When you’ve been with the same organization for over two decades, complacency may be a common pitfall. However, this has never been the case for John Goodloe of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Currently their Senior Director for Society Business Solutions, he started his career with them twenty-six years ago as an intern. For the first twenty years, his career was focused on IT, but over the past few years he’s gradually been transitioning out of direct technology-based roles.
John credits his ability to grow and stay curious with his yearly self-assessments. “I never want to be stagnant as far as my personal and professional life. Every year I take time to self-reflect and ask ‘Who am I? Why am I here?’ Throughout my career I have always been focused on career development and continuing education.”
It was during this reflective period that he discovered MIT Sloan Executive Education and was drawn to the Executive Certificate programs. “I made the determination that I wanted to continue my education, but I didn’t want to do it as just a one-off course where I pick a course here, pick a course there. I wanted to go somewhere that would help me to build skillsets together and come up with a strategy that didn’t just help me currently, but long-term. I looked at various options and MIT’s program just really stood out to me. That certification piece was important to me.”
Perfect timing
As John registered for courses, he was simultaneously transitioning into a different role at ACS. He would be overseeing strategy for their business unit – working closely with colleagues around the organization on strategy development and how to prioritize their efforts to meet various goals. “When I saw the Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation, the light clicked on. I realized this would be perfect.”
His customized curriculum included Digital Strategies for Transforming Your Business, Breakthrough Customer Experience (CX) Strategy, Reimagining Leadership: A Playbook for the Digital Economy, and Implementing Enterprise-Wide Transformation. He earned his Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation in about a year. Then completed his Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership shortly afterwards thanks to Data-Driven Teams: The Art and Science of Winning and Communication and Persuasion in the Digital Age. (Yes, he’s been busy).
Fortuitous Favorites
One of John’s favorite courses, Breakthrough Customer Experience (CX) Strategy, came at an especially pivotal moment. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he would soon be leading his organization’s customer experience team. Even before this transition, he really valued the lessons learned from faculty Renee Richardson Gosline. “Prior to the course, I had been thinking about customer experiences at work and how to provide a frictionless experience. Renee helped us reconsider that default approach. We do want to provide a frictionless experience in some cases, but there are cases we do want to add a little friction in there. It’s a nudge to get people thinking differently. To use a traffic analogy, it’s like putting a roundabout in the normal flow so people experience other aspects of our services. So, that course was really impactful in expanding my thinking.”
Data-Driven Teams, taught by Ben Shields, was another favorite that synched up (although this time more intentionally) with growing professional responsibilities. John had recently assumed leadership of the data and research team in his division. “I wanted to make sure that, even though I know data and technology, that we were looking at it through a modern lens. What are the opportunities available to us today and how can leverage our data for future initiatives? It really helped me think about our vision and future for data here at ACS. And I’m a sports guy, so the sports analogies used really helped connect the dots!”
He also appreciated a module taught by guest MIT Sloan lecturer Shira Springer. “Her module about storytelling that she incorporated into the course was fantastic. I actually ended up reaching out to her and she’s doing a training session for my team later this year!”
It’s not uncommon for participants to connect with particular faculty members. John is quick to admit that once he saw Ben Shields was also the faculty for Communication and Persuasion in the Digital Age, he immediately signed up and it became his other favorite. “This course was great because we talked about our personal brands and had an exercise where classmates look at your social media pages and report on who they think you are just based on that information. ACS is bringing on new hires and they’re looking at our social media just as much as we’re looking at theirs. As leaders, we need to consider how we present ourselves to our team members – even if we’re not actively in the job market.”
Connections and camaraderie
John began his Executive Certificate journey during the pandemic, but he wasn’t going to let that get in the way of his goals. Thankfully, the variety of live online courses allowed him to continue his development without any interruptions. While this time period was isolating for many, the virtual class room provided meaningful connections with a diversity of colleagues.
Pandemic or no, John admits that sometimes just being in the same industry or company can be isolating. (Especially if you’ve been in one place for twenty-six years). “I’ve been at ACS a long time, so one of the reasons I value training is because it allows me to interact with people from other organizations an hear their stories and think about the way we’ve been approaching problems by comparison. So that’s been extremely valuable for me, even if I had only been at ACS for five years or even five months.”
"The courses at MIT brought together true leaders from across the world. You have the opportunity to be in these classes with diplomats, CEOs, heads of family business, heads of Fortune 500s – every course the makeup has been different."
Getting outside the echo chamber can help inspire new ideas and forge crucial relationships. “The courses at MIT brought together true leaders from across the world. You have the opportunity to be in these classes with diplomats, CEOs, heads of family business, heads of Fortune 500s – every course the makeup has been different.” And despite the virtual setting, John didn’t feel disconnected. There were plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas, share stories, and build camaraderie. He’s still connected to many folks he met and they continue to support each other and offer best practices.
What’s next?
There’s no risk of complacency here. Now that he’s started, John is intent to keep going. He’s continuing to work towards his Advanced Certificate for Executives (ACE). Being the reflective planner, he already knows he wants his overall journey to culminate with a course on campus. “As a professional, it’s important to have those things on your resume that are differentiators, and I think the certifications have helped distinguish myself.”
In the meantime, he’s been able to immediately apply some frameworks back at ACS. For example, they’re rethinking the way they gather staff engagement scores. Previously, an annual survey would be distributed, but after taking Data-Driven Teams, John realized this shouldn’t be the only time he and his leadership team gathers and interprets data directly from staff. They are now moving towards pulse surveys throughout the year. “In order for me to be an effective manager, I want to know how you’re doing year-round, not just some random date in October. So, we’re implementing strategies to collect that feedback more frequently so we can make our department, and ACS as a whole, a better place for staff.”
John is also quick to point out the lessons learned in the classrooms can be applied beyond the professional world – and should be. “I’m active in the community. I’m the Board Chair for the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and I’m the Board Secretary for UJIMA: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community. I can take these valuable skillsets I’ve learned and not just apply them to ACS, but also apply them within these other organizations that are personally important to me.”
Advice to others
John encourages folks to reach out to fellow participants outside of the classroom because the learning is enhanced thanks to those bonding moments and shared experiences. He also urges folks to connect with faculty. “They’ve made it clear to reach out to them if you have any questions. I’ve already mentioned how Shira is coming to ACS to meet with my team. I’ll also be reaching out to Renee to ask her for some guidance and insights on some CX opportunities since I’m now responsible for that team.”
If there’s still hesitation, John is happy to give the same pep talk he’s given his daughter, currently navigating the daunting freshman year of high school. (Advice that he himself practices). “Go and fully engage in the experience. You’re going to meet new people, and it may be tough, but immerse yourself. Be vulnerable and see what you’re able to gain… but also see what you’re able to offer.”
Learn more about earning an Executive Certificate.
Contributed by Elaine Santoyo Goldman