CEOs at forum say leadership style has changed in past two years

Photo / FRED FIELD At the Mainebiz CEO Forum, from left, were moderator Nancy Marshall and presenters Joan Fortin of Bernstein Shur, Yellow Light Breen of the Maine Development Foundation, David Greene of Colby College, Jenn Lever of Baxter Brewing Co., Devin McNeill of Flowfold and Liz Cotter Schlax of United Way of Southern Maine.

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By Peter Van Allen

Remote work, the labor shortage and a need for more flexible work arrangements have all shaped how CEOs, managing partners and presidents lead.

That was a central theme of the Mainebiz CEO Forum, held Wednesday at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel.

Presenters were Joan Fortin, CEO of Bernstein Shur; Yellow Light Breen, president and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation; David Greene, president of Colby College; Jenn Lever, president of Baxter Brewing Co.; Devin McNeill, CEO and co-founder of Flowfold; and Liz Cotter Schlax, president and CEO of United Way of Southern Maine. The moderator was Nancy Marshall, owner of Marshall Communications.

The event was shaped around a "60 ideas in 60 minutes" format, with each panelist presenting 10 ideas on leadership.

Fortin, of Bernstein Shur, said workforces have an shaped by COVID. Remote work and hybrid workforces, combined with kids being out of school for much of the pandemic, have created additional stress on employees that leaders need to be in tune with. The stress has created burnout and contributed to the so-called Great Resignation, workers quitting jobs either to pursue something different or take time out of the workforce.

Fortin, who took over as CEO during the pandemic, wrote daily emails to employees, communicating not only the law firm's policies but her own compassion and vulnerability.

"Employees need to feel they are trusted, valued," she said. "Mental health matters."

Breen, of Maine Development Foundation, cited the late Colin Powell's rules, which included "perpetual optimism."

Over the past two years, as a leader he hoped to offer "something more human, more personal and authentic," reflecting "what we've all lived through together."

Greene, of Colby College, said he was proud that the Waterville college has had no layoffs or salary cuts during the pandemic.

Lever, of Baxter Brewing, listed the health and safety of the staff and consumers as a "guiding principle."

McNeill, of Flowfold, said he has especially taken to heart the need to listen to employees and customers.

An employee suggested a more simple way to cut and stitch the sections of a wallet — a suggestion that cut manufacturing time by 15%. When a coin purse wasn't selling well, Flowfold reached out to customers who were buying it for feedback about how they use the item; many were using it not for coins but to hold Air pods or ear buds. With that knowledge, the company marketed the product differently and it's now one of the best sellers.

Cotter Schlax, of the United Way of Southern Maine, cited the need for leaders to know their strengths, but also their weaknesses — and to not be afraid to express where they might need help. She cited the larger theme of being direct: "Cultivate candor and don't let things fester."

Other topics raised included Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness, an emphasis on corporate social responsibility and the need for childcare and other infrastructure that supports employees.

Of DEI, Fortin's take was: "None of us are going to solve this on our own — we have got to work together."

While not by design, the forum was dominated by Maine natives. Fortin grew up in Benton, Breen in St. Albans, Lever in Auburn, McNeill in Portland and Cotter Schlax in Waterville. Greene spent much of his childhood in Worcester, Mass.

There was also a strong Colby connection. In addition to Greene, the Waterville college's current president, Fortin and the moderator, Marshall, attended Colby. Cotter Schlax's father was the president of Colby and she grew up in the house where Greene now lives. There were also a number of Colby grads in attendance and more than a dozen people with Colby connections took a group photo afterwards.