Tag Archives: roy sexton

“This is where I’m from, but you’re where I belong.” Paddington in Peru and Captain America: Brave New World

27 February 2025

5 Comments

Advanced warning, this will be a short one. I admit, I escaped to the movie theater today, my place of comfort and retreat, while mover men clambered all around our house packing up all of our worldly possessions. (Side note: today and tomorrow are vacation days for me, although given all that activity it’s hardly what I would call a rejuvenating 48 hours.)

Yesterday, I stayed in the house on conference calls, while the movers were doing their work, and I just couldn’t take it again today. I’m so excited about the future, but it feels like the end of an era to be honest, watching as 20+ years of beloved possessions are packed away by very nice, but complete strangers, seeing a house we have loved so much look increasingly like a war zone. Plus, if one more worker came around the corner and said to me, “Gosh, there sure is a lot more stuff than was in the estimate,” I was likely to scream bloody murder.

So how did I pass the time? By catching up with a double feature of sequel entries in beloved franchises, two films that are perfectly serviceable, completely entertaining, but don’t hold the luster of their predecessors: Paddington in Peru and Captain America: Brave New World.

Surprising no one who has seen the previous two Paddington films, that one was the stronger entry here. It doesn’t quite have the arch, scruffy wit of its forebears, but it still retains all of the warmth and sweetness. I may have cried some ugly tears at the end. It could simply be from exhaustion with this move, but I was deeply affected as Paddington rediscovered his roots in deepest, darkest Peru. The little CGI bear is ably supported by a wonderful cast, including new additions, Olivia Colman, as a literal singing, slightly devious nun and Antonio Banderas, as a non-singing, slightly devious boat captain. Both have a hell of a time, chewing every bit of scenery in their wake, and it works very well.

But the secret weapon of these films remains Paddington, so winsomely voiced by Ben Whishaw. All it takes is one melty glance from the little bear and the film has you in the palm of its hand. When Paddington explains to his adopted human family – The Browns – “This is where I’m from [Peru], but you’re where I belong,” I dare your heart not to pang. It’s worth your time if looking for a late February escape.

Captain America: Brave New World is fine, but seems like a shadow of the superhero spy, clockwork genius of Captain America: Winter Soldier or even Captain America: Civil War. Brave New World fills in all the expected story beats smoothly, but still feels like a diet soda, full of fizz and empty calories. The cast is uniformly excellent and deserves a better script, notably, a gruff and flinty Harrison Ford – is there any other kind of Harrison Ford at this point? Anthony Mackie is terrific as the new Captain America, full of steely swagger and enough side-eyed bewilderment to keep his character interesting. I hope the Marvel machine makes better use of him in the future.

I should also admit that I had to field about four work calls and two calls from the movers during Brave New World so it’s quite possible I missed something integral to the plot, but it says something about the film that every time I returned it didn’t feel like I’d actually missed much at all.

I have news …

20 December 2024

5 Comments

I have news … I’m thrilled to share that I will be joining the Vedder Price law firm later in January as their Chief Marketing Officer. Grateful for this new adventure and next step in my career. They have a fantastic team there, and I’m excited to learn from and grow with them. A great firm with an excellent reputation, and they have been so welcoming. Can’t wait!

But wait … there’s more! We will be relocating to the Chicago area after 25 years (for me) in Southeast Michigan, downsizing a house in which two “collectors” and a few four-legged friends have resided for nearly 20 years. The “great purge” honestly has been therapeutic (an interesting moment of healing), after my mom’s passing a few years back, letting go of once treasured objects that can now be treasured by someone else. I’m waiting for Goodwill to put a sign on the door with my face and the words “no longer welcome here!”

To add to the transitional vibe, I’m wrapping up five years on the Legal Marketing Association International Board, an era of momentous change and challenge for this storied and fabulous organization. I remain unbelievably appreciative of this community of colleagues, peers, and friends who adopted me way back in 2012 … and kept me around. My personal “board of directors” (you know who you are!) have my undying appreciation for the guidance and counsel.

