Patience, adaptability, and the power of connection in volunteer leadership.
Leading in a volunteer organization comes with its own unique challenges and rewards. For Gillian Wilson, her time as a leader at ATD-Orange County taught her the importance of patience, teamwork, and building meaningful professional relationships. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the growth and connection that come from stepping up to lead.
Gillian’s experience as a board member highlighted a fundamental truth: leading volunteers requires flexibility and understanding. Unlike traditional workplace teams, volunteer board members are balancing their ATD-OC commitments with busy professional lives and personal priorities.
“You have to understand that the board is important but not their first priority,” Gillian shares. “Working around that to get things done takes patience, collaboration, and time.”
For Gillian, this meant adjusting expectations and allowing extra time to achieve goals. Her leadership experience tested her ability to keep projects on track while fostering a supportive and understanding team environment—an essential skill for any leader.
One of Gillian’s proudest accomplishments was leading the revision of ATD-OC’s chapter bylaws. Though the process took longer than expected due to the dynamics of volunteer leadership, the accomplishment reflects her perseverance and ability to navigate challenges.
By adapting to her team’s needs, Gillian demonstrated that leadership isn’t about pushing people—it’s about working with them to move forward. Her experience shows that with patience, persistence, and teamwork, even the most complex projects can come to fruition.
Beyond project accomplishments, Gillian found immense value in the relationships she built during her time at ATD-OC.
“I know more about the companies and organizations operating in the OC area—some I hadn’t heard of previously,” she explains. But it’s not just about networking; it’s about connecting with passionate individuals who share your goals and values.
Gillian describes these relationships as ones she can rely on for years to come: “People who have your back and who I know I can reconnect with down the line.” ATD-OC offers a unique space to foster connections that extend far beyond board meetings, workshops, or events.
Gillian’s experience at ATD-Orange County offers key insights for anyone looking to develop their leadership skills:
Patience Is Essential: Volunteer leadership requires flexibility, understanding, and the ability to adapt to others’ priorities.
Collaboration Builds Success: Great leaders work with their teams, not against them, to achieve collective goals.
Connections Are Powerful: Relationships built through leadership roles can provide lasting personal and professional value.
Gillian Wilson’s story reflects the opportunities for growth, connection, and accomplishment that ATD-Orange County provides. By stepping into leadership roles, volunteers like Gillian not only make a difference for the organization—they also gain skills that transform their own professional journeys.
At ATD-OC, leaders learn to navigate challenges, inspire teams, and foster connections that last a lifetime. Whether you’re looking to refine your leadership style, take on new projects, or build relationships with professionals in the L&D community, ATD-OC is the place to grow.
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?
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