The company we keep

Written May 7, 2011

When I was in the Organizational Studies program at the University of Michigan I met an impressive group of young women that I'm proud to call my friends. We've all taken very different career paths and it's been fascinating keeping up with their successes - both personally and professionally. But what I find most impressive about this group of women is that despite the collective laundry list of accomplishments, they all value personal happiness and fulfillment above all else. Relationships, lifetime learning, and passions come before money, titles, and reputation. They inspire me.

I spent some time catching up with one of these women today who is just finishing up her MBA at a top tier business school. She told me about how crazy people think she is for turning down jobs at the Clinton and Gates foundations to work at a small firm in Chicago. Honestly, she could probably get a job anywhere she wants, but if you ask me, after hearing how she talked about her new role she would be crazy to do anything else.

Now more than ever, I need to surround myself with people who make bold decisions that are rooted in truth and passion. I'm grateful for the little daily reminders that I'm doing the right thing and that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. 


According to an Aesops Fable, "A man is known by the company he keeps [sic]." If this is true then I must be pretty damn amazing.