As she reflected on her career, first as a business owner with her husband, then a stay-at-home mom of three, an MBA student, adjunct professor, full-time professor, and then special assistant to the president, she’s learned several lessons.

“My voice matters,” Patterson said. “There was a time in my career where I wouldn’t have made my desires and needs known as readily. I don’t know what held me back.

 “I hesitated to say … to let them know my desire for leadership or advancement. … I kind of expected to work, work, work, show outcomes and then be recognized by other people for my accomplishments. … Sometimes you have to say, ‘This is what I can do and what I would like is an opportunity for leadership one day.’… I tell young women no one is going to give you what you don’t ask for.”

The communication cannot stop there. Once in leadership, Patterson says you also need to clearly communicate to others who you want to be as a leader and what your goals and expectations are. It's something she continues to work on.

The communication helps in the process of strategically earning trust. 

“Earning trust really has to do with your behavior and posture toward other people” she said. 

Trust, along with passion, communication and clarity are key in leadership, Patterson said.