Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natoshia Clinton is an HR Business Partner at Hover and Cornell Executive Coach. After time as an AG Officer and a Cornell Leadership Program Officer/Instructor/Leadership Coaching. She is a graduate of West Point and Cornell University. She is also a mother of two, sharing the challenges of balancing family life. The key tenants she shared with us are Introspection, Mentorship, Collaboration, Discipline, and Humility.

"Take inventory of the things you enjoy. I enjoy connecting with people" "Is it aligned with who I want to be in the world" "If there was a problem to be solved, what problem would you ask me to solve?"

"Lean heavy into unpacking who I am and who I want to be in the world"

"Be grateful for the lessons you had to learn, the experiences you had to go through. Be in gratitude for the leaders modeling the behaviors you want to emulate”

 "I used to view it [Black, female West Pointer] as a hindrance, but now I embrace my unique lens and as a superpower."

• Military brat settled in Brooklyn, NY, before coming to West Point.
• Mentors like LTG (R) Linnington recommend she come back to West Point Admissions.
• MBA at Cornell led to a great deal of self-discovery, both personally and professionally
• Business functions like Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Banking, etc.
• Then a mentor recommended returning to Cornell to help MBAs figure out who they want to be as leaders.
• Becoming an executive Coach, "Learning how to unpack all the magic inside her."
• Her manager was the type of mentor that knew what she was capable of, the ability to create and co-design an elective, "Leading across differences."
• COVID and Broader societal awareness of racial injustice pushed her to make a career change
• She found COVID that she liked a less stressful life, so when the "Return to the office" came. She decided to make a change.
• She pursued a transition path through Breakline; she optimized for culture versus chasing the brand.
• "What kind of work excites you? What gets you up in the morning?"
• In what areas do I like doing things?
• "A focus on her as a person, holistically."
• It is hard to uncouple the things I do (programming) versus passion/enjoyment.
• Have friends outside of the military, then you'll start to broaden your horizon.
• There are opportunities outside of the military and government.
• Breakline is an easy and fast pass, sales, account management, customer-facing, "invitation to some custom tables,"
• "Be Comfortable taking a walk in your career exploration after the military."
• The Alchemist "The Treasure is inside of you."
• Adam Grant's podcast
• Brene Brown
• Oprah (Fairy God-mother) – Super Soul Sunday: Interviews with influential leaders
• Oprah's Journal
• "Lean heavily into unpacking who I am and who I want to be in the world."
• Who am I in the world versus who someone else tells me I should be
• "Be grateful for the lessons you had to learn, the experiences you had to go through. Be in gratitude for the leaders modeling the behaviors you want to emulate
• Humility "Being more receptive to feedback in the military, especially" taking and processing the feedback as a young leader.
• Being disciplined and taking time to transition (12+ months) well
• Do you have transferrable skills? Is the graduate school required? Writing my resume?
• Finding an assignment where you have the headspace to think? Balancing the requirements
• Identity: There are only 300 or so Black female West Pointers worldwide. "It is the icing."
• "I used to view it [Black, female West Pointer] as a hindrance, but now I embrace my unique lens and as a superpower."
• Now I stand proudly in my skin, so perhaps I bring another 1 or 2 behind me.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Bryant, Esq. is an Associate at Cravath, Swaine,& Moore LLP in New York, after time as an Infantry Officer and a West Point Diversity Outreach Officer. He is a graduate of both West Point and Columbia Law School. He balances the challenging demand of Legal Transactions and Mergers & Acquisitions while still making time for his beautiful family and young daughter.

“Law School gives you a broad-based education with jargon and tools, but the firm is the finishing school for client, organization, and project management.”

“Finances-Saving Money is one of the things that scares most junior military officers.”

“What can I do now as 2LT to be a great attorney? My mentor responded focus on being a great 2LT and taking care of your soldiers.”

“Have the right attitude and reputation, which enables greater latitude in your role.”

• Build your 4–5-year plan and then factor in contingencies
• Focus on being a great officer FIRST, and knock out BOLC/KD assignments. Then once settled, start thinking about other phases.
• In the military, the habits you build are based on your attitude.
• If you think you can wave things off in Army, you’ll wave them off as an attorney.
• Military habits are what distinguish you from your peers.
• Standardized Tests for Law, Business, and Medicine are full-time jobs.
• LSAT studying 6-12 months before applying, developing a study plan
• Saving Money – When the Army money stops, what am I going to do
• Looking at financial resources early
• He did not have a family when he transitioned
• Leverage your network, “Life is a people sport.”
• If you do not have the stories, you cannot make those up or the respect that comes with them.
• Consider what assignment(s) would enable you to best transition, “Ranger PL vs. Staff Position/Broadening Assignment.”
• Key Development (KD) jobs are usually the least flexible.
• Selecting Broadening Assignments (Minimal Field Time)
• As Civilian Job as possible
• Communicating his intent with his manager, enabling greater flexibility
• Leveraging your network to see what’s the requirement and if it’s possible

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mr. William T. Osilaja, a Human Capital Consultant at Deloitte, LLP, Infantry Officer, Former Diversity Outreach Officer, and Charter School Business Operations Officer, explains his strategy and tactical steps to transition. Before coming to West Point, Mr. Osilaja was a native of Evanston, IL. He graduated from West Point (BS) and the University of Michigan – Ross School of Business (MBA). During our conversation, he explores his decision to serve, transition, and choose his subsequent career.

“Everyone wants to save the world and be a millionaire.”

“Bloom where you’re planted”

Key Points:

- Understanding different types of people and personal awareness of your identity (y)/(es)

Multi-racial

Immigrant parent

Grandparent and parents served

- Understanding your passions and leveraging your skills (People Management, Operations)

- Developing muscle of checking in with yourself (Constant introspection/reevaluation)

- Humility and Perception is essential (Direct Military Feedback vs. Indirect Civilian Back)

- The importance of communication in different environments

Low context vs. high context communication

Consulting leverages improvisation of “Yes and …” versus the hard yes and no of the military

- Culture selection is vital as the initial shift/shock can quite significant

- Deloitte’s Business Chemistry and Michigan Model of Leadership

Communication, learning, and leadership styles

Creator, collaborator

Increased self-awareness and better communication

- Greater intentionality in the transition process

Talk to more mentors to collect as many data points as possible

People are full of information, so leveraging them and transition programs like MLT

Please connect with Tunde Osilaja on LinkedIn.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tunde-osilaja-33a39175/

https://youtu.be/uyHFz_SMN-U

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Hise O. Gibson, a Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer, Combat Aviator, and Retired Army Colonel, explains his strategy and tactical steps to transition after 25 years of service. 

Dr. Gibson is a native of Lufkin, TX, before coming to West Point to play football. He is a graduate of West Point (BS), the Naval Postgraduate School (MS), and Harvard Business School (DBA). During our conversation, he explores his decision to serve, transition, and choose his subsequent career while balancing family life.

“Don’t be scared of transitioning.”

Key Points:

- Finding time to think about your transition (24 months before)

- Putting yourself out there, leveraging your network with mentors/peers

- Recognizing your unique value

Please connect with Dr. Gibson on the HBS Faculty Page and LinkedIn

https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=660784

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisegibson/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.