PBWC Connections magazine is pleased to welcome our new contributor Nicole Pollart. In this article, she shares valuable leadership insights shared by State Farm executive and community leader Shirley Gordon. Shirley was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for PBWC.

Lessons in Leadership
It's a balancing act

By Nicole Pollart

Begin building your foundation as a leader as early as you can. That’s what Shirley Gordon did. Now, a Vice President of Operations for State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company, the nation’s largest auto insurer, Shirley credits her approach to work and life to “powerful lessons of leadership gained early on.”

She remembers female role models such as her mother, teachers, and Sunday school teachers, exposing her to new challenges and leadership roles, always with the premise of giving back and honoring who you are.

Lesson 1: Be open to change.
Being open to change is critical. Change may allow you to explore an option you may not have considered otherwise. Learn to adapt and be flexible—there is a lot to be said for being exposed to new people and places.

Shirley’s professional journey began with a State Farm internship, and evolved to become one of only four women in the accounting department. “It was a time when there wasn’t a lot of mentoring for women or people of color in the workplace,” Shirley says. “I was thankful for the life experience I was able to bring with me and build upon as I traveled across the country to pursue new opportunities with the company.”

At critical junctures along the way there were people who were very supportive of her, teaching her the value of coaching, helping her adopt a leadership style of acknowledgment, relationship building and supporting people in an environment where they could be successful.

As she advanced within the organization, Shirley has continued to coach and mentor women and men while sharing her passion for helping others by giving back in her community through volunteerism. She started a youth program called Rites of Passage eight years ago, and recently became a Board member of Professional Business Women of California (PBWC).

Lesson 2: Stay centered.
Schedule time to do what you’re passionate about. Work can become more fulfilling when you’re inspired in your personal life.

“For me, it’s about being centered,” she said. “I find balance through my community, family, church, and by staying healthy. I also take a few minutes to read something inspirational in the morning. It’s really about your core values and making time for what’s most important to you.”

Lesson 3: Be results-oriented.
It isn’t good enough to do all these other things if you’re not getting results; it’s a balancing act.

A fulfilling career keeps her energized because “it’s about people and change and influencing outcomes.” Shirley has embraced life-long learning, and because she is results oriented, she welcomes the challenges that come her way while enjoying a level of responsibility that allows her to directly contribute to the success of the organization.

For example, she led the California Zone in a 24-month change initiative, producing an annual savings of $85 million for the benefit of State Farm customers. She continues to lead continuous improvement efforts, identifying opportunities where State Farm California can streamline processes and foster collaboration and innovation.

“It’s important to enjoy what you’re doing,” she says. “I couldn’t do what I do if it was the same work everyday. I’ve taken advantage of the opportunities to learn and grow in an organization that values diversity and supports the visibility of leaders in the communities we serve.”

As seen in the
Fall 2007 issue of PBWC Connections

more from this issue download the issue

Shirley's Two Cents

Be open to change.

Stay centered.

Be results-oriented.



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