Momentum Principal Lori Daniels was featured recently in the Patriot News with a 3-Minute Interview regarding the culture of the company, leadership styles, challenges and advice for aspiring leaders.

Article courtesy of The Patriot News.

3-Minute Interview with Lori Daniels, Principal

Q: Describe the culture at your company.

A: Momentum has a dynamic culture in that we are casual but driven.  Our office atmostphere is flexible and people work at their own pace and in the space that is most conducive to productivity, whether that is at 8 a.m. at their desk or at 10 p.m. at their kitchen table.

Our approach to our clients and project deliverables is much more predictable, disciplined and structured.

Furthermore, we emphasize community involvement and professional development to keep us connected as a team internally and externally to the central PA area.

Q: What’s the most revealing question you ask when interviewing job candidates?

A: When Momentum, Inc. is interviewing prospective employees, we like to learn about their interests outside of the workplace we want to know what inspires people. We ask candidates: “Name the three things you do for fun when you are not at work.”

Q: Tell us one thing that has evolved about your leadership style.

A: Realizing that to give up control may be difficult initially but it is the true path to innovation.  As a company grows, the approach to solving business challenges changes.  You need to consider new ideas or ways to approach situations that may be different today than five years ago.

At Momentum, we have become more strategic in our planning.  With 35 full-time employees and a client base that extends beyond central Pennsylvania to Maryland, New York, California and Colorado and is spread among commericial, state and federal clients, we have to stay dynamic and flexible.

Q: What is your company’s biggest challenge?

A: Monitoring growth to ensure that we continue to foster a work environment and culture that we all enjoy.

Often, as the company’s employee roster grows, so does the distance from the staff’s door to the leadership’s door.  As leaders, you must stay connected with your employees and maintain the energy and passion about our work and community involvement.

People are a company’s most important asset.  As Momentum grows, we look for the potential employees that have the right mix of skills and interests; people who are energetic and want to work for a dynamic and growing.

Q: What advice would you give someone who aspires to be a manager or leader?

A: Rather than accept the staus quo – challenge it.

Aspiring leaders get involved and contribute beyond the normal workday.  They look for and take on new challenges; they learn new skills and demonstrate the desire to expand and grow.

Aspiring leaders are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone – they seek out new opportunities.  They learn and adopt new skills that they can build on.  they are passionate.

Integrity, honesty, credibility and respect…these are all strong traits that leaders must have to be successful.