Jeffrey Travillion, the Workforce Development and Organizational Effectiveness Officer for the city of Austin’s Public Works Department, shows up to work every day because he’s “inspired by the understanding that my actions can positively impact the lives of employees in my organization,” he confirms.
“I’m responsible for helping employees acquire the training or skills necessary to effectively provide the services needed by the [hiring] organization. I feel that I’ve done my job well when I can help an employee take ownership of his or her career and think about preparing themselves for [career] success.”
Here, Travillion discusses how he started on his career path and essential skill sets future leaders need. –munson steed
How did you determine your career path?
My parents were both educators and I watched them advise students to help them find strategies to be successful. My mom was a homemaking teacher [who] taught people skills necessary to save money by preparing their own meals or repairing clothing. She taught people how to live on a shoestring budget and when I bump into some of her students even today, they speak about how influential she was in their success as parents and managers. My father was a principal, superintendent, and dean of the department of education at a historically black college in Mississippi. I saw him work with parents and help students find their way to college, the military, or other places where their skills could allow them to take care of their families. Through their example, I found my way to public service. However, the dean of the political science department at Jackson State University, Dr. Leslie B. McLemore, suggested the Sloan Fellowship Program that ultimately guided my career path.
Describe the future skill sets that are essential to future business leaders and innovators?
Certainly leaders of the future need to develop the ability to research, analyze and communicate ideas. I have found that many people are good at collecting data, but not so good at turning that data into actionable information. The ability to use technology to find and transfer material is important. However, our global market requires the ability to take ideas, develop the best way to package the message, and understand the proper timing for the use of the message. Communication skills and critical thought will be essential to business leadership in the future.
Describe goal-setting methods you use.
I have always been a reader. I tend to like autobiographies, biographies, and historical abstracts. I have always believed one good way for setting practical [achievable] goals is to find the person who is [now or in history] the best at what you want to do.
