Exclusive Interview with Beverly Crowell, Managing Partner, Designed Learning
"Believe in Yourself, Own Your Career and Never Stop Being Surprised"
Posted on 03-02-2022, Read Time: 5 Min
Share:
 |
"Now, more than ever, the world needs women to bring their unique skills and talents to help create workplaces and communities that work for the common good of all, where curiosity leads to connection, compassion, and understanding. Be smart about the world you are entering, but leave room to be surprised," says Beverly Crowell, Managing Partner, Designed Learning. |
In an exclusive interview with HR.com, Beverly talks about her career journey, challenges faced and experiences that helped her succeed in life.
Excerpts from the Interview:
Q: Tell us about your career journey
Beverly: My career began at Kennedy Space Center, where I worked for 16 years on NASA’s Space Shuttle program until leaving in 2007 in my last role as manager of professional development for United Space Alliance. I then joined author Beverly Kaye at her company, Career Systems International, and worked with her as an employee engagement/career development consultant, as well as, executive vice president of marketing and product development. In January 2022, I was named managing partner of Designed Learning, a Peter Block company, responsible for sales, marketing, and business operations.Q: What has changed for women in leadership since the pandemic?
Beverly: As a woman in leadership, I’ve always had the challenge of balancing life at home with life at work. With the pandemic, both men and women in the workplace have learned to do the same. With it has come greater opportunities for understanding and collaboration, as we’ve all had to navigate this delicate balance. In many ways, it has created a new common ground from where we can all connect. I no longer feel like I’m in it alone and as a woman, can show my whole self, including my less than perfect self, at work.Q: As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career? And how did you overcome it?
Beverly: I could easily point to the barriers placed upon me by others, whether it be pay inequities or even being degraded as a working wife, mother, and professional. However, the biggest barrier, at times, has been me. I often placed unrealistic, even Herculean expectations, upon myself for the various roles I played. As I’ve gotten older and more experienced, I’ve learned to lighten up by asking for help, saying no to what’s not important, and yes to what’s interesting. I’ve stopped letting the “fear of missing out” drive my career decisions. A no today isn’t a no forever and neither is a yes.Q: What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned in your career?
Beverly: Never underestimate the little things. It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind of work and caught up in a culture of urgency. When we do, we fail to focus on what really matters to most people. It’s a good morning, a thank you, or a note on a birthday. It’s taking time to ask someone how they are doing and how you can help. When I do these things, my life is so much richer and the community of which I’m a part is even more connected. We care for and about each other and that’s no little thing at all.Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Beverly: Be smart about the world you are entering, but leave room to be surprised. With access to so much information, it’s easy to form early ideas about people, organizations, and topics before we can experience them for ourselves. Now, more than ever, the world needs women to bring their unique skills and talents to help create workplaces and communities that work for the common good of all, where curiosity leads to connection, compassion, and understanding. Believe in yourself, own your career and never stop being surprised.Error: No such template "/CustomCode/topleader/category"!
