Name: Alicia Hurtt

Title: Executive Director

Organisation: I See My Baby Inc.

Born and raised to Trinidad and Barbados natives in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan area, Alicia Hurtt grew up with strong cultural roots and a deep appreciation for service. Her mother, a dedicated servant leader, spent her life tirelessly caring for others, but in Alicia’s eyes, she never had the chance to fully discover herself.

Alicia Hurtt’s life was reshaped after witnessing her mother’s passing just before retirement age, a moment that profoundly impacted her understanding of purpose and fulfillment. Inspired by this realization, Alicia made the bold decision to leave the rat race, pick up a pen, and turn her own journey into a clear path for other women seeking to navigate their own lives.

As the author of over 32 books and the founder of I See My Baby, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women and families through holistic wellness and empowerment, Alicia has committed herself to creating a lasting impact. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, and holding a master’s degree in Leadership and Christian Education, Alicia’s stories are designed to inspire and uplift, deeply rooted in her faith and her relationship with God, which guides her purpose and life’s mission.

A proud wife and mother of four, Alicia’s family has been central to her journey, motivating her to envision, manifest, and believe in the power of faith and perseverance. Through her writing and nonprofit work, she offers women the tools and support to overcome life’s challenges, grow, and discover their true potential on their own unique journeys.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

I hope Alicia's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

As a leader, I build trust with employees, customers, and stakeholders at I See My Baby Inc. by fostering open communication, demonstrating integrity, and consistently delivering on our mission to support women and children holistically. Through transparency, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, I ensure that everyone we work with feels valued, respected, and confident in our shared vision.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

I define our vision as a future where every woman and child is empowered to live their fullest potential through holistic support and resources.

Our mission is to fulfill this vision by providing innovative programs, education, and tools that uplift and inspire women and children, ensuring their growth, confidence, and well-being. These guiding principles shape every decision, action, and initiative within our organization, driving meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

A leader can empower their team by creating an environment where individuals feel valued, trusted, and equipped to succeed. Here are actionable ways to empower employees:

### **1. Foster Open Communication**

- Encourage employees to share their ideas and feedback.

- Be approachable and transparent in your decision-making.

- Actively listen to concerns and address them thoughtfully.

### **2. Provide Clear Expectations and Autonomy**

- Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and goals.

- Trust employees to take ownership of their tasks without micromanaging.

- Encourage innovation by allowing them to find their own solutions to challenges.

### **3. Invest in Professional Growth**

- Offer training, mentorship, and development opportunities.

- Support their career aspirations by aligning them with organizational goals.

- Celebrate and recognize progress, no matter how small.

### **4. Build Confidence**

- Highlight their strengths and achievements regularly.

- Provide constructive feedback in a way that builds rather than diminishes confidence.

- Assign challenging tasks to show you believe in their capabilities.

### **5. Encourage Collaboration**

- Create opportunities for teamwork and knowledge-sharing.

- Promote a culture where diverse perspectives are valued.

### **6. Recognize and Reward Efforts**

- Acknowledge their contributions both publicly and privately.

- Implement rewards or incentives to show appreciation.

### **7. Lead by Example**

- Demonstrate the values and behaviors you want to see in your team.

- Be consistent and reliable to inspire trust and loyalty.

By empowering employees, a leader fosters a culture of trust, motivation, and innovation, driving success for both individuals and the organization.

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

A meaningful coach to me is my late mother, Antoinette Greenidge. She exemplified the essence of leadership by balancing family, work, ministry, and supporting others with incredible grace. As a servant leader, she was not only strong but also vulnerable, showing that true strength comes from authenticity.

Her kindness was unmatched—she would give her last to help someone in need, always putting others before herself. Through her example, she taught me the importance of compassion, resilience, and selflessness, leaving a legacy of love and leadership that continues to inspire me every day.

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

As the Executive Director of I See My Baby Inc., I maintain focus in my role by staying deeply connected to our mission and vision of holistically supporting women and children. This clarity of purpose guides every decision I make and keeps me motivated to drive meaningful impact.

I prioritize strategic planning, breaking down big goals into manageable steps to ensure steady progress. By managing my time effectively, I can balance leadership responsibilities, program development, and nurturing relationships with stakeholders.

Empowering my team is also essential. I trust them to handle day-to-day operations while I stay focused on the bigger picture. Regular reflection allows me to assess our successes and challenges, so I can adapt as needed and keep us moving in the right direction.

I draw inspiration from my personal values, the legacy of my late mother, Antoinette Greenidge, and the lives we touch through our work. This passion fuels my dedication and helps me stay focused on leading with purpose, grace, and determination.

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

I firmly believe in the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." To ensure I have a productive and successful week, I rely on thoughtful planning and delegation. Here's how I approach it:

### **1. Utilizing Outlook for Structure and Organization**

I start by using Outlook to map out my week. I schedule all my key priorities, meetings, and deadlines into my calendar. This helps me visualize my week and allocate time for strategic planning, decision-making, and creative thinking.

- **Time Blocking:** I dedicate specific time slots for focused work, team check-ins, and personal growth activities.

- **Reminders:** I set reminders for important tasks and meetings to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

### **2. Delegating Effectively to My Assistants**

I understand that not every task requires my direct involvement. My assistants play a vital role in managing tasks that don’t need my attention, freeing me up to focus on high-impact responsibilities.

- **Task Prioritization:** I clearly communicate which tasks they should handle, ensuring alignment with our goals.

- **Regular Updates:** My assistants provide me with summaries and updates, so I stay informed without being bogged down by details.

### **3. Reviewing and Adjusting Plans**

At the start and end of each week, I review my progress and adjust plans as needed. This flexibility allows me to stay on track and handle unexpected challenges without losing focus.

By combining strategic planning in Outlook with effective delegation to my assistants, I ensure that my time is spent where it matters most, setting the foundation for a productive and successful week.

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

Delegating can be challenging, especially when you’re a young leader who wants everything to be perfect. However, learning to delegate effectively is essential for your growth and your team’s success. Here’s some advice to help you:

### **1. Shift Your Mindset**

- Understand that delegation is not about losing control; it’s about empowering your team and freeing yourself to focus on higher-level tasks.

- Recognize that no one will do the job exactly like you, and that’s okay. Different approaches can lead to great outcomes.

### **2. Start Small**

- Begin by delegating smaller, less critical tasks. This helps you build trust and confidence in your team’s abilities.

- Gradually work up to delegating more significant responsibilities.

### **3. Clearly Communicate Expectations**

- Provide clear instructions and define what success looks like for the task.

- Share deadlines and any resources they might need to complete the work.

### **4. Trust Your Team**

- Trust the people you’ve chosen to work with. They were hired for a reason and are capable of handling challenges.

- Resist the urge to micromanage; instead, check in at agreed milestones.

### **5. Accept Imperfection and Learn Together**

- Mistakes will happen, but they are part of the growth process for you and your team. Use them as learning opportunities.

- Provide constructive feedback and support to help team members improve.

### **6. Focus on the Bigger Picture**

- Remember that delegation allows you to focus on leadership responsibilities, such as strategy and vision-setting.

- When you delegate effectively, your team grows, your workload lightens, and the organization thrives.

### **7. Reflect on Your Progress** - Look at what tasks you’ve successfully delegated and the positive outcomes that followed. This builds confidence in your ability to trust and lead.

By delegating thoughtfully and purposefully, you’re not just sharing tasks—you’re building a stronger, more capable team while becoming a more effective leader.