Featuring: Sharon Weinstein, MS, RN, CRNI-R®, CSP, FAAN
1. What was your first job, and what did you learn from it that you still apply today?
First job: My first paid job was doing receivables for an accountant at age 14, long before computers, armed only with a ten-key adding machine. More than the touch technique with a ten-key adding machine, I learned resilience, tenacity, and that I was visible – I mattered.
2. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done outside of work, and how did it change your perspective?
Most adventurous thing: I married someone after only five days—and I was the one who proposed. It was bold, and unexpected. He “sold” me during our first phone call, sight unseen, on the concept of a loving family. For years I had been searching for a family, connection and belonging. That adventure changed my perspective: life’s most meaningful experiences require risk, vulnerability, and openness to possibilities. It taught me to embrace bold decisions and to honor the people and relationships that truly matter.
3. What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned from a mentor or colleague?
Most unexpected lesson from a mentor/colleague: A mentor once told me I am unstoppable, and it changed how I see myself. Time and again, mentors and colleagues pushed me into spaces I thought were beyond my reach, revealing resilience and strength I hadn’t recognized. That lesson is now a compass in my life: no challenge is insurmountable. It fuels my courage to innovate, lead, and mentor others, showing that persistence, adaptability, and confidence can turn obstacles into opportunities.
4. What is the most recent leadership challenge you have faced?
Most recent leadership challenge: My most recent leadership challenge is deeply personal: completing my bucket list while navigating career decisions. Delivering a TEDx talk on November 3rd is the final item—a culmination of decades of work, reflection, and purpose. At the same time, I’m weighing preferment versus retirement. This challenge forces me to balance ambition, impact, and legacy. It reminds me that leadership isn’t just about guiding teams—it’s about making intentional life choices that honor both personal fulfillment and professional purpose.
5. How does The Sixth Level show up in your life?
Contributing to The Sixth Level has been transformative because it allowed me to collaborate with remarkable leaders from diverse fields. Each contributor brought unique perspectives on purpose, impact, and legacy, creating a rich tapestry of insight. Their stories and strategies challenged me to think bigger and act more intentionally. The book’s principles guide me to align values, decisions, and actions, showing how collective wisdom can inspire personal growth, enhance leadership, and create meaningful impact across organizations and communities.