Move Everybody – Team Profile: Michelle White, Senior Account Manager
Move Everybody – Team Profile: Michelle White, Senior Account Manager
For over three decades, Corporate Fitness Works has successfully inspired health and fitness for all, stimulating workplace cultures that promote activity and well-being. As we continue to Move Everybody in 2019, we celebrate the amazing Team Leaders behind our mission. By sharing their stories, their inspirations and lessons learned, we hope to enthuse others to pursue their goals and aspirations for optimal health and fitness. This month we are pleased to feature Michelle White, Senior Account Manager.
The Ah-Ha Moment
Pictured above is a young Michelle, ready to ‘serve’ up a victory in her favorite sport, volleyball.
Michelle was always passionate about being active and playing sports. When she was young, she participated in sports through recreational leagues until she was able to play on her school teams during junior high and high school. Never afraid to try new things, Michelle played softball, basketball, volleyball as well as participated in track and field. But soon she realized her real passion was for volleyball and that’s where she truly excelled as an athlete. When high school graduation was approaching, and college marketing materials were arriving, Michelle needed to decide what profession she would pursue. A new field of studies had recently emerged – Sport and Exercise Science – and once Michelle discovered it, she knew that was the path she wanted to take. She graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a double major in Sports Organization and Health Appraisal and Enhancement and hit the ground running!
We asked Michelle to share a few things about her career journey and success with Corporate Fitness Works. This is what she had to say…
Tell us about a time in your studies or in your career that helped you prepare for the challenges you face in your role today?
Some of my early management experiences were filled with not only challenges on the client side but also with employee performance. Early on and much sooner than I had anticipated, I faced uncomfortable situations, such as employee reprimands, and I had to find the best way to address the situation. These initial experiences turned out to be a blessing in disguise and I’m a firm believer that challenge, although difficult and scary at times, provides the best opportunity for professional/personal growth.
What is your #1 motivator? What are you most passionate about in the work that you do?
My number one motivator is feeling appreciated. Knowing what I do matters and knowing that my contributions are appreciated by Corporate Fitness Works and my fellow Team Leaders is fuel for me. I’m most passionate about the relationships I’ve built and the opportunity to provide support to those I work for, work with, and those who report to me.
Describe the key steps you took in the path to your career success/career growth that made the greatest impact?
When I began my career, I knew I needed to take advantage of as many new opportunities as I could in order to grow, advance and set myself up for career success. I was 100% committed to following opportunity, wherever it took me geographically. And so far, it has taken me to Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Arizona, in addition to Pennsylvania, where I’ve resided for the last 15 years.
How does your role as Senior Account Manager support Team Leader growth and our business growth?
Working in my role, I have involvement with a unique mix of sites and clients; and I support Team Leaders in diverse client settings that span from the corporate, government, residential, to university. This has helped me fill my toolbox with a wide variety of skills, experiences and ideas. As a result, I am able to draw on my experiences to help those around me troubleshoot, brainstorm, and/or find their way to solutions. I’ve tackled many “firsts” over the years and I bring what I’ve learned with me.
How does your role most impact our clients (and the members we serve) success?
My role directly impacts our clients’ confidence in their choice to have CFW manage their specific program. If a client feels confident in the relationship they have with CFW, through me, they can focus on their primary responsibilities and allow us to do what we do best. When we are operating at our peak, our clients are happy.
Share a career highlight.
Early in my career, I was tasked with leading a group exercise class on Fort Myer Army base in Virginia for 100 soldiers. It was a huge accomplishment when I was able to convert the soldier’s laughs, jeers and doubts over having to take the class into accelerated heart rates and profuse sweating, and hearing the grunts and groans was very satisfying. Respect earned!
If you could share one “value added tip” as Senior Account Manager for CFW, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to fail – when it happens (and it will), take ownership, identify the lesson learned, and move forward. Growth happens in the mistakes.
Please share an interesting fact about you that you would want our Team and our clients to know about you? This can be career related or personal.
I am an ambivert. My balance of extrovert and introvert traits is 100% driven by the setting I’m in. Depending on the circumstance, sometimes I’m vocal and outgoing, while other times I’m quiet and prefer to stay far away from the scene and spotlight.