Thank you to my Clark Hill family for six+ glorious years serving the organization. The firm realized exceptional growth during that time with each year more successful than the last, now standing at nearly 800 attorneys and nearly 30 offices across the United States as well as Mexico City and Dublin. Such a smart, warm, supportive firm. I will miss you all very much.

P.S. And if you are learning of this news first through social media, my apologies, but I have a bajillion comic book and movie collectibles to box up! Light a candle for me!

From DBusiness: Clark Hill Director of Marketing Roy Sexton Named to Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2024

26 November 2024

1 Comment

Thank you, R.J. King, Tim Keenan, and DBusiness Magazine, for your consistent and kind support and for all you do for Southeast Michigan and Detroit.

Original article here.

Roy Sexton, director of marketing at Clark Hill and 2024 International Immediate Past President of the Legal Marketing Association, has been named to the INvolve Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2024.

This is his second year in a row being recognized by the organization.

The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists supported by YouTube showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world. They aim to represent the wide range of impactful and innovative work being done for inclusion across different countries, organizations and sectors, and celebrate the diverse range of inspiring individuals who have made it their personal mission to make a difference.null

“Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill PLC’s marketing, branding, and communications efforts. INvolve wrote. “In 2024, Roy was named one of Corp! Magazine’s ‘Most Valuable Professionals in Michigan.’ He was listed in Crain’s Detroit ‘Notable LGBTQ in Business’ in 2021 and ‘Notable Leaders in Marketing’ in 2023. In 2022, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign received Best Marketing Campaign from Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity, inclusion.

“Roy hosts the monthly Expert Webcast series “All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth,” discussing the importance of inclusion, allyship, authenticity, personal/professional branding with nationally recognized executives and thought leaders. Each episode has a monthly reach of at least 20,000 impressions. In 2023, Roy was the international president of the 4,000-member Legal Marketing Association. Throughout his tenure, Roy prioritized DEI issues, putting them front and center on all education and messaging efforts.”

INvolve is a consultancy and global network driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of advisory solutions, awareness workshops, talent development programs, INvolve drives cultural change and create inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed. They publish annual role model lists recognizing and celebrating business leaders and future leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and inspiring the next generation of diverse talent.

“I’m thrilled to have been named amongst these incredible LGBTQIA+ leaders for the second year in a row,” Sexton says. “People often fail to realize the importance of visibility and representation. These awards aren’t about the momentary personal ‘sugar rush’ of recognition. Rather they demonstrate to the business community the essential value of celebrating those willing – and brave enough – to integrate the personal and professional sides of their lives. And more importantly, to talk about it. As a young gay man in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, such a list would have given me far greater confidence that there would be a place for me in this world. I’m grateful – and hopeful – that I in turn can serve some small role in helping send that message to the LGBTQIA+ community today.”

From The Sun Times News: “These awards aren’t about the momentary personal ‘sugar rush’ of recognition.” INvolve Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List 2024

16 November 2024

2 Comments

Thank you, Sun Times News!

Original article here.

Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill and 2024 International Immediate Past President of the Legal Marketing Association, has been named to the INvolve Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2024. This is his second year in a row being recognized by the organization.

Other honorees include David Hynam, Chief Executive, LV=; Dame Julia Hoggett DBE, CEO, London Stock Exchange PLC; Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology at Google; David Furnish, CEO/Chair of Rocket Entertainment Group/Elton John AIDS Foundation; Emily Hamilton, Vice-President Change, RS Group; Suresh Raj, Chief Growth Officer, McCann New York; Eugenio Pirri, Chief Executive Officer, Dorchester Collection; Travis Torrence, U.S. Head of Legal, Shell; Josh Graff, Managing Director for EMEA/LATAM and VP Enterprise Solutions Group, LinkedIn; and Robyn Grew, CEO, Man Group.

The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists supported by YouTube showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world. They aim to represent the wide range of impactful and innovative work being done for inclusion across different countries, organizations and sectors, and celebrate the diverse range of inspiring individuals who have made it their personal mission to make a difference.

