Flashing Lights - Life's Little Reminders

As we close the month of October, I wanted to take a pause and reflect on this past year. My true anniversary with Saks Fifth Avenue/Saks.com is September 21st, but I took a pre-planned three week vacation to celebrate my anniversary with my Hubbs and to do all the fun kid stuff with my boys during their Fall Break. With excitement and anticipation, I joined Saks immediately after my prior role - NEVER, EVER do that in your future transitions, because you need time to reset - to attend my first all employee Town Hall on my third day. It was great and when I look back over the last year of adventure, I am reminded that with every new opportunity comes new lessons to be learned, and old ones to hold on to. As I enter my second year, here are a few of the 'flashing lights' I want to keep top of mind:

Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thang

Steven Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, coined this phrase years ago. The South is known to sprinkle a little flavor on things so, we say ‘keep the main thing, the main thang.’ What this simply means to me is to stay the course and don’t let distractions get in the way of your WHY. As a multipotentialite, I am at my best when I can dabble in a number of things at one time, partially because I’m always seeking ways to achieve success with a sense of urgency. I want to be great at everything that I do, and I will put in the time to make sure that happens. Work has always been my superpower, which is why pursuing roles that allow me to be a true change agent are my jam!

This quote, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing," is my constant reminder to stay focused and remove those things or people that zap my time and energy, and hinder me from meeting the goal. As I enter my second year, the main thang is to continue to chase impact and transform lives.

Your Assignment is Greater Than Your Agenda

When I took on this role, there was an outpouring of support. It was so unexpected, and to be honest, a little overwhelming. I know the name Saks Fifth Avenue comes with lots of status, but this role came to me out of divine timing and my desire to do the work of shaping culture and mindsets. I was both honored and grateful to read the hundreds of notes that expressed how genuinely excited and proud people were of me. Once the ‘noise’ died down, I received a note that I still cherish today that stated, “I’m so proud of you and I’m here to make sure you continue to WIN! When all the praise is gone and you find yourself crying from utter frustration, on the verge of throwing in the towel, or you just need a cheerleader when there is no one in your corner, call me. We have never met, but I’ve been in your shoes, I am in your corner, and I’m here to make sure nothing dims your light.”

Tears...can you imagine, a complete stranger having that much compassion for someone they never met? Well, I loved it, instantly connected with her, and we became fast friends. The other cool thing is I did the same for others that entered into DEI roles around the same time. That note reminded me of two things: 1.) You never know who is watching you and how your mere existence and continual pursuit will impact the lives of others, and 2.) The advice of a former leader who said I was designed to soar and to never let anyone clip my wings. They are my reminders that my assignment is far greater than my agenda and to surround myself with strong leaders who continue to fuel me for greatness.

DEI Practitioners are the strong friend - check on them

As we all endured unforeseen amounts of change and uncertainty over the last two years, a heightened focus on our mental health, our well-being, and those around us became paramount. We saw memes circulate that read, “Check on your strong friend.” When things are chaotic around us, it is often the strong friend who puts on a smile, ploughs through challenges, carries the emotional baggage of others, and makes sure those around them are in tact, all while letting their own well-being suffer.

Well, as I formally reentered the DEI space, I quickly realized the landscape had changed a bit post the murder of George Floyd. The role was much more centered around constant change management, and there was a heightened sense of urgency and awareness around the many diversity, equity, inclusion, togetherness and belonging efforts practitioners had previously raised. Compound that with Black and Brown leaders entering spaces that weren’t designed with them in mind, the constant need to manage the emotion of those around you while managing your own, the simple goal of sharing the value of difference in environments that seek likeness and fit, and the desire to do something great while navigating apprehension and fear. It didn’t take me long to realize that DEI leaders were the strong friend, who needed much more than a check-in email, but a safe and brave community that understood their plight and reminded them why they pursued this work in the first place.

As we approached Mental Health Awareness Month, the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, and hearing so many of my peers transition out of their roles, I knew May was the best time to launch an informal group. The DEI Collective was born with over a 150+ DEI leaders of all levels and backgrounds, who meet monthly to benchmark best practices, share solutions to the things that keep us up at night, determine avenues of collective impact, and most importantly provide one another the fuel to make a difference. With all the networks, attention, and support around us, still check on the DEI leader, your strong friend.

These glimmers of light have fueled my 28-year career, and I hope they will do the same for you. In year two, I remain committed to the goal - keep the main thing, the main thang - and to paraphrase the words of the great Denzell Washington, "because without commitment we will never start, but without consistency we will never finish. And when things get tough, know that ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship."

Disclaimer: Don't ignore the flashing lights - they are the reminders that light your path to greatness!

LMSR

The views expressed by the author are those of the author alone, and not those of Saks Fifth Avenue/Saks.com or other members of Saks Fifth Avenue/Saks.com.