Do you struggle with indecision and hesitate to take risks? Do you become paralyzed when trying to decide whether to apply or take on a new job? Being indecisive is exhausting. It’s just no fun. But, even worse, it robs you of opportunity! No need to worry. Making decisions might be difficult sometimes. But like any skill, you can get better at it with practice.
In this episode, Monica shares why it is important to practice decision-making, how to take risks and minimize uncertainty, and the 5 steps to making decisions with confidence.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:55] Why it is important to focus on being decisive
[01:56] The upsides and downsides of indecision
[06:10] How to take risks and minimize uncertainty
[08:29] The 5 steps to making decisions with confidence
Quotes:
“When you refuse to take any action, you're making a decision by default and choosing to do nothing.” – Monica Marquez
“Fear is described as false evidence appearing real.” – Monica Marquez
“Weighing the pros and cons of a decision is important. But do not spend too much time as it can lead to analysis paralysis.” – Monica Marquez
“When weighing a decision, ask yourself, will this matter in 10 years?” – Monica Marquez
“Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.” – Denis Waitley
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Building connections is a critical skill set for career success. Most successful people would agree that the popular catchphrase, "it's who you know, not what you know," rings true in daily life. The fact is, “who you know” might matter more, or at least, be just as important as what you know in getting professional opportunities.
Our guest, Rosa Gonzalez Welton, Director of Product Management, Digital Acquisition, Growth and Customer Success at ServiceNow, shares her career journey and why she believes creating and building connections is the key to learning, growing, and fostering relationships.
As Director of Product Management, Rosa is responsible for creating experiences across the end-to-end customer journey, from acquisition and growth, through to customer success. Rosa also created her own LeanIn Circle, for Latinas working in tech, a safe space for real talk, inspiration, and support.
In this episode, Rosa shares why the best way to learn is by seizing opportunities, the benefits of investing in yourself, her decision framework, and how she gained access to influential leaders, sponsors, and mentors.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Rosa.
Highlights:
[02:22] Rosa’s story
[04:30] Jumping at opportunities to learn
[06:13] Gaining clarity on your career path
[08:26] The ROI of investing in yourself
[10:24] The importance of community
[15:07] Pushing forward through barriers
[16:58] Rosa’s decision framework
[18:34] Gaining access to influential leaders, sponsors, and mentors
[20:43] Asking for help
[22:29] Rosa’s daily success habits
[24:39] Staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Sometimes, in an organization, you're in a situation where you're just not going to win. Go where you're valued.” – Rosa Welton
“People generally want to help. There is a benefit they get simply by mentoring or coaching others.” – Rosa Welton
“The big picture in trying something new is that it’s going to somehow open the door for you to know if that's the direction you want to go or a direction you don't want to go in.” - Rosa Welton
“When others are complimenting you or your work, listen to them with an open mind, it will help you to find clarity on your strengths.” - Rosa Welton
“It’s important to know when to move on from a company or role. It is equally important to be intentional about where you are going next.” - Rosa Welton
About Rosa Welton:
As Director of Product Management, Digital Acquisition, Growth and Customer Success at ServiceNow, Rosa Gonzalez Welton is responsible for creating experiences across the end-to-end customer journey, from acquisition and growth, through to customer success. Prior to joining ServiceNow in 2019, Rosa spent 7 years with eBay where she held leadership positions in the consumer selling business; leading teams in product management, strategy, and product marketing. Her experiences building consumer marketplaces include roles at Walmart Labs and TrueCar, where she was an instrumental part of the team that launched the car shopping platform. Earlier in her career, she worked at Forrester Research, the Food Network, and Hearst Interactive. Rosa is originally from Los Angeles and holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BA from Yale University. In her free time Rosa sparks connections between people around her dinner table in a drive to cure loneliness.
Links:
Website: https://www.rosawelton.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwelton/
Latinas In Tech: https://leanin.org/circles/latinas-in-tech
One of the most significant challenges in the workplace, and in everyday life for that matter, that women and women of color have to cope and strategically manage are microaggressions.
Dealing with these energy-draining and disempowering comments can take a toll on you. It's like, “Death by 1000 papercuts”.
In this episode, Monica shares why it is important to address microaggressions when they happen, how to address a microaggression, and what to do if if you’ve committed a microaggression.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[02:01] Microaggression defined
[03:49] Examples of microaggressions
[07:43] How to address a microaggression
[16:21] What to do if you’ve committed a microaggression
Quotes:
“Be specific when you address a microaggression, don’t generalize. Let the other person know how their action or words made you feel.” – Monica Marquez
“Turn a microaggression committed against you into a teachable moment. Take the opportunity to help that person grow.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Does the idea of change make you uncomfortable? For most people, the answer is yes because let’s face it, change IS hard. But we also know that progress only happens when we step into the discomfort and embrace change.
Meet Kimberley Gardiner, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer at Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., who shares her career journey and how the desire for impact led her to become a change agent.
Kimberley shares how once she decided to share her ideas authentically, even when they went against the status quo – in a very male dominated industry - she was much happier, more satisfied, and more engaged. This decision to push to do things a little differently, a little better, led to the success that she has achieved.
Kimberley brings more than 20 years of automotive experience to her current role at VW. She most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mitsubishi Motors North America. She joined Mitsubishi from Kia Motors America where she directed marketing efforts for the brand. Previously, she served as CMO and Vice President of Operations for 5th Kind, a global digital asset management company. She is known for being an innovative thinker with a passion to help drive change in the automotive industry – a great fit for helping to push for mainstream adoption of electric vehicles led by Volkswagen.
In this episode, Kimberley shares why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for advice, her daily success habits, how to build your own personal board of directors, and how to plan and achieve your long-term goals.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Kimberley.
Highlights:
[02:53] Kimberley’s career journey
[07:55] Embracing being a change agent
[10:27] Managing your personal brand
[13:24] Don’t be afraid to ask for advice
[16:17] Building your board of personal directors
[17:52] Kimberley’s daily success habits
[22:50] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[27:17] Executing and achieving your goals
[31:48] Learning to say no
[35:30] How to embrace change
[40:08] Kimberley’s advice to our listeners
Quotes:
“You build business relationships like friendships, tell a little about yourself, ask for 5-10 minutes, and be very specific in your ask.” – Kimberley Gardiner\
“When you encounter a failure, think about what you can learn from it rather than replaying the event over and over in your head. Put the record player away and move forward with the lesson.” – Kimberley Gardiner
“Positioning success in terms of how it ladders up in the long term will help you be more successful in the short term.” - Kimberley Gardiner
“By saying yes to everything you shortchange the things that are really important to you.”- Kimberley Gardiner
“The more you paint that picture early on, of what change can look like in the future, in a way that a person or team can relate to - saving you time, helping with turnover, achieving goals faster, and ultimately being more profitable, with a smaller footprint, the more people will be excited about the opportunity ahead.” - Kimberley Gardiner
About Kimberley Gardiner:
Kimberley Gardiner, SVP, Marketing & CMO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Kimberley is responsible for leading brand marketing for VW, including building on
the momentum generated by the introduction of Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV, the ID. 4.
Kimberley brings more than 20 years of automotive experience to her current role (joined VW in late 2020). She most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mitsubishi Motors North America.
She joined Mitsubishi from Kia Motors America where she directed marketing efforts for the brand.
Previously, she served as CMO and Vice President of Operations for 5th Kind, a global digital asset management company. She is known for being an innovative thinker with a passion to help drive change in the automotive industry – a great fit for helping to push for mainstream adoption of electric vehicles led by Volkswagen.
Kimberley holds a bachelor’s degree from Mills College and an MBA from Indiana University.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-sweet-gardiner/
Have you struggled with advancing your career and don’t know what steps to take? Do you feel stuck and don’t know who to turn to for help?
The key to success is not doing it alone and proactively seeking out the "right" mentors and sponsors. Research has shown that 75% of executives credit their mentors with helping them reach their current positions. That’s a large number and demonstrates the importance of mentors and sponsors on ones’ career.
In this episode, we'll discuss the important differences between mentors and sponsors and how to identify them and where to find them.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:59] Research on mentors and sponsors
[03:32] Identifying the right mentors and sponsors
[04:51] The difference between mentors and sponsors
[07:15] Mentors don’t have to look like you
[11:08] Be strategic in seeking out mentors
[13:49] Exercise to help you identify the best mentors & sponsors for you
[15:22] Where to find mentors
Quotes:
“Career success really is one of the things that you cannot do alone.” – Monica Marquez
“75% of executives credit their mentors in helping them reach their current positions.” – Monica Marquez
“Research has shown that if you want to get ahead and move up in your career, you need a sponsor.” – Monica Marquez
“Mentors are everywhere - they can be in your organization, outside of your organization, within the industry that you're in or looking to transition to.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
In the past year, we’ve seen some truly alarming statistics when it comes to the workforce. A study by Gallup & ADP Research revealed that only 14% to 20% of employees are fully engaged. Another by Microsoft stated that 41% of the workforce are considering quitting their job. There is no doubt that the future of work needs to be focused more on the employee.
Meet Shahana Banerjee, Founder of Just Human | Not Resources (JHNR), whose mission is humanizing work, culture & leadership. Shahana shares her story of starting JHNR because although many companies talk about people being their greatest asset, they rarely act like it. She believes in seeing
people as people, as complete human beings, not as ‘resources’ or ‘assets’. Prior to founding JHNR, Shahana spent more than two decades in human resources leadership roles in some of the worlds’ largest companies, growing multibillion dollar businesses, transforming cultures and coaching leaders.
In this episode, Shahana shares why she chose human resources as a career path, how to tell if you are actively managing your personal brand, and advice to CEOs who might be hesitant to embrace change and the new world of work.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shahana.
Highlights:
[02:27] Shahana’s story
[07:20] Gaining clarity on your career path
[12:12] Managing your personal brand
[16:13] Humanizing work cultures and leadership
[23:04] Advice to CEOs on enacting change
[26:31] Advice to those nearing burnout
[29:03] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[36:00] The coping strategies of the best leaders
[39:55] What Shahana is most excited out for the future
[43:04] Shahana’s message to the world
Quotes:
“Look for a career doing what you love and follow a career path that gives you enough diversity of experience that can then hold you in good stead as you reach the top.” – Shahana Banerjee
“Clarity of purpose has the power to propel you and liberate you in so many ways.” – Shahana Banerjee
“It is important to identify the coping strategies that are actually working for you and the coping styles attitudes that are holding you back.” - Shahana Banerjee
“Life is too short to not be the best you can be. If you are in a relationship or in a work environment that is not helping you be the best you can be, it's time to think about doing something different.”- Shahana Banerjee
About Shahana Banerjee:
Shahana Banerjee is the Founder of Just Human | Not Resources (JHNR). She is an inclusive leadership expert, business leadership & career coach and an avid writer. Shahana’s purpose is to help people and organizations learn, grow, unlock hidden potential and achieve the ‘impossible’. She started JHNR because although many companies talk about people being their greatest asset, they rarely act like it.
She believes in seeing people as people, as complete human beings, not as a statistic, not as ‘assets’, ‘capital’ or ‘resources’ - hence the name, Just Human Not Resources with a mission of humanizing work, culture & leadership. Prior to founding JHNR, Shahana spent more than two decades in human resources leadership roles in some of the worlds’ largest companies, growing multibillion dollar businesses, transforming cultures and coaching leaders.
She shares practical, actionable, often unconventional advice, through her website. It is “the real deal”, she says, real stories, real experiences and insights, with all the warts, bumps, bruises and nuances that reflect reality on every topic related to people and work.
Links:
Website: https://justhumannotresources.com/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahanabanerjee/
Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/Shahana_BanerG
Medium https://shahanabanerjee.medium.com/
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Have you ever wondered how to address someone Hispanic or felt lost with the nuances of Latino/x culture? Do you say Hispanic, Latino, Latinx? When it comes to this Spanish speaking population, it is very tricky, and even counter-productive, to lump 62 million people and 20+ cultures into one collective group.
In this episode, Monica will share insights and best practices to raise awareness of the rich cultural nuances within the Hispanic and Latino diaspora. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn to build a more inclusive workplace.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[01:50] What is Hispanic Heritage Month
[05:01] The difference between Hispanic, Latino, or LatinX
[09:50] Pew Research on use of Hispanic, Latino, and LatinX
[13:47] Never judge a book by it’s cover
[17:38] Teachable moments
Quotes:
“This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is Esperanza, a celebration of Hispanic heritage and hope. And the theme invites us all to celebrate Hispanic heritage, but also reflect on the resiliency we have all shown over the course of the last 18 months, two years, over the decades, over the centuries.” – Monica Marquez
“When someone asks you, what are you or where are you from? Let's use that as a teachable moment to create the awareness to let people know that we aren't just one big umbrella, share the uniqueness of who you are, where your ancestry came from.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
What does career success look like? That can be a difficult question to answer if you haven’t stepped back to understand how to actually measure your success. Or understand what success looks like in the environment or organization to which you currently belong.
Our guest, Indhira Arrington, Managing Director and Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Ares Management, shares with us the three critical things she identified to be present in all the successful people she encountered. Indhira describes success as a 3-legged stool. The first leg is all about honing your talent. The second is refining your executive presence and the third comes as a result of the other two legs – gaining sponsorship from senior leaders.
