Beginner’s luck is not enough to win the Indianapolis 500, which is good news for Dr. Audrey Zavodsky. With 50 podium finishes to her name, she is no beginner and is widely considered one of the best racers as she continues to prove herself race after race. Not one to remain in...
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"...even as an expert, there is room to learn as every race affords that opportunity..."
The Interview:
How did your education and experiences prepare you for your role as a corporate nurse with Ford Motor Company?
In addition to a Masters degree in Administration and a Doctorate in Human & Organizational Development, I also have many years of management experience as a Supervisor, Assistant Director, Director & Vice President. Therefore, the fit was natural. I have since moved on to a Human Resource position in Leadership & Professional Development in Ford Motor Company leading a global team that developed a mid-level manager leadership & development program to be launched this year throughout all regions in the world.
How long after you began racing did you feel like an ‘expert’ in the sport? What are the components of being an expert?
An expert in the sport comes with time, experience and wins. Even as an expert there is room to learn as every race affords that opportunity. I also teach racing at the Bondurant High Performance Driving School which adds to the equation.
On a personal level, how do you look for opportunities to grow and gain expertise as a leader?
I am always looking to learn & improve myself in many areas. One recent area involved a job change in Human Resources to a Leadership & Development position – somewhat different than corporate nursing.
What mentors have you had in your life and how have they impacted you?
There have been many mentors along my nursing & leadership journey. I try to take the best from each along the way.
You have excelled in a sport dominated by men. Have you received a lot of criticism and how have you dealt with it constructively?
Racing is a sport that as a woman you have to prove yourself constantly. This becomes a way of life so you accept that, display your competence every time you are on the track & move on. Competence is displayed by results on the track.
What advice would you give to someone who is trying to master a new skill or hobby?
Don’t give up. It takes a lot of hard work but if you have the passion & drive to achieve your goals, persevere & you will master it.
How important is the practice of reflection to the gains you’ve made in the professional and racing world?
Reflection is key to self-improvement. You need to celebrate successes & learn from the times when the outcome was not as you planned.
Why do you think it’s important to say ‘yes’ to opportunities that may initially scare us?
Sometimes you have to stretch yourself out of your comfort zone, which leads to learning. If it isn’t immoral, unethical & will in the end make you a better & stronger person be thankful for those opportunities.
Are there any resources you would suggest for women who are trying to gain experience and expertise in their field?
Challenge yourself to learn as much as you can about the field. When you have the opportunity, talk to the experts. Also spend as much time as you can in that field to experience it.
What are the top three items on your “bucket list”?
Race in the Indy 500; own a vitamin store; and spend time as a volunteer with Mother Theresa’s nuns.
... her comfort zone, Dr. Audrey’s rise to the top of racing aligns with an incredibly accomplished career at Ford Motor Company, where she currently leads a global team dedicated to leadership training as a Human Resources program manager. Dr. Audrey credits a mix of formal education, personal experience, and the opportunity to teach others for her expertise in both her career and in racing. As her recent induction into the Sports Faith International All Star Hall of Fame shows, The LI is not the only organization to recognize the exceptional accomplishments of Dr. Audrey. Due to her wonderful ability to take advantage of opportunities, gain expertise and rise to the top of multiple fields, Dr. Audrey Zavodsky was chosen as The Leadership Institute’s Woman with Purpose.
Over the last eight months, The LI has unveiled components of Infinitas, eight competencies identified in the lives and behaviors of strong women leaders. The eighth competency is ‘Possesses Expertise’ something Dr. Audrey can claim in multiple fields. Her career at Ford and in racing is a perfect example of how a person possessing expertise “is credible, skillful and maintains…self-directed and self-initiated lifelong learning.” Recently, Dr. Audrey was interviewed about her journey to success and offered some interesting insight on what it means to be an expert.
Dr. Audrey’s Biography:
Audrey Zavodsky, Ford Motor Company program manager, is responsible for leading a global team developing and deploying leadership programs.
Dr. Audrey began her career with Ford in 1993 as a part time nurse. Prior to joining Ford, she served as vice president, Angela Hospice, and as the director for a large area hospital.
In addition to her responsibilities on Ford's learning & development staff, Dr. Audrey is a professional race car driver. She uses her racing experience to help keep Ford employees and race courses safe by emphasizing safety and the use of safety equipment at all of the company's proving grounds. Some of her major racing accomplishments include: women's Global GT Inaugural Race Champion, SCCA Regional Champion (9 states), first certified female Hi-Performance driving instructor by the Bondurant School, Panoz GT Pro wins, Panoz GTS win, SVTOA driving instructor, Ford Motor Company proving ground Tier-3 driver, several IMSA wins, first "2 women team" to finish the 13 hours of VIR, class winner at the 24 hours of Morosso, and back to back wins at Wisconsin’s Road America in the NASA American Iron series.
Dr. Audrey also serves as an environmental ambassador and a motivational speaker. She was honored by the state of Michigan Senate for her leadership at Ford. In addition, she is actively involved in Ford's Professional Women's Network, one of ten Employee Resource Groups available to employees in the U.S. She also has been honored with numerous awards for her contributions to educational institutions and is an honorary United States Thunderbird, having flown the F 16C.
Dr. Audrey received a bachelor of nursing degree and a master's degree in administration from Madonna University. She received a Ph.D. from Fielding University in Santa Barbara, Calif. She currently is serving as a board member of the National American-Arab Nurses Association, and serves as a spokesperson for Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program.
A Message from The LI
Reaching the level of expert is not something that happens overnight. It takes a dedicated effort to say “yes” to opportunities, set goals for learning, and use reflection and feedback to fine-tune skills. This type of effort may seem daunting, but the best leaders realize that every experience, large or small, can become part of their journey. Sometimes, success can be the result of a happy accident, but expertise often comes from a commitment to asking questions, seeking unique solutions to issues, and responding to criticism in a constructive way. Expert leaders also understand the importance of mentoring and sharing their experience with others who may be at the very beginning of their journey.
In an effort to provide resources to women on their journey to possessing expertise, the LI offers courses to help participants plan and grow their own learning, as well as learn how to share their knowledge with others. These courses, including Creating a Leadership Vision and Creating a Coaching Culture, help women in leadership to:
- Create a visual representation of where she wants to lead and serve.
- Articulate her vision to others.
- Ask open, essence, and summary questions.
- Give feedback in a coaching manner.
The LI also provides articles, websites and book recommendations that one may reference when gaining experience and building credibility, including:
- Being An Expert Takes Time, Not Talent, a blog post by Penelope Trunk that delves into the debate about which is more important for becoming an expert: natural ability or lots of practice under good coaching.
- Expert Enough at www.expertenough.com is a website devoted to getting good at things; to wanting to learn more, do more, and be more.
- Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell examines the some of the world’s highest achievers, the experts in their fields, and presents a compelling story of how they reached their full potential.