Midwest Event News

Member Spotlight: Roy Sexton from Detroit

Roy’s words…

Roy is the Director of Marketing, Clark Hill Law

“I’m also more forthcoming than I’ve ever been with colleagues and leaders

about what I need for balance, and the response has been positive.“

Roy, another much-loved and respected Midwest (Michigan) member, was recently featured in another Midwest member’s article: Kate Harry Shipham of KHS People (the whole article can be viewed here).

Roy was asked to contribute to Kate’s article, which featured the month of May as “Mental Health Awareness Month” and asked several respected marketers for their thoughts. As noted by Kate, Roy is a shining beacon for all of us. His ability to share and show vulnerability with his work family is inspirational:

“I do feel like I’ve been burning the candle at every end possible. I’m not sure there’s any wick left! That said, I’ve also found this to be a strangely rewarding time because it has, at times, leveled the playing field, allowed us marketers to drive our firms toward digital tactics that actually work, and has afforded us a kind of singular focus one rarely gets in this career. But that comes at a price – low energy, neglected relationships, no exercise, spending far too much money at Amazon. 

I’m trying to ease back into balance and reclaim my time. Shutting down the computer at 5:30 or 6 instead of 7 or 8. Avoiding work email on the weekends. Taking walks with my husband. I’m also more forthcoming than I’ve ever been with colleagues and leaders about what I need for balance, and the response has been positive. By the way, THEY are feeling it too. But none of us are necessarily brave enough to be the first to say it out loud. Sometimes that is the best way to resilience – telling people how you feel. And if they can’t accept that or don’t want to, life is far too short to put your energy into a person or organization so selfish.“

I’m trying to ease back into balance and reclaim my time.

Roy has seniority, tenure and credibility which empowers him to have this perspective. But having said that, every marketer I know works hard and does the right thing, and there’s no reason why everyone can’t take this balanced view. Life really is too short to be focusing on things, firms or people who can’t empathize and don’t value input and know that everyone needs balance and has a tipping point.

Thank you Roy. Your wise and much-needed words are so important to our members!