40-Day Series: Thank You Simon Kuo

I love telling the story of when I first worked with Simon. It was back in 1996 in the training department at Sprint. He was a Kelly temp helping the training schedulers with overflow work. I should say he was a bio-chem PhD holder who was a Kelly temp. The man was just brilliant and I couldn't freaking believe he was a Kelly temp. Come to find out, he had recently left his academia lab rat gig to try something new. As you can imagine, he quickly moved from temp to leader and would end up becoming a VP in Strategy.

I kept in touch with Simon over the years and we re-connected in person last summer. We wanted to catch-up on life as we both had left telecom and ended up sharing our new found insights and assessments of the world. We would go on to meet again and started to discuss the possibility of working together on a start-up. He was already connected in with a group of people and thought I may be a good fit to help the team. I never thought that our "catch-up lunch" would be the first step towards achieving my entrepreneurial dream.

I officially became co-owner and Chief Development Officer of LightThread late last fall. With Simon's leadership and guidance we are on track to formally launch by the end of this month. We plan on being in our new office space next week. We already have a growing customer pipeline with two beta customers currently enjoying our services. I am still amazed that a "re-connection" lunch ultimately led to my dream gig...I owe it all to Simon and am so thankful!

Golden Nugget: Stay in touch with old colleagues and be open to new opportunities they offer.

Be who you are and learn to be better,
Lisa

40-Day Series: Thank You Jean Matkovich

I met Jean 2 years ago at my first Aji conference. Aji offers a Business Professional Certification program that is the equivalent to an Executive MBA. Jean and I are both students in the program. There were 80+ people at that 1st conference so there was a lot of hand shaking and introductory conversations. Jean shined as someone I would want to keep in touch with and get to know...the law of attraction works in mysterious ways.

Jean is an amazing woman and an incredible teacher. I would end-up participating in a study group with her that would be instrumental in helping me get to graduation. She would share these powerful insights that brought instant clarity to the most complex topics. Her calming demeanor helped the team focus and manage their moods. She would share knowledge that made us all smarter by just joining her on the phone 1 hour a week.

I have met many a smart person in my life but I have never seen anyone who had such passion and joy to share with others like Jean does. She studies, reads, and observes the world around her like no other person I know. She relishes the opportunity to engage in new situations so she can continue to expand her thinking. My ability to accomplish new achievement in life is directly related to my knowing and learning from Jean. I am blessed to have met her, know her, and be friends with her.

Golden Nugget: Embrace learning and share what you know with others.

Be who you are and learn to be better,
Lisa

40-Day Series: Thank You Tim Lunsford

I first met Tim when I interviewed with him for a manager gig. He didn't have me on his top 3 list but a mutual contact (Glen Boney who I will be talking about later on in the series) encouraged him to give me an interview. I thought he was just doing Glen a favor and figured there was no way in hell I would get the job so I went in to the meeting with a nothing to lose attitude. Tim and I seemed to hit it off from the start and that interview was probably the best one I have ever had. I'm always amazed at how much better we do when we aren't trying so damn hard.

I learned all I needed to know about Tim as we were walking together after the interview was completed. We were engaging in your normal small talk chit chat when he stopped and told me he forgot to ask me something. He asked, "are you a yes man?" I said no and if that was what he was looking for then he needed to find someone else and if he didn't believe me he could just ask around. He said he couldn't stand yes people and wanted people who would challenge him. He wanted his team strong, confident and to have voices that wanted to be heard.

He lived up to that philosophy and often encouraged his team to challenge each other and debate the topic to get to a better answer. He accepted different points of view and not only would he acknowledge he learned something new he would actually show appreciation. He knew how to have a good time while getting real business done. He didn't get caught up in politics but knew how to manage within them. He led by example and encouraged his managers to lead too. He was truly one of the best bosses I have ever had.

Golden Nugget Foster an environment of debate, challenge the status quo and be wary of the Yes man.

40-Day Series: Thank You Linda Sherlock

The pressure of a big time customer pitch can be pretty intense when it is your first time. I remember the night before a $60M pitch to NASDAQ like it was yesterday. We had executives in town and conducted a presentation walk-through to ensure everyone was comfortable with their part. As we got about half-way done it became clear our story was not clear and there was much work to be done with the presentation. We had a delayed start with the rehearsal so by the time we were done and could start the editing it was already pretty late in to the evening. It looked like it was going to be an all-nighter.

Thank God I had Linda Sherlock by my side. The executives left to get their beauty sleep and the rest of the account team assumed Linda and I were good to go with the "edits." Linda and I were on the same page that the presentation needed a lot more than "edits" and basically needed an entire re-write. We weren't sure where to start so we ordered a bottle of wine and began with slide 1. We would proceed to restructure the entire presentation and finally wrapped up about 5 a.m. with a wake-up call scheduled for 7 a.m.

I can't imagine what I would have done that night without Linda. She was amazing, brilliant, patient and knew when to let us take moment to laugh and decompress. Her strategic insight was critical in weaving a compelling story. The lack of sleep paid off as NASDAQ called the pitch a "homerun" with several members following us out to our car to tell us how well we did. Her experience with big-time accounts would be invaluable to me beyond that one night and had a huge impact on my custom sales success. She taught me how to build a narrative that customers wanted to hear and would find valuable. She also taught me that you do whatever it takes to impress a customer (even if it means little to no sleep), that the story is everything and when your not sure what to do next that a bottle of wine can bring clarity.

