YP Spotlight ABC Keystone

Meet Christina!

Christina McCullough
Christina McCullough
Business Development
& Marketing Manager
Paragon Engineering Services, Inc.
ABC Keystone YP Committee Member
cmccullough@peservices.org

What is your favorite or inspirational quote?
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
– Ferris Bueller (John Hughes)

I am sure it is not every day someone in the professional world says their favorite quote is from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” but this quote is truly one of my favorites. One of my greatest fears in life is looking back one day and feeling like I missed opportunities or did not appreciate the special moments which didn’t seem big at the time. This quote helps to keep me grounded and to remember to stop and appreciate even the small things through all the noise and stress of a fast-moving life!

Where is your favorite place in the world?
I cannot say that I have been to many places around the world, but it would be hard to beat Lake George, NY. This gem is nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate NY, and it is absolutely my favorite place to be. I have spent my entire life vacationing there. Growing up, I was fortunate to spend my summers there. Whether I am swimming, boating, floating, water skiing, fishing, or having a cocktail (or two) at the firepit; it’s my happy place, and now I can share it with my children!

What is the last book you read?
The last book I listened to was “Radical Candor,” by Kim Scott. I used to read quite a bit and enjoyed getting lost in a book with physical pages. However, these days with kids, work, and many activities, I find myself listening to Audible or podcasts while I am at the gym or driving in the car. There is so much I can say about this book, and I highly encourage anyone at any level within their company to read it.

The intended audience is for managers or “the boss” to learn how to effectively manage their teams. The book covers all aspects on how to truly connect with your staff to build trust, solicit feedback, give and take criticism, challenge directly, and to care personally, and more. While this book is fantastic for managers and “the boss,” it is completely relevant for all humans, regardless of title. I also found that not only can these concepts be applied in the workplace, but they can be adopted personally at home with your spouse/partner, children, family, and friends.

I wish I had read this book sooner, especially when I was a manager in a previous position, and I often find myself regularly referring to this book when handling challenging situations both personally and professionally.


Posted March 30, 2021