Dr. Anjylla Foster
Brilliance Enabler and Operations Leader
Can you share your journey into the work you do? What experiences, moments, or values led you here?
I had been working in retail management thinking I was going to pursue a career in retail corporate. A job opportunity opened for a local nonprofit that I believed in. This was the catalyst for my career in nonprofit and people management. I love studying how people lead and engage in team settings. It was while working at a cultural institution is Chicago that I realized my love for the science behind leaders and team development. I was able to shift the culture of the team and nurture innovators, influencers, and leaders to find their own brilliance.
Who or what has most influenced your leadership and commitment to this work? This could include mentors, community, lived experience, books, faith, or movements.
I’ve had many supervisors in my career. There was one in particular who I didn’t align well with. It was the most helpless and demoralizing experience. I made a promise to myself I would be her antidote in the world of leaders and honor all that my good supervisors instilled in me.
For those who feel called to doing this work, where would you suggest they begin? Is there a book, organization, practice, or resource that helped shape you?
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni really shaped how I help teams build better habits to navigate toward better behaviors. The Joy Manifesto: Detach from the Corporate Mindset. Access Your Heart. Lead with Wisdom. by Jax Black reaffirmed my passion and need to be in spaces where I can engage as my preferred self in the workplace. The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz is probably the book that has helped me in the current era of my career. Those agreements push me through the tough days and grounds me in a foundation that is simple to remember.
What wisdom or encouragement would you offer to the next generation of Black women leaders entering this space?
You are required to be selfless, but in order to do this, you must maintain care for self. Find a routine or personal ritual that is your non-negotiable. Mine is typically my morning coffee and afternoon/evening workout. Find yours and defend it at all cost.
How can people stay connected to and support your work? Please share your website, social media, current campaigns, or other ways to get involved.
Right now, it’s best to find me on LinkedIn and include a note that you saw this post. Eventually, I’ll have a place where I will be for those who need me.