In golf, champions of the sport, leaders who have left their mark, give golfers at large inspiration to improve their own game. We admire the skills of people like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, Mike Weir, and Rory McIlroy for their contribution, and we even emulate them in their approach to play.
I feel this when I am playing the 14th hole on our PR course. This is a relatively straight Par 4, but there are woods on the right and water on the left. Big water!! I should really take it easy on my drive, but I always tend to over-swing because I want to hit it far, and instead I hit it hard. In golf, “far” and “hard” do not usually go hand in hand.
So, I’ve lost a few in the water, and I’ve lost a few in the woods. Yet the fairway awaits straight in front of me if I would just take it easy. Following my drive, as I head toward my ball to take my next shot, I think about the greats mentioned above, and know that they would manage this hole much better. I could reduce my strokes by learning from the great leaders of the game.
I see a relation to our lives as PR professionals. There’s much to learn from great leaders who use PR to advance the organizations they are representing.
At CPRS Toronto, we hold an annual gathering honouring just that kind of inspiring leadership, the CEO Award in Public Relations luncheon. This year it takes place on Wednesday, January 30th, at Arcadian Court.
Most recent winners are Dr. Robert S. Bell (University Health Network), Jim Leech (Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan), Robert Deluce (Porter Airlines), Galen G Weston (Loblaw), Frances Lankin (United Way), Richard Bradshaw (Canadian Opera Company) and Roots co-founders Michael Budman and Don Green. As you can see, various industries and disciplines are represented…all leaders from whom we can learn. We acknowledge CPRS Toronto member Gordon McIvor Ph.D., APR, FCPRS who created this award in the early 1990s. This year marks the 20th time we have presented this award. Martin Waxman, APR is current Chair of the selection committee, and I thank him and his committee for their hard work this year.
The award recipient for 2012 is Sheldon Levy, President and Vice Chancellor, Ryerson University and the Society is looking forward to honouring Mr. Levy at the special luncheon in his honour. I hope you can participate and hear from someone who has demonstrated that a successful CEO must be an excellent communicator who can express a clear mission and shared values with a broad range of stakeholders.
We can look to people like Sheldon Levy and our past winners for inspiration…not only as great leaders who are great communicators, but also as to whom we may want to counsel those we help as PR professionals to consider as models. Mike Eppel from 680 News will act as emcee of the event, and I think everyone can count on a stimulating afternoon.