In their recognition, INvolve wrote, “Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill PLC’s marketing, branding and communications efforts. In 2024, Roy was named one of Corp! Magazine’s ‘Most Valuable Professionals in Michigan.’ He was listed in Crain’s Detroit ‘Notable LGBTQ in Business’ in 2021 and ‘Notable Leaders in Marketing’ in 2023. In 2022, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign received Best Marketing Campaign from Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity, inclusion. Roy hosts the monthly Expert Webcast series All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth, discussing the importance of inclusion, allyship, authenticity, personal/professional branding with nationally recognized executives and thought leaders. Each episode has a monthly reach of at least 20,000 impressions. In 2023, Roy was the international president of the 4,000-member Legal Marketing Association. Throughout his tenure, Roy prioritized DEI issues, putting them front and center on all education and messaging efforts.”

INvolve is a consultancy and global network driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of advisory solutions, awareness workshops, talent development programs, INvolve drives cultural change and create inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed. They publish annual role model lists recognizing and celebrating business leaders and future leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and inspiring the next generation of diverse talent.

About the recognition, Sexton observed, “I’m thrilled to have been named amongst these incredible LGBTQIA+ leaders for the second year in a row. People often fail to realize the importance of visibility and representation. These awards aren’t about the momentary personal ‘sugar rush’ of recognition. Rather they demonstrate to the business community the essential value of celebrating those willing – and brave enough – to integrate the personal and professional sides of their lives. And more importantly, to talk about it. As a young gay man in the late 90s and early 00s, such a list would have given me far greater confidence that there would be a place for me in this world. I’m grateful – and hopeful – that I in turn can serve some small role in helping send that message to the LGBTQIA+ community today.”

From Detroit Legal News: “People often fail to realize the importance of visibility and representation.” INvolve Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List 2024

14 November 2024

3 Comments

Thank you, Detroit Legal News’ Sheila Pursglove, Brian Cox, Brad Thompson, Tom Kirvan, and team for all this support you show our professional community. It means a lot.

Original article here.

Roy Sexton, director of Marketing at Clark Hill and 2024 International Immediate Past President of the Legal Marketing Association, has been named to the INvolve Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2024. This is his second year in a row that Sexton has been recognized by the organization. 

The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists supported by YouTube showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world. They aim to represent the wide range of impactful and innovative work being done for inclusion across different countries, organizations and sectors, and celebrate the diverse range of inspiring individuals who have made it their personal mission to make a difference.

In their recognition, INvolve wrote, “Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill PLC’s marketing, branding and communications efforts. In 2024, Roy was named one of Corp! Magazine’s ‘Most Valuable Professionals in Michigan.’ He was listed in Crain’s Detroit’s ‘Notable LGBTQ in Business’ in 2021 and ‘Notable Leaders in Marketing’ in 2023. In 2022, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign received Best Marketing Campaign from Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity, inclusion. Roy hosts the monthly Expert Webcast series All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth, discussing the importance of inclusion, allyship, authenticity, personal/professional branding with nationally recognized executives and thought leaders. Each episode has a monthly reach of at least 20,000 impressions. In 2023, Roy was the international president of the 4,000-member Legal Marketing Association. Throughout his tenure, Roy prioritized DEI issues, putting them front and center on all education and messaging efforts.”

INvolve is a consultancy and global network driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of advisory solutions, awareness workshops, talent development programs, INvolve drives cultural change and create inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed. 

About the recognition, Sexton said, “I’m thrilled to have been named amongst these incredible LGBTQIA+ leaders for the second year in a row. People often fail to realize the importance of visibility and representation. These awards aren’t about the momentary personal ‘sugar rush’ of recognition. Rather they demonstrate to the business community the essential value of celebrating those willing – and brave enough – to integrate the personal and professional sides of their lives. And more importantly, to talk about it. As a young gay man in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, such a list would have given me far greater confidence that there would be a place for me in this world. I’m grateful – and hopeful – that I in turn can serve some small role in helping send that message to the LGBTQIA+ community today.”

