Anne Young

I’ve spent some time reflecting on what’s shaped my approach to work and relationships over the years, and I keep coming back to my upbringing.

As the youngest of nine, growing up in a small house, I learned early on the value of persistence, resilience, and earning your place. It taught me how to navigate challenges, stay competitive, and keep moving forward—qualities that have stayed with me throughout my career.

That foundation carries into how I show up professionally. I care deeply about the people I work with and the clients I serve. My work ethic, passion, and commitment to building long-term, meaningful relationships have been central to my success.

I’ve always believed that when you invest in people authentically, it comes full circle. I’m grateful that, to this day, I maintain strong relationships with former colleagues, leaders, and CEOs. There isn’t one of them I couldn’t reach out to—and more importantly, I’d go out of my way to support any one of them.

Relationships built on trust, consistency, and mutual respect are what truly last—and what make this journey so rewarding.

One of the most impactful pieces of career advice I’ve received came from a mentor I deeply respect—a former leader I had the privilege of working for. Early in my career, I was approached about stepping into a significant leadership role. I remember questioning whether I was truly ready for that level of responsibility.

My mentor’s response was simple but powerful: “You are ready—the are recruiting you based on your performance and reputation.” That perspective shifted everything. It was the confidence boost I didn’t realize I needed, and it reinforced the importance of trusting both your abilities and the judgment of those who believe in you.

I went on to accept the role, and it proved to be one of the most pivotal and rewarding step in my career.

That experience shaped how I view mentorship. Having people who challenge you, support you, and see your potential—sometimes before you fully see it yourself—is invaluable. It’s something I continue to embrace, both professionally and personally, and something I strive to pay forward whenever I can.

My advice to young women entering the workplace is to stay grounded in your work ethic and lead with passion. Be intentional about building relationships—and nurture them over time. Not just for immediate outcomes, but with a genuine commitment to understanding and serving others.

You won’t build deep connections with everyone, and that’s okay. What matters most is how you show up: consistently, professionally, and with integrity. When you focus on truly serving your clients—listening, following up, and demonstrating that you care—you set yourself apart.

Success isn’t built on one interaction; it’s built over time through discipline, reliability, and the way you make people feel. If you stay committed to those principles, your growth and opportunities will naturally follow.

One of the biggest challenges in sales leadership right now is that the landscape is evolving faster than ever. Buyers are more informed than they’ve ever been—often completing 70–90% of their research before ever speaking with a salesperson.

That means traditional selling doesn’t work anymore. You have to lead teams that are more consultative, more strategic, and far more focused on delivering value than just closing a deal.

At the same time, there’s increasing pressure to do more with less—tighter budgets, longer sales cycles, and higher expectations for predictable results.

Balancing performance, retention, and team engagement in that environment is a real challenge for any leader.

But with those challenges come major opportunities. Our unique business, Crisis Staffing and GSA, are extremely fast paced. Deploying hundreds of workers and managing all logistics, comes with major stress. Keeping our crew sound and rested is a feat in itself, as it is all hands-on deck atmosphere. We must remain healthy, mind/body/spirit to serve our clients.

AI and data are transforming also how we sell—giving teams better insights, faster preparation, and the ability to personalize at scale.

The leaders who embrace that—while still keeping the human element front and center—are the ones who will win.

For me, the biggest opportunity is doubling down on relationships. Technology can make us more efficient, but it’s trust, follow-through, and genuine client service that truly differentiate you. The organizations that combine data-driven strategy with strong, authentic relationships are the ones that will continue to grow.

At the end of the day, sales is evolving—but the core remains the same: understand your client, serve them well, and build relationships that last.

Integrity is the value that matters most to me. It’s the foundation of trust, and without it, relationships—both professional and personal—don’t last. Alongside integrity, I believe deeply in caring for people and being genuinely invested in their outcomes.

Equally important is honoring your commitments. Doing what you say you will do, consistently, is what builds credibility over time.

That belief has guided many of my career decisions. When I was recruited to Huffmaster, I already knew the CEO and President. He had been both a client and a trusted friend, and I had seen firsthand the level of integrity he brings to his work and relationships. At the time, I wasn’t actively looking to leave my role—but that trust and alignment in values ultimately influenced my decision.

For me, it always comes back to this: integrity, trust, and strong relationships are what matter most—and they’re what drive long-term success.