Stephanie shines.
She shined fifteen years ago when our paths first crossed at Southern Methodist University and she still shines today.
Fifteen years ago Stephanie shined because she descended upon campus to do a summer internship and immediately took our office by storm. She was energetic, enthusiastic, passionate, and came to work fully armed with tips and training ideas she learned while working at Disney. She insisted we read the book, Inside the Magic Kingdom and its message transformed - completely transformed - the way we delivered Orientation every year after that. Personally, Stephanie was every bit as impressive as she was professionally. In less than a week she arranged a gig teaching aerobics at a local gym and, by end of week two Stephanie had a network of friends (and dates) bigger than my network after five years.
Stephanie still shines because she approaches her work and life with every bit as much energy as she did when we first met. Last week we spoke for the first time in quite a few years. She searched the internet for my contact information, so she could ask me a question about an upcoming interview. Just so you don't think this post is inadvertently about me, I must mention I was one of many colleagues she sought out.
Stephanie is brillant and hard working and respected, beyond measure in the field of Student Affairs. She has a following. She doesn't need my opinion, or anyone else's for that matter, in order to ace her interview. She doesn't need them, but because she shines she sought them out anyway.
People who are committed to producing remarkable work will go to any lengths in order to deliver. They will dig up old colleagues, read books, gather perspectives, research the internet, create videos, interview customers, or - as is the case with Stephanie - turn the whole process on its ear in order to make sure you know that hiring her means business not as usual.
Hiring Stephanie will be the easiest decision the University makes all year. Keeping up with her will be the hard part.
Shining off until tomorrow...
P.S. A fun side note about Stephanie. She comes from a long line of women who read palms and once she read mine. She told me two things that I still remember. A long line on my hand revealed to her that I was very creative and another line told that I would work hard my whole life. The votes might be out on the former, but the latter seems to be holding true.