Effective Leadership and Growth: Capitol Hill Strategies from a Seasoned Staffer
This week, we spoke to Heather Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Representative William Timmons.
Can you tell me about your career path that you’ve taken that’s led you to where you are now?
I have been on Capitol Hill for over eight years now and have had almost every single job in a Congressional office. I started out as a Staff Assistant and Scheduler, moved into a legislative and communications role for a House Committee, helped start up a new office for a Member after winning a special election in the middle of the Congress, and now I am Deputy Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager for Rep. William Timmons (SC-04). Some might call me a utility player.
Which specific policy areas or legislative issues are you most passionate about, and how do you stay informed and engaged in those areas?
Fixing Congress from the inside out. Anyone who’s spent time on Capitol Hill probably has dozens of ideas on how to fix it. It’s obvious Washington is broken, so I am always asking myself, “how can we make this place function better so that we can get more done for the American people?” Our country faces major issues and is relying on our leaders to solve them. The American people deserve an effective, efficient, and transparent Congress that works for them.
In your role as Deputy Chief, strong leadership is essential for keeping the team motivated and focused on the office’s agenda, especially when navigating numerous issues. Could you share some strategies or techniques you employ to inspire and motivate your team, ensuring that everyone remains committed to achieving the office’s objectives despite any challenges they may face?
I am solutions-oriented, so if there’s a problem, instead of dwelling on it, let’s fix it! Things happen, and we all make mistakes, but it’s about how we grow and learn from them. I’ve been doing this for a while now, so I have gotten pretty good at anticipating the problems that will likely come up so that we can be proactive and be ready to address them before they happen. It’s great to have a plan, but you also have to be mindful that when it comes to a session day on the Hill, nothing ever goes according to plan.
Being flexible and ready to adapt to the constant change in schedule, priority, or the need of the day is how I can stay focused on getting the job done.
Describe a challenging or rewarding project that significantly influenced your growth as a professional. How did you handle the challenge, and what did you learn from the experience?
My most challenging—yet rewarding—project this Congress is our most recent election. In an intense primary cycle with national interest, we worked hard to run a campaign while managing the demands of being in Congress. You can’t take days off to hit the campaign trail when you have work in Washington, DC. Balancing multiple roles, putting in the hours, and getting results for our constituents ultimately paid off, and we won our contested primary. I am really proud of that.
What distinguishes the experience of working as a congressional staffer in its unique work environment, and how do you navigate its challenges in your everyday work?
One of the biggest challenges is work-life balance. I am sure a lot of people in other jobs feel the same way, but as Congressional staffers, we aren’t just here to perform our tasks, we are fighting for what we believe in. Especially in this day and age with a 24-hour news cycle and two phones in our pockets, it really is a 24/7 job. That’s why it’s so important to find things that motivate you and help you find that balance outside of the Capitol complex. That way, you can come back to the office ready to keep going.
Leadership often involves guiding and mentoring others. Could you share a specific example of how you’ve supported the professional development of your team members, helping them grow in their roles and excel in their skill sets?
With my role comes the great responsibility of supporting and advocating for my team. I think it goes back to my solutions mindset. I want my colleagues to feel rewarded and challenged in their roles, and I am always looking for ways to make that happen for them. I have also been the beneficiary of some fantastic mentors here on the Hill, and I am always trying to do the same for the younger generation of staffers.
Word association, what is the first word that comes to mind for each of these?
Networking – Essential
Writing Skills – Crucial
Working as a congressional staffer – Exhilarating
Leadership Connect – Helpful
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