LAA | 2020 Vision

A New Year

A New Decade

A New Generation of Leadership

A year ago, I was inspired to apply for this role because I see vast, untapped potential in the LAA Community. I believe we have barely scratched the surface of what we can create together by harnessing the collective thought leadership, insight and experience of individuals who choose to live and work in Anne Arundel County. 

Last June we celebrated our 25^th Anniversary as an organization. There is much to be proud of in our first 25 years, representing nearly a generation of local leaders. There is even more opportunity in the next 25 years as leadership challenges grow more complex with the advancement of technology and the always accelerating pace of life.

So, here’s my take on the Why, Who, What and How of LAA 2020:

The WHY

Good leaders don’t just happen.

Good leadership (not to mention great leadership) requires inspiring, nurturing, developing, mentoring, supporting, reflecting, connecting and engaging.

That’s what we do.

Together we ask:

What is needed?

What makes leading today different from leading 10 or 20 years ago?

What remains constant? In general – and for you personally?

What are incremental changes that need to be made to advance our community?

How can we get there, together?

The WHO

LAA – the COMMUNITY 

LAA is at the intersection of personal, professional and community leadership.
LAA is a community of dedicated leaders at all phases of development.
LAA is the Alumni, Board of Directors, Committee Members and Membership at large.

With more than 1400 alumni over more than 25 years of programming, participation among the community will naturally ebb and flow. I like to think of this as “Seasons of Engagement.” The challenge is to stay connected across the ebb and flow of capacity; to toggle up and down as time permits; to roll with change; to revisit; to reinvent. To reach back to the most successful and influential leaders among us and draw from their experience to benefit the community overall.

·      If you are seeking support to get to that next place in your development, it is here.

·      If you have come to a place in your journey where you have something to give back – give here.

·      If you are somewhere in between, join us. Engage. Share your perspective, your challenges and your vision of leadership.

In the LAA Community, the rising tide truly lifts all boats. This is your community. It’s always the right time to reengage – whatever your season of engagement and to whatever degree your capacity permits.

THE WHAT

LAA – the ORGANIZATION

As an ORGANIZATION, our job is to make it easy for you to engage.

To facilitate.
To respect your capacity.
To provide the structure and the tools. 

In the eight months since I came onboard in this role, with the support of the LAA Board, we have worked to implement a community platform to provide the structure and tools needed to facilitate member engagement. Lots of tools are already setup and ready to roll and much more can be developed based on member interest and engagement.

THE HOW

·      Invest in Membership – Membership sustains the structure

·      Contribute Content – Update your profile, Join Discussion Forums, Post in the Community, Join Interest Groups (Tip – download the mobile app. Click here to learn more.)

·      Volunteer – Join a Program Committee, the Alumni Forum or the Women’s Executive Forum. Together we are developing relevant programs that tackle ongoing leadership challenges.

·      Show Up – Join us for upcoming events (bring a friend)

As we embark on a new decade, let’s build the central hub for leadership inspiration, development and connection in Anne Arundel County TOGETHER.

Looking forward,

Kris

Kris Valerio Shock
President & CEO
Leadership Anne Arundel
Flagship ‘06