Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Avery. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Justin, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
It goes without question that as a young, black male – I have had to work extra hard and put forth additional effort to prove myself. I have been able to accomplish this by being genuine to myself and to others. I know what I know, and what I don’t know I will seek out knowledge to understand it better. I have never claimed to be something I was not. What makes my story unique is that I have solved very complex problems in my professional career that have made others see beyond the color of my skin and start appreciating the processes flowing through my brain.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have focused primarily on solving complex business problems in the Legal vertical. My experience involves technical knowledge, IT application management and project management. What I love about my career is that every day brings new and different challenges. I couldn’t see myself doing habitual tasks each day – it would be a bore. I like the exciting opportunities I have each day to resolve business problems, improve processes or launch projects into flight which would enhance the capabilities of the organization and create efficiencies. I think, lead, and manage the technical side of the law firm/legal department operations so that attorneys and legal professionals can do what they do best – practice law.
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?
One of the most important skills that has helped me is patience. Patience keeps you walking on a narrow path that you won’t divert from. Another good quality is communication. While I may not be an professional systems engineer or an experience attorney – being able to communicate technical and business jargon has been integral in the advancement of my career. I am constantly collaborating with “heavy” IT professionals, as well as c-suite executives. I had to learn how to communicate in a way that was comprehensible for a variety of audiences. My determination to solve problems, by far, has been the most impactful. Business leaders don’t want to hear why something isn’t done – they’d rather hear how something isn’t done but also how you’re providing alternative solutions and have plans in place to resolve. I would recommend to those who would like to improve some the previously mentioned qualities to take behavioral assessments. Learn your personality style and collaborate with others to understand theirs. This will help you understand how to effectively communicate and work with others.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I use natural remedies to help clear my mind. I workout every morning at 6:30am for one hour. It is a critical moment in my day where I can release any negative feelings, build strength and think through things without feeling rushed.
Contact Info:
- Website: inherisk.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javerybrinkley/
Image Credits
Justin Avery
