We recently connected with Lydia Millard and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Lydia with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Started working at 15 and I’ve held several roles including McDonald’s, UPS target and my current role Stevens Square community organization.
My work ethic also comes from my mother who was a single parent, worked for the City of Minneapolis and also managed to write a book, learn DIY projects…etc.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Lydia Millard and I am a second generation African American resident of Minneapolis. I don’t just talk about advocating for the working person, I am the working person. I’ve worked myself up from the floor of UPS, made stops in Metro Transit and hotel management, next to large-scale corporate operations taking charge of logistics and budgeting, and then took on a second job as a neighborhood organizer. I am running to serve as the Ward 10 City Council Member because while serving my neighbors I realized we need effective leaders who understand what it means for city services to work for working people. The primary role of a city council member is to be responsive to the community, and to be a voice for all constituents — as your council member I will restore this principle to the Ward 10 office.
I am committed to service and I am committed to results. Service to our neighborhoods means ensuring safety, promoting economic development, prioritizing environmental sustainability, and caring for the overall well-being of all residents. Commitment to results means leadership capable of building teams, project management, logistics, budgeting, and customer service.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
-communication
-resilience
-self confident
Never give up on yourself. Press the restart button your as many times as you need to. You may get knocked down 8 times but get back up 9.
Take your experience and use that as leverage for you next move.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My family is my backbone and pillar of my success. I always get the question of who in politics do I align with/look up to? I always say I don’t have external validation, my internal circle is comprised of so many skills, experience and wisdom.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Terence Pennister- photographer
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
