EP108: The Process Approach to Leadership

Twenty years ago, when Carolyn Lagarmasini launched her association management company as fully virtual, industry veterans said it was impossible. Today, her company spans 13 states with 26 employees, and COVID proved she was decades ahead. "I once had a coach who said, the minute you start to shrink, you die," Carolyn reflects. Her story embodies this philosophy: jumping off cliffs without knowing where you'll land, seeing broken processes instead of broken people, and shifting from a loyalty-based to an accountability-based culture. From her mother, who ran for Congress, to her own leap from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur, Carolyn turns uncertainty into opportunity. She reveals how she's preparing for industry disruption as five generations collide in the workforce and what she's learned about building culture when teams never meet face-to-face. Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.   LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE: SOCIAL HANDLES FOR OUR GUEST: LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/ COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/  COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/  CHIEF OUTSIDERS: WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com  LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/  X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell