OGL 482 Pro-Seminar II

Unit 3 Assignment: Natalie Chisholm

Section 1: This BHAG is based on a 40-year-old, in a major career change, and is based on 15

years out.

What is your BHAG (***one amazingly HUGE, your world-changing goal***)? THIS
SHOULD NOT BE A JOB BUT YOUR MISSION IN LIFE!

My BHAG is to implement a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department as

standard in U.S. businesses. This BHAG goes beyond HR policies and Affirmative

Action and ADA. This would include whole departments focused on racial sensitivity

training, equity in company benefits now based on sex/gender reference/sexual

identity/etc. and implemented representation of historically underrepresented groups.

1) Why is this your BHAG?

As someone who has personally lived with the discomforts and disadvantages of

being part of a marginalized community, I also see the value in my unique perspective

and abilities born of my experience. The value I found can be expressed by many voices

who have been historically silenced or side staged. Assisting in building awareness

around systemic racism/sexism and its current effect in the workplace. How a workplace

nurtured and with a focus on diversity can help grow, strengthen, and open up now

opportunities and new ways of thinking for organizations that may have gone unnoticed

without those unique, diverse perspectives. This is one place many where many

Americans go, to work. There is a major opportunity to educate and nurture diversity,

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 equity and inclusion. This massive amount of people touched could create new

perspectives and strengthen not only workplace teams, but our social fabric.

- How does your BHAG align with your vision statement from Unit 2

“Living with integrity and truthfully to my most authentic self and others. I hope to share my
inspiration to rise through continually learning and tapping into the unlimited potential, while
celebrating and This BHAG is based on a 40 year old, in a major career change, and is based on
15 years out.

Yes, in my eyes the BHAG aligns with the vision statement, living with integrity includes

having respect for others and their ideas and my most authentic self is passionate about

diversity, equity and inclusion. However, I could amend a sentence to include “Living with

integrity and truthfully to my most authentic self and others. I hope to share my inspiration

to rise through continually learning and tapping into the unlimited potential, through

diversity, equity and inclusion, while celebrating and sharing the wins.”

This amendment specifies, that diversity, equity, and inclusion are the key points that will

help tap that potential and lead us to shared success. I could also make this vision a statement

bigger audience included. In my personal mission pre BHAG this would be complete, with a

BHAG I would add on….. “and sharing the wins. With all U.S. organizations seeing the

value of diversity, equity and inclusion and making moves to implement this is the

workplace. “

2) How does your BHAG align with your mission statement from Unit 2?

“My mission is to bring fairness, equity, and service of others into every project I am

part of. Through my enthusiasm, entrepreneurial spirit, and the unique perspective, I

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 hope to share my passions while demonstrating equity and diversity in my projects,

motivating others on the team to share in the same. “ My BHAG aligns with my mission

statement by clearly listing my pledge to bring fairness and equity into every project I am

part of. This ‘every’ includes personally, socially, and professionally. My unique

perspective can be explained in my BHAG, as my personal experience. Also included is

my personal claim to demonstrate equity and diversity in my projects, this includes those

I am involved on all levels, teams in the workplace, socially and sharing these positive

perspectives in the home.

3) List your top five (5) obstacles in order from number 5 being least difficult and
number 1 being the most difficult you need to overcome to obtain your BHAG and
explain the relevance of each one.

Obstacle 1. BHAG can only be achieved with a specific goal in mind. I need to find that

specific goal. What problem am I specifically looking to solve, and what is my plan to get

there. The vision, the goal in place is important to me personally as a motivator. How can

I create a way for diversity, equity and inclusion department to be in every U.S.

workplace.

Obstacle 2. Education- I am not yet qualified to speak on the topic as an expert. This will

take my Bachelors, Masters and perhaps some years of experience in the field with

different organizations and/or examples in my own work.

Obstacle 3. Financials- Currently I have my tuition covered by Starbucks. School will

become a cost to me for my master’s and I will have to find a new job that will support

my school costs and my lifestyle because my current job will not cover both. This

financial obstacle is something that can be worked on to pay for my education, getting me

to the level of credibility to be a spokesperson for my BHAG.

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 Obstacle 4. Network- though my passion is large, my network is small. I have a large

social group, but I have yet to tap into it for purpose of the BHAG. This would not only require

me defining my network but also using networking tools to organize and strategize my

networking plan. For example, who in my network is currently in the field, shares passion, works

in diversity, equity, inclusion, even HR to see what is happening now. And lastly see what

information would be valuable from my network.

Obstacle 5 - “The search for the perfect fit”. My perfectionist nature has sometimes hindered my

decision making and I have missed opportunities because of this. Muddy decision-making skills,

seeking that “perfect fit” instead of being clear on the goal could lead to missed opportunities,

time, money. All important factors when trying to implement something as important and time

sensitive as diversity, equity, inclusion.

Section 2: Career Vision

Answer the following:

1) Analyze the type of career you want to have, in terms of an organizational career or
a protean career, and make sure it is clear you understand the concepts as outlined
in the textbook. Why?

According to the Career and Life Orientation Index, I am moderately protean. With a

score of 3.78 nearing a high protean, I value in order: whole life balance, self-direction,

family focus, value expression and community involvement. Values driven; autonomy

could describe some reasons I would be considered protean. I do enjoy working with

traditional organizations, functional paths, and institutional sector, but in the sense of

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 working with them in collaboration, not specifically for the business in a traditional

sense.