In her role at Ares, Indhira partners with the firm's DEI Council to advance Ares' strategy to attract, develop, engage and advance diverse talent within an inclusive, welcoming environment, along with advancing equity in the broader alternative asset management industry. She also serves as an advisor to support DEI initiatives at portfolio companies across Ares' investment strategies.
In this episode, Indhira also shares her methodology for success, how to refine your executive presence, and why it’s important to cultivate your personal group of advocates and sponsors.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Indhira.
Highlights:
[02:52] Indhira’s journey
[10:56] Indhira’s methodology for success
[15:01] Staying ahead of the curve
[20:37] Managing your manager
[28:23] How to gain sponsorship
[30:35] The art of self-promotion
[35:22] Cultivating your group of advocates
[40:17] Always be in the service of others
Quotes:
“I truly believe in the saying, ‘Good is the enemy of great.’ I don't want things to just be good enough. It’s helpful in some scenarios but good enough can also hurt you and others.” – Indhira Arrington
“Success is like a 3-legged stool. The first leg is all about honing your talent. The second is refining your executive presence and the third comes as a result of the other two legs – gaining sponsorship from senior leaders.” - Indhira Arrington
“Sponsorship is what's going to make a differential impact in your ability to move up within organizations.” – Indhira Arrington
“It’s important to understand how your role impacts the broader strategy because once you know that you can start to expand that impact.” – Indhira Arrington
“When you approach everything with the mindset of ‘how can you be in service to others’, the universe ensures that everything comes back two-fold for you.” - Indhira Arrington
About Indhira Arrington:
Mrs. Arrington is a Managing Director and Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ("DEI") Officer in the Ares Human Resources Department, and partners with the firm's DEI Council to advance Ares'
strategy to attract, develop, engage and advance diverse talent within an inclusive, welcoming environment, along with advance equity in the broader alternative asset management industry. Mrs. Arrington also serves as an advisor to support DEI initiatives at portfolio companies across Ares' investment strategies. Prior to joining Ares in 2021, Mrs. Arrington served as a Senior Vice President and Head of Targeted Sourcing at Wells Fargo & Company, where she provided leadership in the strategic planning and execution of diversity sourcing initiatives and programs for the firm. Previously, Mrs. Arrington held several senior roles at The Bank of America Corporation within the Global Diversity and Inclusion Organization. In addition, she was an Equity Derivatives Sales Trader at Morgan Stanley. Mrs. Arrington began her career as a Financial Analyst at CIT Group. She serves on the Board of Directors of Poly Prep, the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families and the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP). Mrs. Arrington holds a B.A., summa cum laude, from Rutgers University in Economics and an M.B.A. from the New York University Stern School of Business. Mrs. Arrington is a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow, a Toigo Fellow and an INROADS alum. She is a Cornell University Certified Diversity Professional/Advanced Practitioner (CCDP/AP) and a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), PRIMER Network and the Council of Urban Professionals.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indhiraarrington/
When it comes to your career progression, are you actively “leaning in” to create impact and making a difference or are you passively leaning back in your seat, letting opportunities slip passed you? You may be familiar with Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead”, where she shares her perspective on what women need to do to move up in the business world, which is: to press ahead, to project confidence, to "sit at the table" and physically lean in to make herself heard.
Meet Anna Dapelo-Garcia, Founder & President of Lean In Latinas, who shares her story of wanting to pass on the lessons she learned to the younger generation of Latina women. After visiting the Lean In Organization’s website, she decided to click and create a “Circle”. And that is the beginning of Lean in Latinas and Anna’s journey of paying it forward.
Anna Dapelo-Garcia is an Inclusion, Diversity and Health Equity Leader at Stanford Health Care. She is also the Founder and President of Lean In Latinas. Anna has received numerous awards over the years and in 2015, she became the Founder of Lean In Latinas and was appointed as a Regional Program Leader by LeanIn.Org. Anna was featured in The New York Times for her role in creating Lean In Latinas, now a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Anna has also been featured in Forbes, National Public Radio (NPR) and the Wall Street Journal.
In this episode, Anna shares her story of bringing Lean in Latinas to life, why you should never turn down an opportunity, the importance of your personal brand, and the benefits of having diversity in mentorship.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anna.
Highlights:
[02:54] Bringing Lean In Latinas to life
[10:13] Never turn down an opportunity
[13:22] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[19:14] The importance of your personal brand
[26:14] Seeking out feedback
[32:13] Benefits of having diversity in mentorship
[37:55] Anna’s advice to women on accelerating success
Quotes:
“Every day you have an opportunity to determine your brand and how you want to be remembered.” – Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Be loud and proud of who you are and how you contribute to the world.” – Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Constructive feedback is a great opportunity to hone in on your skills.” - Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Mentors are critical at every stage of your career, whether you are an emerging professional or a CEO.” - Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Confidence is a game changer. Once you get it, it’s like the sun came up.” - Anna Dapelo-Garcia
About Anna Dapelo-Garcia:
Anna Dapelo-Garcia is an Inclusion, Diversity and Health Equity Leader at Stanford Health Care. She is also the Founder and President of Lean In Latinas. Anna acquired a Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in management from Saint Mary’s College.
In 2013 she was named as a Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence and graduated from the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Leadership Institute program. In 2017, she was named as the Woman of the Year by the Women’s Health Care Executives. She also served as a State Commissioner with the California State Senate for Cost Control in State Government. She was vice chair and board member for the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley and is currently serving as vice chair and board member for the University of San Francisco. In 2015, she became the Founder of Lean In Latinas and was appointed as a Regional Program Leader by LeanIn.Org. Anna was featured in The New York Times for her role in creating Lean In Latinas, now a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. In 2018, she received a Top Latino Leaders Award by the National Diversity Council in Los Angeles. In 2019, Anna was appointed by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to the Women’s Equality 2020 Leadership Council and in 2021 she was appointed to the Santa Clara County Hate Crimes Task Force. In March 2019, she was chosen by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for a Latino Leadership award. Anna has also been featured in Forbes, National Public Radio (NPR) and the Wall Street Journal.
Links:
Website: https://leaninlatinas.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-dapelo-garcia-927baa5/
Do you shy away from experiences which require you to stand up and speak in front of a group? Do you break out in a cold sweat while making your way up to the stage to speak?
In this episode, Nikki shares her first experience with public speaking and the fear that caused her to freeze on stage. She also shares the 3 “P”s to overcoming the fear public speaking.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday & Wednesday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[01:04] Nikki’s first experience on stage
[06:34] How Nikki overcame her fear of public speaking
[08:56] Practice, practice, practice
[15:12] Get clear on your WHY
Quotes:
“You can’t get better at something if you don't invest time in it, and you can’t invest time in it, if you never schedule it.” – Nikki Barua
“The best way to overcome your fear of public speaking is to practice by seeking opportunities to speak whenever you have the chance.” – Nikki Barua
“To overcome your fear of public speaking you must practice the three “P”s - you need to prepare, you need to practice and you need to be patient.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you have executive presence? Did you know that it can be learned? According to Sylvia Ann Hewlett, 67% of your executive presence depends on gravitas, communication makes up 28% and appearance accounts for just 5%.
