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Name: Lillian N. Gregory
Business: The Institute for Human and Leadership Excellence, leadership programs
Industry: Coaching & Consulting, Social Enterprise, High Tech
Location: Dallas – Ft. Worth, Texas, U.S.
Reason for starting: My reason for starting my business was pure inspiration. The idea came to me while I was sitting at a stop light on my way to work one day. I had been contemplating what kind of impactful contributions I would make with my talents beyond my corporate career. The idea came to me – name and all. That’s what got me started.
How do you define success? “Success leaves clues” is one of my favorite quotes from world-renowned coach Tony Robbins. It means that there is a residue left behind from consistent actions that lead to successful outcomes. The same is true of failure – clues are left behind.
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In order to feel and be successful, I challenge myself daily to explore new ideas and new ways of growing and doing business. My goal is to become the best version of myself while helping others to do the same. Whether I’m building new innovative courses, investigating cutting-edge technologies, creating an app concept, or researching a new angle on 21st Century Leadership for my next book, I feel successful as long as I stay aligned with my vision and give my all. Success really does leaves clues and so far I’ve left some really good ones behind…
Biggest Success: My greatest success so far has been living my vision. After being inspired to start “The Institute” I investigated what it would take to create a world-class entity. I came up with 3 steps – and I’ve reached Step #3!
Step #1: Retool My Education. As a technologist (Electrical Engineer), I needed to retool my education in order to reposition myself as an expert on Human and Leadership Excellence. I pursued a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology while working at full-speed and mothering my daughter.
Step #2 – Retool My Expertise. Once I had accumulated enough credits for my Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, I shifted career gears from technology-based roles to people-based roles. From my new career vantage point I rapidly built credibility.
Step #3 – Launch The Institute. The Institute has been emerging for over 5 years and is now LIVE!
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What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? My top challenge has been deciding what types of pathways to build in order to reach my target audience. I continue to address this challenge with strategic plans and clear analysis of forward progress.
Who is your most important role model? My most important role model is my mother – Anna Louise. She passed away when I was only 3 years old. However, her legacy as handed down to me is one of faith, family, education, and contribution. I’ve had many role models throughout the years but none has impacted me more than my mother.
[box_light]Website www.humanexcellence.org
Twitter @icoreprinciples
Facebook www.facebook.com/icoreprinciples[/box_light]
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Edited by The Story Exchange