Growing up, August was never my favorite month. It marked the end of summer vacation and the start of the school year. It represents change, which can feel uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing. I’m sure many of you faced similar sensations.
Looking back, I wish I could tell childhood me how much excitement August and the beginning of the school year had to offer. Whether you were a new student or reuniting with classmates from the previous year, entering a new grade was an opportunity for so much discovery and reinvention. Each year presented new subjects, new teachers and often new social connections. All of these played pivotal roles in who we are today.
Even though I may have faced the back-to-school countdown with a healthy dose of youthful grumbling and anxiety, I’m glad to say the opposite is true in my professional life. I welcome August with open arms for a variety of reasons.
August marks the two-month countdown to the AME Atlanta 2024 International Conference. This year, we are celebrating our 40th birthday. 40 years is quite an accomplishment! I always feel a sense of invigoration at the prospect of reconnecting with everyone in person; however, this year feels super special. The sensation is not unlike that of reuniting with school friends after a summer apart. If you haven’t yet registered, there’s still time to take advantage of our last-chance pricing.
August will also deliver a host of enriching AME educational seminars. If you’re looking for virtual options, join us for the sessions From compliance to commitment: Neuroscience in change leadership on August 20, Best practices for optimizing AI in your business operations on August 21, and Leveraging improvement kata to engage employees in software development on August 26. We will round out the month with our 2 Second Lean leaders roundtable virtual session on August 28.
We also have a few seats left for the in-person session The Pathway to Excellence: How to lead and assess organizational transformation with Michael Bremer on August 27 in Billerica, Massachusetts.
If you’re sending your kids off to school soon, I wish them the happiest start to an enriching year. And I look forward to seeing you all in Atlanta at the start of October.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
