Learnings

As I mentioned in my “About Me” section, I have two degrees from the University of Waterloo.  When I graduated, I began working with
my father as a Quality Management Consultant.  It remains one of my most cherished experiences. 

Over three years, I was approached by a few organizations who were interested in the combination of degrees I had.  This combination,
with the perceived set of technical skills that come along with these degrees, attracted attention and opened doors.

When I look back at the moments in my career, though, that earned me the most accolades, I can objectively say that my technical skills played a minimal
role.  The skills I used in these pivotal moments were soft skills, like communicating (listening being a key component), leading, partnering,
thinking positively, respecting contributions from others, stepping up to the challenge, embracing change, etc.

When you are faced with a life-threatening illness, you are forced to face the fact that your technical skills have no bearing on whether or not a positive
outcome is going to be achieved.  Across our 11-year roller-coaster ride, each of the soft skills listed above have been exercised again
and again.  And, although I couldn’t provide the technical expertise required to help my child, I’ve relied on these skills to help my daughter
achieve results that her health-care team agree are miraculous.  And, to reinforce this idea, the health-care practitioners with whom we partner
the most successfully and have the best relationships, are those who appreciate and use their soft skills.  

In Lessons Learned, I will share things I’ve learned from both my career and our crazy health-care journeys. 
There is a significant overlap in skill sets!