President's Letter - May 2026
Posted by Communications Committee on May. 26, 2026 / SMPS CT / Subscribe 0
President's Letter: Be the Leader You Are
I have this quote above my desk: "If you want to inspire people, don't show them your superpower, show them theirs." - Alexander den Heijer
I've had this quote long before I became SMPS CT President. One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is watching those around me grow. I'm not typically the loudest person in the room or the one who says the most, but as President, people look to me for guidance and direction. I've learned that being a leader is about being reliable and providing a sturdy foundation for others to build upon. I may not always have the right answer, but I’ve learned that one of my superpowers is asking the right questions and surrounding myself with people who know how to get there.
One of the best pieces of advice I received at the Chapter Leadership Symposium (CLS) was this: be the leader you are, not the leader you think you should be. Don't copy someone else's style. Be authentically you.
A former principal at my firm once told me he gets worried on deadline day because I never seem stressed, but I always get it done. The truth? I am stressed. But I have a plan. As an AEC marketer, you always need a plan and to keep your cool. Deadlines and proposals can always be tweaked and perfected, but there is a deadline. If I can look back and say I tried my best, I'm happy with that. There have been a handful of panic moments in my 17-year career, but I've learned that if you panic, nothing gets done. I trust my plan and my ability to meet the deadline.
My quiet confidence was my superpower. Now I look at that quote and try to show others their superpower.
For me, leadership is not about having the right answer. It's about knowing how to get the right answer and providing a strong foundation for those around you to grow.
Here's my challenge to you: start looking at yourself as a leader now. Don't wait until you have a "leadership" role. There is someone out there who is learning from you right now, whether you realize it or not. Your superpower matters. And when you bring it to SMPS CT, your work, and in your everyday life, you make our entire community stronger.
Let's Connect. Let's Build!
Stephanie Beals
President, SMPS Connecticut
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