lululemon athletica
In February 2011, I left a position that was not a good fit and attended a 30-day, 200-hour yoga teacher training in Todos Santos, Mexico. In March, I searched for yoga teaching roles with benefits (there aren’t any, FYI) and discovered an opportunity at lululemon athletica. What began as a temporary role turned into an eight-year career — and one of the most influential experiences of my life.
Recognized by Forbes and TIME for its leadership in people development, lululemon was where I first engaged in structured professional growth. I developed my SMART Goals, explored my core values, and identified my Clifton Strengths. These tools supported my advancement into leadership roles, where I coached and mentored teams across the East Coast and Midwest.
This experience has continued to shape my professional approach, regardless of role or job expectations; I always try to offer whatever resources I can to help others around me shine.
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Vision and Goals were central to lululemon’s culture. Employees set professional and personal goals for three, five, and ten years within their first three months, and these were often displayed in the store to foster mutual support. As a leadership team member, I facilitated Vision and Goals sessions for teams and community events, coached on creating SMART Goals, and provided follow-up to ensure accountability.
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I was hired as a Key Leader, a leadership role at the store level. Each leadership member received Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D., and completed the CliftonStrengths assessment. My results, shown above, clarified my approach as a leader and mentor, providing specific language and insight into my strengths and those of my peers. Understanding our collective strengths — and opportunities — enabled me to leverage my team effectively, fostering purpose and fulfillment in their work.
*Winning Others Over