Other honorees include David Hynam, Chief Executive, LV=; Dame Julia Hoggett, DBE, CEO, London Stock Exchange PLC; Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology at Google; David Furnish, CEO/Chair of Rocket Entertainment Group/Elton John AIDS Foundation; Emily Hamilton, Vice-President Change, RS Group; Suresh Raj, Chief Growth Officer, McCann New York; Eugenio Pirri, Chief Executive Officer, Dorchester Collection; Travis Torrence, U.S. Head of Legal, Shell; Josh Graff, Managing Director for EMEA/LATAM and VP Enterprise Solutions Group, LinkedIn; and Robyn Grew, CEO, Man Group.

All the World’s YOUR Stage: “I’m through accepting limits, ’cause someone says they’re so …” Finding one’s voice … and true calling with guest Ratana

1 November 2024

Leave a comment

What do I REALLY want to be when I grow up? Many of us ask ourselves that question, not just when we are children but throughout our adult lives. Few people have the courage to embrace their truest, deepest dreams … let alone thrive in them. Successful voiceover artist, actor, coach, consultant, singer Ratana is one such human being. And her story is inspiring.

View episode here.

“Hi, I’m Ratana. In the Asian culture, the word Ratana has many meanings: it is a precious gem or term of respect in Hindi and a diamond or crystal in Thai. And, as the name implies, I am multi-faceted in my talents and interests. Here’s why: I grew up singing, loving musicals, theater, cartoons, and dance. And even though I loved to perform, I was also your stereotypically ‘good little Asian girl’ of a student – and ultimately I ended up studying marketing and advertising at Michigan State University, where I learned that creating amazing brands is very much like telling an amazing story,” she writes.

“After college, I jumped into the corporate world, where I applied my talents as a consultant to a variety of Fortune 500 clients, and later, as a marketing professional, where I worked on a variety of brands you might recognize from your regular Target or grocery run. But I still loved to perform. During the day, I perfected my analytical skills and by night, I took classes – dancing, acting, improv and voiceover… and I discovered that it’s fun to use both sides of your brain! Not only that, all these seemingly diverse and unrelated activities were perfectly complementary to each other. Serendipity.”

As a brand strategist with over 10 years of experience growing brands both in the US and internationally, Ratana helps clients develop and refine business strategy, find the brand story in their products or services, and develop a plan to bring that story to life. She has worked with and consulted for businesses in a variety of industries including entertainment, toys, food, restaurants, technology, and fitness, just to name a few.

“As a trained voice actor, I’ve lent my voice to a wide range of projects. Whether it’s providing instructions to children (or kids of all ages), playing a zombie’s best friend, or singing as a Southern belle, I’m able to provide a versatile range of characters, accents and attitudes that help you tell your story. As an improviser, my team and I entertain groups of all sizes by making up stories with only your one-word suggestion. And as a host, I’ve conducted live, on-camera conversations with artists and entrepreneurs,” she explains.

Learn more about her work here.

“A word of caution. This is not a comedy club. You are not onstage.” Joker: Folie à Deux

22 October 2024

5 Comments

For many, these years of the pandemic era stripped away things that offered balance and refilled wells – movies, theater, travel. Consequently, people lost themselves in work – aiming to ride the highs of Zoom-fueled interviews, podcasts, and meet ups – perhaps at times being advised by friends and colleagues that they were “too much” for this world, and at other times being told they were “not enough.” The psychological whiplash could be soul-crushing.

It is with this mindset I took in a sparsely attended Tuesday night showing of Joker: Folie à Deux. Forgive me father, I may have sinned: I loved it. Unequivocally. 

It’s interesting how deeply misunderstood both Joker films are: the first one, in great part, because of its critical and financial success and its sequel … for the lack thereof. (Side note: these two films are like parentheses on the pandemic era – Joker in 2019 and Joker: Folie à Deux in 2024.)  Much like the films’ anti-hero Arthur Fleck, neither film is quite resilient enough to endure the white-hot glare of scrutiny they’ve received. That doesn’t mean they aren’t both excellent movies. I think they are. But they are a bit too delicate to bear the weight of superhero blockbuster box office – and the judgment of sniffy pundits.

