Tuesday Thoughts | 23 April 2024 | If You Want to Go Far, Go Together

A couple years ago, I decided that I was going to become a YouTuber, and except for the tiny detail that I hadn’t actually edited a video, since video was literally video tape, I expected the whole process to be pretty seamless. I mean how hard could it be?

As it turns out, I didn’t know the first thing about being a YouTuber, most importantly, I thought that if you came up with some cool channel art, a fun channel name, and a couple of ideas for some interesting videos, it would all work itself out; I was in a word – wrong.

In retrospect, the only thing that has really stuck with me, is the name I chose for my channel, ‘The One Woman Island’, a kind of tongue-in-cheek nod to the fact that no one person is an island – even in the waning days of a global pandemic induced lockdown. If you ever find yourself in need of a sleep aid you’re free to watch those early attempts, I’ve decided to keep most of the videos as a reminder to my future self that we all start somewhere.

Ironically of course, had I taken the time to assemble a team around me, I might have been able to make more of a go at it. Even the things that most appear from the outside to be solo endeavours are usually better pursued with the backing of a strong team.

I was thinking about this idea this weekend as I made a quick trip to my local home improvement store; I usually loath going into the store, because even when I’m in a hurry, and know exactly what I want, I often have to stop to allow some “well meaning” dude to chase me down trying to help. “Miss, Miss, can I help you with anything?”. I almost always manage to keep my inside voice “you can help me by getting out of my way” on the inside, almost.

I’m stubborn, so unless I ask for help, I do not want help. Especially, when what I’m trying to do might be considered “men’s work” and I know that if I was a dude, everyone would just leave me alone to figure it out. Last year I almost dropped a box (that contained a ready to assemble desk chair) because a store clerk – who from the looks of him was not any stronger than I am – tried to “help” me carry it.

Its not that I never ask for help, but I almost always ask my younger cousin – who happens to be a foreman in one of the trades – for assistance. We even have our own “code”, I ask for help, and he asks “do you want me to come do that for you and you watch and hand me tools, or do you want me to watch you do it and jump in if you encounter a challenge?”. In short, he’s really asking me if I want him to teach me, or just to do the thing?

Just last week, we crossed over the 10-year anniversary of the first time he got a chance to really teach me something, I always smile when I see the FB memory pop up of my first time running a chain saw, with my ‘slightly’ concerned looking younger cousin standing by. For the record, I cut one branch (once) and he cut down and then broke down the rest of an entire tree.

Part of my challenge of course, is that I keep having to learn the lesson, that just because it LOOKS easy on YouTube, doesn’t mean its going to BE easy at home; case in point the infamous light-switch incident – IYKYK – which cured me of trying to do electrical work by myself. I was a bit late crafting this week’s ‘thought’ because on Sunday afternoon when I could have been working on this issue, I discovered that one of my favourite channels had published a new video – the 50th in a renovation series I started watching during the aforementioned months sticking close to home.

A few months after I had to – tail between my legs – call one of my Dad’s old golfing buddies (who happens to be a retired electrician) to rescue me from my failed attempt at changing out a light switch; I was recounting the story to a childhood friend who said “so you remember that my husband is an electrical engineer, yes?”.

Last week, I was lucky enough to have a few reminders that my network and my community stand with and behind me. I was honoured to be presented with TWO CSAE Leadership Awards – Community Leader Award and Empowering Leader Award – which allowed me the opportunity to showcase and thank my nominators Chris Dawkins, DES and Rebecca Harris, M.A., CAE ; and to acknowledge some of the many, many people who have helped me move through my career to this point.

Is it possible that I would have – through sheer intelligence and dogged pursuit (h/t Richard Joy for that word, which I’m no longer mad about) – landed myself in the same place without colleagues, friends, and a broader community? Probably not, if not impossible, then at least improbable. Because what Judy Pfeifer, C.Dir once told me “no one is in charge of your career except you” is true, but that doesn’t mean it’s a solo adventure, it just means you’ve got to make choices about who you ride with and when.

