[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/shutterstock_1022451727-scaled.jpg” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”3.23.4″ height=”200px”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”72″ text_line_height=”1.1em” header_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”0px||3px|” custom_padding=”||0px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”52″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n
Leading With Humanity<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”25.3125px|0px|0|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”20px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-06-at-11.20.19-AM.png” title_text=”Screen Shot 2020-06-06 at 11.20.19 AM” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ animation=”off” sticky=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#02b875″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_text_color=”#000000″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||0px|”]<\/p>\n STEPHANIE WIGGINS<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||60px|”]<\/p>\n Stephanie Wiggins is the Chief Executive Officer of Metrolink, a regional commuter railroad serving six Southern California counties with nearly 10,000,000 annual boardings operating over 538 route miles with a budget of $793 million. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.5em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”720px” custom_margin=”-60px||-52px|||” custom_padding=”23px||34px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n The sun rose on Monday, June 1, but there was still a darkness throughout Southern California as we saw the aftermath of history playing out in the streets of our nation.<\/p>\n None of us can turn a blind eye to the images of an unarmed and subdued George Floyd killed at the hands of a police officer who was sworn to protect. We cannot turn a blind eye to those engaged in peaceful protest, pleading for equality and justice in communities across our country. Nor can we ignore the coverage this weekend of the civil unrest and the destruction of countless businesses.<\/p>\n As an African American woman, I\u2019ve dealt with feelings of despair as we continue to have discussions about systemic racism. And over the continued fight to have equal protection under the law. There is no joy in being on the front lines of this fight. There is no pleasure in being forced to protest and defend. There is no dignity in pretending that divisions do not exist.<\/p>\n As a CEO, on Monday I started the day by sending an email to the entire Metrolink team<\/a> addressing the weekend events and reminding them that our agency provides resources through an Employee Assistance Program<\/a> where they can get free assistance. I encouraged our team to not suffer in silence and to talk if they needed to. That afternoon, talk is just what they did.<\/p>\n But let me provide some context.\u00a0 Since the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were instituted in March, I have regularly communicated directly with all Metrolink employees. Initially through daily emails, and in the past month, three times a week via virtual afternoon coffee breaks.\u00a0 While most employees are telecommunicating to protect against the spread of the coronavirus, we\u2019ve created a new culture of connection. We\u2019ve gotten used to discussing our fears, and our ideas for post-pandemic recovery efforts in lively Q&A sessions. And we\u2019ve gotten used to learning about each other as people \u2013 as we all seek humanity.<\/p>\n Monday\u2019s coffee break was different. With no agenda, I simply asked, \u201cIs there anything you\u2019d like to share?\u201d What followed was an agency-wide discussion that was authentic and honest. It was filled with emotion and empathy. I cried. I was not alone. I was honored that our employees \u2013 Black, Latino, White, Asian; Millennials, Gen Xers, Boomers, and Gen Z \u2013 felt safe enough to share their feelings and their vulnerability. They spoke. We listened, and we learned.<\/p>\n One employee shared how sad these events make him feel. He vividly talked about being afraid as a Black teenager when he was stopped by the police and was guided by his father\u2019s standing advice to do nothing and obey whatever the officer said so he could make it home. His voice quivered as he told the story. Next, a White man, a friend and colleague of the first man, shared that it is hard for him to fathom that experience, because he was raised to treat everyone with dignity, but he held space for the first man\u2019s experience and thanked him for sharing. Then a woman shared that hearing the emotion in the first man\u2019s story was the most impactful way she has heard those words expressed in her life.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ min_height=”53px” custom_margin=”||-69px|||” custom_padding=”0||0||false|false”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/leadership.jpg” alt=”leadership” title_text=”leadership” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ custom_padding=”1px|||||” animation=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”#efefe9″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/intent2.jpg” title_text=”intent2″ show_bottom_space=”off” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ animation=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20%|10%||10%” custom_margin_tablet=”|10%||10%” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n As an African American woman, I\u2019ve dealt with feelings of despair as we continue to have discussions about systemic racism.