60 Ideas in 60 Minutes: Brandy Harris, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield

If You Are the Smartest Person in the Room, Find Another Room
Surround yourself with people who complement your weaknesses. We all have them, so identify yours. You don’t need to know everything, and honestly, you don’t know everything. Challenge yourself to be a lifelong learner. I've learned so much from the people I work with, and I'm grateful for their commitment to kids in our community.

If You’re 10 Minutes Early, You’re Five Minutes Late
Be respectful of others’ time. It is one of the most valuable resources in the world. Everyone makes mistakes or runs late occasionally, but a consistent reputation for tardiness can be perceived as disrespectful.

Get a Therapist
Be okay with not always being okay. Everyone can benefit from a counselor or therapist, especially leaders. Having someone to listen to you process, complain, get angry, cry, laugh, etc., is invaluable. Your significant other or co-workers can't always be that person. If possible, pay someone to be it. If assistance is needed, reach out for connections. Remember, having emotion, especially around something you're passionate about, is not a weakness.

Mission Over Ego
It's natural to want success and recognition, but egos can obstruct serving our mission effectively. At the Club, collaboration, listening, and learning from others are crucial to ensuring kids and families receive the service they deserve. Prioritize the mission over personal recognition.

Not Everyone Is Going to Like You
This is a difficult truth. Sometimes you're required to make unpopular decisions. You'll face criticism and may be asked inappropriate things or treated poorly. Negative feedback is often the loudest. It's challenging, but finding a trustworthy inner circle to support you is crucial. As Brian Vega wisely said, “You are hurt through people and you heal through people.”

Conduct a Listening and Learning Tour Annually
The best advice I received as CEO was to listen. Naturally solution-oriented, I wanted to act immediately, but taking six months to listen to stakeholders allowed me to develop a well-informed and intentional strategic direction, creating buy-in from various stakeholders.

Be the Best at the Job You Have
Focus on excelling in your current role, and encourage your team to do the same. If you’re constantly hunting for the next opportunity, you might miss excelling in your current position, which can be a disservice to you, your company, and those you serve.

Adapt or Die
This principle, learned young, helped me adopt a mindset where I fail forward. Adapt, course-correct, and overcome. Don’t settle for mediocrity or failure. When plans derail, revisit your "why." As Margie Warrell from Forbes said, “A clear sense of purpose enables you to focus your efforts on what matters most, compelling you to take risks and push forward regardless of the odds or obstacles.”

Use Tools That Enhance Productivity
Tools like Canva, Trello, G Suite, and Maybelline Super Stay Matte Lipstick have enhanced my productivity, creativity, organization, and confidence in the workplace. Canva is excellent for graphic design, Trello for task management, G Suite for productivity and collaboration, and MSM Lipstick for personal confidence. Finding the right tools for you is vital—spending a few minutes to identify them can save you countless hours in the future.

Don’t Believe Everyone’s Ideas, Including Mine
Develop a robust decision-making process for yourself. People will offer advice freely. Listen, but don’t feel obligated to act on everything. Be open to different perspectives, figure out what works for you in your role, and challenge yourself to change if your current system doesn’t serve you well.