Today, the intrepid Richard Jackson prepares to hand over the Presidency to the next volunteer waiting in the wings at the Highways Electrical Association.

We wanted to know the ins and outs of his Presidential year… 

Was the Presidency what you thought it would be?

Yes and no. It’s hard to say exactly what I was expecting from the role. I had some idea from my previous year as Vice President, and from supporting Glenn in his presidency. However, it’s not until you’re actually in the role that you fully appreciate everything that comes with it. Being President and working alongside a CEO in an organisation is very different from day-to-day business, as I’m not involved in the direct operations. Instead, I’m here to support and assist the CEO in delivering the business plan.

Looking back, to a large extent, it has been what I thought it would be. One thing that stands out, as I start to step back from the presidency, is how much respect and appreciation I have for all the past and future presidents who take on this role. It’s very hard to truly understand the time and effort that go into the presidency, driven by a desire to make our industry great.

Finally, one of the standout aspects of this role is the unexpected impact it’s had on me and the fulfilment I’ve gained from it. A particular highlight has been helping to shape the future of this great industry in which I work. It’s also been a pleasure working with others in the sector, united by a common goal of developing the next generation and promoting such an important industry for the UK economy.

In your year as President, have you achieved as much as you wanted to?
This one’s easy to answer: no! But that’s because I’m rarely satisfied that I’ve done enough. I have to remind myself not to be too hard on myself. One thing I need to improve on is recognising the successes I achieve and not focusing on everything I couldn’t do. Over the years, I’ve come to realise that I’m a high-level thinker, and when it comes to the finer details of delivering something, I struggle to map out the small steps needed.

However, many people tell me I have a strong vision of the destination we need to reach, and I do feel that everything we’ve put in place this year, and in the years before under previous presidents, has laid the foundations for the association to develop and grow in the coming years.

Is there a book on leadership that has helped you become the leader you are?

Unfortunately, no. Being dyslexic, I find reading challenging, so I rely on audiobooks and podcasts. However, there are two things I feel have significantly shaped my leadership abilities:

Finding an outlet: It’s important to have something outside of work that motivates and relaxes you. For me, as you may have guessed, that’s running. While it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, running provides me with a chance to disconnect from technology (apart from my Garmin watch) and to reflect on what’s happened and what I need to do next. Running has helped me maintain a healthy work-life balance, which I believe is essential. Everyone should find a way that works best for them to balance work with personal enjoyment.

Learning through experience, trial, and error: This might sound like a cliché, but I didn’t follow the academic path to employment. I started as an apprentice at 17, progressing from electrician to lighting technician, then to engineer, and now to Executive Director of DFL and, most recently, President – or should I say Immediate Past President – of the Highway Electrical Association. It’s hard to pinpoint one specific experience that helped me, but through interactions with peers, trying new things, and learning from mistakes, I’ve grown into my current role.

John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” What have you learned over the past year?
The biggest thing I’ve learned over the past year, and in previous years with DFL, is to stay focused on the overall objective and not get side-tracked by every new idea or distraction. While some things may demand attention, the key is to prioritise and stay on course towards the ultimate goal.

As a volunteer with limited time, balancing the presidency with a full-time role requires careful planning, a great team, and support from the association’s staff, council members, and other volunteers. Two highlights for me this year have been progressing the association’s strategic plan and our work on developing the next generation. Although this is still in its early stages, I am confident it will grow in the coming years and complement other youth-focused initiatives, such as the YLP within the ILP.

What are your words of wisdom for your successor as President of the Highways Electrical Association?
First, throw the agenda out the window and be ready to enjoy a whirlwind! It’s a bit of a cliché, but every President I’ve spoken to has said the year will fly by. You will start with an idea of what you want to do and what needs to be done, then other things will crop up!

My main advice to any successor, whether they’re stepping into the presidency of the Highway Electrical Association or any similar volunteer role, is to focus on the key things you want to achieve over the year. Bring people along with you by sharing your vision and, most importantly, don’t overcommit. Everyone appreciates that the work you do is voluntary, and with the CEO handling the day-to-day operations, your role is to provide the strategic direction for the CEO and enjoy the challenges you’ll face.

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