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#888888″ text_font_size=”12″ text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20%|” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n STEPHANIE WIGGINS<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”60px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”40px||0px|” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n The emotion in the chatroom was palpable. I was touched to be a part of this powerful discussion and to see our team come together to connect and show respect.<\/p>\n They gave me hope.<\/p>\n As a CEO, wading into this discussion can be precarious. Openly talking about race while at work can be risky. It goes against all the HR rules we learn as managers. As leaders, though, we also learn about the value and power of listening. And, sometimes, taking a risk is the right thing to do. On Monday, I learned that no matter their stations in life, people are shaped by their experiences.<\/p>\n Monday\u2019s session was a gift in humanity. I witnessed compassion, empathy, fear, and truth \u2013 in the span of 30 minutes. \u00a0And the timing was perfect because during this dark chapter in our nation\u2019s history we need hope. Hope and the comfort that comes from knowing we are not alone in our hurt \u2013 that we must be able to rely on each other for our humanity.<\/p>\n As an African American woman and as a leader, I found myself being both comforted in a personal sense and inspired, professionally. \u00a0When I became CEO 18 months ago, I told the entire staff that they could expect me to promote a culture of respect and that culture was on display during that chat.<\/p>\n I am writing this because I want to encourage other leaders to allow these moments of vulnerability in their organizations and hope that other teams will be open to sharing their truth as our team did. Leading with humanity \u2013 it\u2019s a simple idea with profound results. As Desmond Tutu said, \u201cMy humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.\u201d I invite you to join me, show your humanity. Better still, give others the space to show theirs. Together, we will get through this. Together, we will make our community a place where diversity is valued and where all people are respected.\u00a0 <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.1″ background_color=”#f9f9f9″ custom_margin=”-60px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_module=”35977″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” max_width=”2560px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”780px”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.1″ background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”80px|5%|40px|5%|false|false” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”36px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||40px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”26″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]Want new articles before they get published? Subscribe to our Awesome Newsletter.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_contact_form captcha=”off” module_id=”et_pb_contact_form_0″ _builder_version=”4.4.1″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#02b875″ button_border_width=”5px” button_border_color=”#02b875″ button_border_radius=”4″ button_custom_margin=”15px||||false|false”][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”E-mail Address” field_title=”E-mail Address” _builder_version=”3.23″ form_field_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” form_field_text_color=”#adadab” form_field_font=”PT Sans||||” form_field_font_size=”20″ form_field_line_height=”1.4em” form_field_font_size_tablet=”20″ form_field_font_size_phone=”20″ form_field_line_height_tablet=”1.4em” form_field_line_height_phone=”1.4em” custom_css_main_element=”height:64px;” border_width_all=”1″ border_color_all=”#adadab” border_style_all=”solid” use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#adadab” border_width=”1″ border_style=”solid” field_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_contact_field][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”First Name” field_title=”First Name” _builder_version=”3.23″ form_field_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” form_field_text_color=”#adadab” form_field_font=”PT Sans||||” form_field_font_size=”20″ form_field_line_height=”1.4em” form_field_font_size_tablet=”20″ form_field_font_size_phone=”20″ form_field_line_height_tablet=”1.4em” form_field_line_height_phone=”1.4em” custom_css_main_element=”height:64px;” border_width_all=”1″ border_color_all=”#adadab” border_style_all=”solid” use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#adadab” border_width=”1″ border_style=”solid” field_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_contact_field][\/et_pb_contact_form][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.1″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/business-14-1.jpg” background_position=”top_left” custom_padding=”80px|5%|80px|5%|false|false” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”36″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||21px|||” custom_padding=”|||10px|false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”26″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]Are you looking for a government career? Your journey starts now![\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.1″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”26px” text_line_height=”1.1em” header_font_size=”40px” header_4_font_size=”30px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”450px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”39px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||10px|10px|false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”25px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n Your Career Search Just Got Easier<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code module_class=”et_pb_bg_layout_dark et_pb_contact” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”2px||23px|||”]