Meet Member
Jennifer Nicholson
What is the most important thing you have learned that makes you an effective and inspirational leader?
Three things:
People do not come to work to purposely do a bad job - if we frame all challenges, investigations, and potential improvements in that light, we acknowledge and show our respect for team and individual struggles. Lean Six Sigma is grounded in the pillars of Continuous Improvement and Respect for People. As a practitioner, my personal mission is to facilitate the kinds of changes that are going to both benefit the business and make peoples’ work lives better. Recognizing people as inherently doing their best is key to an effective and inspirational mindset.
Simon Sinek has spoken and written much over the past few years on the power of “Why”. Being transparent, listening, and sharing “the why” inspires people to share the vision of the bigger picture, the long game, the reasons behind why we are asking them to do things a certain way. This show of respect has an added benefit of team members coming up with an even better, more efficient way to achieve the same why.
Positivity. I am, by default, an optimist. That leader who floats the “we can do it” infographics and memes to the team. I listen regularly to a carefully curated playlist of Leadership and Lean podcasts and I like to share the resources that resonate with me, so that the team and other leaders, too, be inspired.
What healthy habits do you employ to maintain your mental health and wellbeing?
I truly believe in prevention over treating disease, where possible. Getting my diet right and walking every day has been the perfect combination. For me, training for and running several half-marathons was not sustainable and added more stress on my body and my life. Now, I keep it simple and make the time to move my body every day, even for just 30 mins - long walks, yoga, light weights. Adopting an intermittent fasting lifestyle four years ago, with a recent emphasis on consuming more whole foods, has been a game-changer for maintaining my health, reducing inflammation, improving energy levels, and mental clarity. This lifestyle may not be for everyone, but the point is that it’s never too late to try something different or make tweaks to improve your health.
From a mental health perspective, switching off completely from what’s going on personally or professionally during my hobbies has been a game-changer. I have found that a 100% shift in focus is required for success in both hot yoga (risk of falling on your head!) and beekeeping (risk of getting stung!). I also have a very supportive family and a trusted “Village” around me, comprised of both men and women, of varying experiences and backgrounds; some have been in my life for more than 30 years. Sounding boards and role models, in life and professionally, they have been key to maintaining my mental health.
Can you share any past experiences where you successfully negotiated aspects such as salary and increased responsibility with your scope of work?
I pursued my passion for Lean Six Sigma in parallel to my Quality career progression. Early on at Pfizer, I requested to be sent on corporate Six Sigma Green Belt training. A few years later as a CDMO site, I attended Lean Concept training and later completed the Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Management Professional designations on my own. In 2017, I approached the COO and CEO with a proposal to attend Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt training. I pitched this with an eye to the future need of the organization and growing talent from within. They agreed to sponsor this and upon my return, I presented them with a 3-, 6-, 9-month plan for the approach I would take once the organization had grown to the size that would require a dedicated Operational Excellence SME. In April 2020, at the beginning of COVID and after a 7 year stint as Director Quality Operations, I made the pivot into the newly created role of Director Operational Excellence.
Key messages:
Find your passion and continue relentlessly learning and honing your craft. Experiment, try different ways of incorporating your knowledge into your daily work. Find a way to carry it as a ‘side hustle’ within your scope of responsibility, or extracurricularly, until the opportunity to pivot presents itself.
…and about that “opportunity”... Cultivate/create this opportunity for yourself by:
asking for what you need. You own your professional development!!!
learning and studying on your own time, if required
finding good allies who will listen, support, mentor, and sponsor
pitching a vision that includes what’s in it for you as well as for the organization…don’t stop learning once you’ve reached the goal! Many forums are available - MBA, podcasts, blogs, books, TED Talks, webinars…