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Steely Determination Forges Change Management Career Path
Up Close & Virtual welcomes Elizabeth Reed, Principle with The Revere Group. Learn more about how Elizabeth has embraced a philosophy of life-long learning that led her from a dead-end job in a steel town to a technology executive with a focus on Change Management. Read the interview...
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Tell us briefly about your company, your area of expertise and responsibilities:
My career began in the insurance industry. I spent 20+ years in the industry with many project oriented responsibilities in the Finance, Technology and Operational areas. I began to realize that my passion lay in teaching and leading in project management and process improvement. So, about one year ago I made a decision to enter the profession of consulting with The Revere Group. At the Revere Group, I own the project management practice for Chicago. I was drawn to The Revere Group because of the incredibly talented people I saw in their practice. Specifically, I wanted to work with Michael Hughes, who is one of the thought leaders of Change Management. A practice that fascinates me.
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Describe a day in your professional life...
During a typical day, I can be found networking and prospecting for clients, drafting proposals, presentations on Business Transformation practices and coaching organizations who wish to implement a project management/process improvement framework or simply wish to "kick-up" their project management maturity. Each day is unique, depending on client needs.
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How is technology impacting the nature of your work and how you do your work?
So much technology is out there in the world! It can be difficult to know exactly what you need to support and assist you. I find focusing on people and process first is the key. Let the technology follow and it enables your people and processes.
The move to a virtual work environment has been phenomenal. The ability to be anywhere and practice has made the world just that much smaller. There is a certain amount of skill required. Conveying your non-verbal communication through words and word choices can be critical in phone conversations. Email brings writing back in vogue. Understanding which medium for which message is becoming our number one communication hurdle brought on by technology.
The individual or organization who learns to wield technology are the winners. They understand the importance of it, embrace it, and are not intimidated by it.
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What kind of traits/skills or characteristics will a person need to be successful in your industry/company?
People skills are number one! Whether you are meeting a client, coaching project managers, or presenting to a board of directors, the ability to quickly tune in to their needs, perceptions, culture and how they change and learn, enable you to very quickly become effective in their organization.
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Was there a lesson or skill learned from your first job that has been invaluable on your career path?
Absolutely. In my first job, I had the opportunity to work with very professional women. They left a remarkable lesson with me in that the difference in how men and women communicate and work is not insurmountable, just different. This difference is the same as working with a diverse group of people. They taught me the glass ceiling is largely created by our own perceptions.
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| “People skills are number one! Whether you are meeting a client, coaching project managers, or presenting to a board of directors, the ability to quickly tune in to their needs, perceptions, culture and how they change and learn, enable you to very quickly become effective in their organization.�
-- Elizabeth Reed
--Elizabeth A. Reed |
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Has Higher Education been important in your career path? Tell us the path you took to where you are today.
I was a late graduate. My education began in a small steel town. I was about 5 years into a triple major (accounting, marketing and management), when the steel mills closed and unemployment was at 28% in the community. This emphasized even more the need for education, but it also prompted me to re-locate with a company. When I relocated I lost a lot of credits. But I went back to school, completed my bachelor and took some time off. I returned many years later to work on my Masters in Business Administration and found that graduate school was much more exciting and I could relate it to my full time job. After graduating with my MBA, I went back for a Masters in Project Management. I was interested in the many kinds of project management methodologies out there and how they can be effective and which to apply. About 4 years ago, I accepted a position as a Black Belt and had the opportunity to learn Six Sigma. Knowing project management and process improvement has been a very powerful combination to introduce change to an organization and execute on initiatives.
The best educational advice I would give someone is that education is one of the few things you will ever truly own; no one can ever take it away from you. Be a life long learner and you will always be employed. Job security is between your ears!
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What is your work ethic, and how did it develop? What inspires you?
My work ethic is based on my passion. I love inspiring people to be the best they can be and to have an impact in their organizations. It’s not about the money. If it is, you really need to re-think what you are doing. Money is nothing more than a score keeper. If you take a position for money and it does not align with your interests and life course, you can be miserable.
