Work/Life: What’s One Idea That Changed Your World?

We asked association professionals which idea changed their world.

By Written by FORUM Magazine editors.

Hands holding a small brown slip of paper that reads "One Idea Can Change the World"

Association Forum has a trademark on the phrase “One Idea Can Change The World^®.” We love the concept that the work we do at an association level can have rippling effects across industries. It is empowering to think that a certification program can save lives, an advocacy campaign can save jobs, and a member product offering can save time.

	“The big change for me was realizing that in the real world, sometimes it’s not about getting perfect scores. Actually, aiming for perfection can slow things down. I learned to sometimes value B+ work that focuses on progress and speed. In many cases, the gap between B+ and A+ is barely noticeable, if at all. This shift helped me concentrate on the project’s goal instead of endlessly chasing a perfect grade. It’s a lesson that’s been super helpful in getting things done.” Matthew Ryan Stover Chief Creative Officer, Stover Creative Agency
	“Kindness. Maya Angelou’s words profoundly hit me: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” While the work we all do is so important and will impact people and our world long after we are gone, what matters most is that I am kind, treat others with love, and leave them feeling a way I want them to remember and want to feel myself. Kindness matters deeply.” Michael Tatonetti Founder and CEO, Pricing for Associations
	“Understanding I’m not the main character in everyone else’s lives. Not getting an answer? They might not be intentionally ignoring you – they have things going on. A thing we frequently say in my office is, “I’m ignoring you because I don’t have an answer yet.” And that’s ok.” Brandon J. Craig, MPA, CAE Program and Partnerships Coordinator, Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society
	“The one-week sabbatical. A vacation is when you take time off to have fun, rest, relax, visit with friends and relatives. A vacation is for re-energizing but is not for working. A sabbatical is planned time set aside for deep thought on the work you do, whether it is planning what’s next for your company, focusing intensely on a project, or writing that book you’ve been outlining for years. It is a time designed for the work that we don’t always get to do in our daily work flow.” Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting