Chamber Works / Rules to live by

In year three at the Institute of Organizational Management, a course called "Getting to Yes" listed a group of rules to live by.

Rules to live by include the following: don't demonize the competition; develop multiple options to choose from -- then decide later; being nice is no answer -- nice guys finish last; confrontation is part of the process; look forward, not backward; never yield to pressure; and avoid premature judgments.

A rule that trumps all others, however, is my own special rule called "Bite Your Tongue." Just ask my associate, Linda, how long it takes me to send an e-mail or write a letter that is politically correct, when I really want to let go with a salvo. Some would laugh at this statement because I appear to say what I feel; however, based on my occasional elevated blood pressure readings, I can tell you this is not necessarily so.

If you watch the facial expression of many politicians, you will note that they screw up their nose, develop a blank stare or just avoid the question while trying to bite their tongue. Once in a while, however, someone flubs, and it becomes painfully evident when the mic has been left open by mistake.

Here are some reasons that tongue-biting is a skill required for leadership positions, especially at chambers of commerce. Chambers of commerce are often made responsible for things such as: dog poop on the sidewalk, not enough men's shops, too many coffee shops, retail space rented to professionals and not retailers, and beaches closed due to pollution. It's the chamber's fault that schools are overcrowded, there's not enough parking and the taxes are too high. A lot of tongue-biting is required, as you can see.

Leadership traits are many, and it's important to distinguish between management and leadership. Leaders are leaders, not managers. I took a test once to see if I had what it takes to be a leader. The test pointed out certain traits associated with me, some that were surprising and others that made me cringe. Here's the crux of it: I'm strong-willed, independent, practical, decisive, efficient, ambitious, enthusiastic, stimulating, dramatic and friendly. I am also (and here's the bad part) severe, tough, harsh, demanding, excitable, undisciplined, reacting and egotistical. Ouch! OK, I agree, I'm excitable, but egotistical? Never. Overall, however, the test said I'm a good leader, and I'll have to go with that.

Besides "Bite Your Tongue," there's another rule I've found useful: "Grow a Thick Skin." A board member that I greatly respect put it this way: "If your job were easy, a thousand people would be clamoring for it."

Maybe the requirements to run an association of businesses are the reason the attrition rate at chambers is so high. People just burn out, I guess, trying to bite their tongue whilst growing a thick skin. Ah, the challenges.

IamFairfield.com

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is on the move again, pushing hard the concept of shopping locally. IamFairfield.com is the chamber's new URL which leads the user into the chamber's website -- www.fairfieldctchamber.com. Try it. Type in IamFairfield.com and watch the chamber's web site pop up.

"It's easier to remember," said Andy Aziz, owner of Payzone and current chairman of the board. "We proudly stand up and say: I am Fairfield when we gather for our meetings, he continued, so why not turn it into a lead-in to our website, where all our members are listed by company name, contact name or category?"

At this date there are 22 members participating in the new gift certificate program called Chamber Bucks. It doesn't matter what sort of service one is looking for, the public will undoubtedly find it among chamber members -- whether it's a gift for a coach or teacher, or the need for a doctor, lawyer or insurance professional -- it's all right there. Type in IamFairfield.com and see for yourself.

Remembering the chamber's mission: The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce -- association of business and professional people -- promotes a climate for business that enhances the economic vitality and quality of life in the Town of Fairfield is one reason for the new URL. Let's all stand up and proudly state: I am Fairfield!

Welcoming new members

"¢ Fasttrack/Avistar Airport Parking

Christine Egea, 24 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks

"¢ Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Dan Travis, 600 Main St., Bridgeport

"¢ Signature Home Remodeling LLC

Bill Towle, 299 Old Mill Road, Fairfield

"¢ Intelligent Skin Sense

Marlene Katz

1275 Post Road, Store 1, Fairfield

"¢ Yaun Chiropractic

Andrew Yaun, DC

183 Whittier St., 3rd Fl., Bridgeport

"¢ Capitol Photo Interactive

Regina Madwed

1139 Post Road, Fairfield

"¢ Custom Latex Sleep Products LLC

Robert Zukowski

445 River Road, Shelton

"¢ Fairfield Magazine -- Morris Media Group

Julia Reis

386 Main St., Ridgefield

"¢ Chad's Landscaping & Design LLC

Chad Osterberg

375 Courtland Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06605

Patricia Ritchie is the president and chief executive officer of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at patricia@FairfieldCTChamber.com