In this episode, we share the 3 aspects of executive presence as taught by expert, Sylvia Ann Hewlett, as well as tips and strategies for you to gain executive presence and gravitas.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[00:58] What is executive presence
[01:06] Sylvia Ann Hewlett: 3 aspects of executive presence
[07:24] How Nikki & Monica developed executive presence
[12:29] Exhibiting executive presence remotely
[14:22] Your choice of words matter
Quotes:
“90% of communication is how you deliver your message and 10% are the words you use to share your message.” – Monica Marquez
“Being deliberate and thoughtful when you are speaking will help you develop executive presence.” – Nikki Barua
“Your ability to signal preparedness to someone through your executive presence really comes down to creating a sense of certainty and inspiring confidence in the other person by how you show up.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
What’s your story? Have you ever been asked that question during an interview and not known where to even begin? Telling stories about your professional self can inspire others’ belief in your character and in your ability to successfully take on new opportunities or make career transitions. It also can help you believe in yourself. Having a career story gives meaning to your career history; it will assure you that, in moving on to something new, you are not discarding everything you’ve worked so hard to accomplish.
Unfortunately, research has shown that most of us fail to use the power of storytelling in pursuit of our professional goals, or we do it badly.
Our guest, Ripa Rashid, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen, shares her career story and why it is important to weave together your professional narrative and be able to clearly articulate your journey with clarity.
Ripa is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies. Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner.
In this episode, Ripa shares how her career has been guided by a desire for continuous growth and learning, why it is important to have allies and sponsors in your corner, and advice on how to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ripa.
Highlights:
[03:07] Ripa’s story
[08:05] Articulating your journey with clarity
[13:29] The importance of alliances and sponsorships
[17:53] Leveraging your relationship & asking for help
[23:31] Setting & achieving your goals
[30:26] Staying ahead of the curve
[33:51] Ripa’s decision-making framework
[36:06] Advice to women in the workplace
[39:19] Best way to connect with Ripa
Quotes:
“Approach everything with a learning and growth mindset.” – Ripa Rashid
“Talent exists everywhere, opportunity does not. It's about creating access and opportunity.” – Ripa Rashid
“If you live a life with fear, that means that you're not discovering anything.” - Ripa Rashid
“There is no roadmap and no prescribed path for innovative work.” - Ripa Rashid
About Ripa Rashid:
Ripa Rashid is a Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen. Ms. Rashid is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies. Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner.
Ms. Rashid holds an AB cum laude in astronomy and astrophysics from Harvard University, an MA in anthropology from New York University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riparashid/
Research shows that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or craft. That’s why it’s so important that you’re clear on your passion so that you don’t expend that energy and time on something that you simply find boring. Honing your craft takes time, but first it takes awareness of what you love to do.
In this episode, we’ll share why it’s important to have clarity on your passion, the steps to identifying your passion, and how to integrate your passion with your work.
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:18] What do you love to do?
[03:05] Why it’s important to have clarity on your passion
[04:41] Marrying your passion with your work
[08:06] How Monica found her passion
[10:54] The steps to identify your passion
Quotes:
“If you want to be the best at something, you have to put in a long amount of time honing your craft.” – Nikki Barua
“If your day job does not correlate with your passion, then effectively you're spending all your free time and all your mental energy in developing a competency in something and not getting paid for.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever been called obsessed, rebellious, or even hot blooded?
Meet our guest, Sunny Bonnell, Co-Author of Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different.
Witnessing an alarming lack of acceptance for unique people and “crazy” ideas that don’t fit the mold, Sunny co-authored Rare Breed as a manifesto for tearing up the rule book and succeeding on your own terms.
In addition to Rare Breed, Sunny Bonnell and co-author Ashleigh Hansberger are also creators of Rare Breed, the popular YouTube series, and founders of the game-changing leadership and brand consultancy, Motto.
Named Inc. 30 Under 30, GDUSA Top 25 People to Watch, Sunny and Ashleigh have been featured by Entrepreneur, Yahoo!, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, The Breakfast Club and hundreds more. They have earned their way to the front of a workplace revolution and have devoted their work to inspiring people to think with the Rare Breed Mindset and demand more of themselves, their careers, and their companies.
In this episode, Sunny shares the vices for mavericks, oddballs, and visionaries and how there are two sides to each vice. She also shares highlights from her book, advice on shattering the glass ceiling, and why she lives by the mantra, “learn to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are”.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Sunny.
Highlights:
[02:40] Sunny’s story
[06:42] Building a branding agency
[09:53] Pivotal moments in Rare Breed’s history
[14:52] Highlights from the book Rare Breed
[19:30] The two sides to our vices
[24:06] What companies should be asking when looking for rare breeds
[27:17] Which company has most embraced the rare breeds
[30:23] Sunny’s advice to shattering glass ceilings
[37:35] Sunny’s message to the world
Quotes:
“The leadership & mindset of a company affect culture and brand.” – Sunny Bonnell
“Learn to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are.” – Sunny Bonnell
“Show up and make your presence known. Don't sit back with brilliant ideas and hold your tongue because you think you're going to get experience a negative consequence.” - Sunny Bonnell
About Sunny Bonnell:
Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger inspire a new kind of leadership thinking which they share in their bold talks and unconventional book Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different.
For over fifteen years at their leadership and brand consultancy, Motto, the dynamic duo have been teaching leaders how to dismantle business-as-usual using Rare Breed thinking to deviate from the norm and challenge the status quo. In their book, Sunny and Ashleigh help leaders and those who strive to be leaders, develop a Rare Breed Mindset®, a thought framework based on seven unconventional traits they’ve identified as the source of radical differentiation and power in business and life. It is this philosophy that has garnered the attention of clients like Google, Microsoft, the NFL, and Hershey’s.
Witnessing an alarming lack of acceptance for unique people and “crazy” ideas that don’t fit the mold, Sunny and Ashleigh responded with their book, Rare Breed, which has become the go-to business manifesto for tearing up the rule book and succeeding on your own terms. In turn, the Rare Breed Mindset® builds stronger, more inspiring, and more innovative companies and teams.
Not only do they speak, write, talk, and teach, Sunny and Ashleigh also consult virtually around the globe on how leaders can think, act, and innovate more like a Rare Breed amid the COVID disruption and cultural shifts.
