“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
Life Leadership is a company built upon excellence. Whether someone’s role is to sell life-changing products, build a compensated community of entrepreneurs or participate behind the scenes as an events coordinator or customer service rep, the mission remains the same: to serve, to lead and to model excellence. The Golden Rascal Award is given to a corporate office employee who embodies these qualities. While this award could be given to any number of people, only one is chosen per month. That’s what makes winning this award so special. In December 2015, the winner of the Golden Rascal Award was Barbara Wolosonowich. Read her inspiring interview and story below!
Life Leadership Interview with Barbara Wolosonowich
First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. I have a twin sister and younger sister who I am very close with. I have also lived in Vermont and New England. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in English and at the time I always wanted to go into publishing. Then, when Life Leadership moved to North Carolina last year I moved with the company. I didn’t really have anything keeping me in Michigan, except for some family who I have still been able to visit often. So, it was an easy decision for me to move.
How long have you been with Life Leadership? How did you land your position with the company and what is your current role at the corporate office?
It’s a really cool story so I want to share! I have been with the company for 3.5 years. I had stage 4 ovarian cancer at 30 yrs old and left my job during that time. So, between 2008 and 2012 I was working part-time jobs while trying to get back on my feet. However, I could never find a full-time job because I was always too overqualified. Not to mention I was battling severe health issues and other personal challenges. Then, around the end of that four year period my mom had lost her job as a nurse (who I was living with) and I felt I had to step-up and start to take care of her (since she had been taking care of me). So, I had put in a couple applications at a temp agency. My mom was fired on a Tuesday, I got a call from the temp agency on that Wednesday that a company wanted an interview with me the following Monday. Then, during that Monday interview, I had gotten another call that Life Leadership wanted an interview with me the next day, on Tuesday morning. I was doing my research on Life Leadership the night before and I thought to myself, “I really, really want to work for Life Leadership.” So, Tuesday morning I had my interview with Life Leadership and as I left the interview I got a call from the temp agency saying that the other company wanted to hire me. I knew I really needed a full-time job but I didn’t want that job, I wanted the job at Life Leadership. The other company wanted an answer from me by noon that day (on Tuesday) and I couldn’t make a decision. So, I called the temp agency to see if they could talk to Life and get an answer right away. Literally, by 11:59pm on Tuesday, the same day of my interview, I got a call from the agency that Life Leadership wanted to hire me. It was AMAZING!! And the rest is history! 🙂 Currently, I am the customer service manager. For anyone wondering, I am cancer free and it is a miracle that I am still alive. All along, I knew it wasn’t my time to go. I know this was all part of God’s plan!
What is the best part of your job and how do you envision your future with the company?
The best part of my job is working with the customer service reps. I do all of the training and I love helping them understand their role better and teach them all the ins and outs of the company. I believe that we make such a difference in customer service and we get to see the progress that the company has made from a completely different perspective than anyone else. Our job is SO important. We deal in crisis and it requires a positive attitude every day in order to better service our Members and customers.
I see myself being with the company for a long time. I just LOVE what I do. I can’t wait to see what my role is with the company when we are servicing MILLIONS of customers and Members around the world. And in the meantime, regardless of what “position” I am in, I want to help us get there!!
Why do you think you were awarded the coveted Golden Rascal Award in December?
I think it’s my work ethic and attitude of excellence. I am constantly striving to make myself better and help others become better at their job, specifically in the customer service department.
Do you have a favorite book in the Life Leadership product portfolio?
I have two favorites. One of our Leadership Essentials series books: Dealing with Difficult People and a book that we read in one of our continuous improvement training sessions a couple of years ago called: That One Thing by Gary Keller.
Now for some fun questions! What would you say is your lifelong passion?
Singing and music! When I was 18, I was asked to audition to sing professionally but I turned it down. I even have season tickets to the local Broadway shows here in North Carolina. I just love everything about music.
If you could have any superpower, what would you have?
ESP – I want to be able to read other people’s minds. Naturally, I am shy – until you get to know me. I would love to be able to foresee a conversation before it actually happens so I can think through my response. It’s really for my own selfish benefit. 🙂
If you were on a desert island and could only bring three things, what would you bring and why?
I have known this answer since I was a kid when I first read Lord of the Flies:
- Lip Balm – for multiple uses (skin protection, rashes, etc)
- Matches – for fire
- Glasses – you can use the lenses to reflect the sun to make fire and other sources of heat
If you had a time machine, where would you go – back in time or sometime into the future and why?
I would go back in time. I don’t want to know the future. I like to experience life as it happens. I would go back to the Jane Austen Era (late 1700’s) – I just love her, she is my favorite author. I would love to sit with her and learn her writing style. She had a lot of influence on literature today. I would also love to live in those simpler times.
Tell us about one of your most embarrassing experiences.
