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practice applicationsPRESIDENT’S PAGE
Creating a Legacy of Leadership
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am not an artist, but if I couldpaint a picture that conveys theidea of leadership, it would be of a
hepherd standing in a meadow sur-ounded by his or her flock. The shep-erd would be positioned to see theock, the sky, and the surrounding
andscape. The picture would conveyhe shepherd’s mission of looking outor the flock and serving as a guide toafety and abundance. Of course, theembers of the flock see the world
rom their own individual perspec-ives and mindsets; and a capablehepherd allows them freedom tooam, while making sure they moveenerally in the right direction andind up together at the end of theay. Their togetherness gives themoth individual and collective strengthnd purpose. In part, that is how I seehe role of ADA members in our society.
Challenge to Every Membern these columns over the past year, Iave focused on ways we are and cane leaders, especially in the context ofDA’s strategic plan. This aggressivelan is built on strength, knowledge,mpowerment, generational synergy,eamwork, inclusiveness, and collab-ration. This set of strategic blue-rints, which will help us lead theuture of dietetics, is a plan that pro-otes leadership.And that is my final message to you
s ADA President: I want to challengevery member to be a leader every-here in your personal and profes-
ional life—in your workplace, com-unity, and professional association,DA.By moving together collectively,hile maintaining our individual tal-nts and strengths, we as dieteticsrofessionals can have a huge impactn people’s nutrition and health—erson by person, and our nation as ahole. That is what I mean when I
ay that all ADA members are lead- y
2004 by the American Dietetic Associat
rs. Our profession drives us to beeaders. The only question is whethere accept the challenge—and theift—of leadership.
illingness to Serven February, I had the pleasure ofoining about 400 members at ADA’srst-ever Leadership Institute. Onef the speakers was Mark Levin,AE, an authority on associationanagement and author of a remark-
ble book with an equally remarkableitle: The Gift of Leadership: How toelight the Volunteer Spirit in the1st Century (B A I Inc, 1997). Ac-ording to Mr Levin, the “gifts” ofeadership “are sometimes hiddenrom us, and our members. . .. Theeal hidden gifts of leadership are thekills that volunteer leaders develops they undertake their leadershipoles. These skills take many forms,nd many times the volunteers don’tven realize that they’ve been givenhese gifts. The fact remains, how-ver, that they not only have acquiredhese skills because of their willing-ess to serve, but they also can trans-er these to their personal and profes-ional lives” (1).I encourage all ADA members to beilling to serve. Everything else de-
ives from that initial investment in
Marianne Smith Edge
our Association, your profession,
ion Journa
nd yourself. Some leaders are born;ut most are developed. Use the op-ortunities and experiences affordedo you by your workplace and yourssociation to grow and develop as aeader.
The best way to wind up in a posi-ion of leadership is to seek opportu-ities for leadership. There is an oldaying: If you’re not the lead dogin Kentucky, we’d say, “if you’re nothe winning horse”) the view neverhanges.
oot in the Doorollow the example of your fellowembers who vividly demonstrate ev-
ry day that the dietetics professionffers countless leadership opportuni-ies. I always say, if these opportuni-ies don’t exist where you live orork, take the initiative—stick your
oot in the door! That may be old newso some of our profession’s most noteddoor openers.” But many peopleren’t aware that sticking your foot inill result in more open doors thaninched toes.I appreciate the opportunity you
ave given me to serve as your pres-dent this past year. I wouldn’t tradehe opportunities I’ve had to meet andork with so many of you for any-
hing in the world. As I pass the gavelo Susan Laramee, MS, RD, FADA, Inow the American Dietetic Associa-ion will always continue to lead theuture of dietetics.
—Marianne Smith Edge,MS, RD, LD, FADA
doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2004.04.001
eference. Levin M. The “Gift” of Leadership.
Available at: http://www.hftp.org/members/bottomline/backissues/1996/aug-sept/leader.htm. Accessed
April 1, 2004.l of THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION 719