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What advice would you give to potential job applicants to help them succeed in the ever-changing global marketplace?
First and foremost, be yourself and true to yourself. Do many things so you can find out what interest and fascinates you. As you move to different positions, take stock and think about what you liked and what you didn’t like in your past position. It is easy and true to say "Play to your strengths" but I find understanding what your strengths are is the difficult part. Don’t ever hesitate or leave an encounter without asking for feedback. Inside every piece of feedback you get is some kernel of truth. Look for the kernel.
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Are there any emerging trends in your industy/company that will impact your hiring criteria?
Definitely. I see Change Management as the greatest trend in business. There are many candidates who have credentials, especially in project management. But the truly successful project manager understands the fundamentals of change management. They incorporate them into their practice, which is a key to successful implementations. I ask people I interview to walk me through how they moved an organization from point A to point B. The replies indicate how well and how valued is change management in the candidate. Those who understand this key concept, will be able to help an organization through many hurdles they face especially the forest of technology.
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Tell us about your Corporate Diversity/Women’s Programs: What is your company doing to educate employees on valuing diversity in the workplace? FYI: Our viewers overwhelmingly state that Corporate Diversity Programs are important in attracting them for employment.
The Revere Group does not have a specific Corporate Diversity/Women’s program, they have something even better: They practice diversity. My work exposes me to Japanese, Indian, German, and cultures through North America. I find the hands-on experience by far more favorable. I find myself seeing less the diversity of a culture and more the affinity with a culture. Again, this is an opportunity to play to strengths.
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Share your Favorite Inspiration Quote or Words of Wisdom:
Your name is the only thing you will ever truly own. Take care with it and preserve its values. Your name is one life accomplishment that will be on your headstone. This piece of wisdom has guided me in many ethical situations to do the right thing.
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What strategies does your company employ to retain, recruit &/or reach out to Women in the Workplace?
We rely heavily on our personal contacts and networking to retain and recruit women. My networking events largely share the concept of Women and Technology or Women in Leadership. From this network, we have seen several recruits who take an interest in what they do (technology, leadership, project management), demonstrated by their eagerness to participate in activities ourside of their employment. If someone is willing to give up their personal time to their passion, you know it truly is a passion. There is a caution here, in that some networking groups seem to key into job seekers. I prefer those that focus on my interests. I believe if you focus on your interests the opportunities follow.
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| Advice for Job Seekers:"First and foremost, be yourself and true to yourself. Do many things so you can find out what interest and fascinates you. As you move to different positions, take stock and think about what you liked and what you didn’t like in your past position. It is easy and true to say "Play to your strengths" but I find understanding what your strengths are is the difficult part. Don’t ever hesitate or leave an encounter without asking for feedback. Inside every piece of feedback you get is some kernel of truth. Look for the kernel."
-- Elizabeth Reed
--Elizabeth A. Reed |
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What women have inspired you on your career path? How?
When I first went to the area of technology, I had an opportunity to work with a female CIO, Kathy Cooper. At the time the field of technology was very male dominated. So having the experience to work with a woman who not only entered the field, but dominated it was truly an eye-opening experience. She taught me not to see in black and white or male vs. female, but to see the individual for what they bring to the table.
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What challenges have you faced in business because you are a woman? Share your strategies for overcoming them.
When you first meet someone, the desire to categorize and generalize on differences is almost instinctual. It is a means to align or not align, think fight or flight. By focusing on issues, needs, and solutions at hand I allow the other person to relax and realize there is more to me than a generalization. I let my expertise and experience speak for itself. Also, by remaining professional, you automatically set some boundries.
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How do you maintain balance in your life? or Do you?!
I have three wonderful men in my life! The first is my life partner Fred Rosenthal who is my mentor, friend and rock. The other two are my pets, Buzz a 7 month old Puggle and Junior a 7 year old Bulldog/Beagle mix. These three influence me to leave work behind, because they demand attention. And I find playing with them dissipates all my stress. There is nothing I find more peaceful and invigorating as enjoying the pups at the beach with your partner and a sunset.
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Thank you Elizabeth A. Reed for sharing your insights and experience!
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