Skills or Common Sense – Do you show it or blow it?

After working in the Federal sector for over 35 years I can honestly say it’s a thin line between ‘Who you know’ and ‘What you know’. Many articles emphasize that Who you Know gets you further and having been in many situations it was that But I perservered and realized that no matter who I know, I still needed to have the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to do the job. Fortunately I always had to apply, interview, and convince a panel that I would be their best choice. Without those KSAs I would not have made it through interviews with highly skilled Managers who could spot a fake.

So why am I making a big deal of this? I just read “The Billion Dollar Woman” by Janelle Harris. She interviewed Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first black woman to build a billion-dollar business, Act-1 Group, a business solutions enterprise. Janice elaborated on how she succeeded and made very interesting points.

First, she attributes her faith in God and the love from a large family as what inspired her. I can relate to that. She launched her business in 1978 with only $1,500. That took a lot of faith, self-belief and KSAs. Janice did not wait for someone to ‘hand it to her’. I launched my business for less than $350 with no overhead.

Second, she marveled at how business owners, employees, contractors or even creative people miss out on investing in people, understanding what the people need; understanding what is behind the ‘ask’, and once that need is identified, one can deliver a service or a product that really grows. Learning from her I deliver a great product that sells itself. Everybody is either doing it or want it.

Third, Janice stepped up, not back, when the ‘economy was staggering out of a recession’. She felt people wanted to ‘jump in’ when business was good and going well; however her thoughts was that people should put it all out there when there is adversity. It makes you work harder, stronger, and that’s the time businesses grow.

Fourth, Janice, graduating from North Caroline A&T State University, said her greatest challenge is “unapologetic about the gifts that got her here”. Previously, she shrank from her power. Now she embraces it and use it to help others.

Fifth, Janice was uncomfortable with the idea she was smart. She felt it was crucial to hide her knowledge. I never thought I would actually read about someone who was uncomfortable with their brains. It’s sad when people are ignorant enough to judge a person because they are smart. Don’t ever let anyone criticize you or judge you for that reason. Those are people who don’t have sense enough to look at your contribution to others. Take it in for what it really is, jealousy and a negative way to hold you back. After one of Janice’s business presentations, and as she was being escorted to the door someone said “’If more of your people were like you, your whole race would be a lot further ahead.’” Instead of allowing that negativity to affect her, Janice made a commitment that the first $1 million she earned, from that contract would go to scholarships for ‘people like her’. WOW. That’s how you show negative people, don’t get even, be successful. People are watching and waiting for you to either fail or be successful. Make a decision: to fail is easy; to succeed is hard but so rewarding and it helps so many other people. I recently attended a Women’s Conference in Teaneck, New Jersey, where one of the speakers, Lillie Ennis, made a very good point by saying “Ladies, when you crack that glass ceiling, send the elevator back down”. That was huge and an eye opener. There is enough for everyone but don’t forget to reach down and help another. That’s how your blessings multiply. This industry I have been so blessed to be a part of has no glass ceiling and I’m on that elevator.

I’ve seen what people need, realized it’s already out there as an $8 Trillion dollar industry and simply provide the avenue for everyone to reach it. Simply put, I will be the door that opens for my family and friends. I will create that Generational Wealth. I will lead and develop leaders because now I know, after retiring, this trillion dollar industry has no ‘Glass Ceiling’. And I’m sharing this with everyone I know so you will understand that if I can do it, so can you. There are no education requirements, just a desire to help others.