Leadership is an ever-evolving art, demanding adaptability and a diverse skill set in our rapidly changing world. My journey in transformational leadership is deeply rooted in my upbringing and early experiences, which have shaped my approach to nurturing and empowering teams.
Growing up with a grandmother who was a pastor, I witnessed firsthand the power of servant leadership. Her dedication to the community taught me that true leadership extends beyond personal gain—it’s about uplifting others and fostering collective growth. This early influence instilled in me a profound sense of purpose and community-mindedness that has been the cornerstone of my leadership philosophy.
My experience as one of the earliest members of HarlemLive further solidified my commitment to empowering others. This non-profit youth development organization, founded by a former NYC public school teacher, showed me how journalism and experiential learning could be powerful tools for youth empowerment. It was here that I first experienced the transformative impact of giving young people a voice and the skills to express themselves.
These formative experiences have profoundly influenced my leadership style, which I like to compare to tending a diverse and vibrant garden. It’s not just about planting seeds of ideas, but nurturing each individual’s growth, ensuring they receive the right amount of support, encouragement, and opportunities to flourish.
At Teachers Pay Teachers, I cultivated an environment where educators felt safe to share and grow their ideas. A TpT alumnus captured this essence perfectly: “The environment fosters deep thinking and aligns personal values with the overall mission, creating an inspiring workplace.” This approach was pivotal in fostering a community where individuals could thrive and contribute meaningfully to our shared objectives.
”Intrinsic motivation and alignment with core values are celebrated here, which makes me feel both supported and valued.
Team memberlittleBits
At LittleBits, we prioritized trust and empathy as the fertile soil for communication. One team member eloquently stated, “Intrinsic motivation and alignment with core values are celebrated here, which makes me feel both supported and valued.” This nurturing atmosphere promoted a sense of ownership and pride, driving innovation and creativity.
During my tenure at an HR tech company, we implemented regular check-ins and celebrations of progress, which were crucial for collective growth. A Glassdoor reviewer noted, “Every meeting ensured everyone felt involved and appreciated, contributing to our collective success.” This feedback loop not only motivated team members but also strengthened our sense of community and mutual respect.
At Outschool, our focus on deep thinking and collective growth ensured that every improvement benefited the entire team. A colleague remarked, “The leadership here inspires everyone to bring their best ideas, ensuring alignment with our shared goals.” This approach to intellectual exploration and creativity fortified both personal and collective development.
In my various roles, I’ve consistently focused on inspiring teams to reach their full potential, aligning our work with shared ethical goals. The impact of this leadership style is evident in the feedback I’ve received: “Design’s focus on shared values, ethics, personal and professional goals creates an environment where you feel your work truly matters.”
”The sense of community is real. I often leave our sessions feeling that my spirit, my humanity, and my creativity have been nourished. I leave each FAM session better than I arrived.
Community memberFAM Cooperative
Most recently, at FAM, I’ve ensured that our physical and digital experiences not only stay ahead of the curve but also meet local community needs. A member of our Newburgh, NY cooperative shared, “The sense of community is real. I often leave our sessions feeling that my spirit, my humanity, and my creativity have been nourished. I leave each FAM session better than I arrived.”
Throughout my career, I’ve leveraged education and technology to build and scale teams that are not just efficient, but truly transformed—teams that are motivated, engaged, and blossoming. The consistent theme in my team’s feedback is the empowerment and support they receive, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Transformational leadership is a journey that begins within and extends to the broader community. It’s about cultivating a culture where everyone is empowered to reach their full bloom, much like ensuring every plant in a garden is nurtured to blossom. This journey, inspired by my grandmother’s servant leadership and my early experiences in youth empowerment, is one I am passionate about leading.
As we navigate the complexities of modern leadership, I invite you to consider: How can we create team cultures that intrinsically motivate individuals to excel while aligning with a shared vision of success? How can we, as leaders, ensure that our ‘gardens’ are diverse, inclusive, and thriving?
