It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Oh my..where do I begin? I am here due to strength and love of my Grandmother. My mother birthed me at a young age. As such, my Grandmother decided to be the person to love, nurture, and care for me. Although, I always knew who my birth mother was and spent time with her throughout the years, my Grandmother is the person who is affectionately known as “momma”. I didn’t know who my Father was until much later in life.
Fortunately, it was Momma who inspired the value of education and is the reason for my academic achievements; Electrical Engineering (Bachelors), Master of Business Administration, Organizational Behavior and Human Resources (PhD), and International Coach Federation (PCC). This was accomplished without her being an educated woman herself.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Success is best appreciated when it is earned. Personal challenges entailed being poor in a single parent household as well as the absence of a Father (and sometimes birth mother) during my formative years. Additional challenges include the lack of financial support for my education as well as challenges with being an African-American woman in academic and professional areas. This often adversely impacted my confidence in my capabilities and value in the workplace. I embarked upon life without a role model to aid with charting my path. Fortunately, I came across individuals willing to share their wisdom and experiences.
These experiences exposed a different life that I didn’t know was possible enhancing my desire to help others with their professional challenges. This is how Lyceum for Innovative Leadership LLC was conceptualized. Recently, I experienced the death of my Grandmother (January 2022), Mother (January 2023), Father (February 2023), and Godmother (March 2023). Consequently, I experienced grief. Regardless of this loss, I still have to lead my team while grieving.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
My focus is to help women leaders seeking to climb the corporate ladder and/or entrepreneurs. While my grief is the result of the loss of loved ones, many women leaders experience grief due to a loss of a relationship, loved one, job, and/or lifestyle. I want to ensure women leaders enhance their leadership capabilities and have the ability to lead their team effectively…regardless of personal and professional challenges. I accomplish this by having my clients focus on their goals and key leadership attributes through coaching and training.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success?
Success is accomplished when you know who you are as a leader and your key values. It is important for leaders to be compassionate, genuine, and objective. When you exemplify these behaviors, you will be able to build trust and support from your team. Additionally, leaders are only effective when they spend time replenishing their “cup.” In essence, strive for work-life balance, take a vacation, get plenty of rest, and other methods to focus on your mental and physical well-being.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success means the ability to live your life fully and authentically. As women, we work hard and often implement sacrifices for our loved ones. This may be extended to often neglecting ourselves..our dreams and desires. Success allows for work-life balance…peace and happiness…having a sense of fulfillment.
What’s next for you?
Continuing to work on being the best leader I can be. Grow my business domestically and internationally.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
People can connect me via email (info@innovative-leader.com)
and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-anthony-857592/ )
