A letter to the editor from Lawrence D. Sloan, president of The Adhesive and Sealant Council, Inc.

To the Editor:

I just put down the June issue of ASI Magazine and wanted to compliment you on an excellent article on the topic of leadership ["Leadership Defined"]. I found the author's comments right on target, and personally have tried to follow many of his practices in the short 18 months that I have been leading the Adhesive and Sealant Council.

As we know, there are many differences between managers and leaders. However, the article points out that, regardless of one's role, (personal) leadership at every level can yield healthy dividends many times over the initial investment. Having trust and faith in your workers, empowering them to make decisions and take accountability for their actions, investing in their professional development - these and many other strategies described in the article are critical to long-term organizational health. In the time I have been in charge of the Council, I have tried to modify the organizational culture and instill a greater sense of teamwork and can-do attitude. I hope my energy will be contagious and catch on. (I think it has already to a small extent!)