When not leading their team of Rare Breeds at Motto, they give inspiring keynotes where they share their audacious story of dropping out of college with $250 in their early twenties to found their award-winning consultancy, as well as provocative advice on how to turn doubt into determination, failure into fuel, and angst into ambition. They’ve been named Inc. 30 Under 30, GDUSA Top 25 People to Watch, and interviewed by Entrepreneur, Forbes, Yahoo!, Wall Street Journal, The Breakfast Club and hundreds more. They’ve also spoken at Dale Carnegie’s Exceed Culture, Fossil, Small Giants, Inc. GROWCO, The Dallas Society of Visual Communicators, Radio and Audio Summit to name a few.
Links:
Website: https://rarebreedleaders.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rarebreedleaders
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnybonnell/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rarebreedleaders/
https://www.instagram.com/sunnybonnell/
“Doubt kills more dreams that failure ever will” ~ Suzy Kassem
When an opportunity presents itself, do you feel a spark of excitement at first and then begin to realize the challenges that may come with it? Suddenly self-doubt creeps in and stops you from taking action.
Our guest, Michelle Frymire, Chief Executive Officer of CWT, shares how taking on challenges and leaning into those tough assignments early in her career set the stage for her to advance. She has been guided by the motto: “it's not that we fall down, it's that we get back up”.
Michelle Frymire is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in driving growth and transformation at both public and private companies worldwide. Michelle’s career reflects a demonstrated track record as a catalyst to successful execution of transformation, large scale growth - both organic and through M&A, the transition from private to public company through an IPO, and as a leader of successful transformation initiatives. Most notably, her experience in finance and strategy, and serving as a key strategic partner to boards and executive teams, combined with strong leadership and team building skills, has prepared organizations to make a global impact.
In this episode, Michelle shares her story of rising to the top, how the best way to check all the boxes for a role is to accept the opportunity and learn in the role, and how success in scaling is directly correlated to an amazing team and great culture.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Michelle.
Highlights:
[02:50] Michelle’s story of rising to the top
[04:35] Overcoming your fears
[06:45] Gaining clarity on your career path
[11:34] Trusting your instincts
[14:01] Getting unstuck and taking action
[17:46] Michelle’s superpower
[19:52] Seize every opportunity
[24:03] Navigating risk & uncertainty at scale
[28:51] Staying true to your values
[33:54] Creating your own personal board of directors
[38:10] Cultivating new relationships
[41:24] Biggest trends for the future
[45:06] Staying ahead of the curve
[47:43] Michelle’s message to women everywhere
Quotes:
“Lean into those tough assignments that nobody else wants to do. There's always a chance that you fail, but that chance is real everywhere in life. Or you may succeed and have it lead to something really exciting.” – Michelle Frymire
“Don't be afraid to seize an opportunity.” – Michelle Frymire
“You're never 100% ready for that next role. The best way to really be ready is by doing it.” - Michelle Frymire
“The single most important thing a CEO does is build and cultivate a great team and culture.”- Michelle Frymire
“Peer relationships will make or break your career. They are the most important factor in how you're going to elevate yourself by their having confidence and trust in you.” - Michelle Frymire
About Michelle Frymire:
Michelle Frymire is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in driving growth and transformation at both public and private companies worldwide. Michelle’s career reflects a demonstrated track record as a catalyst to successful execution of transformation, large scale growth - both organic and through M&A, the transition from private to public company through an IPO, and as a leader of successful transformation initiatives. Most notably, her experience in finance and strategy, and serving as a key strategic partner to boards and executive teams, combined with strong leadership and team building skills, has prepared organizations to make a global impact.
Michelle currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for CWT, the world’s second largest corporate travel management company serving over 5,500 clients across 140+ countries around the world, including many of the Fortune 500 and the U.S. military and government. Michelle has played a key role in the company’s successful evolution to the world’s leading digital travel management company, and under her leadership the company is successfully navigating the impact of the global pandemic, both operationally and financially.
Prior to CWT, she was the CFO and head of strategy for Service King Collision Repair and then U.S. Risk Insurance Group in Dallas, Texas. While working at Service King she was recognized as Dallas’ Large Private Company CFO of the Year by D Magazine. Prior to Service King, Michelle spent five years at The ServiceMaster Companies, first as the CFO for TruGreen, the world’s largest consumer lawn care company, and then played an integral role in ServiceMaster’s successful IPO in 2014 as the head of FP&A and global strategy.
Michelle spent almost 20 years in the travel industry working for some of the worlds’ largest and most well-known travel companies, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines and then Delta Air Lines, ultimately assuming the role of VP of Finance for Delta Airlines in 2001. She then joined Starwood
Hotels & Resorts in 2005 as the Chief Financial Officer for Starwood Vacation Ownership during a period rapid growth for the organization.
Michelle currently serves on the board of directors for Spirit Realty Capital (NYSE: SRC) where she is a member of the audit committee. Michelle has also served on the advisory board for several not for profit organizations, currently serving as the Treasurer of the board of directors for Family Gateway, a not for profit organization focused on serving the needs of homeless children and their families in Dallas, Texas. She also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Greenhill School in Addison, Texas.
A Texas native, Michelle received her bachelor’s degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas in Economics and her MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin. She resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband of 30 years and their four children and their four dogs.
Links:
Website: https://www.mycwt.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellefrymire/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmfrymire
We’re living in the age of influence where our personal brands precede us. How often do you audit your personal brand to find out what people say about you when you aren’t in the room?
What do others perceive of you when they see your digital footprint?
Whether you want a personal brand or not, you have one. In this episode, we will share why it’s important to build your personal brand and the 3 step to building your brand so you don’t miss the opportunity to make your reputation work for you.
Highlights:
[01:16] Why it’s important to build your personal brand
[01:50] Your digital presence
[05:37] 1 st step to building your brand – audit yourself
[08:37] 2 nd step – do an external audit
[09:28] 3 rd step – identify patterns
Quotes:
“We leave a trail everywhere we go based on how we show up.” – Nikki Barua
“If you're not aware of your personal brand and are not actively building it, you're unknowingly creating a major barrier to your success.” – Nikki Barua
“We're living in the age of influence where our reputation precedes us.” – Nikki Barua
“Look at what your digital and physical footprint and what it says about you.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
We’ve all heard the saying, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade”. But we also know that it’s easier said, than done.
Meet Jennifer Prosek, founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, who shares her story of graduating from college into a recession, unable to secure a job, moving back home and how she took those lemons and decided to make lemonade. Jennifer started her entrepreneurial journey before she was 25 years of age. She dreamed of conquering the world and promised herself that if she got closer to her goal each year, she would continue on that path. Jennifer did just that.
