Blog - Alana M. Hill, PMP, CSP - The Ms. Engineer Way

Turning Conflict into Clarity: How Leaders Can Leverage Ideational Differences
Turning Conflict into Clarity: How Leaders Can Leverage Ideational Differences

Turning Conflict into Clarity: How Leaders Can Leverage Ideational Differences

In every room where progress is made, there’s bound to be some tension. As a leadership expert and engineer by trade, I’ve learned that not all conflict is personal. Sometimes, it’s the push and pull of ideas—what I call ideational conflict—that creates the spark for innovation. This type of conflict doesn’t stem from personality clashes or miscommunication. It arises when team members have fundamentally different ideas, perspectives, or approaches to solving a problem. And when managed well, it can lead [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-07-09T10:51:37-05:00July 9th, 2025|DEI, Leading|0 Comments

Faith at Work: Respect, Grace, and the Gentle Invitation
Faith at Work: Respect, Grace, and the Gentle Invitation

Faith at Work: Respect, Grace, and the Gentle Invitation

The Most Spiritual Act at Work Might Be Respect One of the most spiritual things we can do in the workplace isn’t preaching or praying out loud—it’s respecting and appreciating someone else’s faith practice. At its core, honoring another’s beliefs reflects the grace that Jesus modeled throughout His ministry. Much of the New Testament is filled with stories of Christ engaging people where they were, not forcing them into belief, but inviting them through compassion, humility, and truth. An [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-06-27T11:16:29-05:00June 26th, 2025|DEI, Leading|0 Comments

Resilience S.O.S.: How to Prepare Before the Pressure Hits
Resilience S.O.S.: How to Prepare Before the Pressure Hits

Resilience S.O.S.: How to Prepare Before the Pressure Hits

Editor’s Note (Updated May 2025): This piece was originally written in June 2021, during the whirlwind of my son’s high school graduation and the uncertainty of a global pandemic. Now, as I revisit it in the midst of his college graduation—and an equally full season of life and business—I’m reminded that resilience isn’t a one-time lesson, but a lifelong practice. The insights remain just as relevant, if not more so, as I continue to lead, grow, and navigate change. Because [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-05-22T14:30:04-05:00May 22nd, 2025|Leading|0 Comments

Leading Through Uncertainty: The Power of Sitting in “I Don’t Know”
Leading Through Uncertainty: The Power of Sitting in “I Don’t Know”

Leading Through Uncertainty: The Power of Sitting in “I Don’t Know”

One of the most difficult things to do—as individuals and as leaders—is to sit in uncertainty. We’re conditioned to move quickly from one goal to the next, constantly navigating the next career move, business decision, or personal milestone. In leadership, we’re taught to plan, pivot, and persuade. We find comfort in knowing what’s next and rallying others toward it. In fact, a key principle of change leadership is to ease the stress of transition by clarifying what’s next. Whether it’s [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-05-22T14:47:56-05:00May 8th, 2025|Leading|0 Comments

From Inner Critic to Inner Coach: Reframing the Voice Within
From Inner Critic to Inner Coach: Reframing the Voice Within

From Inner Critic to Inner Coach: Reframing the Voice Within

We all carry a voice within us — that persistent inner monologue that often tells us we're not good enough, smart enough, or talented enough to pursue what we truly desire. For many of us, especially women navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, this "inner critic" can be the loudest voice in the room. But what if I told you that this inner critic could also be your inner coach? What if, instead of silencing it or letting it hold [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-03-13T15:47:10-05:00March 13th, 2025|DEI, Healing, Leading, Lifting|0 Comments

The Door of No Return: Honoring Those Who Couldn’t Contribute
The Door of No Return: Honoring Those Who Couldn’t Contribute

The Door of No Return: Honoring Those Who Couldn’t Contribute

Last summer, during my trip to Ghana, I had the solemn privilege of visiting Cape Coast Castle—one of the many sites that served as a final holding place for enslaved Africans before their forced journey across the Atlantic. Within its walls lies the Door of No Return, a small, narrow passage through which countless men, women, and children were taken—forever severed from their homeland, their culture, and the futures they might have built. Walking through that space was an overwhelming [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-02-27T09:49:16-06:00February 26th, 2025|DEI|0 Comments

The Tale of Three Interns
The Tale of Three Interns

The Tale of Three Interns

When I was a project manager leading global change initiatives, I had the opportunity to mentor interns and add them to my team. My first intern, we’ll call him LM, performed well, exceeded my expectations, and presenting his work to executives at the end of the summer. This young student from an HBCU showed everyone what young Black engineers were capable of (I didn’t need convincing, but I knew my peers did). The next summer, I had another Black engineering [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-02-05T13:56:49-06:00January 30th, 2025|DEI|0 Comments

Alana Appears on S.O. What Podcast

Resilient and Unstoppable: Alana Hill’s Story of Overcoming In this episode, Summer sat down with her friend and fellow speaker, Alana Hill, to share her powerful journey of resilience. From overcoming personal tragedy to conquering the challenges of pursuing an engineering degree, Alana’s story is a true testament to the strength of the human spirit. Her path has been filled with hardships, but her determination and faith have helped her transform pain into purpose. Alana’s message aligns perfectly with [...]

By Alana Hill|2025-01-30T13:29:37-06:00January 29th, 2025|Podcast|0 Comments

Alana in the Media

WEN Podcast Episode 30: The Ms. Engineer Way Creator: Women's Energy Network In this episode, we learn more about Alana, including how she was the second black female Petroleum Engineer to graduate from Texas A&M. #BadAss We cover a lot of ground with Alana, but one of the many standout acronyms is what she calls SOS, which stands for self-care, optimism, and support. These are three key ingredients for our resilience, and for us to succeed against [...]

By 2hillconsulting|2025-02-05T13:57:55-06:00January 23rd, 2025|Podcast|0 Comments

Setting Powerful Intentions for 2025
Setting Powerful Intentions for 2025

Setting Powerful Intentions for 2025

As we approach 2025, many professionals are already thinking about their New Year’s resolutions. But what if we shifted our mindset from making resolutions to setting intentions? This subtle yet powerful change in approach can transform how we navigate our professional growth and lead with greater purpose and emotional intelligence. […]

By Alana Hill|2024-12-19T12:54:59-06:00December 19th, 2024|Leading|0 Comments