What’s most important to you at this point in your career, in terms of your professional work?
Sort by:
Empowering others to succeed!
At this point, I’m shifting to more of a consultative role to other IT leaders across orgs within my industry and even outside. I also realize that while work is, and always should be meaningful, it is more of a means to an end regarding what defines my life. I have a wonderful family and want to live life with and for them in balance with providing for them through work.
After 20 years of being in education technology, the most important thing I wake up and do at work is serving others. It really is. Most of us do not do self-serving jobs. The rewards are not always apparent and we've all come home from a long day's worth of work and felt like a failure.
The truth is if I had to do my job and I was the only one who felt success I don't think it would be a fulfilling job. I love watching others benefit from my work and knowing that I am making a difference in children's lives.
What's most important is achieving the remaining goals on my professional bucket list in the next five years. Most were were already accomplished. But there are three I'm still working on.
Did I have enough impact or do enough to help advance the role of the CIO from maintenance maven to true business leader. Were my actions, thought leadership, innovations or simply breaking the rules enough to have an impact on those companies I worked for or consulted with to view the CIO as a consigliera- a true advisor. We have come a long way but not quite far enough.
The second but equally important bucket item was always giving back through helping younger women advance faster, and with fewer obstacles in their way than those I faced. Maybe that falls under altruistic legacy but I would like to know I made at least a little difference. Only time will tell.
The last and probably most personally important is being recognized by my peers and community as being just as much of an innovator now, as I was when I entered the field three decades ago.
The success of my employees, by far. There's nothing that makes me happier than seeing them meet their goals - whether it's pay, skills, or entirely personal. I still have my own goals, but I spend a lot more time helping others meet theirs at this point.