The first film curdled under its acclaim to be misperceived as a tribute to incel culture. And now the second has been abandoned for being some kind of reversal or apology for the first. I don’t find either assessment fair, accurate, or true. Taken together, the films are poetic bookends, indicting a society where institutions and pop culture dreams regularly fail the downtrodden. (See: Chappell Roan’s conflicted ascendancy in 2024 for instance.)

At least that’s my view.

“You’re riding high in April, shot down in May … Some people get their kicks stepping on dreams.” So go the lyrics to the pop standard “That’s Life,” one of many tunes that cleverly pepper the sequel which, yes, is a musical. Sort of. Less Singin’ in the Rain and more Dancer in the Dark, a haunting slice of life from 25 years ago, featuring Bjork, whose piteous character found solace in surreal musical interludes to both express and escape the pain of living.

Whereas Arthur’s inner fantasy life in the first film is expressed through day-glo, arch comedy routines, the sequel turns that conceit on its head, employing song and (occasional) dance numbers as punctuation marks around Arthur’s incarceration at Arkham Asylum and eventual trial.

Oh, and we get a wickedly spot on Looney Tunes cartoon homage at the beginning of the film where Arthur wrestles with his demons, er, literal shadow, all set to “Slap That Bass.” That sets a certain tone right out of the gate, with many Easter egg references to classic film musicals.

And any flick that incorporates deep cuts from Burt Bacharach, Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley, Cy Coleman, and Harold Arlen, deftly contrasting pop music optimism with hardscrabble reality is AOK in my book.

Listen, I am not going to mount a defense of this film. That is wholly unnecessary. I believe with the passage of time and the absence of toxic groupthink, Joker: Folie à Deux will be a rediscovered gem. I didn’t find it ponderous or poorly conceived, illogical or problematic. And I’m not just being contrary. I was transfixed for its nearly two-and-a-half hour runtime. And I kept thinking: am I seeing the same film all the hyperventilating critics saw?

Joaquin Phoenix gives a haunting tour-de-force performance, seamlessly continuing the tragicomic arc established in the first film. Arthur’s tale ends on a suitably mournful note completely consistent with his atrophied evolution. Lady Gaga meets Phoenix handily and turns in one of her best performances to date – a wounded Lady Macbeth for the ages. The supporting cast, led by Catherine Keener and Brendan Gleeson, doesn’t miss a beat, adding layers to this devastating corner of the comic book film universe.  And director Todd Phillips maintains an exquisitely, relentlessly melancholy atmosphere throughout, aided and abetted again by Hildur Guðnadóttir’s gorgeously bleak score.

As the judge presiding over Arthur’s trial observes toward the end of the film, “A word of caution. This is not a comedy club. You are not onstage.” But, oh, so many wish they were onstage … so many think they are onstage … and when the harsh reality sets in, breaking bad becomes fait accompli.

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, “Well, how did I get here?”

  • “Once in a Lifetime” from The Talking Heads (*not in the film … but thematically consonant!)

My mother the car …

28 September 2024

5 Comments

File under: “search and rescue mission.” I remember when my mother Susie Duncan Sexton bought this Pontiac Grand Am in 1994. I believe it’s the only car in her lifetime that she ever got to special order brand new. She called it her “dead mother car” in her inimitable way.

Yes, she purchased it with cash from her inheritance from my grandmother‘s passing. And in some way, I guess it’s now my “dead mother car.” We are an irreverent family.

Anyway, at the time she really liked this style and she liked what she called its “ice skater butt.” She wanted it to have a spoiler, she wanted it to be green, and she wanted it to have a red stripe. Performance wasn’t necessarily of interest, although there are some side benefits to the package that came with those details.

I remember her also being very frustrated because the actual green she loved – army green – was available the following year, not in 1994 when she received this. She would always say, “damn my time.” Or one could argue she was always ahead of her time.

This car has sat unused for the better part of a decade, maybe two. It is exactly 30 years old now. I guess it’s a classic? It’s a weird feeling for me … and they got it in early October of that year, right around this time. Visiting me at college, having driven this to Crawfordsville, they were so excited about it.

