MNT2ACHIEVE with Kim Kross
An Interview with Kim Kross,
Chief Operating Officer for Elevate K-12.
“Remind yourself that feedback and advice are gifts. When someone takes time to give you feedback or constructive criticism, it means they care”
An Interview with Kim Kross, Chief Operating Officer for Elevate K-12.
Were you always a leader? When did you know you had the capacity to lead?
I've always had leadership tendencies, but they have definitely grown over the years. My ability to work with teams and help drive to a direction has always been strong along with my desire to win. I think early in my career when I was gently nudged into the emerging field of Project Management, it was clear that I had the ability to influence others in both a direct and indirect capacity. Learning the skill of leadership as an indirect manager is a skill that everyone should learn to hone their skills. Leadership comes from what you bring to the situation and what you bring to others, not from a title. Learning that early on will only help you grow.
Who or what had a strong Influence on you growing up?
Obviously my family, but as I look back, my dad having health issues and being handicapped when I was a teenager taught me a lot about perseverance, and the need to keep moving forward. There were a lot of changes to our family when he became sick and it changed all of us in different ways. For me, it taught me a lot of responsibility and accountability early on.
Can you summarize your career trajectory from the first job to present?
This will be interesting since I didn't start in education. And honestly, my education isn't as one of an educator, but after 15 years in the vertical, I think I finally consider myself an academic. My career start was as an Executive Assistant. Very quickly, my boss saw something in me and started giving me everything and anything he could from special projects to analyzing and preparing multi-million dollar budgets. From there I continued to grow in the field of project management where I flip-flopped back and forth between tech and operations the majority of my career. My first education job was in product development for Sylvan Learning Centers. I very quickly realized that I had found my passion in education, and as I'd realize later, particularly K-12. From there I would spend the next 15 years in various jobs all within education companies in a variety of tech, product and operations roles most of which were as direct or indirect leadership for each organization. My current job is as the COO of a growing and scaling EdTech company where we create opportunities for students in public schools to learn in ways and with resources not previously available to them.
What role have mentors played in your life?
I've been blessed to have a lot of great mentors in my life. For me, because of the technical bend to my background, most have been male mentors. Each one of them saw a spark in me and provided direction, guidance and opportunities that have influenced who I am today. Of the 3-4 that immediately come to mind, I'm still in touch with all of them and keep in touch on a regular basis.
What is the most difficult leadership lesson you’ve learned?
How to read people and a situation along with when to assert yourself and when it's best to hold back. In other words, choosing when to pick your battles. It's important to prioritize what's really important for the organization, sometimes over your own beliefs and needs. You need to know when to put your ego in check and give on an issue to make sure you're putting the energy into the negotiations that you really need to.
How do you maintain a work-life balance?
I prefer to call it work-life integration. :) I make sure I put time for life right on my calendar for everyone to see. If I have a dinner to go to, or I just feel like I need to take some “me“ time to go boxing or for a run, it goes on my calendar. That makes it real to me and ensures that I don't get booked. There is always work. You can stay until midnight and there will still be more to do. You need to ensure you're picking your battles here too. There will be times when work will need to come first. But there are times when you need to put yourself first as well.
What advice do you have for aspiring leaders?
Remind yourself that feedback and advice are gifts. When someone takes time to give you feedback or constructive criticism, it means they care. Feedback is hard for most people to give, so when you get it, take time to think about it and how you can roll it forward in your everyday life.
What would your 21-year-old self think of you now?
She'd think I was bad a$$. My 21-year-old self would be pretty darned impressed to see that the sky really was the limit.
What is a favorite leadership quote and why?
"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." --Ronald Reagan
What is next for you?
Whatever it is, the universe will put it in my path as it has for 20 years. I keep an open mind and heart and from there, anything is possible.
BIO
Kim Kross currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Elevate K-12. Kim has a distinguished career leading the implementation of major programs and initiatives at global, educational institutions. Prior to Elevate, she was Vice-President of Partner Operations for Amerigo Education where she oversaw mid-west operations, and nationwide operational best practices and program implementation. Prior to that, she served as the Senior Director of Program Development and Management at the Meritas International Family of Schools, where she successfully oversaw the implementation of the Meritas Academic Plan, Skyward SIS, and Meritas Teachers College. Previously, Kim was Executive Director of Product Engineering at Wall Street English and Senior Director of New Products and Services at Sylvan Learning Center. She holds an M.B.A. and an M.S. in Technology Management from the University of Maryland and received a B.S. in Management from the State University of New York at Geneseo.