The visual part of #proAV is more than just physical. True leadership doesn’t require sight, it requires vision. A way to see a path forward, while setting guardrails to help those leading the way not to stray away from the path.  

I’ve always been a fan of the brAVe [space] podcast (and let’s be real any content that has excellent AV puns in the title). Their episode this past year on boundaries resonated so deeply with me that I shared it with my team.  

What are boundaries, really? 

Boundaries aren’t large, unscalable walls where everyone has to meet you where you are at every twist and turn. I personally like the adage of “Good fences make good neighbors.” I loved Britt and Leon’s hot take (or cold hard take) on how boundaries are like ice cream. Hardened but softened over time. All of which, of course, requires a discussion of expectations. Being clear is kind, as clear direction and expectations are a courtesy in both business and personal relationships.  

How do we say no? 

The hard lines we set tell us who we are, and what we prioritize. As #proAV leaders, we are called to sit down and identify the hard no’s we are willing to uphold. Aligning expectations requires practicing and identifying those no’s which in a sense can be liberating. Ultimately, these no’s should lead to more yeses that match your values. For example, when attending networking events like InfoComm, what are your expectations when sharing and communicating your contact information? Remember: you can be friendly but friends with everyone!  

Stress versus Burnout 

This part of the dialogue really stood out for me, as Britt and Leon used a candle as imagery to discuss the difference between stress and burnout. Stress is like a candle burning, while burnout can be seen as the candle being burnt out completely. Stress is inevitable in any workplace, but we must be mindful as #proAV leaders not to burn ourselves completely. Suffering in silence, and what they coin “Weight of the World” syndrome should be something to keep in mind.  

Tanks and Batteries 

As the conversation reached its end, Britt and Leon covered dead battery syndrome and the practice of filling the tank back up. The temptation of “everything is output” is common in our capitalistic, corporate American society. But how do we as #proAV leaders recharge? Do we keep jumping our battery or do we need to replace it entirely? The major lesson here is that we must pour into ourselves so much so that our overflow can be the excess to give back to others! 

In conclusion, and to quote an arguable poet of our time...Drake: “They say time is money, let’s spend it together.” Time is our most valuable resource in our lifetime. While we can do our best to manage it, we also must recognize what is within our sphere of influence. And that requires boundaries to shape our worldview and how we interact with others. Tune into their episode today, we'd love to hear your thoughts: Join the convo!