Introduction
Who is Amy?
Hint: I am not the Unknown Comic or Unmasked Singer.
That’s nice, but it won’t buy a cup of coffee. Do you want to know who I really am?Really?
There is more to my story. I invite you to explore my website to hear my stories— what makes me laugh, how I live and work, and who I love.
I hope you will share your stories with me, too.
Respect everyone.
Respect is the most common thread throughout my life. I believe how we do things is just as important as the results we achieve—maybe more.
That includes treating everyone in a way we want to be treated or better. That includes every person, at every level, from any walk-of-life from shop-floor to C-suite, and with any lived-experience.
It’s not because I’m a woman or identify as a lesbian. But these have provided me with perspective.
We are each responsible for living this every day. Sometimes we excel and other days we may faulter and need a hand from a friend to get it right. There are 3 principles I have found helpful:
Mutual respect
Share our stories
Assume best intentions
I have had the good fortune to volunteer with not-for-profit organizations and to work for companies with strong brands. Some have led the way, incorporating inclusion as part of the company cultural. We all need to start somewhere, though. There’s always more we can learn! Please, be KIND.
Necessity inspires resourcefulness.
When things are scarce, we learn to be creative. Some call it “Yankee Ingenuity.” I learned it when was a kid. This mindset has been a part of my character through adult hood.
I have learned some helpful lessons from these experiences.
As an employee I’ve worked for companies during times of decline and times of growth. I’ve see the spending practices that happen during these times and where opportunities exist.
Revel in discomfort.
Change is inevitable but growth is optional. The staggering pace of change makes it challenging to keep up, let alone get ahead of it.
Today’s modern workplace requires healthy impatience for the status quo.
Be brave! The ability to give up old ways and innovate new ways requires us to quickly:
put our egos aside
revel in your discomfort
be resilient
Improve everyday.
I admit it. I was a Girl Scout all through high school. I’m also a geek who loves a good spreadsheet. I believe in “servant leadership.”
As a Six Sigma black belt, I’ve had the good fortune put my passion for performance to work at work. It requires:
Use of data
Understanding that all work is a process, some is good and some is not so good
Involve users in efforts to improve quality
Not attending to these 3 principles has caused a big disservice to professionals—giving people the impression that learning and quality processes don’t add value. Be introspective.
Take time to play.
I like to have fun. Here’s a fun activity on something I’m into right now. Move the pieces around to assemble the puzzle. This activity can be done on either a computer, tablet, or smartphone.