Nag.

Pit bull.

Hammer.

Dog with a Bone.

AK47 (my favorite).

These are ALL words that have been used to describe me. They are all accurate. I take zero offense to any of them. But I’d like to add “Herder of Wild Mustangs” to my resume if I may be so bold.

Most of my career these labels have followed me. I used to be ashamed of them. Of course, I also used to have zero ability to moderate, so there is that.

Today I understand that these words MEAN something. They mean that I have a reputation for getting things done. And in order to get done the messy, complicated work I do, I cannot just “let go and believe.”

People have day jobs, and Teams chats, and meetings from 8 am to 5pm every day. Someone has to help these people sort through the noise of daily corporate life and make sure that the people important to my projects and programs are staying focused on that work while still keeping the lights on.

When I go help clients, I accept accountability for the outcome of that effort.



\Meaning I own it.

It is my job to understand the process, how the work flows through that process, and what the organization’s leadership and employees want that outcome to be. Then I do my darndest to get my team to that outcome.

When I find that we cannot get to that outcome because something is broken, I work to fix it.

I ask the next right question.

I make the hidden, visible.

I ask for ownership and accountability.

I follow up until it’s fixed.

That is not nagging someone. That is owning the process and ensuring the outcome aligns with the strategic intent of WHY I WAS HIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Somewhere along the way we started punishing the people who hold us accountable, who force us to see what was hidden, and are actively trying to make things better.  

But today, when people call me a Pit Bull, I know the truth. Those dogs are sweet, loving, loyal AF, and just want to show you love. I might not always be sweet and loving at work, but I am loyal to my clients, loyal to my mission, and I will show you love by following up on every open action item you have.