President's Notebook
APEGA
our professions, then encourage them to make the commitment of putting their names forward.
We’re all part of a greater community of professionals and each one of us is responsible for helping others reach their goals. That includes helping them be lifelong learners. As a Professional Member, you should feel honoured — and you are actually obligated — to help when a Member-in-Training, a junior professional, comes to you. It’s not always the easy thing to do, but it’s always the right thing to do. And remember: teaching is one of the proven ways of getting better at what you do. At an ethics workshop last fall, a young professional asked me: “What should I do if I approach another Professional Member, and the Member doesn’t want to talk to me or doesn’t like what I’m say- ing?” That’s a tough one. My hope is that, as self-regulated profes- sionals, we are always comfortable approaching other professionals in the workplace for feedback, support, and guidance. And when we’re the ones approached, we should always be willing to take the time to help others advance and succeed. It might be as simple as explaining why you disagree with an assertion or taking someone for a coffee and chat. APEGA encourages and supports this type of informal mentor- ing. As part of the Association’s mandatory CPD program, some types of informal mentoring can even be counted towards your annual Professional Development Hours. APEGA also offers a formal mentoring program. It’s currently under redevelopment, so if you’re not taking part in it and you want to, please stay tuned.
GIVE BACK: BE A MENTOR
Another way to give back to your profession is by being a mentor or coach to other professionals. It’s part of being an everyday leader: empowering others to reach their goals. I’ve talked about the concept of everyday leadership in this column before. Mentoring is certainly an excellent example, and it’s something I’ve enjoyed doing throughout my career. As professionals, we don’t do things alone and in a vacuum. Professions are made up our collective experience.
GIVE BACK: GET BACK
My term as APEGA President ends April 22, when APEGA President-Elect Dr. Steve Hrudey, P.Eng., FEC, is sworn in as President at APEGA’s Annual General Meeting. It’s been a rewarding journey for me to become and serve as your President. I highly encourage others to serve in any of the ways I’ve mentioned here. You get back so much more than what you give — it’s a cliché, but it’s true. As your President, I received the support and encouragement to follow a dream. Leading our Council to a higher level of governance has been an education for me. It’s also been a validation for me — that I have the skills and talent to lead and lead well at this level. I didn’t do it alone, of course. I had the support of Council, APEGA volunteers, and APEGA staff (through CEO Mark Flint, P.Eng.), all pulling together and delivering change that is making APEGA a better organization. Like I said, I didn’t do it alone. I just helped create the conditions for success. That’s been my management mantra for years, and being able to use it in service to you and your professions has been an unqualified honour. Thank you. I look forward to serving you and your next Council as Past- President — and finding new opportunities to continue giving back.
Questions or comments? president@apega.ca.
SPRING 2016 PEG | 5
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