putting the knit in shizknitz

There are millions of women with successful careers out in the world. If lucky, half of those women are minorities. What are the characteristics that make a woman rise to the top?

My life long search for this and other similar answers was accelerated by a wonderful year long program at my work place. I think the best investment an organization can make is in its staff. Time and time again, every organizational performance book, professional development, leadership and managerial book, manual and how-to dummy guide has pointed towards the importance in the most valuable commodity of your organization - the people who perform the work.

I’ve always been fascinated by people who know how to work the organizational ladder. These are the individuals who on any occasion are able to mix and mingle with everyone else in the room, even if they don’t know a soul. They also have the flair and ability to work their way up without necessarily much substance. These are the people who talk the talk.

The people who dazzle me are those who seem to do it all - they know how to do everything, and if they don’t, they know who can. They seem to be thoroughly knowledgeable in their jobs and are more than helpful with others while maintaining sincerity and staying “real” (or at least they’re good at acting). These are the people who walk the walk.

My goal in my personal career is to be able to be one who can do both - I suppose, have it all. This may sound cliche to an extent, but certainly not unattainable. I look for mentors everywhere - and I’ve been fortunate to be taken under the wings of the very best my work place has to offer. I may not know everything, nor do I know everyone but I try my best to always be helpful with others that are probably looking for a mentor - and possibly finding, in me.

Here I am in the photos above - if my work place was a company, this man is our CEO, and the beautiful red head is my all knowing mentor.