Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community?
As women leaders, we often run from meeting to meeting, event to event and accomplish task after task. We are amazing human “doing machines.” I often look at what we accomplish in just one day of our work, families and communities and I ask, “How do we do it?”
It is important that we take time out to breathe and take stock of all we have accomplished and achieved. We must remember that celebrating our success and accomplishments is as important as achieving them.
This honoring and celebrating is also important for our business community to see all the inspirational women leaders we have in our local community. For the community, this helps to boost motivation and morale, encourage healthy competition, promote a culture of excellence, build reputation and credibility, encourage networking and collaboration, and inspire the next generation. I believe hearing someone’s success story helps elevate one’s potential.
What is the single most important thing you have learned throughout your career that would inspire others/other women?
I’ve learned how important it is to trust your intuition. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. If you get a “yes,” go for it. Our instincts are there to guide and protect us.
So much of my career success has come from listening to my intuition, even when it was uncomfortable. An example is when I was getting certified in the SYMLOG team assessment tool. I was at a small-group table but my intuition said, “You need to be at that other table.” I listened and politely excused myself. I went to the other table and coached a gentleman at that table. Afterwards, he said, “You are an exceptional coach. I am currently interviewing coaches for a Fortune 50 company.” Not only was my company selected as a preferred executive coach vendor, but Inside Out Learning has been delivering leadership training programs and offsites for this company for the past 20 years.
What do you think we can do – now – to make a difference for young people/women in Arizona?
I have a passion for developing the next generation of leaders. My book, The Authenticity CodeTM, is about helping the current and next generation of leaders connect with who they truly are and lead from that place.
Young people and women need mentors, inspiring role models and access to networks and education. I volunteer every chance I get to mentor and teach young people, and I believe all leaders need to mentor at least five young people a year. We all need to be asking, “How can we give back in a way that is authentic to who I am?”
I now volunteer as an Arizona Forum leader for WBEC-West to sponsor educational and networking events for women business owners. I deliver pro bono speeches, sponsor book clubs, and collaboratively design events that help elevate women business leaders to their next level. We all need to find our way to pay it forward.
In A Few Words
- What was the last course, certification or training you took to improve yourself professionally? How to use AI in leadership
- What would you say is a single characteristic OTHERS might attribute to you that defines your success? Excellence
- What is the one thing you feel you could work on professionally to be a greater success? Relinquishing
- What is the one professional skill you have that has gotten you where you are today? Grit
- What is the single greatest issue facing Arizona today? How to maintain and exceed our water supply, given the expanding population that is drawn to our beautiful state.
About Me
Sharon Lamm-Hartman, Ph.D., is CEO and founder of Inside-Out Learning, Inc., an award-winning WBENC-certified leadership and organization development firm with 40 staff. A Columbia University doctorate and Cornell graduate, she is a global executive coach, consultant, speaker, and author of The Authenticity Code™, a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, and Axiom GOLD Medalist.
With more than 25 years’ experience, Dr. Lamm-Hartman has designed more than 3,000 training programs and coached thousands of executives worldwide. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Women to KNOW Across America, she actively volunteers at WBENC, WPO and IMWomen, empowering leaders to transform from the inside out.
