Emerson Exchange 365

Virtual Book Club Starting Now!

Hi Everyone! My name is Jocelyn Sexton, and I am the chair of the Women in STEM Book Club in Austin. This is our first attempt at a Virtual Book Club meeting... so we'll see how this goes! :-)

We have plans to discuss two books:

• “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly
• "Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One" by Jenny Blake

I'm happy to start the discussion about Hidden Figures (the book I read), and then Rachelle McWright will chime in on Pivot.

jocelyn sexton

• 1 Mar 2017 5:02 PM
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26 Replies

• Katie Smith

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 5:47 PM

  Have you heard of the Pivotability Index? It's by Jenny Blake & Dr. Tom Guarriello: www.pivotmethod.com/.../
  
  Your outcomes will be either Security Seeker; Measured Pivoter; or Pivot Pro.
  
  The Pivotability Index measures four categories of pivotability, each known to influence the when, how, and outcome of a pivot:
  + Emotional Mindset: Your beliefs about your success and intelligence, and how you approach challenges and tough situations
  + Work & Reputation: The mindset you adopt when you think about career and work
  + Family & Social Network: The robustness of your network and how you relate to your friends and family
  + Financial & Resource Flexibility: Your financial independence, and how it might aid or hinder future aspirations

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• Katie Smith

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 5:50 PM

  In reply to Katie Smith:

  I'm a "Pivot Pro" - she has Pivot Toolkit Resources available too: www.pivotmethod.com/toolkit

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• Rachelle McWright

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 5:51 PM

  In reply to jocelyn sexton:

  It does. For both, she talks about taking work from others (who might be overloaded or dont want to do certain tasks) to learn new skills & expand your own experiences & skillsets...which lends itself directly to a pilot. For pilot, she suggests going to your manager with a conversation about the benefits of your project or idea and asking to spend 10% of your time pursuing that endeavor within your current role.

  Best Regards,

  Rachelle McWright: Business Development Manager, Dynamic Simulation: U.S. Gulf Coast

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• Katie Smith

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 5:55 PM

  In reply to Rachelle McWright:

  I think there's a significant opportunity to gain new skills (esp. leadership development) through Employee Resource Groups (like Women in STEM, Green Team, Social Club, etc) - it also gives you visibility so you can have the right conversations at the right times re: your career growth or pivot within the company.

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• Rachelle McWright

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 5:56 PM

  In reply to Katie Smith:

  Awesome! Im going to take that tonight. The chapter where she talks about (financially) preparing for a pivot was daunting for me- to say the least. Have 5x your mortgage per month saved and 100X per year! Interestingly enough, we have a colleague who went to school with Jenny Blake. This morning she said that she may be coming from a different perspective in that she has a HUGE financial cushion due to her family...

  Best Regards,

  Rachelle McWright: Business Development Manager, Dynamic Simulation: U.S. Gulf Coast

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• Rachelle McWright

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 6:00 PM

  In reply to Katie Smith:

  Katie, would you be comfortable giving us an example of one of your recent Pivots?

  Best Regards,

  Rachelle McWright: Business Development Manager, Dynamic Simulation: U.S. Gulf Coast

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• Rachelle McWright

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 6:06 PM

  In reply to Rachelle McWright:

  I'm signing off for a meeting but will circle back on this conversation and your awesome usability ideas, Katie Smith. Thanks to all who participated (openly or not). Have a great day!

  Best Regards,

  Rachelle McWright: Business Development Manager, Dynamic Simulation: U.S. Gulf Coast

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• Katie Smith

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 6:07 PM

  In reply to Rachelle McWright:

  Of course! It's less job-focused (I'm at Spartan Controls, a LBP to Emerson) - but about 1.5 years ago I took over as Executive Director for a non-profit called Young Women in Energy (YWE). It hasn't been a large financial burden as we're a formal organization with a bank account, etc. but has been instrumental in letting me flex skills that I might not get to do in my day-to-day role. It has also opened doors for me immensely within the company as I have such a strong network outside of work through YWE. My pivot is being able to have a side hustle that fulfills me in ways that I don't need to ask of my company - I'm more well-rounded for it.

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• jocelyn sexton

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 6:07 PM

  In reply to Rachelle McWright:

  Haha — I wondered/assumed that Jenny Blake must have a very large safety net. Between two kids and a mountain of student debt, the financial part of her plan is very daunting for me too. And Katie Smith, I will take the test too, but I'm guessing I'm a Security Seeker. :-)

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• Rachelle McWright

  

  • 1 Mar 2017 6:10 PM

  In reply to Katie Smith:

  Love it! Thanks for sharing.

  Best Regards,

  Rachelle McWright: Business Development Manager, Dynamic Simulation: U.S. Gulf Coast

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• Deborah Prickette

  

  • 7 Apr 2017 11:40 AM

  The Pivot Method is analogous to agile development emphasizing continual planning, testing and launching. The Pivot Mindset requires great self-awareness and continually challenging yourself if it’s time for a change? Ask yourself how you are showing up (engaged) in your day-to-day work, are you inactive, reactive, proactive, or innovative. If either of the first two, it may be time for a change.
  
  Here's a great article discussing how to keep your star employees from being negatively effected by folks who are actively disengaged at work.
  www.inc.com/.../first-90-days-how-to-keep-your-best-employees-from-quitting.html

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