Authored by half full, llc

At half full, we’re “people before professionals” and that means deeply knowing our people — from our clients to our colleagues to our community partners. To that end, we’re excited to kick off our newest series, “5 Minutes With,” enabling you to get to know each of our incredible team members better. Today, we are chatting with Michelle Lemoi (connect with her here!), our newest half full addition and our Client Impact Partner!

We’d love to dive deeper into the story of your career. Please share with us the highlights from your story, key themes, impact you’re most proud of 😊

Michelle: Throughout my career, I believe I have been led to where I have been needed most to foster change and create impact as well as learn. For 30 years that industry was construction with a focus on project and operations management. I've worked for small and large organizations and have been an entrepreneur for over 10 years. The key themes I have always focused on are people, change, growth, integrity, and profits. I'm most proud of operating my own steel erecting company, Lemoi Erectors Inc, from 2009-2016 growing it from $250K in annual revenue to $8M and having had an amazing team that said YES to trusting me and fully contributing to that adventure.    

What is your core WHY and motivator? And how does that translate into your career? 

Michelle: My core WHY is to help others be the best version of themselves. I believe when we do the work on ourselves, we can then be the change and impact we want to see in the world. My purpose here on this earth is to share the knowledge, experience, and wisdom that I have gained throughout my life and career with the hopes that if it benefits one other person, then everything I have experienced will all have been worth it. I work to actively listen so that others can feel seen and heard.  I'm so passionate about connection because I have been fortunate to have evolved in my own journey through the power of being seen and heard.   

As half full’s Client Impact Partner you will play a critical role in driving and supporting our mission of cultivating unbreakable client relationships. What does the phrase “Client Impact” mean to you?   

Michelle: For me, Client Impact means there is intentional focus on deeply understanding our clients' WHY and shepherding them through our curation and design process to deliver what we refer to as “not your average facilitation experiences.”

Check out our Founder’s Latest Blog on “Not Your Average Facilitation”

It also includes building solid relationships by cultivating trust while exhibiting an unwavering commitment to excellence. Client Impact internally means positioning half full, llc, for continued growth by enhancing operations, processes, and framework for success to benefit our valued clients.   

What is something you are most proud of that you achieved in the client success, relationship and management world? 

Michelle: I pride myself on showing up in authenticity, truth, and integrity. Over the past 30 years, I have been known for my attention to detail, my ability to communicate thoroughly, and develop relationships that have lasted a lifetime. It is truly about connection for me and that doesn't end when the project is completed.  For me, it's all about cultivating a mutually beneficial relationship, targeting the client's objectives through conversation, and delivering above and beyond expectations.   

You have incredibly unique skill sets and past experiences that we can’t wait to tap into — your construction roots, being a published author, energy alchemist, and so on! How will these powerful parts of you shape how you approach your role? 

Michelle: I feel blessed, honored, and grateful for my journey. I've been so fortunate to have said YES to so many opportunities and all of them contribute to the fabric of who I am, Michelle Lemoi. Having had these different experiences allows me to lean into my strengths and aim them towards new opportunities. 

I'm so super excited about this opportunity with half full, llc, because of the incredible work this team does with leading change, putting people first, and tackling some challenging content around workplace development. I know that based on my diverse background and my values, that I am in alignment with the impactful mission of half full, llc, and can lend support to contribute to the growth of this organization.   

What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities you see in the workplace right now? 

Michelle: One of the biggest challenges I see in workplace development revolves around getting comfortable with difficult conversations and how to lean into empathy, listening, understanding, and connection to foster trust and transparency. One of the biggest opportunities I see in the workplace right now is team building and breaking down the "silo" mentality that was reinforced during our COVID years. People are longing for connection and organizations have an opportunity now to do the work to recreate and reconnect. Both are really exciting to dig into!   

Related Read: Prioritizing Human Connection in the Workplace  

Final question… what is your favorite word and why?    

Michelle: My favorite word is fascinating! What I love about this word is it helps me to be present, ask questions, get curious, and be open to understanding. Rather than reacting, I can pause and really view the situation or person with a change of perspective. It's like embarking on a science fair experiment! The insight, self-awareness, and problem solving that can arise from framing people, situations, and organizations in this new lens is well, fascinating!