Q & A with ICM Fellow Kelly Sullivan

As director of operations for the Sacramento County Superior Court, Kelly Sullivan exemplifies dedication and strategic leadership. Her journey to becoming an ICM Fellow showcases her commitment to growth and impactful change within the judicial system.

Getting started

Q: How did you set and achieve the goal of becoming an ICM Fellow?

A: The goal of becoming an ICM Fellow didn't happen for me until I was about three courses away from completing both ICM certification levels. What seemed an unattainable goal was suddenly within reach, and I didn't want it to end.

I had invested so much time and energy in becoming a Certified Court Manager and Certified Court Executive, and I had received so much in return that I couldn't imagine ending my educational journey. It was then that I, for the first time, explored what it would take to apply to become an ICM Fellow.

That was when I set the goal.

I prioritized the application process by identifying each essential component and then dedicated myself to putting together the best application possible. Before submitting the application, I had a real conversation with myself about what it would take if I were to be accepted to achieve the goal.

Lastly, I spoke with ICM leadership and ICM alumni to gain insight into the requirements and time commitment. It was daunting, but I was confident I would make it if I was lucky enough to be accepted into the program.

Planning for the long haul

Q: What time management tips helped you complete the requirements and your project?

A: When I received notification that I had been accepted and then joined the class, I learned what was expected of us and started keeping lists of all the things I would need to accomplish. I broke the big items into smaller increments to clearly understand what I needed to do each day, week, and month.

The timing and planning were imperfect, but they helped me focus, refocus, and keep moving.

I was getting so much out of the work that I was motivated to continue. So, picking a project I was passionate about was incredibly important to achieving the ultimate goal.

I learned early on that I always needed more time for the project than I initially thought. I set monthly plans knowing I was pushing myself, but I set them within reason. The program is for a finite amount of time, so planning and preparedness were key to success.

• I outlined each component of the evolving project in detail and mapped out timelines for each component
• I then turned my monthly plans into weekly to-do lists and set out to accomplish all the items
• I found a rhythm and kept working. However, I also consistently adjusted my plans for feasibility

As much planning as I had done, there were always ancillary things to accomplish so I would check my timelines each week and adjust where necessary. I often realized that I would run out of hours in the day, so I would focus on the most critical and important tasks and then re-adjust my timeline the following week or month.

My fellowship goals changed over the course of the program, but I learned that was to be expected.

Taking time at the beginning of the program to chart out goals and revisit them regularly helped me stay on track and see the potential that each day had to bring me closer to the goal.

Enjoying the reward

Q: How has being an ICM Fellow benefited you?

A: Being an ICM Fellow has benefited me in innumerable ways, both personally and professionally. On the personal side, becoming a fellow gave me confidence and strengthened my sense of self. Achieving a lofty goal makes you stand a little taller and feel good about yourself, which makes life a little sweeter and more meaningful.

Professionally, it led to growth and an increased ability to effectively lead. It helped me shift my mindset and take new and novel approaches to challenges facing the courts. It also helped me break from the self-limiting belief that I had a set capacity or ceiling.

I learned that I can work on and achieve big things. I can be a change agent. I can transform systems for the better.

Being a fellow has also helped me with my career trajectory.

It gives me an edge and helps set me apart from the competition. And the lifelong professional network a fellow develops is an absolute game-changer. 

I now belong to a group of learning professionals who I can exchange ideas with, share perspectives, and collaborate. This is a rich community, and I consider myself very fortunate to be in the room.