I inspire through empathy, fostering growth by embracing diverse journeys without judgment, recognizing the potential within each unique path.
Why do you believe honoring achievement is important?
Honoring achievement is a reflection of recognizing dedication, hard work and innovation. This celebration fosters a culture of excellence, pushing individuals to strive beyond their limits. When a community embraces this ethos, leaders emerge, channeling competitive spirits that propel progress and magnetize distinct talents.
Toni Morrison said, “You are your best thing.” This truth underlines the imperative that, as leaders, we must perpetually inspire, crafting a narrative of growth and painting our collective future with the strokes of success.
Neglecting to honor the achievements of others can inadvertently dim their fire, potentially stunting their growth and ambitions. Yet, in those whispered praises and roaring accolades alike, lies an undeniable truth: In every commendation, we breathe life into dreams and fan the flames of human potential.
What insights have you gained in your career that would inspire others?
Embracing defeat can feel like embracing fire — painful, searing and intensely uncomfortable. You’re often advised to “move on,” “tomorrow is another day.” Well, I’m living in today and today kinda sucks. Defeat is the worst, but so is wasted potential. So, while you sit in your moments of self-pity (we are allowed those), let it fuel you. Plot your comeback right there, amidst your setbacks. I realized that my best, most groundbreaking ideas often emerge from the ashes of failure. I’ve had my share and will experience more, but each chapter contributed to my evolving narrative.
While wisdom from peers and mentors is precious, your life is your masterpiece, and you hold the brush. You can solicit advice from your most trusted mentors (it’s encouraged), but the final stroke — the defining stroke — comes from you. Trusting yourself isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity. You are the artist of your own destiny, and each setback is just another hue in your palette.
What can we do — now — to make a difference for young people/women in Arizona?
In this age, young people and women of all ages navigate an ocean often clouded by external judgments. The truth is stark: You won’t be everyone’s favorite, and that’s perfectly alright. What matters is not the chorus of voices on platforms like social media, which can amplify both praise and criticism to extreme volumes, but the steady, guiding inner voice that reminds you of your worth.
To genuinely uplift our youth and women, we must emphasize the power of self-worth over the fleetingness of likes and shares. In a world constantly shouting, teach them the value of listening to themselves. The real journey isn’t about winning the world but standing firm amidst its ebb and flow, knowing deeply who you are and where you’re headed.
In A Few Words
- What was the last course, certification or training you took to improve yourself professionally? EQ Certification
- What would you say is a single characteristic OTHERS might attribute to you that defines your success? Faith
- What is the one thing you feel you could work on professionally to be a greater success? Present
- What is the one professional skill you have that has gotten you where you are today? Empathy
- What is the single greatest issue facing Arizona today? The lack of resources for our serious mentally ill and other vulnerable homeless individuals.
About Me
A little over 10 years ago, my family and I founded Senior Placement Services, an assistance program in Phoenix that provided housing resources to vulnerable veterans and homeless individuals. This was where we started our work in public service. Fast forward to now, we work closely together to run Trinity Integrated Care and Moses Behavioral Care, which are a group of community-based behavioral health facilities offering 24-hour, long-term care for the seriously mentally ill (SMI) population.
These efforts are motiva ted by my family’s promise to uphold mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including providing services to the community while offering integrated care and treatment for those who otherwise cannot live independently.
Liz Agboola is CEO at Trinity Integrated Care.
