Spotlight Instructor: Sinikka Waugh

Who is Sinikka Waugh?

“I’m the daughter of a U.S. Naval pilot and flight instructor, so I grew up moving with my family to a new place worldwide every nine to 18 months. When I chose Iowa from Colorado to attend Central College in Pella, I decided to put down roots. My husband and I chose Grinnell and Indianola as home in 1999, and we started a family here for the amazing education system. In 2008, I started a business called Your Clear Next Step and we’ve raised our two daughters here. My educational background in languages and literature prepared me to teach, and my first couple of jobs introduced me to the wonderful world of project management. By the time I started Your Clear Next Step in 2008, I was bringing together my love for developing leaders, helping others get work done and bringing people through periods of change and transition.”

How did your relationship with NICC first come about, and what have you enjoyed the most about it?

“I was so grateful to get a call from Bailey Kloft (Career Development/Business Partnership Leader at NICC). She’d heard about Your Clear Next Step, and now that we had a fleet of trainers, she’d asked if we had someone from the team who could fill in at NICC. Our team has a range of specializations, but we’re all anchored around the same foundational mission of helping people have better work days. It’s been so great to work with NICC as a partner, as every NICC team member is equally committed to lifting up your customers and your communities. “

What would you say is the most rewarding part about what you do?

“The most rewarding part is connecting with a business owner or a leader and seeing what they’re struggling with. I can feel the challenge; I can relate to the pain; I can hear the topic or idea they’re wrestling with and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we’ve got a piece of curriculum, a toolset, a trainer, a coach…an answer…something that will help them hurt less. The most rewarding part by far is lightening someone else’s burden.”

What would you say to someone considering taking a class you're instructing?

“Sometimes people get turned off by the idea of project management, change management, emotional intelligence or anything like that. These are some of the areas my team and I teach, and sometimes they sound dry or dull or like they’re going to be a theory-heavy snooze-fest. But you have to know that I have no patience for that kind of thing. If I’m not having fun and if you’re not, then we know that the learning isn’t going to stick, so it’s a waste of time and money.”

Just a fun question to wrap it up - what is the most interesting/surprising thing people don't know about you?

“I have an iPhone SE because it has a home button, and if given the choice of dessert options, I’ll almost always pick the corner piece of cake with the extra frosting.”

Are you interested in seeing Sinikka and other instructors in action? Explore all of our career development courses. nicc.edu/solutions