John attended a 1980s/1990s Pontiac car event a few weeks back and suddenly decided it was time for us to make this our project. We both tend to personify inanimate objects – him cars, and me everything else. So there’s a lot of sentimental attachment here, and we look forward to giving this car a new lease on life. Thank you to my dad Don Sexton for letting us take this off his hands.

“Marketers need to own their journey …” 9Sail Webinar Recap – Budget Season: Plan Your Law Firm’s Marketing Budget with Data

27 September 2024

1 Comment

From 9Sail: Did you miss our recent webinar on planning your law firm’s marketing budget with data?

Click here to view.

Joe Giovannoli was joined by Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill, and Jack Prince, Business Profitability Consultant at CRI Simple Numbers, for an insightful discussion on data-driven marketing budget decisions for law firms.

In our latest recap, we dive into the essential tips shared during the session, focusing on how to craft a marketing budget that ensures impactful and measurable results.

The conversation focused on key performance metrics, effective allocation of marketing spend, and aligning those investments with firm goals.

Webinar Recap – Budget Season: Plan Your Law Firm’s Marketing Budget with Data

Key Takeaways: 

  • Marketers need to own their journey and be proactive in demonstrating ROI to firm leadership. This may involve collecting your own data and metrics to show the impact of marketing initiatives.
  • Benchmarking marketing budgets and spending against industry standards and peer firms can help make the case for increased investment. Reaching out to marketing peers can provide valuable data points.
  • Aligning marketing goals and spending with the firm’s overall growth strategy is crucial. Understanding the firm’s plans for adding attorneys or expanding practice areas can inform the marketing approach.
  • Developing a multi-year marketing strategy with a mix of branding, calls-to-action, and experimental initiatives can help demonstrate a thoughtful, data-driven approach to leadership.

“Well, that’s your problem. You’re marketing.” Law.com’s How Senior Marketing Professionals Can Transition to the Legal World

26 September 2024

2 Comments

Thank you, Erika Ratner Steinberg, for including me in this excellent and revelatory piece. Honored to be featured here alongside such brilliant minds as Andrea (Andi) Benjamin, Susan Kurz, and Cynthia A. McCollough.

READ MORE

EXCERPT: Roy Sexton is immediate past president of the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International Board of Directors. LMA is the single largest trade group for legal marketing professionals, with nearly 4,000 members. In his “day job” as Director of Marketing for international law firm Clark Hill Law out of Detroit, Sexton has been able to integrate deftly his experiences from a prior career in consumer-facing healthcare marketing with those from two prior smaller firms.

“I came from a large hospital system and my first law job was at a small mortgage foreclosure firm in 2011, and they seemed very marketing-savvy there. At the time, I thought healthcare had a lot to learn, but a basic tool—the customer survey—was commonly used.”

But Sexton says that when he came to that mortgage foreclosure law firm, a logical, basic notion like regularly surveying clients was still an alien concept.

“I worked out a survey of clients with the managing partner and sent it out. The executive committee first heard about it when it was complete, and I came into their meeting to report the results. They were shocked, and they had a few questions:

‘On what authority I had decided to send this client survey? Who had reviewed these questions?’

I candidly pointed to the managing partner, who conveniently, was not in the room.

‘Why didn’t you include us?’

I noted that even though it seemed I had inadvertently missed out on some protocol, it had produced some valuable client feedback.

Answer: ‘We won’t be doing anything with it because we didn’t know about it and we don’t like the way you wrote the survey.’

I replied that we had created client expectations to hear back from us—after all, we had asked them their opinions. And the committee said, ‘Well, that’s your problem. You’re marketing.’

To me, the survey represented valuable data. To them, it was a perilous risk, laced with criticism. They weren’t having any. I learned about buy-in that day; I haven’t forgotten. Everyone needs to feel like they are in the driver’s seat until they don’t feel like driving the car anymore. I’m grateful for those early learnings which have served me well as I’ve progressed to larger firms.”

Happy anniversary to my dear hubby – love you very much, John, and proud of our life together. #loveislove