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The magic of Sammy's approach lies in her ability to blur the lines between professional and personal relationships. As she puts it, "There's just so much time that happened, a lot of change that happened throughout the years, and we all were in it together." This philosophy has created teams where people work hard not just for themselves but "for the person sitting next to you too"—a rare quality in today's often transactional workplace environments.
At the heart of Samantha's leadership toolkit is the Enneagram, a personality typing system she uses to promote self-awareness and better communication within her team. Unlike other personality assessments that can feel limiting, the Enneagram encourages growth and adaptability. "The goal is not to be your number," she explains, "but to understand different numbers and pivot based on who you're talking to." This framework has transformed how her team members relate to each other, creating deeper understanding and more effective collaboration.
When it comes to hiring, Samantha looks beyond technical acumen to behaviors. She seeks people who are "humble, hungry, smart" with emotional intelligence and a competitive spirit. This approach has led to an impressive track record of successful hires who've grown within the organization. The few "misses" typically involved candidates showing an "unwillingness" or "huge uncomfortableness of being uncomfortable"—a critical red flag in environments requiring adaptation.
As a mother of two balancing family and career, Samantha shares practical wisdom for prioritization: identify your "three big rocks" each day and recognize that sometimes one might be "my son's doctor appointment." Her journey reminds us that extraordinary leadership isn't about complex systems or rigid hierarchies, but about creating environments where people can thrive by being their authentic selves. When asked about her favorite part of leadership, her answer is immediate: "Working with people and helping them realize their potential."