We asked Shana Graves about her experience with the TIPS Leadership Academy. Here is what she had to say!
What do you feel like you got out of the program professionally (or personally)?
My involvement in TIPS has re-emphasized to me the benefit of being a lifelong learner; there’s always something you don’t know or someone who is smarter than you. I have gained so much practical knowledge from the interactions I have had during my tenure in the Section.
When our Leadership Academy class began, I was in a really challenging space, both personally and professionally. The people I met, classmates, TIPS leaders, and speakers, each affected me, taught me something, and gave me some much needed inspiration and encouragement (often unknowingly) that helped me to navigate some tough times and decisions.
How what you learned will serve you professionally (or personally)?
One of the biggest lessons I learned about leadership was to continuously cultivate an appreciation of, as well as the utilization of, diversity in thought, skill, and expertise in every team, organization, or project that I lead or manage.
We each are responsible for our own leadership journey, but we also have an obligation to reach back to mentor and sponsor others along their journey.