Gail Webber

Organization Development Consultant

Gail Webber’s own story of success leads her to inspire others every day!

Do you secretly fear that you aren’t “enough?” Not smart enough, not capable enough, not brave enough, not “whatever” enough? And, further, do you fear being found out? You are not alone!! Read on.

Today I had the extreme pleasure of speaking with Gail Webber, an Organization Development Consultant and Professional Coach. I love hearing women’s stories as you know, but I have not spoken with anyone yet who started working at the age of 5! From poverty to prosperity, Gail’s is an inspiring story of NOT believing in herself, but forging ahead anyway.

Gail grew up in South East Missouri and it was not uncommon at that time for children over the age of 5 to work in the cotton fields. At this tender age, Gail found herself picking, weeding, and whatever else she was capable of doing. Fast forward ten years… to when the family moved for a short time to California and although underage, she managed to talk herself into a receptionist position at the local Country Club.  She didn’t know she was great at sales!

Back in Missouri, with high school graduation in sight, Gail did not try for admission to college because she didn’t feel she was smart enough. After graduation, as so many young women did, she found herself married at 18 and a mother at 19. Young women at that time were generally either homemakers or career women. So, although she needed to work, her mind-set was that since she wasn’t a “career woman” she would not be able to pursue career positions that might be more attractive and lucrative. She did, however, land a position at what became McDonnell-Douglass then Boeing Aircraft where she was on hand for both the Mercury and Gemini space race.

At 30, and after a move to back to California, when Gail’s son was nine and the family was on a more stable economic footing, she made the decision to give college a try in spite of the fact that she still carried around those “I’m not smart enough…they will find me out,” tapes. She forged ahead anyway. She graduated with an AA degree from the local community college, was accepted to Cal State Fresno from which she graduated not only with honors but with a double major in Journalism/Public Relations and Women’s Studies.

Probably the work she did within the Women’s Studies area (remember, this was in the 70s) gave her the courage to apply to graduate school. Of course she was accepted and graduated with honors once again. Her Master’s thesis was entitled “The Effect of Positive Role Models on Women’s Career Choices.” This “not smart enough” woman was asked by Cal State Fresno to be the new director for the Women’s Studies department. In the six years she was the Director, she built it into a very powerful program. Although her career was on target, she simultaneously grappled with all the challenges inherent in a contentious divorce. 

After healing, she met a wonderful life partner and they have been together for the last 26 years! But a move from Fresno presented yet another challenge for Gail. How was she going to bridge her work in academia to finding employment in California’s high technology sector. The solution? She became a trainer in what was one of the first women-owned technology companies in Silicon Valley – ASK Computer. Next, she was recruited by Network Equipment Technologies (another woman owned technology company) to develop a training program which heretofore did not exist. She’d done it in Academia, now she’d done it in Corporate and finally Gail took ownership over the fact that she was and is a “builder!”

At 59, Gail found herself once again asking that nagging question which always nudged her into action… “is this all there is?” She wanted more flexibility to share time with the ones she loved and geographic independence…to be able to work from anywhere.

One of the things she loved about “training” was seeing the light that came into people’s faces as they tried and conquered knowledge and gained the confidence that would lead them to success. And, although she had heard of “coaching,” not much information was available at the time. She researched, she talked to everyone she knew (and didn’t know), and she relentlessly followed every “vein” until she found an accredited school. She became a life/career coach and has continued to enroll in advanced training every year since.

What makes Gail an especially effective coach is her background in both academia and within corporations. From an entry level perspective to an executive’s viewpoint, she’s been there, done that and shares the wisdom. But, what many of her clients would undoubtedly say sets her apart is her ability to guide them to see and taste what they are actually capable of and working with them to make those visions a reality.

She delights when she sees her clients open up and free themselves of limitations and knows that “look” when one realizes that they possess a talent that will take them to success. Often they believe, in error, that if they can do a particular thing easily and well, then everyone else can too! She must be doing a great job because as her clients reach their goals, they often return to work with her to tackle the next step on their road to further success.

What Gail learned along her way to success and she shares with others today:

• Even if you think you are not smart enough (or whatever enough) “check it out, ask the questions.” You may surprise yourself!
• Don’t limit yourself by giving into fear.
• If you feel dissatisfied…if you find yourself asking “Is this all there is?” You owe it to yourself to explore your potential. You just may find yourself asking “Is this all there is to IT?” when you become a success.

Gail invites you to visit her at http://www.GailWebber.net.