On My Own Path: Why I Stopped Comparing and Started Winning

I was born on a hot August day in Chicago and was immediately placed in the careof Catholic Charities. I’ve never met my birth parents, and for much of mylife, I didn't know why I was given up. But I’ve come to understand that what began as a mystery eventually unfolded into purpose. When the Bakers from the West Side chose me from that nursery, they gave me more than a home — they gave me a foundation of unconditional love and belonging. That gift shaped the trajectory of my life.

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For nearly three decades, I climbed the ranks to Project Management in the engineering and construction world; a field where women like me weren’t often seen, let alone heard. My resume was full: managing national security programs, leading nuclear plant upgrades, even overseeing chemical weapons destruction for the Department of Defense. On the outside, I had "made it." But on the inside, I was mimicking the leadership styles I saw around me – bureaucratic, loud, fear-based - and silencing my own.

At the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, I hit a wall. Trying to lead like everyone else backfired. I raised my voice to command respect, only to find myself disrespected, disconnected, and questioning who I had become. That failure wasn’t the end—it was the beginning. It forced me to ask: Who am I really, and how do I want to lead?

The answer came when I dived deeper into emotional intelligence. I stopped comparing myself to others and started listening to my own voice; unlocking the true strength of empathy and authenticity. I realized I didn’t need to talk louder to be heard. I only needed to connect on a deeper level. When others respect you, you can lead with compassion and still drive results and accountability.

In 2017, I founded Altitude Executive Coaching, not because I had all the answers, but because I had finally found my own. Now, I guide organizations to build cultures where people feel seen, safe, and inspired. I teach leaders that empathy is not weakness—it’s an emotional and economical gift. The Return on Empathy is real: trust, engagement, and bottom-line growth.

Being adopted taught me the value of self-worth. Working in male-saturated industries taught me how to self-advocate. And initially failing as a leader taught me self-awareness: how to succeed as myself.

I no longer compare my journey to others. I’ve stopped asking for permission to show up fully. I’ve stopped chasing someone else’s definition of leadership or success. The minute I chose to lead on my own terms—vulnerably, intentionally, authentically—I started winning and you will too!

Email: slamb@altitude-exec.com
Website: https://altitude-exec.com/
Contact Number: 240.566.2718
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-lamb-mba-541b935/
Certifications: Certified Business Coach, Certified Executive Coach, MHSEQi-2.0 and TTI Success Insights EQ Certifications, Certified Executive Education Instructor

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