The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2023 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 25, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 16.
Next is Donna Rhoads, senior vice president, operations manager, Mission Solutions at Leidos, and finalist in the Intelligence Executive of the Year, Public Company category. Here, she shares proud organizational moments and career advice.
What are you most proud of having been a part of in your current organization?
I have the privilege of being part of an outstanding team comprised of leaders whose tireless dedication to fulfilling commitments to our customers, our teams, and our people, is evident.
Collectively we have faced significant challenges; the pandemic had an outsize impact on national security and the individuals who support mission-critical work to protect our nation. Leidos writ large and our Intelligence Group leadership were really unwavering in terms of focus and persistence, finding ways to innovate and deliver outstanding services, systems, and solutions despite often daunting challenges.
As a leader, it is my job to create an environment that encourages transparency and fosters open, productive debate. Doing so not only gives voice to various perspectives, but it gets to the heart of the matter and provides an even stronger foundation upon which optimal solutions are derived. Solutions that far exceed what any one person could have accomplished on their own. When that happens, as a leader, it is most humbling.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Expect to be the game changer. Don’t be afraid to take on the tough assignments. The ones no one else wants. It will be challenging and there will be failures along the way; they can often be as valuable in terms of learning about yourself and your team as your successes. Often persistence wins the day, and the tougher the challenge the sweeter the victory.
As a leader, expect your team to be game changers, too — they deserve nothing less. Encourage your team to accept challenges head-on and give them the latitude to ideate and innovate in new ways, invite different perspectives and cultivate curiosity.
With a game changer mindset, not only do you start to look at challenges differently, but your actions start to be more proactive, deliberate… even bold. No longer are you waiting for someone else to solve a problem, nor do you fear making mistakes. Instead, you and your team will be operating with instinct and acuity not previously realized. Embrace the challenge, define what success looks like, and forge ahead.