The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Pinnacle Awards were announced Oct. 11, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 30.
Next is Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Industry Executive of the Year (Private Company) finalist Rob Smith, who’s vice president of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Amentum. Here, he talks success in his current role, primary focus areas going forward, learning from failures and more.
What has made you successful in your current role?
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a team sport. Despite the high level of change that Amentum experienced this year, it is all about building relationships and working together to meet a common goal of taking care of our people.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the future of the nation?
The most important resource that we have is our people. COVID has resulted in an empowered employee base who takes ownership of their futures. We as a nation, and as an industry, must learn to respect this shift, and build our strategies around the employee experience to include the growing need to recruit and retain under-represented talent.
What’s one key thing you learned from a failure you had?
Trust the combination of your intellect and your gut. They will seldom let you down.
What’s the biggest professional risk you’ve ever taken?
Leaving the Coast Guard after 28 years, knowing I still had potential to continue moving up in the organization. It was scary after having spent my adult life getting up most mornings and putting on the same uniform and navigating an often challenging but rewarding career. With transitioning came a lot of unknowns and I cannot say that I had a lot of direction. I found that being committed to each role following my career, demonstrating excellence, and continuing to learn and honor myself and my passions serves me well every day.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Take control of your own future. “Make a plan, set goals to execute your plan, or be a victim of someone else’s plan.” Too often we find ourselves living out someone else’s dream for us, and not the dream you have for yourself. It starts with believing in yourself, and being willing to invest (time, resources, sacrifices, etc.) in “ME.”