Category Archives: Leadership

Take this quiz–you might be surprised at your leadership style

Managing Up

Great presentation by Pam Gibbons, of Gibbons HR. She presented Managing Up Through Effective Communication. According to Pam, at the end of the day, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. And knowing your communication style, as well as others, will help you be a more effective communicator. Would you like a copy of the self-assessment Pam shared with us?  Continue reading →

March Membership Madness – get the freebie!

#tbt: No longer alone in the industry

. . . I had been alone in this industry, isolated on an island without networking, education or help.

. . . Nonetheless, my boss encouraged me to participate [in SDA] and I started with chairing the Jobline committee. I found that for all the effort I put into my volunteer duties, I received as much or more back in answers to my own questions, solutions to office quandaries, and ever-increasing knowledge. Through that involvement I got to know several board members who became mentors to me. These inspirational leaders that I admired so much became friends. They became, in my mind, real people, fallible, friendly, and tangible to me in a way I couldn’t have imagined just a few years before.

Renae Howard, CDFA (Seattle member since 2002; excerpt from her “Message to Members,” Portico, November 2005)

It was 55 years ago this week

On an October evening in 1959, five secretaries in Miami, Florida, met to discuss the possibility of forming a group consisting solely of architectural secretaries which could benefit the architectural profession and the community. Each of the five secretaries subsequently contacted other architectural offices, and on October 21, 1959, the first meeting of The Architectural Secretaries Association, Inc. (ASA) was held.And so began the story of what is now called the Society for Design Administration.

And so began the story of what is now called the Society for Design Administration.

While the Miami group was off to an enthusiastic start, like any new organization they encountered problems. Early opposition to the group came from some architects who felt they were trying to form a union, or that they might discuss confidential office matters at gatherings. It soon became apparent that the group would have to prove itself – to stand or fall on its own merit.

The first officers of the Miami chapter were installed in January 1960, and three months later, its constitution and bylaws were adopted. Then, in May 1961, the chapter was granted its charter by the Secretary of the State of Florida, thus becoming the first chartered organization of its kind in the United States.

Chapter colors were blue and white (blueprint) and its motto was amiability, sincerity and assiduity.

We’ve come a long way, baby!

#tbt: The power of professional organizations

More than 10 years later, the wisdom of SDA members still holds true (excerpt from a 2003 Seattle chapter newsletter).

If you were looking for Seattle Chapter SDA members who can attest to the powerfulness of the organization, you wouldn’t have to look any further than the four panelists at the October program:  Terry Bolender, Robbie Ralkowski, (both lifetime Seattle chapter members); Stacy Rowland, and Linda Flynn (former member).  They offered insight, made suggestions, provided advice, and shared personal anecdotes on how SDA can serve as a building block and enrich your professional career.

Key themes

  • Obtain leadership skills (and build confidence and self-esteem)
  • Obtain a broader educational/career base
  • Become a well-rounded design firm administrator
  • Develop a design-industry network
  • Understand one’s position and the role it plays in the overall profitability of your firm
  • Get involved
  • Stretch yourself within your firm; step out of your comfort zone
  • Create lifetime friendships