Due Diligence: Getting to Know Bailey Graves
Our next “Due Diligence: Getting To Know…” employee spotlight is on: Associate Director Bailey Graves in Washington, D.C.
Macro: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Bailey: I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Lake Ontario, just south of the Canadian border. My educational background is in international relations and peacebuilding with a Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. After leaving graduate school, I fell in love with project and program management, and have been at Macro ever since. In my time here, I’ve worn many hats, but have focused mostly on process, portfolios, change management, and supporting the organization through internal initiatives. For hobbies, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and woodworking. I like to use my spare time to create beautiful and delicious things.
Macro: What do you love most about your work or working for Macro?
Bailey: I love the people I work with. We are a team, and I really value the relationships I’ve built in my five years here. I appreciate that we are such an eclectic mix of disciplines and working styles – our unique blend of backgrounds and approaches brings out the best in me and fosters an environment where our minds can collaborate. Plus, I’ve been fortunate to work with exceptional clients who’ve become cherished friends. I love being a consultant, and I love it even more when our clients see us as part of their team. On a lighter note – I am a self-proclaimed data nerd and I enjoy any project where I can dive deep into a new knowledge area.
Macro: What is your favorite part of the project life cycle, and why?
Bailey: I love the initial discovery phases, where we corral the chaos into something operational. Creating the framework early for a successful engagement, especially at the program level, requires strategic forethought and client management. I enjoy learning about my clients and their needs, finding a thrill in the prospect of crafting solutions tailored to their challenges.
Macro: What is the one thing you couldn’t make it through the day without?
Bailey: Smartsheet and dessert.
Macro: What are your tried and true “work hacks”?
Bailey:
- Ctrl-Y – shoutout to Michael McLane who made me proficient in keyboard commands.
- Going analog and using a physical white board to brainstorm and map things out.
- Bringing cookies to recurring meetings if the last session was tense or difficult.
Macro: What hard and soft skills do you lean on most in your day-to-day work?
Bailey: The hard and soft skills crucial to my daily work include my background in dialogue facilitation, a genuine curiosity about my clients that goes beyond our professional interactions, and a knack for distilling complex information into clear insights. I’m also not afraid to seek clarification when needed!
Macro: What surprises people about your job?
Bailey: How hard it is to explain.
Macro: If you could give one piece of advice to a young professional, what would it be?
Bailey: Be open to unexpected opportunities, you may just fall in love with a career you didn’t even know existed! Also, don’t go to grad school just for the sake of it. Ensure you have a solid idea of how it will contribute to your desired career outcome – it’s an expensive laboratory to experiment in!