Today, Prosek Partners is a leading international public relations and financial communications consultancy with offices in New York, London, Boston, Los Angeles, and Connecticut. The firm ranks among the top financial communications consultancies in the U.S. and UK. Prosek Partners was named among Forbes’ America’s Best PR Agencies in 2021 and is ranked among the Top 25 firms in New York Observer’s PR Power List. Jennifer was also listed personally among Insider’s list of top financial communicators in the United States.
In this episode, Jennifer shares her story of turning bad luck into good, how to get comfortable asking for help, tips on building your personal brand, how to effectively execute, and advice on accelerating
success in a world that is constantly changing.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.
Highlights:
[02:42] Jennifer’s story
[05:41] Overcoming your fears
[08:57] The art of asking
[13:04] Taming the voice inside your head
[17:30] The key to building your personal brand
[21:07] Jennifer’s daily success habits
[27:50] How to recover quickly from mistakes
[33:36] Tips on effective execution
[38:21] Advice to women on accelerating success
Quotes:
“Figure out what makes you feel confident. Because once you get that confidence and tame the voice inside your head, asking becomes easy.” – Jennifer Prosek
“Your emotional energy is so important to conserve. Don’t waste it on something you can't control. Put all your precious energy into solving something and good things will happen.” – Jennifer Prosek
“It's really important to know what you stand for and align it to where you work or what you do.” - Jennifer Prosek
About Jennifer Prosek:
Jennifer Prosek is the founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, a leading international public relations and financial communications consultancy with offices in New York, London, Boston, Los Angeles, and Connecticut. The firm ranks among the top financial communications consultancies in the U.S. and UK. Prosek Partners was named among Forbes’ America’s Best PR Agencies in 2021, has been listed as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company for nine years running, and is ranked among the Top 25 firms in New York Observer’s PR Power List. Jennifer was also listed personally among Insider’s list of top financial communicators in the United States.
Jennifer is a published author and frequent speaker. "Army of Entrepreneurs," her first book, received praise from Columbia Business School, Wharton and INSEAD. Her second book "Raising Can-Do Kids," co-authored with Richard Rende, Ph.D., was published by Penguin Random House in 2015. She is on the board of directors of the Arthur Page Society, BritishAmerican Business, Nasdaq-listed Better World Acquisition Corporation, and sits on the advisory board of Signal AI and iConnections. She is also a venture investor in a number of communications technology platforms, including Qwoted and The Marque.
Jennifer received her MBA from Columbia University and a B.A. in English Literature from Miami University.
Links:
Website: https://www.prosek.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-prosek-14a73550/
We’ve all heard the proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” Success is rarely achieved alone. Athletes don’t become Olympians without mentors and coaches to guide them.
Are you are someone who has no mentors, has no idea where to find one, or are afraid to ask for mentorship?
In this episode, we discuss why mentorship matters, what holds people back from seeking mentorship, and the 3 keys to finding the right mentor for you.
Highlights:
[01:00] Why mentorship matters
[06:18] What holds people back from getting mentors
[08:33] Three keys to finding a mentor
[10:03] Mentorship at all stages of life
[13:05] Mentorship through content
[16:19] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Mentors shorten the learning curve by imparting their wisdom and their experience.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” – John C. Maxwell
“Be very specific about your areas of growth and mentoring needs.” – Nikki Barua
"A mentoring relationship is a privilege, treat it with the respect it deserves.” – Nikki Barua
“Don’t think of mentorship in terms of a specific individual that is ahead of you. Think of mentoring in the context of a mentoring circle.” – Nikki Barua
“When you are focused on yourself and doing great work, people will come to you and be excited to help you.”- Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Doing what you love is rewarding. Being able to make a living from it is a bonus. But receiving recognition for your work is priceless and brings infinite motivation to do even more.
Our guest, Shalini Vadhera, Founder and CEO of Ready Set Jet, was pursuing her passion for beauty when she received a heartfelt note from a client thanking her for making his wife smile again. At that moment, Shalini knew that’s what she wanted to spend the rest of her life doing. In 2018, Shalini launched Ready Set Jet, with the mission to positively impact women around the world through a globally inspired and socially responsible brand.
Shalini Vadhera is the recipient of the 2019 Hind Rattan/Jewel Of India Award from the Prime Minister’s Office, which is the highest honor bestowed on a Non Resident Indian. She is also the winner of the 2017 Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award from the House of Lords, British Parliament. Her global influence with women and young girls stems from her entrepreneurial passion to build companies and create products for women to empower women.
In this episode, Shalini shares how she found her passion and purpose on her entrepreneurial journey, and how success comes faster when you focus on your strengths.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shalini.
Highlights:
[02:37] Shalini’s story
[04:35] Finding your passion and purpose
[07:12] Pivotal career moment
[13:08] Overcoming uncertainty
[19:11] Launching Ready Set Jet
[27:30] Advice to female founders
[31:09] Gaining access to decision makers
[33:50] Shalini’s daily habits
[35:41] Focus on what you do best, let others do the rest
[37:02] Shalini’s message to women around the world
Quotes:
“It is so important to be open to receiving feedback, it’s what's going to help you grow.” – Shalini Vadhera
“Be sure to be diligent in your research of different investors, because once you raise funding, it is like you're getting married to these individuals.” – Shalini Vadhera
“Learn how to manage your self-talk. You can make or break yourself just on your thoughts.” - Shalini Vadhera
“Focus on what you do best, and bring in the best of class to do the rest.” - Shalini Vadhera
About Shalini Vadhera:
Shalini Vadhera is the recipient of the 2019 Hind Rattan/Jewel Of India Award from the Prime Minister’s Office (the highest honor bestowed on a Non Resident Indian) and the 2017 Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award Winner - House of Lords, British Parliament. Her global influence with women and young girls stems from her entrepreneurial passion to build companies and create products for women to empower women.
Her rise from jewelry and fashion entrepreneur, celebrity make-up artist, bestselling author of Passport To Beauty, favorite guest of Dr. Oz and Today, to the founder of a multi-million dollar global cosmetics company is nothing short of remarkable. Vadhera has transformed this platform while using her business acumen to create global beauty, lifestyle and business solutions to empower women globally.
Vadhera is the Founder of Ready Set Jet, a next gen impact beauty and lifestyle edu tech brand. The brand focuses on bringing skills and training with unique product technology tied to a strong social impact initiative to empower women globally and help break the cycle of poverty for disenfranchised girls in India.
Vadhera is the Founder of Passport To Beauty, a luxury beauty and wellness brand that curates and creates the world’s best discoveries from around the globe.
Vadhera launched Power Beauty Living in 2014, a social platform for women that shares the knowledge of top female thought leaders and experts from around the world.
In 2016, Vadhera took Power Beauty Living global at the United Nations.
In 2019 Vadhera turned Power Beauty Living into a 501c3 Foundation to empower women with skills development and livelihood enablement globally.
