As Karima Holmes, Director of the Office of Unified Communications in Washington, D.C., has worked through the ranks in her career, she has learned it is important to know your next step, know when you are ready and get it done!

This session had great takeaways for everyone in attendance looking to advance their career and those looking for new leadership skill sets. Holmes is a positive, energetic and engaging speaker — don’t miss out on any of her sessions!

Some quick points she hit on in this Think Tank session:

You are not entitled to anything. You are responsible for yourself and your success. Don’t measure yourself against someone else that is your path.

Leadership takes sacrifice!  You need to think about the roles you serve in your life. You may have to do some rebalancing at times.

Know what you are talking about and know your strengths. Having the right information and knowledge can give you the confidence to speak about it.

Courage. You can still have fear and be nervous but do it anyway. Know your next step and get it done.  Don’t forget to bring something to the table.

Integrity. “If it is not right don’t do it, if it is not true don’t say it.”.

Change. Sometimes you do have to change. Leadership is not always a title or promotion; it may be doing something you can use later. Improve yourself. Step out of your comfort zone and learn things you do not know.

Adversity. When faced with adversity, show up, keep going to the meeting and don’t cower out, don’t take it personal. If you don’t agree remember it is conflicting ideas and not personal.

It is so important to bring each other up and to mentor others!

Covered by Nonie McCandless