Focus on What Matters Most

This is a platform to share the radical pivots, risks, self-evaluations and reflections of people I admire. We dig into the moments that led the people in their lives to go, “She Did What?!” and ultimately, to their personal or professional metamorphosis.

Cherylyn Harley LeBon is a partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig where she has dedicated her career to advising and advocating for her clients. Through her successful career, Cherylyn continues to serve as a critical resource for her clients. In the various roles she has navigated, she has developed an approach to defining her “north star” or the things most important to her. This process has helped ensure that through every season of life and career she stays grounded, focused on her responsibilities and caring for those around her. In this article of She Did What? Cherylyn pulls back the veil on how she stays focused on what really matters.??

With every stage there is necessary pivoting – that is how you remain fresh, current, and stay on the growth path. My priorities have always shifted depending on home, family, and work obligations.? But my north star has always been my family, including parents, and siblings. They always keep me grounded.

Before my children were born, it was always an assessment of how it would impact my home life, strategic growth, and future opportunities. After my children were born, there were significantly more factors to consider: impact on kids, caregiving schedules, activities, etc. It felt like a domino effect depending on the ages of my children at the time.

One thing I respect about Cherylyn’s approach is how throughout her career, she has maintained her priority to stay rooted in what is most important to her. Even as her priorities have shifted over time, Cherylyn continues to define her “true north” to keep her focused and clear-minded when making hard decisions. I appreciate how candidly Cherylyn talks about the role family can play in your professional decision-making. Instead of seeing it as something that distracts her from professional accomplishments, early on, Cherylyn defined the important role she wanted family to play in her life- it is one of her core priorities.??

When asked about a recent example of a professional pivot, Cherylyn shared with me her experience joining a large corporate board and onboarding as a first-time public company board member.?

A recent pivot has been in my professional life where one of my goals was to join a public corporate board. Over the years, I have served on several smaller company boards, and I also work with my corporate clients to build their company boards, so the process is well known to me. However, I took a deliberate step in 2021 to move towards the goal of joining a public company board and a few months later, I was offered the opportunity.

I think it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my professional career. Professionally, the work is interesting and intellectually rewarding. Personally, I’ve made new friends and business acquaintances from all across the country who bring a diverse set of experiences, skills, and backgrounds.?

It is so important to think about our accomplishments both in terms of our professional and our personal life. Everything we do can add value to the other and I appreciate how Cherylyn breaks that down through reflecting on her corporate board experience.? As she demonstrates, this mindset transforms a career accomplishment into one that has also benefited her personal life in a noticeable way.?

Joining a corporate board is a significant milestone and accomplishment. One thing we talk about on this platform a lot is how to strike a balance between short-term responsibilities and long-term goals. How can we find the tools and strategies to execute on what has to be accomplished on a week-over-week basis while also focusing on our future growth and those opportunities that will help take us to the next level?

I grew up in Western New York and experienced 4 distinct seasons. With the start of every season, I take time to reflect on the months ahead.? I think about extended family or friends with whom I should I reconnect. I’m a believer in lifelong learning, so I explore areas of professional and personal development that need some fine-tuning. I may take a class, short course, or subscribe to a new podcast. Finally, I’m an old-fashioned letter writer, something I learned from my mother. Every season, I think about someone I should write to.

I am inspired by how Cherylyn uses the seasons as her guide for growth. This connectivity to nature and the changing seasons is an innovative way to chart quarterly plans instead of annual goals. It is clear that Cherylyn clearly defines her priorities and then boldly pursues them. The intention she brings to her process for professional priorities is mirrored in how she practices personal self-reflection.?

When asked about how she stays personally grounded when making a life pivot she told me.??

1.? ? ? Always good to hold a mirror to yourself once in a while.?

2. ? ? ? Don’t be afraid if you don’t always have the answers.

3. ? ? ? Apologize when you are wrong. Humility is a beautiful thing.?

4. ? ? ? Seek feedback from your trusted advisors, friends, and family.?

5. ? ? ? Change is good, and sometimes necessary.

Here’s to embracing change! We are so inspired by Cherylyn’s straightforward and grounded approach to professional growth and self-reflection. How do you make sure to stay grounded and focused on your priorities? Tell us in the comments below!?

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