Vadhera is best known for her innovative formulations and packaging design and works with a number of companies in product creation, sourcing and development i.e. Baywatch Beauty brand, TCM beauty brand, products for Fab Fit Fun and numerous private label projects for celebrities and influencers.
Vadhera was named the #1 Person To Watch by The Economic Times of India, Recipient of The 2019 Woman Of Excellence Award- Women Economic Forum, Nominated for the 2019 Ernst and Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year Award, Recipient of the Game Changer Of The Decade Award in Beauty, and the Winner of the Oprah Beauty O~ward.
Links:
Website: https://readysetjetofficial.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalinivadhera/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shalinisworld
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalinivadhera
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalinisworld
Let's say you've got a great idea that you really believe in, but you've got no clue where to start. What would you do? Would you figure out a way or feel stuck and do nothing?
Meet Merrilee Kick, CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion. Merrilee was a school teacher who had this lightbulb idea while she was grading papers by her pool. But rather than just sit on that idea, Merrilee set off on researching how to bring that idea to life. Nine months later, Merrilee launched BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, becoming the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States.
Merrilee is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University.
In this episode, Merrilee shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she's learned in building her business. She also shares advice on the best ways to get unstuck, how to unlock your motivation and
bring your ideas to life.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Merrilee.
Highlights:
[02:42] From teacher to entrepreneur
[05:12] Idea to product launch
[06:58] Information will help you get unstuck
[08:08] Finding your customer
[09:27] Navigating the barriers in retail distribution
[11:36] Developing the BuzzBallz brand
[13:25] Biggest surprise along the journey
[17:13] Family business
[19:12] Trusting your instinct
[22:59] Non-negotiables when it comes to hiring
[24:35] Decision-making framework
[26:36] Bootstrapping vs. VC funding
[27:49] Lessons learned in building a business
[29:51] Merrilee’s big dream
[31:09] Merrilee’s daily habits
[32:59] If you build it, they will come
Quotes:
“If you’re stuck or need motivation, you likely aren't researching enough. You need to go out there and dig for information. Ask people for advice.” – Merrilee Kick
“Get your pitch down so that when you talk to somebody, within one minute, they know who you are and what you do.” – Merrilee Kick
About Merrilee Kick:
Merrilee Kick is the CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. The company is in Carrollton, Texas, and makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, and some private label brands. The products are sold in 49 states and 21 countries. The company is family
owned/operated and home to over 150 employees in the Dallas area. The company supports education-based causes.
She is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University.
Merrilee has a BS/BA from the University of Montana, an MBA from Texas Woman’s University, and she is currently attending Harvard Business School. She is a former high school teacher in Plano, Texas. Merrilee’s two sons, husband of 33 years, and daughter-in-law all work for the family business.
Links:
Websites
https://southern-champion.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrilee-kick-65328aa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrilee.kick
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickmerrilee
Did you know that 20% of women never negotiate? More astounding is the research shows that women who opt out of negotiating their salary will lose approximately $7,000 in her first year.
And over the course of a 45 year career, will lose between $650,000 and 1 million dollars. In this episode, we break the myths on negotiating, share why it’s important to always negotiate, and share tips and strategies on negotiating so that you can get what you deserve.
Highlights:
[01:10] Always negotiate
[02:23] Statistics on negotiating
[04:15] Impact of not negotiating
[05:35] Nikki shares negotiation tips
[06:07] Myths about negotiation
[14:42] Share your questions
Quotes:
“Don’t think of negotiating in terms of salary. Think of it in terms of anything that you value and that could be PTO, education, eligibility for promotion.” – Nikki Barua
“Myth # 1 about negotiation is that it is about conflict, it isn’t. You need to reframe negotiation to be about discovery and alignment.” – Nikki Barua
“Negotiation is about establishing a long term win-win outcome.” – Nikki Barua
“Negotiation is not about money, it is about value exchange.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
We’ve all heard the saying “you only live once” or YOLO in our world of text abbreviated acronyms.
Most give it the meaning of “make the most out of the days you have”. Some, take it to mean, “do the things you find enjoyable or exciting”. But a few, like our guest, take it to the next level by using it as a catalyst for inspiration and the motivation to take on any challenge that comes their way.
Meet Robyn Streisand, CEO & Founder of The Mixx & Titanium Worldwide, who left her corporate job to pursue her mission of creating something for the greater good. Not wanting any regrets or any would have, could have, should haves, Robyn launched her entrepreneurial career and has never looked back.
Today, Robyn is now one of the most successful leaders in her industry as she celebrates 25 years of guiding The Mixx agency. As a community builder, Robyn was determined to open doors for others, so she launched Titanium Worldwide, the world’s first collective of certified-diverse agencies in the marketing, media, and communications space.
In this episode, Robyn shares her inspiration for entrepreneurship, why we shouldn’t deny ourselves the once in a lifetime chance of bringing our gifts to the market, and how building the right company culture isn’t something you can buy.
Robyn is a recognized figure in the LGBT community, featured in Out Magazine as most influential OUT 100 people in the United States. Her commitment to working with diverse-owned businesses has always been a point of passion, where she continues to focus on leveraging the business potential of independent, diverse companies.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Robyn.
Highlights:
[03:02] Robyn’s inspiration for entrepreneurship
[05:35] Advice on taking the first step towards entrepreneurship
[10:07] Landing the bigger clients
[14:23] Robyn’s proudest moments
[23:10] What fuels Robyn
[27:18] Establishing self-care as a non-negotiable
[35:52] About Titanium
[48:17] Inspiration and influencer for LGBTQ community
[53:34] Robyn’s message to the world
Quotes:
“You have just one life and you don’t want to have those would have, could have, should have regrets.” – Robyn Streisand
“Having a company that believes in itself and the people believe in each other, transcends outward as an energy, as a mindset, as a way of working. It's not the kind of thing that you can just buy anywhere.” – Robyn Streisand
“Diversity isn’t about checking the box. The real energy comes from within, when a company starts from the right place and takes the right steps around getting educated and trained. That can transcend inside a company and then be shared outside.” – Robyn Streisand
About Robyn Streisand:
A 30-year marketing veteran, Robyn Streisand is the perfect blend of business savvy and creative prowess. In March of 2018 her agency The Mixx celebrated its 25th anniversary of delivering visionary creative that ignites emotion and generates action across the Fortune 500. She works with industry leaders who appreciate the key insight she brings to the table, along with the top-level strategy, creative, and execution her team provides. Her clients have her number on speed-dial and appreciate
that they can count on her for solutions that get to the heart of their business goals. Clients include Mercedes-Benz USA, Disney, and Deloitte, amongst many others.
