Opal Shaw
Senior Manager
Kellogg Customer Care IT Administration
More from Opal
On her mother: My Mom gave me the confidence to excel and grow, in a time when the world was not so insightful about diversity and inclusion. Her life lessons included how to overcome adversity and open closed doors through hard work.
Work/life balance: Planning and prioritizing work and family is vital. Keep your family informed so they know what to expect. If I have a critical task that needs to be completed outside of work hours, I make sure my family is aware so they know when they can expect me to be there with them. On the other hand, we agree that I won’t take my laptop on vacation and will only glance at my Blackberry periodically. It’s very important to be in the moment.
Some of her stress busters: In the most stressful situations, I certainly lean on my faith. I love music, whether gospel or R & B — depending on the day — it’s a great stress reliever. And nothing trumps a good conversation with my best friend to put me back on track.
On her best friend: She’s determined, strong, witty, funny, energetic and supporting. She’s a good listener, my ultimate shop-till-you-drop buddy and a fashionista! We still talk on the phone for hours just like we did 20 years ago.
How to Let Go of Mistakes
December 2011
As a leader in IT, it’s critical for Opal be in tune with continually changing technologies and the latest advances. She welcomes change and looks forward to seeing what’s next — helping her team and colleagues do the same.
“Attitude is half the battle. Change is imminent, in life and especially in the field of technology,” she says. But when you have a good attitude and an open mind, and recognize that technological advances will make work more efficient, it’s easier for people to accept change. “The good news is that most changes are for the better and offer tangible benefits.”
Opal keeps her team informed as much as possible on what the future holds. “I share knowledge and ask for their input so I know their concerns. I then try and provide answers and solutions by letting them see the big picture.”
But with rapid change also comes an opportunity for error. Opal shares her strategies for moving on after making a mistake:
Allow Vulnerability
Go to a quiet place and beat yourself up for no longer than 60 seconds. Talk to a person you trust — your spouse, a sibling, or your best friend — but don’t confide in someone who might be looking to capitalize on your faux pas. Next, reflect, analyze and think about the mistake. Try to determine its root cause, so there’s less of a chance that you will repeat the same mistake in the future.
Don’t Minimize It
We all make mistakes, even though we might not like to admit it. It’s the way we deal with them that counts. Realize the impact of the mistake. Work with those involved to help ensure the same mistakes don’t happen again.
Accept Accountability, Apologize
Whether you discovered the mistake yourself or it was brought to your attention by someone else, don’t make excuses. Accept your role in what happened. It can help reaffirm your credibility. Sometimes taking ownership can be difficult, but everyone involved might find it easier to move forward once that has happened. Also make sure to apologize to the people who were affected by the mistake. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those who accept responsibility.
Let It Go
Once you’ve corrected the mistake, move forward and regroup. Also acknowledge what you did right: you took responsibility for your actions. As my mother would say, “This too shall pass.” There will always be people who believe in you and your ability to shine.
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