IN THE BEGINNING: I listed my specialties above, but I am more than just someone in operations or project management or organizational development. When I was growing up, I would be the pest asking why things were they way they way were; what made them tick, why were they here and not there, and more importantly why did we do things one way and not another. Little did I know at the time but I was doing more than just preparing for a playing at being a journalist or private detective; rather I was learning about operations, problem-solving, and creation.EARLY CAREER: I landed on a gold mine when on separate occasions I was introduced to design theory and project management. Now not only could I sketch a way to make ideas a reality, but I had a process to make it happen. I found these two concepts vital in everything from new systems design to streamlining existing operations; I will also admit to using them to coach youth sports teams though I didn't try to apply critical path method or scrum to design pass plays for 8-year olds!LESSONS LEARNED: I was fortunate to have a mentor who helped with the softer side of leadership, who taught me the values of empathy, emotional intelligence, and working with diverse groups of people. I tell the younger people I mentor that one of the great advantages as my career has advanced is that I have learned how little I actually do know and the value in opening yourself to ideas of others. I tell them life is far more enjoying and enriching when you realize that you don't have all the answers, but that others can help you find them; I try to build my teams around that idea.