Erika Griffith

I think along the way, there were people who were pulling me across the line that I didn't know. I think you kind of lose sight that you think you're by yourself, but there is always somebody who's cheering for you, and you just don't know it. You're never truly alone in your journey. Throughout my 30 years in government and the Department of Defense, I've had mentors like General Mary O'Brien who took time out of her incredibly busy schedule as a wing commander to sit down with me and review my War College paper on leadership. She would periodically check in, asking what's going on and what I was doing. Those moments of support, even if just one or five minutes when I'd run into her, made all the difference. I've learned that success isn't just about working hard alone, it's about recognizing and appreciating the village of people supporting you along the way.

I would say, one, find a mentor, find a senior mentor, and in doing that search, look at the bios of people you've seen or heard. Find that bio that strikes you as somebody that you most understand or find parallels with, and reach out to them and seek mentorship. I think for a time, there was this attitude within senior women of 'I had to work doubly hard, and therefore everyone has to work doubly hard,' like there was no easy path. But I think that's changed into a lot more inclusive environment, and if nothing else, mentorship provides the affirmation of 'hey, you're not alone' or 'yes, it is hard.' The attitude of 'it was hard, it has to be hard for you too' has slipped away. Sometimes it's even just understanding why something is so hard. It's not just you, it's not just the environment, it's that being a woman in a male-dominant world is more difficult, but it's not like the guys have it easy either. It's hard for everyone. Stay focused, because everyone has a challenge and you are not alone. Don't lose sight of the goal. I think sometimes you kind of get lost in the noise of whatever is bothering you or the immediacy of things, but don't let that distract you from where you really want to go. Just stay in the fight.

One of the biggest challenges in my field has been working as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated environment, where earning opportunities and advancing can sometimes require overcoming additional barriers. At the same time, I see a major opportunity in the growing inclusivity across the industry and the increasing availability of mentorship and support networks that are helping open doors for the next generation of leaders.

I try to bring my best self every day. I even tell myself to bring your big energy. I was on a deployment and they referred to me as Big E, so I remind myself to bring that Big E energy. It's important to have your time to be emotional and take that time to be alone and be by yourself. Sure, you can't show it at work, but do go take that time. I'm a big proponent of fitness in all forms, whether it's going for a long bike ride, going for a run, or walking. These activities help me clear my brain and flush out tension that's held inside your body. Beyond physical fitness, I value self-development, and to me that comes in many forms. Everyone thinks it comes in a singular form, but there are podcasts and pages on Instagram that you follow that help you learn more or understand different perspectives. Taking that time to get a different perspective is super important. I also believe in being there for others, making time for people even when you're busy, and creating meaningful connections in those moments, whether it's one minute or five minutes.