We were lucky to catch up with Lewana Harris recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lewana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I remember when I was in that transitional moment in my career, trying to figure out my next move. Although I had achieved many personal and professional goals, I still felt like something was missing and there was so much more for me to do. But at a greater capacity. When I usually have these moments, I seek out counsel from a mentor or advisor to help sort out my thoughts. “What do you want to do?” A question that was presented to me after a scheduled meeting with my mentor. “If you take away the title of whatever position you are seeking, what is the ultimate thing you want to do?” This question led me into immediate self-reflection and self-analysis. What DID I want to do?
This question sparked a mental process that continued until I was able to answer genuinely and authentically. I took a self-inventory, as I had done many times before and many times since, of my skills, strengths, and gifts until it dawned on me the type of leader I was really striving to be. And that was a Transformational Leader. But I had to do that for myself first. My mentor then encouraged me that this could happen simply by maximizing my role and responsibilities, right from where I was, without a formal leadership title. When I made this discovery and chose to stop chasing the title and begin chasing purpose, my mindset shifted and impacted how I showed up in various spaces where I wanted to be viewed as a person of influence, and not just an individual contributor.

We must understand that for us to become that person of influence we strive to be, we must accept that each one of us has different skills to equip others in a way the next person cannot. I have read that if you are to lead, you are to lead diligently, being a change agent, holding great concern for others and their personal development. However, it starts with you.Below are a few action items that I found to be helpful for me. I hope they will motivate and inspire you to maximize your current position, provide fulfillment, and prepare for the next career goal:

1. Be open to learning and developing your knowledge and skills – This is called Learning Agility and it is defined as the willingness and ability to learn from experience, and subsequently apply that learning to perform successfully under new or first-time conditions.

2. Own your career- Be a self-advocate and don’t be afraid to invest in your own development . Make sure you take the time to assess your skills, identifying those areas that need improvement. Stay updated on new industry trends and advancements. Acquire new skills by taking courses, attending workshops, earning certifications, and by seeking out challenging projects. You can also develop additional skills and experience by serving as a board or committee member of local or statewide organizations.

3. Leverage your networks – Use social media, in-person networking events or professional organizations related to your interests or industry to build genuine relationships and maintain regular communication. Keep in touch with your connections and offer value by offering your expertise and value. Networking is not just about what you can get from your contacts, but also about how you can contribute and build lasting, meaningful relationships.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was born and raised in Tulsa, Ok and resided in Atlanta, GA for 12 years before returning home to Tulsa post-divorce. I have served my community in various capacities to include board membership, committees, panel discussion, speaker, facilitator and as a 2022 Tulsa City Council candidate – District 6. I am an author, and I am committed to enlightening, encouraging, and empowering you to activate your full potential through personal and professional development.

I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. I also earned my master’s degree in human relations with a focus in Organizational Studies from the University of Oklahoma, where I maintained a grade point average of 4.0. I have three children, Skyler, Madison, and Bryce.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There are many definitions of the resilience, and Google defines it as the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness. I tend to say it the ability to overcome and bounce back. Back in 2007 while going through a divorce, I literally lost everything. I had to make the challenging decision to move back home to Tulsa and start over, along with my 3 small children. I was able to heal and get back on track spiritually and physical. That is when I discovered my purpose and have been walking in it ever since.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

A mentor once told me that if you don’t manage your personal brand, it will be managed for you by someone else. And that is what I have been doing for over 15+ years. I had to decide how I wanted people to view and perceive me and act accordingly. Additionally, the key is consistency. Consistency is what builds trust. My message to enlighten, encourage and empower others was the same on social media, as it was in person. There were times that I did have to pivot regarding HOW I delivered the message, but the underline message did not change. Faith and purpose is what I live and what I speak, and what I inspire others to do, as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: LewanaMichelle.com
• Instagram: @IamLewana.Michelle
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lewana.bumpersharris
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewanaharrismhr/