GA 386 | Navigating Your Journey to Success with Michelle Pereira

You know, what can I do to help them be better? And so sometimes it's just listening and making recommendations. But what I've learned along the way is it not. I used to be the person that would just go in and fix things. But what I've learned is it's not my job to fix it. It's my job is to help them find the solution without emotion.

Today I am very excited to announce that I have a first here for the podcast. I'm going to have a family member on. In fact, I'm going to have one of big sisters Michelle on the podcast. And so this is. It was a different experience because, you know, I asked people in the beginning of every podcast to tell me about their background and all that. And I sort of know my sister's background, right. But I did anyhow, just for the audience's benefit. But my sister Michelle actually lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada, and she, she works for Habitat for Humanity, and, and she kind of explains her role there and what she does later on in the podcast. But, you know, we talk you the phone a lot and we talk about, you know, the work that she's doing. And, and she's always interested in lean and asking me questions and different things like that. And so we always have a lot of fun. I said, you know, like last time I talked, I said, you should come onto the podcast and we could just sort of share some of your journey with, with the listeners. And so that's what we do. So she, she, she's familiar with lean, and in fact, she's reading the Toyota Way right now, you know, but she wouldn't consider herself a lean guru or anything like that. But, but what she's, what I'm sorry most proud about with my sister is how successful she's been and the journey that she's gone on and how she's gone about it. And so that's really what I kind of honed in on, was asking her to just tell us a little bit about her career and some of the things that she's done and some of her values and some of the things that drive her both personally and professionally. And so that's sort of the direction that we take with this one. So it is a little bit of a different style episode than most of our traditional lean thinking sort of podcast. But I think you're gonna really like it. My sister is full of energy and she talks with a smile and you'll hear it, and that's what I love about her. So show notes, which will Include links to everything that we talk about can be found over@gembapodcast.com just look for episode 386. Again, gembapodcast.com look for episode 386. Okay, enough from me. Let's get to the show. Michelle, welcome to the. How's it going?

It's going great. Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Yeah. So. Well, this is definitely a first I mentioned on the intro. So everybody knows you're one of my big sisters, and, yeah, I don't think we've ever had a family member on the show, so that's pretty cool. Thanks for coming on.

Well, I'm so glad I get to be first.

Yeah, right. Exactly. All right, well, I know you've listened to the show, Michelle, and we do like to kind of get things started with our guest sharing a quote. So do you have one?

I do. I do. And some of you will know this person. So this president, Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, as most of you likely know, dedicate one week a year to Habitat for Humanity, and they do what's called the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. And so, in 2017, we were fortunate to host both President and Mrs. Carter in Canada. We were one of the host affiliates in Winnipeg. And he does a devotion every year. So if you've ever been to a Carter build, every morning he does a devotion. It is not written down, it is off the cuff, and he is unbelievable. So this quote is one that resonated with me, and I'll just read it. Each one of us can decide what we want in life because each one of us has to decide what kind of person I want to be. Do we want to be selfish or generous? Do we want to believe in peace or conflict? Do we want to be a forgiving person or one that holds a grudge? Do we want to care for other people or not? And building Habitat homes, I think, is the best opportunity we have as Canadians or Americans to put into practice whatever our moral and ethical values, standards might be. And so he went on for another 20 minutes, but this was what kind of. I pulled out from that speech. Yeah.

Yeah. Oh, that's so cool. That's so cool. Well, and we're going to get into a lot about your work there at Habitat there in Manitoba. But before then, tell everybody a little bit about. Well, I sort of know because you're my sister, so it's not for me. This is for the audience, I guess. But why don't you tell us a little bit about your background and for sure. Tell us about the work that you're doing there at Habitat for Humanity.

My career started out in retail. Like most young girls, we just wanted to get a discount on clothes. And then I slowly moved into marketing and communications. Along the way, I've worked for a lot of private texture companies. But when I was a publisher for a newspaper, a small community newspaper here in the city, and, you know, I was doing okay, I was feeling okay, but just wasn't quite right. And this was when our dad was at end of his life. And so I would spend a lot of time with him, one on one, just having conversations. And, you know, my dad and I had a tenuous relationship, but certainly probably the last six months to a year were the best time of our lives. And so he. I'll never forget what he said to me. He says, you have to do something that brings you joy and brings you fulfillment and that you are doing something to help others be better. And so he decided to be an educator. He was professor for 32 years at a university, and we know that. Well, and I'm sure, Ronnie, you've talked about him on your podcast before, but, you know, that really just said. I said, well, I have to make a change. And so I didn't know what that looked like. And at the end of the day, met with a recruiter, and Habitat for Humanity came into my life. And I think it was eight years ago, and this was the best decision of my life. But everything else prepared me to be great here. But this is what brings me joy and fulfillment. And I hope everybody gets that opportunity one day to have a career that you feel has meaningful impact for someone's life.

I mean, I think most people listening are familiar with Habitat and the work that you do, but, I mean, just in case some folks aren't, tell us just a little bit about the mission and. And what you're all about.

So a lot of people think Jimmy Carter started it, and that's not true. He came into it after his last presidency term, but it was. It was created in Georgia. It started in the United States and started out with building one house at a time for someone who just didn't have a home. And so it's an international organization. It is all over the world. The United States certainly has the most affiliates is what each one is called. But we expanded into Canada in 1985, and that was. It was in Winkler, Manitoba was the first Canadian.

Oh, I didn't know that that was in Manitoba.

Okay, yeah, yeah, first one. And when President Carter came in 2017, the, the child from that home showed up and called me and said, hey, I'm the first Habitat kid in Canada. Would you like to meet me? And I said, yes, yes, I would. So he's doing well. And so the purpose of Habitat, and it's slightly different wherever you live, like, but in Canada, and specifically the majority of the affiliates, build new energy efficient homes for families to purchase. And that is the key, is that Habitat does not give away houses. And that is the most important thing. We are providing a handout for them to families who are lower income working families that wouldn't otherwise qualify for traditional mortgage. And so what we do is build an energy efficient home. They buy it from us. So we become the lender, the mortgage holder, and then they pay us an affordable mortgage. And the mortgage is based, the terms are based on their income rather than what the bank says it should be. So the terms are no interest for 15 years. In Manitoba, it's slightly different across the different countries and whatnot. And we base their mortgage payment on their income. So it's 27% of their gross annual income. And that's why it becomes affordable. So the other thing is they don't have to pay down payment. And so in Canada, there is a government organization called Canada Mortgage and Housing and they insure mortgages. So what we do is there's a stress test that you have to take. If you were to go get a traditional mortgage, these families that we work with would not qualify for that. And so they would never be able to get a mortgage or they would never be able to save enough money for down payment. And so what Habitat does is helps them along the way.

Got it, Got it. So tell us a little bit about. Well, I guess what our. We talked a little bit before we hit record on the direction that we were going to go here. And I'm really interested thinking about our listeners and the value that you can bring is, you know, I know that you've gone on quite the personal journey yourself. You know, I mean, you mentioned retail and all the rest of it, but that doesn't really give it justice, you know, on. I mean, because you're. What is your official title now, Michelle?

I am the vice president of marketing, communications and philanthropy.

Okay. So, you know, pretty, pretty. You're pretty big shot now right there. So you're doing very well, you know, and I'm super proud of you, by the way, and I know dad and everybody else is in our family, but, but talk a little bit about your journey and like, how did you do it, you know, because I think everybody listening, no matter where they're at in an organization, you know, we want to be better people. I mean those of us in the continuous improvement world, that's sort of our thing, right. How do we get better ourselves? How do we make our businesses better? How do we make the world better? Right. And I, obviously, I know that's your main thing, right, is making the world better. But let's, let's focus a little bit. I know you don't like to, but focus a little bit on you for now and talk about some of the things that you have done to, to succe really in a professional sense and really a personal sense.

Sure. So thank you for that and thanks for saying that you're proud of me. That means a lot. You know, when a family member says that, it just goes so much farther than anybody else. But you know, I was a one parent home for my majority of my life and that was tough. Raising two boys and they are both very successful and there were days when I didn't think I would survive that or they would survive it, to be honest, you know, but. And then working and trying to be provide a really good environment for them and a good role model kind of was why I did the things that I did and the sacrifices that I had. So I remember my first vacation was when I was 40 years old when I went on a hot vacation. It was the first time and because I just couldn't afford to do it before and just couldn't make it work so. Because it was more important to have them. But you know, I think there's a couple things I was thinking about this. And so I have an amazing group of mentors that I look up to. You are one of them. But I have professional mentors along the way that have really given me some really good advice. And I think that a couple years ago I decided to send a note to each of the people who impacted my life and most of them didn't even know that they had. So if you have somebody in your world that really changed the trajectory of your career, I would highly recommend sending them a quick note. And a handwritten note is just so much better than an email. So put a stamp on it, send it to them, right. And just say thank you. And here's what, because I guarantee you they have no idea that they did that. So I did that. I read a lot. I probably read more now in the last probably three or four years than I ever have. But I love self help books. You know, I love Brene Brown. She makes me laugh because she's so real. So I love all her things, and her Dear Sugar column is just hilarious. I like to read Cy Wakeman from a leadership perspective. She's real, and she really talks about real life experiences. She's not for everybody, but I certainly enjoy her. She's kind of got my personality. I'm reading the Toyota Way right now.

You are? That's awesome. We had Jeffrey Leiker on the podcast. I don't know if you listened to that one or not, but, yeah, he's been on the show, so, yeah.

Oh, that's great. Yeah. Well, hopefully he's listening to this one, so he knows that he's inspiring me. And as. As you grow, I think your leadership interests change. So right now, I actually am working with an executive leadership coach to help me. I always want to be better than I was yesterday. And when I go to work every day, I just want to make sure that I'm giving the best I can so that the team that surrounds us, the team that we have at Habitat in Manitoba is by far the best. The human equity that we have is just really our biggest value to the organization. And so what can I do to help them be better? And so sometimes it's just listening and making recommendations. But what I've learned along the way is it not. I used to be the person that would just go in and fix things, but what I've learned is it's not my job to fix it. My job is to help them find the solution without emotion. And, you know, Ronnie will know I'm an emotional person. And that is. That was hard for me, and that was to be. Not. Not have emotion, be part of the decision. Because, you know, probably about a month ago, we talked about, you know, how do you get someone to agree with your idea? And he said. And you said to me, don't have it. Make it an experiment. You know, have it be where. What is it? What are the measurables that would be. That would need to happen for you to get to. Yes. You know, and so instead of me trying to convince somebody that my idea is the best, let's do an experiment and let's test out two ideas, and then we'll decide which one is best. So I really, really think that that was important.

Yeah. Talk a little bit about the, you know, so your coach that you're meeting with, like, how often do you meet them?

So it was. Her name's Diane McCoy, and I was fortunate enough to be selected to Receive six one hour sessions with her at pro bono. And so it's through a charitable organization that works with nonprofits and we were one of them. So there's four of us at the organization that are getting coaching from different coaches. So she is actually the chair of the organization right now in Canada. And so we spend one hour every two weeks. So I have two left. And we just. It's really, if you have an organization that has a coaching culture, this is really what she does. And so what we do is I get to lead it. And I usually have a scenario or a situation that came up within the last two weeks of what it is that I'd like her advice on. And typically it's really led by me. And then we just work through some of the different scenarios. And she doesn't try to, to make it that even if I had something that I did, not that it was wrong, but there might be a better way. And so that's been a really. An hour goes by very fast, I can tell you. But she's really good and she's really helping me grow as a leader and helping me see things different. And a lot of the things that she talks about is actually reflected in the Toyota Way book, which is interesting, even though she's never read the book. So she's now picked up that book and she's gonna read that.

Awesome, awesome, awesome. So talk a little bit about. I know one of your passions is to, is to help people, but if we think from a professional sense, let's imagine that there's maybe a younger person listening to this podcast right now, and they're sort of just getting started with their professional career. What advice do you have for them? Or maybe another way to look at it is if you could go back and speak to Michelle Pereira back when she was, you know, 21, 22 years old, you know, like, what would you say to your younger self?

Yeah, that's a really good question. So I do a lot of speaking to university and college students. I get to go into these communications classes and gosh, you look at them and they're just doe eyed. And you can't you forget what it feels like to be in your early 20s trying to decide what your life's gonna look like. So what I always say is you're gonna have a path that's gonna have a lot of opportunities to make a left turn or a right turn. And it's really, it's up to you to try to make the right decision. And sometimes you won't make the right decision, and that's okay. It's okay to make mistakes. It's just important that you learn from them. And so I think if I would have gone back in my early 20s, I would say, don't be selfish and don't be an opportunistic person. And I was. So everything that I did, I believe was what's in it for me. And then when I joined Habitat, I actually learned that you get so much more joy and fulfillment out of helping others in anything that you do. So whether it's your volunteer work, your philanthropist, like, some people can give money, some people can give time, and some can give both. And I feel like whatever your journey is in your life, it's important. Important to give somewhere along the way, whether it's your time, money, or both. So that brings me joy to know that I'm helping someone and I get paid to do this, which is don't tell anybody. But sometimes I think that it's like, what is the jig up, right? Like, what are they gonna figure this out? That I actually like this more than them paying me. But, you know, I want people to feel that you need to do something that's gonna impact someone's life to have to be better. And so Habitat Homes does that. But it's a way for us to. You know the saying about, you can bring a man fish, but if you teach him how to fish, he's going to have a much better life. And so Habitat's kind of. That we're teaching them how to have an asset that is going to be their biggest asset they're ever going to have in their life. And what does that look like? And, you know, not every Habitat family succeeds and they fail to. And typically, it's because the family breaks up, someone loses a job and they can't afford the house anymore. But I would just say to anybody that's young and getting started, and even if you're in the middle of your career, you know, go find something that brings you joy and meaning and help someone. So if it's. If it's not your job, then go find a charity that makes. That impacts your life and whatever that looks like. So Habitat happens to be the one that fills my soul. And really, you know, when you see those kids, Ronnie, come in to their house for the first time, because, you know, our families don't get to see the house until it's finished in the inside. And so they're just amazed at what it is. And when you see these little kids, I'm Telling you that's why we go to work every day. When they get to go in and have their own bedroom for the first time and they have this window that they get to look out of and the things that we take for granted, you know, And I mean, I know you have a house full of kids and maybe there isn't. They all share a room, but, you know, can you imagine what that life would look like for them if they didn't have a safe place to live and they didn't have a home that they could bring their friends to? And habitat kids don't have that. They all live in apartments, some in very difficult neighborhoods. And, you know, crime and poverty is everywhere in the world. And I think if we can provide an opportunity for them to have better life, that's why we go to work every day.

Yeah. That's awesome. That's awesome. Well, I guess I'd probably be doing a disservice to our audience since I have you on to maybe share your favorite story about me and what a little knucklehead I was or of our family.

I don't know.

What do you got? How you can go ahead and embarrass me now if you want.

Well, I could say that I paved the way for you because after mom got through me, she was exhausted, so I gave her a run for money. So. So your life was like gold plated because she just didn't have any energy left. And you were the golden child for sure.

Well, and also I was very observant. I was like, note to self, don't do that. Or if you do it, don't do it that way.

Yeah, yeah, don't let. Don't get caught. Right. So, yeah, don't get caught. So I wasn't good at that. But you know, Ronnie, I think, and I call you Ronnie, Nobody's gonna know that, but that's what we always called you when you were growing up. And it's not gonna change. But, you know, I think that, gosh, there's so many stories. We used to call him Scrawny Ronnie because he's so skinny. When he was little, oh, my gosh. It was like. And then we would ride the bus when we lived in Greenville, and you were so nervous. So you throw up on the bus and you have to.

Well, listen, I've told that story, actually. Remember Jeff Marker?

Yes.

Who was our neighbor there in Gettysburg. So I've told the story on the podcast, in fact, about that time when he came and let me sit in the back seat with Him. I don't know if you remember that, but it, like, basically cured me. I remember. You remember, I would literally throw up on the bus every day, you know, And. And Jeff came on that one morning at the bus stop, and mom had put him up to it, apparently, or went to Bev, the neighbor mom, and put Jeff up to it, but he still did it, you know, And. And it. And I remember sitting with him like, oh, my gosh, I went from the front puking to the alpha guy in the back, you know, the big quarterback, you know, And. And. But we pulled up to the school, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, I didn't throw up, you know, and from then on, I was like, I tell people, I said on that podcast, and I mean it, that I feel like Jeff changed my life, you know, like, he really did, like, as far as, you know, and it showed, to your point, life of an act of kindness, you know, and just. Even if it wasn't 100% authentic, you know, because he was put up to it, you know, but he still did it, and he did a good job of it, and we became friends after that. Right? But. But that. That single moment in time, like, it, wow, it cured me, if you will, of my anxiety on the school bus, which was a big deal to a seventh grade kid, you know, I mean, so. But it's funny that you. That you mentioned that, you know, because that. That was a really pivotal point in my life as a. As a young man.

That's a grill. Yeah. And so I don't remember the Jeff doing that, but. Yeah, I always remember. Remember that. But the other funny thing, too, that happened was our mom would always put money under the silverware drawer for you, just in case you needed death. I think it was $20. So I think she says she wants you to start putting money under her silverware drawer now. It's time. It's time. Yeah. But, you know, I think people have heard you talk about your family and your kids, but, I mean, you are an amazing person. You are a great husband, you're a great brother and great son and an exceptional dad, and we're all lucky to have you in our life.

Well, thank you. Thank you. All right, well, listen, this has been fun, you know, having you on and just kind of letting you share your story a little bit if folks want to connect with you. Michelle, what's the best way?

Yeah, I'm on LinkedIn. Michelle Pereira. And just look for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. There's a lot of Pereiras out there. There's a bunch of us, but I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and I would love to connect with anybody that hears this and maybe we could swap Ron Pereira's stories or something. I don't know.

Well, yeah, for sure. And then, and also, I mean, for all the lean folks out there, I mean, I feel like, you know, you talked about, you know, helping your community and man, there's been. I, I need to do more of it. But I have in the past, you know, like I went and helped like there was a shelter for women who were, yeah, like leaving their husband. They're, they're in an abusive relationship or whatever. And, and so this, this place would help women like that. And, and the way they made money was people donated clothes and you know, whatever it was. And, and, and then they would, they would resell it. Right. And that's how they made money for this, for this group. And, and so I, I knew someone who knew someone sort of thing and, and they were having a big problem with just like running their business. Right. And so I went in there and, and helped them out and we, we did some lean stu. Things like that to sort of organize. But I mean it didn't, it was all pro bono obviously. And, but I remember like that was an amazing experience. Using like lean for me is like breathing, right. Like, it's not hard. Right. Like I know how to go help people. I can help people. And so I would challenge everybody listening right now, you know, you know, those of us who are lean and Six Sigma continuous improvement practitioners, we really need to step up, you know, and. Yeah, yeah, help your company and that's your job, you know, and you get paid for that and that's great and keep doing that. But you know, we should be using our talents other places, you know, like in the local soup kitchen or your church or your kids school, who's probably a mess, right. As far as their, you know, organization and productivity. Like go, go lend your talents, you know, and not only are you going to help people, but you're going to feel great yourself. Right? And so I feel like that's something that our community, there's a lot of folks in our community that do that, but I think all of us should be doing it. If we're not.

