mine, I will allow you to Malesic use your own. Kallmeyer: Every individual has to examine their Why do you do it? Is there more to it? own core values and validate their decision-making Of this I am sure: Bobby Tutor and Michael methods for themselves. Kallmeyer are leaders – and fine leaders at that. Kallmeyer: I recognized the need. It was my turn. Malesic Bobby J. Tutor, of Tutor Electrical Services, Inc., Malesic in Mansfield, Texas, is the current IEC national pres- Thank you for your time and your thoughtful guidance. ident, leader of the Executive Committee and the Is it all give and no take, or do you get something in Any parting thoughts? Board of Directors. return for your efforts? Kallmeyer: I am part of this association because my Michael Kallmeyer, of Denier Electric Co., Inc., Kallmeyer: There are personal benefits. It helps my value system personally aligns with the association’s in Grove City, Ohio, is the IEC immediate past pres- industry and my chapter; it is far more fulfilling for value system. I am proud to be a part of it. ident, which also makes him a member of the me when I am in the mix. Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Tutor: I am honored to serve as the 2012 IEC National Tutor: I learned a long time ago of one of life’s funda- President. I am appreciative of the support of my peers During the January Board Meeting, held at the mental principles: you cannot out-give what you get and I am committed. 2012 will be another great year! IEC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, I was fortunate to in return. I have learned so much and improved so avoid the snow storm plaguing the Northeast to much from my involvement with IEC. My chapter has Christian D. Malesic, IOM was a founder of CM spend quality time with both Tutor and Kallmeyer. gained, my company has gained, I have gained; there Squared, Inc., Full Service Electricians, in Though the schedule was filled, the issues were is nothing like it. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and served as its important, and the debate was (at times) rigorous, I President/ CEO for 15 years. He previously volun- did manage to find a few private moments with each Kallmeyer: It ebbs and flows. I have received at least teered as the Central Pennsylvania IEC Chapter of these IEC leaders. What follows are their thoughts 10 times as much as I have given – and that is a President, Vice President, and Apprenticeship & on volunteer leadership, service to the association, conservative estimate. You could put a dollar figure Training Chair. He served on the IEC National Board and representing those we serve. to it – calculate time saved, jobs earned, tricks of Directors representing the Northeast Region. learned. There is more though, something you can’t Malesic is currently the Executive Officer at the Malesic put a dollar figure on and that is the business and Home Builders Association of Berks County. To management education you receive. receive notice of the newest articles written by Why do you volunteer as a leader and why should any Malesic, follow him on Twitter @CDMalesic. of us do it? Why serve on a Board or committee as a Malesic volunteer leader at the chapter, state, or national level? When a member is selected for leadership, either Kallmeyer: The association model is designed to pull through election or appointment, how much of resources from a like-constituency. The collective has themselves do they put into their decision-making the ability to accomplish more than any one individual. process vs. following the will of their constituents? The collective can do more than any one person or firm. Tutor: There is not a hard and fast rule on that.You have Tutor: We all have a duty to give back to the industry a duty to serve your constituents who put you in office, that provides our living. but your greater duty is to the organization. There are times when you go against a few constituents to Malesic serve the greater needs of the organization. Many of us do that already. We attend mixers and networking events, vote at membership elections, and golf in the annual tournaments. Why leadership, though? Why should a member take that extra step? 10 | March 2012 | www.ieci.org