BY: CLEO WEAVER, ABC KEYSTONE 2021 CHAIR OF THE BOARD

As you arrived at your office this morning, read your emails, caught up on LinkedIn, spoke to your leaders and engaged in the many ways you stay in touch with the daily reality of your company, you likely got some unsettling news. A shipment of supplies or equipment has been delayed, a job has been shut down due to COVID-19, prices have been increased, or some bit of long-awaited news arrived, and now you need to make a decision and deal with the change.

Therein lies your opportunity! You have the power to create the change – hopefully a change that provides you the ability to make an improvement to the outcome of the challenge!

Change is a constant with which we all deal – there are no exceptions. The difference between success and failure when tackling change is in how we deal with it. Will the change be a steppingstone or a stumbling block? Will we emerge from it stronger or weaker? Will we learn and grow from it or be harmed by it?

There is a statement that says, “never let a crisis go to waste.” My challenge to you is to use this “change/crisis” to make your company better, your customers more loyal, and your co-workers happier. Envision the opportunities, because we all have the power to make the best choices for our future!

“The difference between success and failure when tackling change is in how we deal with it.”

Here is a change I hope none of us ever experiences: What if one of our valuable co-workers has left us due to suicide? Sadly, suicide is an ongoing crisis in the construction industry, and ABC Is very aware of its impact. With our current world disorder, suicide is now one of the leading causes of death for adults – a sobering statistic. ABC will be providing materials and education to raise awareness so that we can provide help before it is too late. We need to get this assistance to everyone who needs it sooner rather than later, as suicide is often preventable if the signs are recognized early. I am proud of ABC and its many chapters as we work together to prevent the tragedy of suicide. Please look for more information on this topic in the months ahead. Likewise, if anyone has valuable information, please forward it to me or to our President-CEO Dave Sload.

Now, let me brag about our Keystone Chapter and our talented staff and Board. In September, we completed two days of strategic planning as we charted the course for the next three years – recognizing of course, that there will always be annual updates and tweaks. If any of you can supernaturally see into the next three years, I need you on my team right now!

I am so energized by the great input and involvement of all that attended and participated! We thoughtfully updated our mission, value proposition and vision statements (which were last updated six years ago) as well as drafted pages of ideas and vision for the growth and goals of ABC Keystone.

A big thank you to Monica Glowinski from ABC National who facilitated our constructive two days of sessions, and to our staff, Board and committee leaders who remained focused and productive throughout both days – that is a true accomplishment. See page 5 for the Keystone Chapter’s new direction, and I am so motivated by our dedicated staff and Board leaders – many thanks to all!

Now, embrace those challenges that cropped up this morning, and go implement the changes you need to make to become a better person and a better company!

Posted October 5, 2021