That's such a great point. And you know, Habitat charities. You didn't say Habitat in there, so make sure Habitat is one. Yeah, I hope Habitat there is a hap.

But you guys aren't a mess. You know, we need to go where the mess is right now. Just Kidding.

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Well, you know, we're not a mess in Winnipeg, but there are, there might be something. But you know, I think, you know, we are successful as an affiliate because we run the charity like a business. We don't run it like charity going and groveling and using just inadequate talent. But you know, our board of directors is a really good way for us to. We select people who have a particular skill set and if your talent is lean, it can be implemented. I love how lean can go into a non manufacturing world. So I use some of the things that you talk about in my day to day. But charities can't afford to hire people like you to come in and do something because what do you get, 15, $20,000 for an hour or something like that?

Something like that, yeah.

In and you talk to a Toyota plant. But you know, I think that what you can go in and give your particular skillset and most of them don't know that they need you and that's the biggest thing. So if you can go and meet with some of the leadership teams of a charity that is meaningful for you. So you might have been affected, you know, by cancer or children's hospital or a shelter of some sort, that is all, you know, find something that you believe in and then that will help you go and use your skillsets. But we're starving for volunteers that have the skill sets of your audience and you will definitely be received. Well, they might not know that they want you, so they might be a bit resistant at first, but you just have to say, hey, I heard this lady talking about this on one of the podcasts I listened to and I think. And it's really good. So charities depend on volunteer skill sets like your audience has. And those of you that are listening right now, whatever that looks like, it doesn't have to be your kids school because you have to do that anyways. You have to help with your kids school, but do something that has nothing to do with your kids and it will be so much better.

Yeah, for sure, for sure. Awesome.

You have to coach football. You have to coach football. That's part of it, right?

Yep. We were two a day started this week. Michelle. So Ryan's at 6am practice and then again at 6pm so he's, he's hurting a little bit. He probably could have worked a little harder in the off season. So he's paying his penance now. But that's good, right? Natural consequences.

Yeah, that's, that's awesome. So I mean, I think you're at the stage right now where you still have young kids and it's important for you to be there for them. My children are 30 and 25, so they don't need me as much anymore, so it's good to go find things. But the other advice I would give, and we can end it there, is don't over commit yourself to things because as soon as somebody finds out that you have a skill set, you're going to over commit and then you're actually not useful to anybody and then it affects your day to day. Right. So, so make sure you leave time to do some self care and whatever that looks like.

Yes, that's so, so important. You know, in fact, that's something that my business partner Kevin talks a lot about is, you know, taking care of yourself. You know, if you have to care for others, you know, take care of yourself first because it's kind of like put on your own oxygen mask right before you help anybody else. Right. Because if you pass out, you're not gonna be able to help anybody. So. Good stuff.

It's true. And, and the best, Saying no sometimes is the best thing for everybody is to say that, thank you for asking me to be a part of this, but it just isn't going to work for me right now. But it's actually really powerful to be able to say no because I'm a yes type of personality and so I have been known to over commit myself. And then you're just tired at the end of it and you really aren't useful and not giving your best. So.

Yeah, that's awesome.

Okay to say it's okay to say no too.

Yeah. Well, thanks again, again. I'm super proud of you, Michelle. And, and, and love, love, love talking to you and always feel better after we, after we connect. So keep up the great work. And, and I don't, I don't think if I've ever said this on the podcast where I'm 100% positive, but I love you.

I love you too.

That would be weird if I told him I really love you. You know, Mr. And Mrs. Lean Thinker.

We always, you know, we did grow up in a family that said I love you lots. And so it feels good to be able to do that on a national, internationally renowned podcast.

Well, it sure does. All right, well, take care and give my best to the boys and we'll talk soon.

That's great. Thank you. Bye.

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