By InBusiness Phoenix
Why do you believe honoring achievement is important?
I find inspiration in those who are doing great things around our community. Hearing the stories and visions of our local leaders provides the jolt we often need to think outside the box and do more. Understanding our community from different points of view is crucial to making it better. Reading about how others are spending their time allows us to gain insight into the things that are important to people we may not interact with on a daily basis. It allows us to step outside our immediately accessible environment, and sometimes that will lead to ideas that literally can change the world. The bottom line is that good things happen when achievement is illuminated!
What insights have you gained in your career that would inspire others?
Be true to yourself. Don’t allow someone else to define your path or dictate your definition of success or a fulfilling life.
I had a life-changing experience as a new attorney. A female partner took me into her office telling me that if I looked like I look (similar to how I look now minus wrinkles!) no one would hire me as an attorney. She explained I needed to lose my sense of fashion and organize my crazy hair. I tried for a week until my dad, who, living in Ohio and talking to me by phone, said I seemed “off.” I told him how I was attempting to conform and he called nonsense. I backtracked the conformity and decided just to work harder than anyone else. It’s worked out. If you be yourself always, you will always do the right thing.
What can we do — now — to make a difference for young people/women in Arizona?
Let’s stop talking about gender differences and focus on excellence. If you work hard, regardless of your gender, you will succeed. If you are good at the hard work you do, others will want you to do that work for them, again, regardless of your gender. Stop expending any energy on gender differences and focus on becoming the best person of any gender that you can be. That will save a lot of time worrying about these things and allow more time for excellence.