2) Analyze your career with an explanation as one that moves you up the organization
or one you develop seeking alternative career paths. If you see yourself taking an
alternative career path, which one(s) sounds the most likely? Why?

My career in consulting is one where I will seek alternative career paths. The text says,

ultimately the true measure of success is determined by one’s sense of satisfaction and

psychological well-being, not one’s position in the organizational hierarchy (Harrington & Hall,

2008). This could. Not be closer to the truth for myself, the well-being of myself and my family

brings me satisfaction and cannot be compromised to an organization. Currently I would

consider myself a plateauer, people who intentionally stay in place by turning down promotions

to stay in control of their lives. One example of this is while using the benefits of Starbucks free

tuition, I have turned down higher paying jobs, with promotion (out of the company). However,

staying in a lower job, for lower pay helps me accomplish school, which furthers my education,

to help become an expert and accomplish my BHAG. Future I can see myself taking the

alternative path of self-employment. A free-lance consultant, collaborating with businesses and

organizations.

3) Discuss and explain if you see yourself working an alternative or flexible work
schedule/arrangement? If so, which ones and why?

I will be working an alternative/flexible schedule. My need for work life balance

will be the driving force behind the flexible schedule. This creates the want for self-

employment, freedom of scheduling. Lack of self-care and time to recharge, when I feel

it necessary for me, is important. This will help me operate at my best, while living and

enjoying my life outside of work.

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Section 3: Long-Term Strategy
Develop a strategy for moving toward your ideal future work/life situation and the realization of
your BHAG(s). Consider the timeframe for your BHAG(s). Provide a vivid description of life
“the way it will be” once your BHAG is realized.

1) Critically think about and then list out (not a narrative format) the interim steps or
milestones you have laid out for yourself that will aid you in reaching your BHAG
(you should have at least 10 to earn a rating of excellent and be referenced by time)

1. Finish Bachelor’s at ASU – May 2023

2. Secure better paying job to support through Master’s – August 2023

3. Join community diversity, equity and inclusion group December 2023

4. Complete Master’s- December 2024

5. Dive into social network and creating a BHAG network from it - January 2025

6. Join a professional team, working with diversity, equity and inclusion as a consultant

Jan-2026

7. Start participating or speaking at events on diversity, equity, inclusion. Corporate

training, presenter, etc. Jan 2027

8. Freelance consulting, with emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion in the

workplace Jan 2028

9. Keynote speaker and expert in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion. Jan 2013

10. Lead voice and co-creator of the handbook for implementing Diversity, Equity and

Inclusion in all U.S. workplaces. January 2028- 2038

2) In addition to career-related roles, consider your other life roles in relation to your
career goals. What are the 3 most precious things you are willing to sacrifice,
besides time, to achieve your BHAG? Why?

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 Sacrifice 1: Having more kids would be my first sacrifice. This is easiest for me as I have

a 21-year-old son and as a young parent could potentially have more but would be

sacrificing the time I feel necessary to achieve my goals in life. Though this is a tough

decision, I feel satisfied with my family of myself, my husband and my son.

Sacrifice 2 : As a moderately protean rating, I would have to give up the sizable part of

me that prefers a traditional organization. I do crave the tidiness of organizations, and for

as much as I crave that my desire for autonomy is stronger. Once this decision is made,

especially at my age now, it would be hard to look back. The sacrifice would be of

security that comes with a traditional work experience.

Sacrifice 3: My third sacrifice would be even more personal, that I would be sacrificing

my energy. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are long time battles to be recognized. My

time is precious but can be managed, however any time spent with such sensitive topics,

especially when trying to implement them and change the way people see them is a tax

on energy. Coming from a small place and trying to make it the standard will have

emotional challenges, but for something so powerful I will give it my energy.

Section 4: The one to two year plan

1) What is your #1 Goal? (at least one of the following must be related to your BHAG)

My first goal is to finish my education. This can lead to opened doors and opportunities
for learning and growing. This also is the first step in becoming a reliable educated
source. Leading me to keynote speaking.

a. Specific- Complete education.

b. Measurable- I will measure my progress by hitting my Bachelor’s deadline of

May 2023 and my Master’s by December 2024 (1 year accelerated program)

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 c. Attainable- I am currently working on this goal, I have the time set aside and
funding needed to pay for the educational portion of expenses.

d. Relevant- Education is so powerful and allows for more doors opened, graduation
from college has been a goal of mine since day one. Now it’s a reality in motion,
with one graduation right around the corner. This allows to grow, further my well-
being as a professional and personally.

e. Time-Based- completing bachelor’s May 2023 and Master’s by December 2024

2) What is your #2 Goal? (at least one of these must be related to your BHAG)

My second goal is to go deeper in diversity, equity, and inclusion, through social groups,

educational groups and my community to help develop and become an expert on the subject in

the future.

Specific- Immersion in diversity, equity and inclusion

Measurable- check for growth as a member of a group, a leader in the group and the head of a
group.

Attainable- Going through my social network and finding those in my network involved in
diversity, equity and inclusion, and my education as verifiable training.

Realistic- my values and life experience motivate me to make this a reality daily and I am
currently obtaining milestone on this path (education).

Time-Based- By January 2026 I will have joined groups in my community focused on diversity
equity and inclusion and join a professional team, working with diversity, equity and inclusion as
a consultant Jan-2026

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 References

Harrington, B., & Hall, D. T. (2008). Career Management & Work-Life Integration: Using Self-
assessment to navigate contemporary careers. SAGE Publications. 

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