A couple of weeks ago the Fellows had the opportunity to meet with another intriguing and inspiring Wake Forest community leader. On a blue-skied and sunny Tuesday morning I made my way over to a place that I wish I could say I frequented a little more often; Reynolda Village. With the vibrantly colored leaves and just slightly chilled November air there is truly no better time to experience the village. I am ashamed to admit that even after being a Wake Forest student for four years; I have never been to the Reynolda House or seen its exhibits, a fact that luckily, only made this leadership luncheon all the more exciting.
On this particular morning, the Fellows were fortunate enough to be in the company of the Executive Director of Reynolda House, Allison Perkins. Allison Perkins is unlike any of the leaders we have met thus far. Having experienced a nomadic upbringing in which she lived all over the country and sometimes world, Allison touts the idea of making a home wherever she is at the time. Her ability to adapt and thrive in unfamiliar surroundings has taken her from Nebraska to Maine, Texas to Maryland and currently, Winston-Salem, NC. Working in the museum industry, Allison had a variety of insights to share with the Fellow’s that can only come from such a unique career. Because of the size of the industry, Allison explained to us that often times to move up, you have to move on. Curators often remain in one establishment for lengthy periods of time, hence the somewhat continuous relocating. While some may view this as an unsettling position to be in, Allison explains to us that “you will always meet nice people wherever you are…and if you bring the right amount of self-confidence, you can survive anywhere”. Clearly she has the right amount of self-confidence.
Filling leadership roles in places such as the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska and the Baltimore Museum of Art in Maryland, Allison emphasizes the need to continue challenging yourself. If there is no opportunity for new challenges or growth, it is difficult to develop and hone new leadership skills and capabilities. It is here she says that the role of a mentor can be extremely valuable. Having a mentor to call upon to aid in major decision making, such as with career changes can be helpful, although echoing the sentiment of several other leaders we have met with, she emphasizes that it is important to feel confident enough to disagree with them when necessary.
With each new job, there are new leaders to learn from, and new leadership styles to observe. Allison claims she has learned some of the best lessons from the worst leaders, as well as from those she herself was leading. At times, she says you may feel unsure or wonder why your boss is asking certain things of you, but she articulates, “pay attention, clearly they see something in you that you just may not yet see”.
As we finished up our conversation with Allison she mentioned one of the current exhibits, the Student Union Now and Then collection. Luckily we had a few minutes to check it out, and thus I can personally reccomend it whole-heartedly. Available through December 31st, I reccomend taking a walk through the beautiful fall weather while the leaves are still vibrant and paying a visit to Reynolda House to see for yourself.
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