Company values are what motivate us to do the work we do. They’re what get us up and out the door in the morning. Our values at Angel Oak are simple: people, family, faith, and grit.
Let’s talk about grit.
As a company, we’ve defined grit as working with a “whatever it takes” attitude. Google defines it as courage and resolve – or strength of character. But when I think of grit, I now feel an added personal and spiritual weight to it – an element that makes it much more valuable to me as I transition from part-time to full-time work with Angel Oak.
Let me explain.
I just completed the Raleigh Fellows Program … a nine-month Christian leadership development and training program for recent college graduates that allowed me the opportunity to work at Angel Oak three days a week. The program is designed to foster a God-centered view of knowledge, culture, work, and life. It’s been an awesome year! And I believe it’s prepared me well for my next season of life.
But let me tell ya – it took a whole lot of grit.
I’ve been challenged in ways I could never have imagined this year! I’ve been challenged spiritually – learning how to better understand scripture and create space for it to permeate my life and soul. I’ve been challenged emotionally – wrestling with the truths of my identity and how to daily live out those truths. And I’ve been challenged physically – I fractured a rib and spent a lot of intentional time developing healthy routines of rest.
And experiencing positive growth from these challenges didn’t happen by me sitting back in my chair and watching the year go by! No, growth happened because I chose to grab hold of these opportunities and challenges. I used grit. I chose grit. And I was rewarded. I am graduating from the Fellows program with stronger faith convictions, life-long peer relationships, new habits of discipline, and a fresh perspective on living into who I was created to be.
The grit was worth it.
At Angel Oak, I’ve been inspired to choose grit in every aspect of my job. Our clients do whatever it takes to carry out their missions, so, in turn, we do whatever it takes to help them succeed. We dig in, so they can dig in deeper. We choose grit, together.
In June, I will officially transition from being a full-time Fellow and part-time “angel,” to a full-time “angel.” I plan to approach my full-time work with the same steadfastness and endurance as I did the Fellows program – with the same eyes-on-the-prize mentality. Actively pressing in to opportunities and challenges.
I will continue to live with grit – personally and professionally.
Here’s to another awesome year!
– Elaina Dove, Marketing Coordinator
