What it takes to be a leader

In the session on Sunday, INTA leaders shared their experiences and talked about how joining a committee can help develop leadership skills.

Here are some of the speakers’ tips:

•    Volunteer for committees that you are interested in

•    Don’t join the same committees as your co-workers

•    Think about your, your company’s and your clients’ interests

•    Get to know other committee members

•    Be active in meetings

INTA has 28 committees divided into three groups: Education and Services Group (ESG) Council, the Policy Development & Advocacy (PDA) Council and the Publishing (PUBS) Council. 

For Jeffrey Kobulnick, a senior associate at Foley & Lardner in Los Angeles, taking initiative demonstrates leadership. “You shouldn’t sit quietly,” said Kobulnick. “It’s a waste of your time as much as anyone else’s.”

“Leadership takes a lot of different forms in different settings,” said Jacqueline A. Leimer, a Distinguished IP Practitioner-in-Residence at Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago and past INTA president. “We don’t pay enough attention to self-leadership. Involvement in activities like these at INTA will help members take a step in their careers.”

But there are too many people, too few spaces: applicants have a 75% chance of getting on to a committee. The INTA leaders agreed that those who are interested should not give up. And they can also contribute by writing for one of INTA’s publications, speaking at an educational program or attending the Annual Meeting. 

The committee selection application process for the 2012-2013 term takes place during June. Watch your email or visit inta.org for more information about applying for a committee.