Leadership Spotlight: A Q&A with Elizabeth Kidd

While I'm new to DLA Disposition Services, I'm not new to the Department of War. I've been around the services my whole life, as my grandfather, father, and husband have all served. My husband, Josiah, and I have two kids and spend most of our time at the soccer pitch. When we can, we also love to travel. Kidd serves as the DLA Disposition Services Culture Champion and Strategy Planner.

Can you tell us about yourself?

Hi! I'm Elizabeth Kidd; most people call me Liz. I've been with the Defense Logistics Agency for a little more than a year and a half, working in Human Resources and Resource Management. Prior to coming to the Federal Government, I worked for private sector organizations. I have 15 years of Human Resources experience, with a focus on employee relations and culture/engagement strategy planning. I have a master's degree in human resources from Central Michigan University- 'Fire Up Chips!'

Describe your job in a sentence or two.

My role as the DLA Disposition Services Culture Champion and Strategy Planner is to help leadership connect business and culture goals, ensuring DLA Disposition Services becomes DLA's Major-Subordinate Command of choice.

What is your favorite thing about your line of work?

My favorite part of this line of work is the people. I enjoy meeting people and then digging into the data to understand the "why." I look at multiple areas of the story and the business to connect the mission and strategy to the culture. This helps identify opportunities for us to be the best in the business and an organization of choice.

What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

Over the years, I have received a lot of great advice from many people in my life. A leader once asked me, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" I remember rattling off several things, and they asked again, "What's the worst thing that could happen?" It reminded me to pause. When working with people, we have to remember the experience; being calm can change the entire situation for all involved. There are always going to be less-than-ideal situations but remembering to pause and provide the best experience to the customer goes a long way. While you can reflect on a situation and grow from the lessons learned, remember not to let the situation or person live rent-free in your thoughts.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of leaders. When working with people, it's absolutely important to listen. It's human nature, especially in leadership roles, to be in "fixer mode," but in most cases, employees are not asking you to fix the concern. They are coming to talk it out and, in some cases, simply want their feelings validated. As leaders, our brains skip forward to fixing the problem, which sometimes isn't even the reason someone came to chat.

How would you describe your leadership style and why has it worked so well for you?

I seek to understand. When seeking to understand, I withhold my opinion of the situation because my only goal is to listen. When learning new roles or tasks, I seek to understand the "why" and the process. Adopting a learning atmosphere lessens perfectionism and defensiveness. It's not a perfect process and is always a work in progress.

I approach things with the understanding that everyone has something going on in their lives, and most people want to come in every day and do a great job. This brings people back to being human and builds an atmosphere of growth and learning. There are times when directness must come into play, but once the foundation of trust has been established, the leaders and employees I've worked with understand and appreciate the difference. Working in HR, there are sometimes regulations or policies we cannot adjust, but we can still have professional and effective conversations to find a way forward. Building trust before difficult conversations or changes is key.

Tell us how you approach change.

Change management can be difficult to navigate for anyone. As a leader, you are not only responsible for your own feelings but also those of your teams. With any kind of change, it's all about mindset. When you choose positive thinking, the change becomes exciting, and you can learn from the experience. Negative thinking is an easier default for the brain, so being positive takes practice, but the experience is much more rewarding when you maintain a positive outlook.

What keeps you motivated.

Learning. Learning has always kept me motivated. When you keep your brain active and learn new things, you never stop growing.

What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks?

My best practices include following the Stephen Covey model: setting a goal and then working my way backward to foster learning opportunities to meet that goal. I work hard to stay organized so I can be as prepared as possible, but I can quickly change course if needed. Making planning time a priority is my top best practice, and utilizing daily standard work tasks sets me up for a successful day.

Why is networking to build professional relationships so important in achieving success?

Networking to build professional relationships is helpful in a number of ways. I try to focus on how an individual helps me grow professionally. Life is full of lessons and different perspectives. People come into our lives sometimes with a purpose we can't always explain, and you never know when a professional relationship might be the key to your next career, job, or growth opportunity.

What would you have done differently in your career if given the opportunity?

I wouldn't change anything. When I reflect on the past, I think of how things could have been very different, but my experiences are what they are because of the path I took. Even if in the moment I didn't understand it or felt the path was hard, I'm grateful for those experiences, as they have made me the professional and the person I am today.

Tell us something that most people might not know about you or your directorate?

My father missed my birth because he was in Army boot camp. I moved to Germany when I was 6 months old and grew up there for about four years. My early childhood memories consist of castles, and that could be why I still try to seek them out today.

What was your first job?

My first job was as an HR and Front Office Assistant for a retirement community. This job was the gateway to my calling, working with people, and developing my love for Human Resources. My first Federal job was in DLA as a Labor and Employee Relations Specialist.

What is your best memory of working here?

Prior to becoming an employee, my best memories include the family Christmas parties where my children had a wonderful time-and seeing their dad's office-were always a hit. I also cherish memories of bringing my son in after he was born, having lunch with my husband and friends, and picking my daughter up from daycare at Stars and Stripes. All of these are experiences that will always be lasting memories for me and my family. Even before I was on staff, the warm welcome I received was like nothing else, and ultimately, that is why I sought to be a part of the team.

What is your favorite quote?

"A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected."