Ripple Effect: Leadership Interview Series

At Hexagon US Federal, leadership isn’t just about making decisions, it’s about creating waves that influence every angle of a team’s performance. How do effective leaders inspire and guide their teams to achieve excellence? In our new Leadership Interview Series: Ripple Effect, we explore the methods and philosophies of our leaders, uncovering how their actions set the tone for team success.

This installment features Liz Tribelli, Vice President of Operations, whose leadership approach has significantly shaped our operational excellence. Being able to work closely with the leaders of multiple departments keeps her engaged and motivated where no two days are the same!

What is your role at HexFed?

Vice President of Operations

What is your day-to-day like?

No two days are the same, and I prefer it that way! Overseeing our Corporate Services organization means that I get to work closely with the leaders of multiple departments and get to collaborate with the workforce on special projects. On any given day I could be discussing a live bid with our proposal team or Division leaders, or collaborating with our Contracts and Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO) to help the business development team members find vehicles for our customers to access us, or working with Marketing to brainstorm creative ways to reach our target customer audiences, or organizing the next leadership development or corporate wellness series. These diverse responsibilities and collaboration opportunities keep me engaged and motivated, underscoring the importance of teamwork and effective communication in achieving our HexFed goals.

How do you encourage creative thinking within your team?

I have to give a shout out to my terrific team – they are SO collaborative and anytime we need to get creative, it’s easy to encourage that with this group. More than anything, I think it’s important that as a leader I foster an environment where innovation and new ideas are welcomed and valued. It’s always my goal to create a safe space for ideas by encouraging open dialogue and ensuring team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear of judgment. A few things I try to keep top of mind: (1) promoting diversity within the team is crucial so we can benefit from the varied backgrounds and experiences of individuals, which can lead to unique and innovative solutions; (2) giving team members autonomy to explore new approaches and experiment with different solutions is key to boosting motivation and creativity; (3) providing the necessary resources and time for creative thinking, such as access to new tools, training, or dedicated innovation time – my team will tell you I love a good brainstorming session and think it’s important to set aside the time to have a guided discussion to get ideas flowing; and (4) leading by example through demonstrating creative thinking in my leadership, taking risks, and embracing change to set a positive tone for the team. I believe these efforts not only enhance the team’s performance, but also cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, which are crucial for our long-term success.

What advice do you have for emerging leaders?

There are so many great lessons I’ve learned over the years that have led to nuggets of advice that I like to share, but I could probably write an entire article just on that subject alone.

Here’s how I would sum it up:

1. Cultivate a growth mindset and remain open to continuous learning.
2. Embrace change and be adaptable, as the business landscape is constantly evolving.
3. Develop strong communication skills to effectively convey your vision and inspire your team.
4. Prioritize emotional intelligence to build meaningful relationships and understand the needs and motivations of those you lead.
5. Seek mentorship and learn from the experiences of established leaders.
6. Lead with integrity and authenticity, as trust and respect are fundamental to effective leadership. It’s important for anyone who wants to be a leader to understand that leadership is not just about directing others, but also about serving and empowering them to achieve their best.

Thank you @ Liz Tribelli for participating in the Ripple Effect: Leadership Interview series! Stay tuned for future articles featuring other members of the Hexagon US Federal Senior Leadership Team.