LESSONS LEARNED:
An exclusive interview with author Michele L. Turner
Michele L. Turner
WIF: What was the impetus for you to write this book?
MLT: I travel around the world providing presentations on topics of resilience or diversity and during these sessions, I was asked if I had a book with some of these nuggets. I didn’t, and because I had wanted to write a book for decades, I decided that it was time.
During some experiences, I felt like I was the only one dealing with certain things, and I really wished that I had some insight from others who may be going through something similar. Lessons Learned reflects that.
This book is meant to share my lessons learned, so that others are aware that they are not the only one.
You are not alone!
WIF: Did you write all the short stories, or did you ask others to contribute?
MLT: I wrote all. In the first chapter there is information shared about my family. In order to tell my story, I needed to provide some information on theirs.
WIF: Are the stories fictional or factual?
MLT: They are factual.
WIF: Do you feel that your stories have special significance for women?
MLT: While the stories are for everyone, as a woman, there is direct relevance 
. Topics of trying to do it all at the same time may resonate with some of us…
WIF: Do your stories focus on professional continuity and resilience, personal continuity and resilience, or both?
MLT: Both. I refer to them as personal stories of resilience, with a business twist. I am a recovering “workaholic.” There used to be a time when I would try to do it all, at the same time. Based on a serious health situation, I was forced to reassess.
Reality – my family will always be my priority, so to reference a “work/life balance” did not work for me. Work/life harmony or integration is a better term, as it allows me to give myself grace to manage things a bit better.
As I do enjoy providing contributions to the resiliency effort, I felt it appropriate to base the book on personal stories, but relate them to both personal and professional lessons learned.
WIF: While it seems obvious that resilience is relevant and important in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, how relevant / useful is maintaining continuity during this historic and disruptive time?
MLT: Extremely relevant. Finding some sense of “normalcy” during this time is important.
For me, I wake every morning, order my Starbucks, get dressed for work, and go directly to the table in my dining room to start my day. This keeps me grounded as I focus on helping the organization manage crises, business interruptions, and related effects.
From a personal perspective, I provide a view into a true situation – how my father and I are working our way through this environment and living with his condition of dementia. In the book, I discuss how I address this from the perspectives of Collaboration and Connection, Celebration, and Continuity.
WIF: Please comment on the relationship between leadership (professional and/or personal) and continuity and resilience.
MLT: These are interconnected.
A leader should share her/his experiences with others. Know that by sharing, knowledge is not only transitioned, but there is also an opportunity for that knowledge to be enhanced and drive continuance throughout.
Resilience is the ability to learn from challenges and use those as stepping stones to place over similar ones. There will always be challenges, but learning from the past sets a great stage for the future.
WIF: Please comment on the relationship between legacy, leadership (professional and/or personal), continuity, and resilience.
MLT: Legacy. This is the ability to leave those lessons, those experiences, for others to learn and grow from.
My hope is that I leave a legacy of learning, of strength to be able to support continuity in normal and not so normal times, and the resilience to keep going, even in times of challenge.
Find Lessons Learned here: Lessons Learned: Short Stories of Continuity and Resilience
