Caps fan appreciates when employees ask “Why?” – An interview with Sonia Kendall

Ms. Sonia Kendall works at United States Coast Guard (USCG) headquarters, Office of Information Assurance and Spectrum Management.  She represents the USCG telecommunications program in the areas of public safety & interagency (DHS/DOD) interoperability coordination and policy.  Ms. Kendall is a retired USCG Lieutenant; her 25 year Navy/USCG career was solely focused on C4IT related work.  Ms. Kendall is actively pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration through Columbia Southern University.  She holds a Master in Business Administration Degree from Columbia Southern University, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland University College, and an General Associate’s Degree from Phoenix University.

So, Ms. Kendall. You win the lottery for $10 million. What do you do?  

Considering that I live in Maryland, the take-away from a $10 million lottery win would probably only be $5 million. With that money, I would give part of it to a reputable organization or charity and invest the rest of it.

Describe a decision you made early in your career that has had a big impact for you.

When I first started my career, it was in the military during the early 1980’s. At that time, it was a male dominated world in the military and women were not provided a lot of the opportunities that were available to the men. Women also didn’t have the voice that men had. I made it a point to ensure that no matter where I was, no matter what paygrade I was, and no matter who I worked with, I wouldn’t let gender differences build a wall for when I want to be heard.  The military has gone a long way to bring equality to women these days, which is a welcomed change.

Any tips on staying energized when the going gets tough?

I keep a positive attitude at all times. I know that every day is not going to be a perfect day, but in most cases there are more good days that an average person experiences than bad days. By keeping a smile on my face, it helps me work through any difficult situation.

Which skills or attributes do you value most in coworkers that are just starting their careers?

Willingness to learn and to teach others. A co-worker that is just starting their career has a lot that they can learn from those around them, listening to experiences, watching how people interact and handle themselves, etc. But they also have a lot to offer to others because they come in with a fresh perspective and are open-minded. Sometimes we get stagnant in our ways and it’s nice to have a new perspective on how we’ve done business. I like when a new employee questions “why do we do it this way” and the response is NOT “because that’s the way we always do it”, which is often a standard response. People need to think “why do we do it that way?”….Just because it’s always been done that way doesn’t mean that it is always the right way.

What music are you grooving on recently?

This is an easy one. I am grooving on RA’s “We won’t back down”, which was written specifically for the Washington Capitals. I am a die-hard Capitals fan and with the playoffs starting this week, there is no other song in my mind!

Any words you would like to say about WIT or its programs?

I actually had never heard of WIT until this award submission/selection came up. I am excited to say that I plan to not only join WIT but also to bring awareness of it throughout my organization.