Reset and Renewal: Living Our Deepest Calling - Velma Deleveaux, Ph.D.
I recently participated in a panel discussion on some of the issues most perplexing for board and executive leadership. Part of our conversation focused on attracting and empowering new talent to lead America’s companies through today’s quagmire of business challenges.
The first step, we concluded, is understanding what the next generation wants in their work. Simply stated? They want to be a part of organizations with meaningful missions and socially conscious cultures — and to add value not only to their companies but also to their communities.
This trend has been accelerated in the aftermath of the pandemic as we navigate together what’s been called “The Great Reset.” Many of us, at all ages and at all job levels, are reassessing our priorities. We may be opting out of full-time, high-stress positions and leveraging more options in a gig economy to work in our own time, on our own terms, and in pursuits that have personal meaning.
In my own journey, I took time off for a “personal reset.” The setting was my native land, the Bahamas. For several months, I swam, snorkeled, and sun-soaked. But mostly, I thought, long and hard, about what’s next.
In my 25 years of corporate and academic experience, I have been at the vortex of many critical issues, from cybersecurity to supply chain risk. What matters most to me now? How might all the pursuits that bring me joy come together in one calling?
The answer to my questions was, in those months, as clear as the pristine waters around me. I’ve enjoyed every lap of my professional journey, but my deepest calling, and the most fulfilling, is renewable energy. It brings together my love of devising strategies, using technology for good, and empowering communities.
When I returned home from my Bahamas trip, I started on a new quest: partnering with leaders — in government, industry, academic, and community organizations — who are seeking to design, model, and transition renewable energy solutions. At this moment in my journey, I’m where I’m meant to be.
Claiming our strengths and finding the right place to use them is a process of self-reflection, along with asking those who know us well what we do best. One close friend offered helpful guidance to me: “You bring solutions to unstructured problems,” she said. “You’ve done that your whole life.”
I started collecting these insights, put them in one place — I call it “Velma’s Basket” — and continue to reflect on what I’ve learned about myself. It’s a process I advise people whom I mentor to follow, from those early on in their career to seasoned professionals who are seeking just the right role in their next horizon. My guidance: Focus on your strengths and functional skills. Then, marry them with the industries you’re most passionate about.
In my next story, I’ll share how this process of finding my passion for renewable energy has led me to solutions: illuminated opportunities for leaders to enhance their brand, add stakeholder value, and create a more inclusive community.
***
Velma Deleveaux, Ph.D. is an independent board director and strategic advisor to corporate executives. With distinct expertise in growth strategy development, government contracting, cybersecurity, supply chain risk management, and renewable energy transformation, she brings a holistic perspective to the critical issues facing board and executive leaders.
