Pulse Legacy Archive May 2012 | Page 4

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

I

f I were to ask ISPA members to use one word to describe how they feel
after Conference, my bet is that many would choose the word
“inspired.” That’s just one of the reasons I’m so excited that our theme
for the 2012 ISPA Conference & Expo in Kissimmee, Florida this October

is “INSPIRE.” A dear friend gave me a beautiful charm that I often wear around
my neck that states “the key to leadership is to inspire.” All I have to do is
reflect on the leaders I admire to fully agree.
Another reason I’m so excited about this upcoming conference is Jim
Collins who will be our kick-off keynote speaker. Talk about being inspired—
I can hardly wait! One of the fundamentals of Jim Collins’ research in
good-to-great companies is what he defines as Level 5 leadership. “Good to
great leaders seem to have come from Mars. Self-effacing, quiet, reserved, even
shy—these leaders are a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. They are more like Lincoln and Socrates than Patton or Caesar.”
So what does that kind of leadership look like in our world of spa? I found
that Stephen M.R. Covey—who is also this issue’s Conversations guest expert
along with co-author Greg Link—detailed it best in his seminal work on trust

PHOTO © TIFFANY BROWN

in his book, The Speed of Trust. He states, this person “is more concerned
about what is right than about being right, about acting on good ideas than
having the ideas, about embracing new truth than defending outdated
position, about building the team than exalting self, about recognizing
contribution than being recognized for making it.”
Wow. Are you that leader? Are the people in your organizations working
toward being that kind of leader? Is ISPA being that kind of leader in the world
of spa? Are you constantly challenging yourself to be inspired in order to
inspire those around you—because yes, ISPA is!

®

—ELLA STIMPSON, ISPA CHAIRMAN

2012 ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN
Ella Stimpson
Wynn and Encore Las Vegas

Sharilyn Abbajay
Abbajay & Associates, LLC

VICE CHAIRMAN
Michael Tompkins
Miraval Resort & Spa
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Todd Walter
Red Door Spas

2 PULSE

■

May 2012

Dr. Kathryn Dundas
Sublime Wellness Spa
Sean Handler
Boyne Resorts/ Solace Spa
Thor Holm
Hammock Beach Resort

Jeff Kohl
ISPA Foundation President

Philippe Therene
SpaEquip

Frank Pitsikalis
ResortSuite

Immediate Past Chair
Deborah Waldvogel
Sedona Resorts

Paul Schmidt
The Fairmont
Southampton-Willow
Stream Spa

Lynne McNees
ISPA President

MEDICAL ADVISOR
Dr. Brent Bauer, MD
Mayo Clinic