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My Leadership Story
I’ve been in many leadership positions starting with my career in the Navy. I’ve experienced great and horrible bosses, and there have been times when I’ve been either a great boss, and times when I didn’t do so well. I own that and learned from it. Leadership is hard.
U.S. Navy Veteran to Leadership Coach
I was a shy, high school drop-out, and looking for a job. At the time, the job market wasn’t great, so I joined the Navy. Wow! That was a huge decision, and indeed changed my life.
The Navy was an amazing place to learn and grow. Leaders spend most of their time teaching junior sailors how to be a good leader. It was there I learned about hard work, open communication, and the gift of feedback. I was a good student and was recommended for officer school. I decided to get out and go to college.
I was also awarded the Naval Good Conduct Medal.
Leadership Lessons:
With Guidance and Support, You Can Thrive as a Leader
After many hard years of working and going to college I graduated with a Master’s in English, something a shy high school dropout would never have imagined.
Opportunities Present Themselves If You Are Open
Over time, hard work and a “can do” (Navy) attitude increased my responsibility and I was soon in a management position in Human Resources.
Integrity is Sometimes All You Have
I was asked to lie on official documents by a senior Vice President. Terrified, I declined. I did not lose my job, but I did not get any more promotions.
In fact, I was assigned more work. That’s okay. I was offered a better job outside the organization and left.
Building Trust and Empowering People IS Your Focus
Working in an organization that was made up of silos, I felt isolated, embattled and bitter. I was so absorbed with willing my initiatives to be implemented, I completely ignored the needs of my team, my colleagues and myself.
I put myself before them and should have put them before myself.
My Leadership Manifesto
Here are the ten things I know for sure about leadership.
- You can’t change unless you know what the issue is. You must be open to feedback—from anyone.
- You need to understand how to use their intuition, emotions, connectivity as strengths. You are a whole person.
- All leaders must mentor others.
- Women leaders must find time to mentor other women leaders.
- Male leaders must find time to mentor women leaders.
- Thoughts and strategies are good. Action is better.
- Asking for what you need is not a weakness. It’s a communication tool.
- Your body language matters greatly.
- We must be life-long learners.
- Create a strong, relevant and supportive network.
- We must be our best, best, best advocate.
My Services
Leadership Development
You don't know what you don't know, right? We give you knowledge and valuable feedback that will help you make the change you want to become a better leader.
Meeting Facilitation
Experienced facilitators help your team become more cohesive and empowered, virtually or in-person
ICF Mentor Coaching
Gain insight to your coaching skills, and build a sustainable coaching business. Acquire ICF mentor hours.
Coaching
Collaboration and co-creating outcomes and behaviors that help you at work and as a human.