Lessons in Leadership: Who’s in your orbit?

Do you remember your first “big” interview?

The interview for your first job post grad, or for the first job you really wanted?

I remember mine - December 2011.

One of my 1:1 interviews at Epic was with Sarah Young.

For 30 minutes, Sarah gave a masterclass in interviewing. 

She was intentional about the questions she asked, she was authentic & human, and she was laser focused on getting the most out of our limited time.

Our conversation simultaneously challenged me and left me crossing my fingers to get any job at Epic just to be in the orbit of leaders like her. 

For the past decade, I watched Sarah’s company, Zing Collaborative, grow into a thriving community of forward-thinking leaders.

I’ve read and re-read her book, Expansive Impact. 

I’ve been intentional about staying in her orbit, and the universe even helped me out once - we happened to be in the same random yoga class in La Crosse, WI on a freezing December day 9 years back.

When we started Rise, I naturally reached out to seek advice.

In the early days, we had a number of helpful phone conversations (including one discussing how to convince midwestern parents that you’re not crazy for starting a company to address a gap you see in the market). 

A few months ago, I woke up to an email - Sarah reached out to discuss a partnership.

She shared our values, validated our vision and agreed that there is a need for a human-centric & results-oriented recruiting firm.

Sarah showed me that leadership can (and should) be:

• high integrity

• authentic

• intentional

• forward-thinking

• A balance between the what & the how

Sarah continues to inspire purposeful, kind, impactful leaders; the types of leaders we built Rise to uplift. 

This is your reminder to nurture relationships with leaders in your orbit who inspire you.

Oh, and go to yoga.