This week’s call to action is to find those people, those networks, and those communities who align with your values and goals, and then to find ways to help each other go farther than any of you would be able to go alone.

New and Noteworthy is a collection of things readers of #TuesdayThoughts might find interesting, important, or informative;

??Other Stuff I Did This Week (shameless self promotion): I got to celebrate my first National Volunteer Week as the Canadian Defence Lawyers ' Executive Director - here's to many more to come - much thanks to Enza DelCogliano for putting a personal touch on all of this week's notices and posts | This newsletter reached another subscriber milestone of 850 - Thank you! | I was honoured to win two CSAE Leadership Awards - Community Leader and Empowering Leader | I stepped outside my comfort zone and competed in the Speaker Slam Brand Builder Competition, I appreciate everyone who took the time to cast a vote in support of my Positioning Graphic.

???Hold These Dates: Where to next? Life is busy as the Executive Director of the Canadian Defence Lawyers , but I am looking for a handful of Speaking and Consulting Engagements through late 2024 to keep my skills sharp and nimble, and to continue to make an impact. Details of my offerings are on my website daniellerussell.ca.

?? What to Do: Nominate Someone for a Canadian Volunteer Award h/t Volunteer Canada | Nominate someone for the Hall of Fame presented by Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE) h/t Shawn Shapiro

?? What to Read: The Executive Director's Crucial Role in Optimal Resource Utilization from Meagan Rockett, CAE, DES

?? What to Watch: CSAE's #EveryMomentMatters Video, watch to the end for my thoughts on how fortunate I am to have found a circle that includes Kayley Corupe, CMP and Rebecca Harris, M.A., CAE | The latest episode of the Geetika Ki Canadian Diary Podcast from Geetika Bhardwaj

?? Take Note: Check out Music Heals at the El Mocambo on June 5 for a night of fun in support of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

CALL FOR CONTENT: I crowd source 99% of what appears in New and Noteworthy, but I would love the help of the Tuesday Thoughts Community to identify content about you and for you. Got a cool new project? A Job Posting to Fill? Or just something you found interesting? DM me with a link.

I am a Certified Association Executive with over a dozen years of experience in leadership positions across Canada’s Not-for-Profit Sector, with deep ties in the Meetings and Events Industry. I use the art of storytelling in speech and writing to explain ideas, and to inform audiences and readers on a variety of topics. Learn more about how we can collaborate;

?? Consulting Services: I offer a suite of consulting services for Associations and Charities, and am interested in working with likeminded organizations on projects that contribute to better governance, leadership and the overall growth and health of Canada’s Association and Not-for-Profit Industries.

??? Speaker/Facilitator: I have spoken to standing room only crowds in the Association and Events sectors, connecting ideas and people; topics include, The Introvert Experience, Imposter Syndrome and Mentorship, EDI: Lived Experience as a BIPOC Woman in Leadership, Minimalism and Essentialism, Finding Your Voice and Building Your Unique Brand, Making and Impact, and the #TuesdayThoughtsFormula.

??? Contributing Writer: I have written for Industry Publications and Blogs with a focus on the role of Associations, Volunteerism, and the Intersection of Not-for-Profit Management and many current social and economic trends. My inclination towards storytelling lends itself well to the style of Creative Non-Fiction.

?? The Tuesday Thoughts Formula: I am on a mission to inspire actions that amplify my impact, each week I follow the #TuesdayThoughtsForumla to deliver a call to action inspired by relevant stories; new this year, I’m bringing live demonstrations of the formula to the stage to help conference, event and meeting attendees tell their own stories that amplify their ROI of in-person attendance.

?? Check out my website daniellerussell.ca or email me: [email protected]

?? I’m on a Mission to?Change The World, By Inspiring Actions That Amplify My Impact! Despite my Introverted tendencies, if I have any hope of success this cannot be a solo affair. Join my community where I Connect People and Ideas;

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?? Let’s Be Friends: LinkedIn: Danielle S. Russell, CAE (she/her) | Instagram: @danielle.s.russell