NYSAE Leaders Spotlight

We asked our members three important questions as leaders of associations. Today we feature Colleen K. Harper, CAE, Executive Director Audio Engineering Society, Inc.

1. What are the three values that are most important to you as a leader (of an association)—that is, the consistent behaviors that everyone can rely on from you?
   
   Ethical, reliable, transparent.
   
   
2. How have you lived those values in your career?
   
   I firmly believe that in order to build strong teams with a foundation of trust, it’s critically important for leaders to give credit where it’s due (never taking the credit for someone else’s hard work) and appropriately take the blame when things don’t go as planned. The whole staff team needs to know that they’re valued for their contributions, not just by me, but by the whole Board of Directors and other volunteer leaders. They also need to know that they won’t be unfairly blamed or “thrown under the bus” when I’m speaking with the Board about something that wasn’t successful.
   
   No matter the size, teams will have a hard time being successful if the individuals don’t believe they’re valued and helping the group move toward our desired outcome. All three values – being ethical, reliable, and transparent – leads to trust in leadership, and ultimately strengthens the team as a whole. This has been my experience both as an association staff leader and also, earlier in life, as the captain of numerous sports teams.
   
   
3. If you were recruiting someone to join your team, what would you say to them about your leadership approach and philosophy?
   
   One of the most important things I would want a prospective new team member to know is: We ALL roll up our sleeves and do whatever it takes to get the job done, to be successful, and to support each other. We are not here for our individual personal achievements but to work for and with each other. No one at AES is “too good” or “too important” to do any task. I also have an open-door policy – I’m always happy to make the time to talk about ideas, concerns, struggles, and joys (whether personal or professional). Finally, and most importantly – what I learned from my mentor and dear friend, Debra BenAvram, is that family always comes first. I want you to work hard and get your job done, but I don’t want you to sacrifice a good work-life balance or your mental health.

Colleen Harper, CAE is co-chair of NYSAE’s Synergy Awards Committee. As of July 1, she joined the Board of NYSAE.