I was a teenager around 14 years old and I was in a literary club in Middle School and we were going to the Fox Theater in Detroit with our class of 7th grader’s and we stopped at a McDonald’s afterwards. I was wearing a white polka dot dress and I had gone to the bathroom and when I walked out, the male teacher tapped me on the shoulder and said, “your skirt is tucked into your tights and undergarment.” I had already walked in front of all of my classmates before he said something. Ugh. It was so embarrassing! Something I will never forget.
Do you have a favorite quote?
It is the first sentence in Jane Austen’s book, Pride and Prejudice:
“It is truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” – Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)
Well, to wrap up, what do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working?
I feel like I work all the time but when I do have some down time I like to have fun. I just like to laugh! I don’t like drama. I love to listen to music on my record player – Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and a lot of the classics. I like to read, watch football (I am passionate about the Detroit Lions!) and travel as well.
Life Leadership is so thankful for the efforts that the corporate office employees put into their work. Congratulations to Barbara Wolosonowich for winning the prestigious Golden Rascal Award for the month of December! It is well-deserved.
Jason says
Fired up Barbara!! You rock!! Thx for all you do!!
Elizabeth Sieracki says
I love these interviews. The office staff plays such a huge role in LOFE leadership. It’s nice to go “behind the scenes.”
Thank you Barbara for all you do!!!
Martha Spaniolo says
Oh Barbara congratulations! Your name seemed so familiar until realizing that you have replied to some of my questions in the past when writing in to the company. Thank you for all you do! Your story, your interview was beautifully written & a joy to read. It has been a pleasure getting to know you through the written word. What an honor to have you as an integral part of our customer service staff. Thank you for your candidness, for sharing a part of you, and for bringing excellence to all you do including this awesome organization.
Congrats!
Martha Spaniolo
Peggi Kern says
I love that we can get to know those who work at Life Office through these interviews! Barbara has helped me out many times and I’m so proud of her commitment to Life Leadership! I’m so thankful for all you do to help things run smoothly for the Life members, Barbara!
Donna Adcock says
Congratulations, Barbara! Well done!
Imelda Román says
Congratulations Barbara!
Pat says
Barbara, I am not surprised at your award. Your help and servant attitude has been obvious to us every time we have communicated with you. Hearing your story and learning more about you just makes us feel even more like you are part of our team, as of course you are.
Congratulations!!
Tony and Pat Tefel
Diane Hussey says
I love that LIFE does these interviews. Barbara,, you are a true inspiration. A model of courage, optimism, and life. We’re happy we have you at LIFE!!!
Leslie Gebhart says
I love that this isn’t a “JOB” to you either Barbara!! I’m sure that’s why you’re so awesome at what you do! It’s a CALLING. 🙂
Thanks for all you do! Onward and upward in 2016.
Michele Lewis says
Congratulations Barbara. Thanks for all you do for the Life Leadership Members. It’s great to hear your story and learn a bit more about the heart of the staff at the office.
Hester Horwitz says
Congratulations Barbara ~you truly inspired me today ~you dealt with being jobless and still fighting cancer too ~and then God showed His favour in your life ~our Jehovah Jireh who always provide
Robby Palmer says
Barbara has been awesome! She is so great to work with. Thank you and congratulations!
Bernice Gibson says
Congratulations Barbara,
Thank you for your service! We appreciate all you and the other customer service reps at Life Leadership do to help make our businesses run more smoothly.
Great job!
Chris Brady says
Great interview!
Congratulations again, Barb, on winning this award. You deserve it!
CB
Rita says
We have had several situations that Barbara has answered and taken care of so professionally. LIFE Leadership is blessed to have her on board!
Linsey K. says
What a fun interview to read!! Great job, Barbara!! We can’t thank you enough for all that you do!! 🙂
Lance Myers says
Wow, Barbara! We used to attend the same church in Flint, Michigan! Congratulations on the award that you very well deserve! #lovelifeleadership
Tom Moris says
Congratulations Barbara! You are an fighter and a winner. You have a great story. Thank you and all the customer service reps at Life Leadership for making things run smoothly. We really appreciate all that you do behind the scenes each and every day. Keep up the great work!
Moira says
Barbara, congratulations! You have truly earned the Golden Rascal in so many ways. Thank you for doing all you do for those in the Life Leadership office and for those of us in the field.
Elaine Mallios says
Wow Barbara! What a story! Who knew? Thanks for all you do.
freakerlife says
Congratulations Barbara! Great post keep on posting
paul says
Congratulations Barbara! keep on with the fighting spirit.
Susan Strickler says
Thanks for sharing your story Barb! You are appreciated by all of us in the field! Thank you!!
Rich King says
Congrats on your win; all membesr of the support staff are deserving of this reward and I’m proud to be with a company that recognizes the worth of their staff…with Chris at the helm, I’d have expected nothing else. Barbara, you are an integral member of LIFE, it’s great to see your accomplishments and know you’re there to help those of us in the field. Thank you.