DEI Moment with Lisa Pavano, CPSM: April 2026
Posted by Communications Committee on Apr. 21, 2026 / SMPS CT / Subscribe 0
At the SMPS NERC conference, keynote speaker Skot Waldron shared something that really stuck with me in his Keynote: Unlocking Fast Starters, Last Minuters & Everyone In Between. He talked about the idea of not fixing the people, but fixing the friction. In our industry, it’s easy to assume that if someone isn’t engaging, communicating, or performing the way we expect, that they need to change. But sometimes, it’s not about the person. It’s about what’s getting in their way.
Friction can look like:
- Unclear expectations
- Processes that don’t work for different working styles
- Communication that doesn’t reach everyone
- Or environments where not everyone feels comfortable contributing
So instead of asking, “What’s wrong with this person?” We can shift to, “What might be getting in their way?” That small shift can lead to stronger teams, better collaboration, and a more inclusive environment. Because when we reduce friction, people don’t have to change who they are to succeed.
-Lisa Pavano, CPSM
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