Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela M. Odom.
Angela, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I retired in the rank of colonel in 2015 after serving in the greatest Army on the planet for 27 years, 11 months, and 11 days. After getting my son settled in our small town, I started a personal development training company, The Better U Project. I was compelled to write and publish my first book a year later in 2016. The book, Bronco Strong: A Memoir of the Last Deployed Personnel Services Battalion, is a leader’s first-hand account of serving in Iraq for a 15-month forward deployment during combat operations.
In 2017, I completed a six-month personal development coaching certification program.
In 2019, I served as a contributing author to a second book, “Leadership Through The Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders.”
I’ve enjoyed learning how to thrive outside of a structured military environment. I’m learning how to listen more than I talk and to be fully present in the moment.
Has it been a smooth road?
Although I experienced challenges while serving in the US Army, I loved serving soldiers, helping and supporting them to accomplish their personal and professional goals and the unit’s mission. I deployed on three separate combat missions. The first few months after retirement, I felt disconnected from my social network, family and friends and the Army. It was as if I was grieving a lifelong friend’s departure. After much reflection, I found that I mostly missed engaging with like-minded people who innately understood my mannerisms, tone, and language. It was a culture shock to go from working with Soldiers and living on military installations to working from home and living in a small suburban town in Georgia, where the closest active duty military installation is a couple of hundred miles away. I really took for granted the natural social networks that are easily created in the military.
Please tell us about the Better U Project.
Most women undervalue themselves. At The Better U Project, a leadership training company, we coach women in supervisory positions to stop undervaluing themselves, to identify what they want, who or what is standing in their way of getting IT (even if they are the ones standing in the way) and to develop their personal leadership skills so that they show up with confidence in their workspace and within their social environments, get promoted, and progress in their careers. The Better U Project, teaches a six step success framework women leaders to use to get things done through her Learn How to Lead workshops. The Better U Project offers a full suite of training, coaching, and speaking solutions to help you can focus on creating the life you’re truly supposed to live!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Leadership and personal development skills are in critical demand. Over the next 5-10 years, coaching women in supervisory positions will increase dramatically as organizations begin to include the positions of authority. Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, social unrest, and divisive political climate, people in positions of authority and influence will need to engage in critical conversations while sharing their vision with a more aware group of employees. The Better U Project intends to coach women leaders to position themselves to excel over the next 5-10 years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebetteruproject.com/
- Phone: 678-304-7256
- Email: info@thebetteruproject.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thebetteruproject/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetteruproject/
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