Michelle Shattuck shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Michelle, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’d love to say that I’m walking some sort of path one that I meticulously planned and was determined to chase to no avail. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you happen to read any previous issues, you’ll see that, somehow, I’ve managed to keep leapfrogging through this sector. “Somehow” . . . that word sounds a bit disingenuous. I admit, a lot of late nights have helped me get to where I am today. So, to answer this question properly, my final answer would be . . . wandering. I hope to continue wandering through this sector, ultimately looking back and seeing a path that maybe isn’t so clear to me today, that somehow was always there.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well as of today, I’m officially introducing myself as the Chief Operating Officer for Amaanah Services a local nonprofit organization that has supported marginalized communities for 15+ years here in the Greater Houston area. Amaanah is dedicated to becoming the leading Post Resettlement organization in Houston. Creating pathways to true empowerment for individuals who are constantly struggling to end the cycle of poverty. Creating programs and opportunities for our neighbors to thrive regardless of where they come from. Enriching the lives of youth who have suffered tremendous trauma, engulfing them with safe spaces and equity. My names Michelle Shattuck and something I’m currently working on is realizing that everyone may be “wandering” just like me and that’s okay. This past year I’ve spent most of my time developing a better foundation for the organization that I’m supporting and understanding that true success comes from great infrastructure and support.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I’d be lying if I said that I’ve never been on the breaking side, a younger and more selfish me most definitely caused a lot more chaos than good. Looking back now I’d say that the one thing that breaks bonds is silence, there are many times in conversation or action that I’ve chosen silence in fear that my feelings mattered less, or my words would be misunderstood. It could be during an argument or moment that maybe I felt less inclined to continue or felt small enough to disappear, so I chose silence as an escape. I now realize that silence is the ultimate bond breaker because silence festers, it slowly grows into resentment or distain for others. It’s always an active choice and most days the easiest but it comes with the highest price. There are other things I could easily choose as well, betrayal, or religion and most days politics. Somehow silence is invoked within all those choices, so what restores the bond? Personally, over communication, communicating at nauseum and then some, learning that communicating your feelings, views and/or beliefs is okay. Fundamentally understanding that everyone has a specific viewpoint inherited by lived experiences that no one may ever understand. Which is TOTALLY okay, restoration comes when we allow ourselves to give grace, pick up the “broken bonds” and move forward together.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would probably sound a bit like this: Michelle, it’s okay to not know who or what you want to be in this life. It’s okay to be absolutely normal and mundane, because nobody is actually perceiving you as anything outside of that. And lastly, everyone is more worried about themselves than they are about you. That last gem comes from a woman I respect and admire most in this world. She is the reason I am a mother today and she knows exactly who she is.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
If you work in this sector, you, too, have to struggle even if your organization is growing and expanding. I witnessed this often in a previous role, and I continue to see it throughout my sector. The notion that passionate people, who want to help great causes, must struggle to do so simply because working in this “sector” means you can’t get adequate pay or fair compensation for your time and efforts is a false narrative. It’s wrong, and it should not remain the status quo. Oh, and let’s not forget, just because a male coworker has been in a role you are inheriting, and they didn’t fight for adequate compensation DOES NOT make that your problem.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What false labels are you still carrying?
Age = Expertise, being “young” means you “don’t know”, in fact, age is irrelevant. I’ve been in many rooms and speaking engagements where I ask myself “What am I doing here?” “Maybe there’s a better person out there for this” it’s normal to feel this way and navigating those feelings is something that I still struggle with but continue to work on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amaanahservices.org
- Instagram: amaanahservices
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-shattuck-/
- Twitter: amaanahservices
- Facebook: amaanahservices
Image Credits
Ammar Selo Photography
