Leaders Build Spaces to Lift Others Up.

Sharing Lessons in Leadership takeaways from Young Professionals Week.

Written by Abbey Kay, Senior Social Media Specialist at Adcom

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In June, I had the opportunity to attend Engage! Cleveland’s Lessons in Leadership panel during their annual Young Professionals Week. The experience not only impacted me but also left my
fellow team members from Adcom, an integrated marketing agency based in Cleveland, feeling energized and inspired.

The panel showcased a remarkable group of Cleveland leaders, each with diverse backgrounds and careers. They shared their stories and insights while answering questions from fellow emerging professionals, prompting me to reflect on a few takeaways.

Create spaces where you can fully show up.

One of the panelists, Micki Byrnes, the new CCO & Senior Advisor at Adcom, shared insights on impostor syndrome through her experiences as a woman in leadership. Throughout her career, Micki often found herself surrounded by men, but she always made sure her voice was heard. I loved hearing her speak about her passion for creating spaces where women can show up fully — speak how they want, dress how they want, and support each other unapologetically. We need to take risks and stop letting age or gender stop us from having a voice. I’ve been fortunate enough to sit just a few feet away from Micki at Adcom, and I can say from personal experience that she has been such an empowering figure for the young women that work on our team in the few months she’s been on board.

Micki shared that true leaders come to light when they are confronted with struggles or tragedy. Before joining the Adcom team, Micki spent 48 years in broadcast media, with her longest stint at WKYC, where she served as President and General Manager. Although many stories and decisions played an impact on her as a person, she recounted one personal experience that was a true pivotal moment in her career – the 9/11 attack on our nation. After days of airing the devastating footage of the planes hitting the towers, the team made the executive decision to stop showing the traumatizing video while other media outlets continued.

This decision showed that holding fast to personal values of respect and empathy can be more important than ratings or business. I jotted down this quote by Micki that I wanted to remember, and I think it sums up her take on leadership perfectly. “Who you are, who you want to be, who you can be; it comes out in those tough moments, and they can define your career.”

Don’t be afraid to move the piano or pick up the mop.

On the theme of core values, Tom Einhouse said professionals should have a defined list of what they value most, and it should guide your career more than your job title. Career paths don’t need to be linear — in fact, the pivots and curveballs often lead to the most growth. When you’re in trying times or stuck on a project, refer to your values to help guide you forward. Tom said, regardless of your position, no task is ever beneath you.

He shared how, in his time as a VP at Playhouse Square, he often found himself stepping outside his core responsibilities just to help others and operate as a team player. When there was a leak in the building, Tom rolled up his sleeves and helped to move the piano to protect
the instrument from damage. On late nights, he would find the janitorial staff cleaning the building, and he’d grab the mop to give them a break and would have a personal conversation just to show he cared. This notion is something I plan to take with me throughout my career. No task is “not my job” when you’re a leader. That’s something I think every emerging professional should remind themselves of when trying to grow into a leader. 

Be curious, not judgmental.

Mental health was another point of discussion throughout the panel conversation. Dr. Rob McGregor, former Chief Medical Officer at Akron Children’s Hospital, talked about how important it is to have a pulse on the personalities and attitudes of the people around you to be
able to identify when someone feels “off.” Everyone is different, and that is what makes an organization successful with varying opinions, backgrounds, and values.

Dr. McGregor explained how in the medical field, mental health struggles are often overlooked or viewed as a sign of weakness, while in reality, it should be talked about and supported to build strong doctors. The work that these professionals do is extremely taxing, both mentally and physically, and the impact weighs on them every day. Because he observed this firsthand, Dr. McGregor co-founded the Physician Wellness Initiative, a resource to provide barrier-free mental health services for all trainees and medical staff at the hospital. Through private, confidential counseling, attendees are encouraged to talk about cases, emotional challenges, or anything that is affecting them at that time. Dr. McGregor shared that this initiative has successfully helped prevent several suicides. This goes to show that the impact you can have as a leader can literally save someone’s life. When it comes to understanding our peers, we must remember that everyone is human first, then a professional. Ask questions to learn about the people you work closely with on a more personal level to better understand how you can leverage their skillsets, support their needs, and help them grow.

These are just a few of the takeaways from the panel that I pulled out of several pages of notes, but I’m grateful to have been part of this conversation and continue learning from the amazing leaders shaping our city. It was a great reminder that leadership is a mindset.

Anyone can be a leader, regardless of age, title or responsibilities.

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Abbey Kay, Senior Social Media Specialist at Adcom. Abbey started as an Adcom intern fresh out of Ohio University in 2020 and has been climbing the social media ladder ever since. Currently holding the role of Senior Social Media Specialist, she’s passionate about building online communities and crafting strategies that make brands feel genuine. Day to day, she leads social strategy for clients in the trades and building materials
vertical, helping brands connect with their audiences in ways that matter—because even tool companies deserve to have a personality online.