Lessons Learned From a Lifetime of Grace and Growth
This month, The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) is honored to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 10-year anniversary of Lynn Williams and the career milestones of an octogenarian in our workplace.
Lynn’s impact on PSOW is unique and extraordinary: before we knew her as a colleague, she was a student.
In her work as the corporate secretary in 2006 for a Fortune 500 company, Lynn enrolled in our Intercultural Etiquette and Protocol Trainer program. Her passion for learning and her natural gift for diplomacy were immediately apparent. In 2007, Lynn completed a distinguished 31-year corporate career that began as the executive assistant to the chairman and then as corporate secretary.
Years later, Lynn would come to join our team as the Executive Assistant to our President, Pamela Eyring, before advancing to the Client Relations Specialist role she currently holds.
A Second Calling, Fueled by Curiosity
Lynn’s introduction to PSOW started with curiosity.
“I was a year away from retirement, and I’d spent my career in the etiquette and protocol space, helping Boards of Directors, officers, and subsidiaries uphold the highest standards of decorum expected at their level,” Lynn said. “I wanted to expand my knowledge about protocol and etiquette, and my boss agreed to pay for my training at PSOW. I attended their training, met Pamela, and the rest is history.”
For Lynn, the training provided practical skills and networking opportunities. It was also a confidence builder. However, retirement loomed, and Lynn looked forward to traveling and spending time with her beloved West Highland Terrier named “Baby”.
A desire to be busy, make a difference, and share the expertise she had spent a lifetime acquiring pushed her back towards PSOW.
“I met Pamela one day to introduce her to a potential client,” Lynn recalls. “She asked if I wanted to come work with PSOW. They established a position, and that’s how I started!”
This is Lynn’s Great Grandson, Holden. He loves being with her. It was Grandparents Day at his school.
She also wanted to model what it means never to stop growing for the next generation.
“I wanted to show my grandchildren that it’s possible to be a lifelong learner,” Lynn said. “I like to learn something new every day. I get to do that in my role.”
Putting Experience Into Practice
Even before joining PSOW, Lynn cultivated wisdom. She acquired knowledge and information, and she put it to great use.
Her encouragement to younger workers? She has five actionable principles that have guided her life (and her recently developed training session for the next generation of high-level executives!).
#1 Be a Lifelong Learner
A successful career (and a happy life) is powered by curiosity.
Are you protecting your status as an expert, afraid to look foolish, or are you brave enough to be a beginner again?
After 31 years in one career, she chose to learn an entirely new field. Then, in her “next act,” she took on modern technology with enthusiasm.
Practically, Lynn encourages professionals at every stage of their careers to identify one new skill and dedicate time each month to learning it.
#2 Know Your Why
Lynn didn’t return to the workforce just to fill time or collect a paycheck. She was looking for purpose, a way to make a tangible difference.
What truly motivates you?
Is it helping others, solving complex problems, or creating something new? Align your daily tasks with that larger purpose.
#3 Cultivate Genuine Connections
As the first point of contact for so many of our students, Lynn’s warmth and genuine care set the tone for their entire experience. She proves that professionalism and humanity are not mutually exclusive.
“Whether she’s making or receiving a call, the warmth in her voice is unmistakable,” said Kathryn King, Director of Client Relations at PSOW. “She is the matriarch of her family and the steady force that keeps PSOW thriving.”
Unfortunately, for many people, today’s workforce feels more disconnected than ever.
Intentional acts can change this.
Make a conscious effort to connect with your colleagues and clients on a personal level. Remember their names, ask about their day, and listen actively.
The extra effort will pay off!
#4 Know Your Worth
Changing jobs after 31 years can be a daunting prospect. It’s a reminder that our lives and careers rarely proceed in a straight line. They aren’t linear but intertwined and valuable.
Lynn's transition from a corporate environment to our school demonstrates that skills and experience are transferable and timeless. Her poise, attention to detail, and understanding of people are as valuable today as they were decades ago.
Take inventory of your core strengths. Don't discount soft skills like communication, empathy, and resilience.
#5 Lead with Grace, Always.
In your next challenging interaction, pause and ask yourself: "How can I handle this with grace?"
Choose your words thoughtfully and strive for a solution that honors everyone involved.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
Lynn’s 10th anniversary at PSOW is a professional milestone. We are grateful for her decade of excellence. We are better because she is here!
“Lynn has been the school’s conscience and compass - guiding us with quiet strength, wisdom, and grace. She’s been more than a colleague; she’s a confidante, counselor, and coach whose devotion to people defines the heart of PSOW. Every organization hopes for someone like Lynn — a person who not only understands its mission but lives it daily. Her integrity, compassion, and professionalism have shaped our work culture and continue to inspire us all,” said Pamela Eyring, President and Owner of PSOW.
Pamela Eyring & Lynn Williams
She’s also a continual testament to the value of being a lifelong learner, an avid reader, a family anchor, a philanthropist, and, as always, a consummate professional.
On a team spanning generations, Lynn has fostered a culture where respect and collaboration thrive.
Happy Anniversary, Lynn! Your legacy of grace and growth inspires us all.