This summer, WashingtonExec is reaching out to successful leaders in government and government contracting to learn more about their habits, experiences and perspectives.
Anne Altman is co-founder of Everyone Matters Inc.
WashingtonExec: What is on your summer reading list?
Altman:
“Einstein” by Walter Isaacson. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Einstein Award Gala at the Peace Institute. Walter Isaacson was honored with the Einstein award for his book. Reading this biography and learning more about the scientific contributions and personal sides of such a great man will be enlightening.
“The Dime” by Kathleen Kent. The book reviews say this is a must read for any mystery enthusiast, and there’s a female protagonist!
“Golf Magazine.” I am playing more golf and hope to get better. 🙂
WashingtonExec: Tell me about a time in your life when you had to really stretch yourself in order to learn and grow.
Altman: Being self-aware is so important. In high school, I tackled what has been a lifelong pursuit to overcome shyness and discomfort in public speaking. Toastmasters, Dale Carnegie and Junior Achievement helped me at that time of my life. Then, when I was also 17, my car engine died. The option was no wheels or fix a car without a working engine. Re-building a car taught me that with determination and commitment, anything can be accomplished. Graduating with a degree in marketing, the next big stretch was accepting a position with IBM as a systems engineer. Over the course of my first year, there was a combined work study program. Attending classes in Dallas, Texas, I learned everything from Assembler and Job Control Language to problem solving client systems. In those early years at IBM, I learned that “jumping into the deep end” and not drowning would serve me well throughout my career.
Grit and determination and remembering why we do what we do is what it is all about. You learn a great deal about yourself when you decide to “go for it.”
WashingtonExec: If you could go back and give your younger self career and/or life advice, what would you say?
Altman: Don’t fear failure. Over the course of my career I worked very hard, often more hours and more days than probably were necessary. Did I miss anything? Looking back, I wonder what it might have been like had I not been so hard on myself. That said, my favorite Winston Churchill quote is “never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up.”
WashingtonExec: What is your favorite city to visit? What do you enjoy doing there?
Altman: I considered Penn Yan, New York, the Buckwheat Pancake Capital of the world; I considered Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, my happy place away from home; or Paris, London, NYC, Mexico City, Barcelona, Madrid … so many places. In my mind, I remember Vienna, Austria, the birthplace of Mozart … music, the home of the Royal Lipizzan Stallions, the spectacular rose garden, St. Stephen’s Cathedral all within blocks of each other. Music, horses, beautiful flowers and religion all have influenced my life. Vienna, Austria, gets a slight nod over so many other wonderful cities of the world.
WashingtonExec: Tell me about an app, device or type of technology you personally love and why.
Altman: Waze, because I would be lost and late for everything!