Golden Nugget: If it isn't good do what you have to do to fix it and make it great.

40-Day Series: Thank You Steve Coker

Steve challenged me to make my biggest career decision at Sprint...he challenged me to quit. He challenged me by getting me to admit that the only reason I didn't want to quit was because of fear. Calling me a chicken definitely triggers a button with me and his challenged work...I put in for my volunteer package the very next day.

I knew of Steve Coker years earlier as the projects we worked on would intertwine from time to time but I never really got to know him. Then 2 years ago we both started the business professional certification program with Aji. Steve and I quickly realized that we had a lot in common with our overachiever tendencies being our strongest connection. Aji was teaching us how we were creating our own obstacles most of the time and that we needed networks of help to truly achieve success. Steve and I realized that we would need to let go of our lone ranger behavior (this being one of a ton of things we would learn at Aji) if we were to take our career to the next level.

Steve quickly became a confidant and an important part of my network of help. He would take time out of his busy schedule to meet with me, listen and help me ground my observations and assessments. Most important, he would be honest with me, push me, call me on my bullshit and in turn helped me become a bonafide adult and professional. He allowed me to do the same with him which allowed us to build trust...the kind of trust that you need to have with a colleague if you are going to excel. I am so fortunate to have Steve in my network of help and blessed to call him my friend.

Golden Nuggett: Find someone who you trust enough to call you a chicken and appreciate it when they do

Be who you are and learn to be better,
Lisa

40-Day Series: Sharon Williams

Did you ever have a co-worker that was just an absolute joy to work with? Someone who helped make work something fun to look forward to? This person for me was Sharon Williams. I can't help but have a big huge grin just thinking about her. We worked together for years and even after we went down different career paths, we would hang out from time to time at our local watering hole. She was always a great source of support for me and helped me through some critical points in my career.

One such point was after my interview for the Executive Staff Manager job. I was giddy, excited and nervous as hell. I went outside and low and behold who should I run into? Well, Ms. Williams of course. I told her about the interview and shared my fears about both getting and not getting the position. I wasn't sure if I was ready for the "big time" and if I was a fool for thinking I had a serious shot at being selected. Sharon listened, nodded her head and then in Sharon style said something freaking hilarious that almost made me forget about the interview all together.

I'll never forget that moment and how I was glad that of all the people to run into that it was her. She had this way of making you completely comfortable, confident, and optimistic that all is good with the world. She also had a way of making you feel as if you could tell her anything as you knew she would hold it in utmost confidence. Sharon was raised in a small town called Marshall, MO which I think is why she was so good at making you feel right at home, even if it was only in her cube. In addition to all the personal ways she supported you, she also was one hell of a business colleague doing whatever the team needed to be successful. Business was personal to her and I'm blessed to have shared so much of my career with her by my side.

Goldent Nuggett: Be a listening ear and know when to tell a joke.

Be who you are and learn to be better,
Lisa

40-day Series: Thank You Dr. Claudio Lima

A man of genius. A description that is simple and yet, commands respect which is exactly how I think of Dr. Claudio Lima. Claudio worked back in the early 2000's at the Advanced Technology Lab in Burlingame, CA. He was responsible for ultra long-haul research and strategy. For those of you not familiar with the term "ultra long-haul," it is the backbone of the telecommunications network...without long-haul you couldn't make a long distance phone call or send an email. I met Claudio after I was assigned as project manager to the lab. Upon my arrival, I received a less than desired welcome from some, however Claudio made sure to go out of his way to say hello and made me feel at home.

Claudio always had a smile and was geniune in his desire to do whatever he could to help you understand what he was working on. Much of his work was a language I didn't understand...lambdas, algorithms, and various computations that made your head hurt just by looking at the drawings and writings on his whiteboard. My job was to help KC engineers back at HQ understand the value of what the lab was producing so they could incorporate it in their desing plans. There was so much to learn that it was overwhelming most days. I also faced an uphill battle with some of the ATL lab leaders as the last thing they wanted was some PM from HQ coming in trying to change things and introduce new processes. I think it was my third trip when I was starting to make some progress but still struggling a bit when Claudio asked me how I was doing.

I was so appreciative of him taking a moment to share concern and offer to help. I was hesistant to ask for an ultra long-haul overview as I was afraid I wouldn't understand it and the last thing I wanted was to look stupid in front of this very kind and intelligent man. He took the time (and we are talking painstaking hours), to patiently walk me through all things long-haul. He could have talked right over my head or down to me and he did neither. He used terms I could understand, he made sure I was following along, and he would check my ability to to apply the knowledge to various design scenarios. I think I learned more about technology in that one overview with him then I did in my 16 years at Sprint. It was like I could literally feel my brain growing by just being in the same room with him. Dr. Lima showed sincere respect for me as if I was an equal even though I was much lower on the academia totem pole.

Claudio always shared a comforting smile and was always willing to chat when I arrived at the lab for my monthly visits. In turn, he made a tough assignment not just easier but a true pleasure and honor.

Golden Nugget: Don't be afraid to ask the smart guys for help and if you are the smart guy help the student feel smart too. Be kind to those who are on assignment and/or new to the group.

Be who you are and learn to be better,
Lisa