Character Is Who You Are When It's Not Covenient

As most of you don’t know, our beloved Chief Learning Officer, Ramien R. Pierre Ed.D., CPTD, has been in the hospital for the better part of a month. While he’s been admitted, our Break the Norm Leadership LLC team onboarded a new VP of Strategic Growth, Kenny McCombs, right in the middle of an extremely stressful season filled with tight RFP deadlines.

Though Kenny and I have been friends for a while, this was our first time working together. Onboarding someone while your team is under pressure, submitting seven RFPs in September and three in October, and worrying about the health of a cherished team member… well, that’s a lot.

I’m thrilled to share that Ramien is on the mend and should be discharged on Friday 🙏🏽

In the meantime, I’ve been driving back and forth from DC to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and it’s been both physically and emotionally draining. But through it all, something happened that made me pause and reflect deeply on character.

Kenny has been nothing short of incredible. He has shown up for me and for Break the Norm so that I could show up for Ramien.

He has:

🚗 Driven me places when I was exhausted.

📝 Written RFPs under pressure.

💬 Checked in daily just to ask, “How are you holding up?”

🐾 Even walked Elliott one day when I was stuck at the hospital.

His actions reminded me that character isn’t proven when it’s easy, it’s revealed when it’s hard.

To my network: I challenge you to reflect.

👉🏽 How is your character showing up for your team or organization?

👉🏽 Are you and your colleagues willing to go the extra mile when it’s inconvenient?

👉🏽 What example are you setting for others to follow?

As a self-described hyper independent person, I’m not used to leaning on others. But this experience has reminded me of the power of community, trust, and true teamwork.

Best hire decision. Period. 🙌🏽

Thank you, Kenny, for showing us all what leadership through character really looks like. Welcome to the Break the Norm Leadership Team.