Robyn is a recognized figure in the LGBT community, recently featured in Out Magazine’s 2016’s most influential OUT 100 people in the United States and is a co-founder of the NGLCC NY in Manhattan. Her commitment to working with diverse-owned businesses has always been a point of passion, where she continues to focus on leveraging the business potential of independent, diverse companies.
This same entrepreneurial instinct and passion for diversity led her to launch a second venture, Titanium Worldwide. The world’s first collective of certified-diverse agencies in the marketing, media, and communications space launched in 2014, and offers integrated solutions for today’s business needs. Her knack for connecting the right people, and her strong belief in finding ways to work better together paid off when the collective landed contracts with Fortune 500 companies within its first year. Robyn and her wife Linda have raised two beautiful girls together and reside in New York City.
Links:
Websites:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynstreisand/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/robynstreisand
https://twitter.com/themixxnyc
Instagram: https://instagram.com/robynstreisand
Do you share your successes with others? Are others aware of the impact you have created?
Career progression is directly influenced by how you are perceived by those who can make or influence decisions. To get ahead and advance in your career, you must take ownership of your successes.
In this episode, we share how you can demonstrate your impact, put yourself in a better position to be hired, promoted and compensated well, and stop being the best kept secret!
Highlights:
[00:41] Hiring statistics
[01:52] Why achievements of women executives are less visible
[04:08] The struggle with promoting yourself
[08:44] Make your greatest hits list
Quotes:
“There are things known, and there are things that are unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Monica Marquez
“When you finish a project, you must share your results with a little self-promotion to gain the necessary visibility to advance.” – Monica Marquez
“Every accomplishment builds upon the previous one and amplifies your value to the world.” – Monica Marquez
“Your reputation allows other people to know how you can help them.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Pivotal moments are critical turning points that bring new perspectives and opportunities that alter the trajectory of our lives. As Tony Robbins famously said, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” The decisions we make define our path of success, failure, and even happiness.
Meet Jennifer Lagaly, Senior Vice President at Salesforce, who shares her story of navigating the pivotal moments in her life and career, which ultimately led her to success as a corporate executive and a mother of five. Jennifer shares advice on finding clarity on your career path, how motherhood prepares women for management, and why it is important for women to stay in the game and have their voices heard.
Jennifer serves on the board of FinancialForce and has held a variety of sales roles in her 18 years at Salesforce guiding the success of her team and clients. She recently gave a TEDx talk inspiring both women and men with strategies to balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.
Highlights:
[02:29] Jennifer’s childhood career aspirations
[04:15] Advice on finding clarity in early career stage
[07:07] Path to Senior Executive in sales
[11:17] Pivotal career moments & decisions
[15:13] The catalyst behind Jennifer’s ambition
[18:53] How motherhood prepares you for management
[25:28] Demystifying sales
[31:08] The best predictor of successful salespeople
[34:32] What’s in the future for Jennifer
[39:23] Advice to women in the workplace
[40:49] Paying it forward
Quotes:
“Employees perform best when they feel their leaders care and support them.” – Jennifer Lagaly
“The best predictor of one’s future success is what they’ve done in the past.” – Jennifer Lagaly
“Life is the journey, it is not the station. Striving and solving problems is life.” – Jennifer Lagaly
About Jennifer Lagaly:
Jennifer Lagaly is a Senior Vice President, GM of Industrial Products at Salesforce. In her 18 years at the company, she's served in a variety of sales roles across the organization. Prior to Salesforce, she has experience in technology sales across several companies including Forte/Sun and Motiva/Siebel, and providing Siebel and Remedy call-center solutions to Siemens ICN. She is on the board of FinancialForce and has recently given a TEDx UCDavis talk inspiring both women and men to stay in the game while they balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience. Lagaly lives in the Bay Area with her husband and five children and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering at University of California, Davis.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlagaly/
We've been conditioned to associate productivity and time efficiency with success. You often hear the saying “time is money”. But what if it isn’t about time at all?
In this episode, we’ll discuss the obsession with time and why you should be managing your energy instead of your time. Nikki also breaks the myth around multitasking and shares 10 tips to help you break through the tyranny of time.
Highlights:
[01:01] Why we obsess about time
[01:53] Manage your energy instead of your time
[03:20] We all have 24 hours in a day
[04:49] Focus on what you want to create
[05:53] 10 tips to break through the tyranny of time
[10:52] Multi-tasking does not equal productivity
Quotes:
“Being busy and filling every minute of your day does not equate to creating impact.” – Nikki Barua
“Time doesn't matter. It matters only when we're trying to do something that isn't joyful.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the biggest myths is that multitasking increases productivity. Its saps your energy and your focus and actually slows you down.” – Nikki Barua
“Once you choose your top priorities for the day, be sure you know the reasons why those matter.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Albert Einstein once said, “Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” He went on to say, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Now, we all know the tremendous impact Einstein made by pursuing big dreams. So, it stands to reason that boundless curiosity fuels discovery which ultimately leads to big dreams.
Meet Ana Corrales, Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business, who shares her career journey and how curiosity helped her to gain clarity and led her to the perfect role. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. She also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store.
Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies.
In this episode, Ana shares how mentors helped her unleash her curiosity and to dream bigger and pursue audacious goals. She also shares insights on making opportunities happen, overcoming fear and limiting beliefs, the importance of creating your own narrative, and challenges listeners to ask themselves, “Are dreams are really big enough?”.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ana.
Highlights:
[03:33] Ana’s journey
[05:54] Gaining clarity through a love of learning
[09:54] Making opportunities happen
[12:41] Overcoming fear and limiting beliefs
[17:57] Creating your own narrative
[24:08] Ana’s success habits
[30:03] Asking for help from your community
[32:32] Dreaming big
Quotes:
“Continuous learning is important and you will go further faster if you are deliberate in your learning.” – Ana Corrales
“Don’t let your calendar manage your time .” - Ana Corrales
“Success is not a linear journey.” - Ana Corrales
“If every day goes perfectly well for you, you are likely not challenging yourself.” – Ana Corrales
“Be genuine and intentional in sharing your story lest others tell it for you.” – Ana Corrales
About Ana Corrales:
Ana Corrales is the Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. Ana also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store.
Previously, Ana served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Nest. She also served as Senior Vice President of Product Operations at Cisco Systems. In 2006, Ana co-founded a startup solar company. As the acting CEO, Ana sold the company in 2010.
Ana serves as a member of the Women@Google board and is an executive sponsor for HOLA, Google’s Latino Employee Resource Group. Ana serves on the board of directors for Watermark, the Bay Area’s largest women leadership organization, as an advisor to Roli, a company reinventing instruments that extend the joy of music-making to everyone.
Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies.
Ana is a native of Costa Rica and earned a Masters of Engineering from Stanford University. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anacorrales/
James Clear stated that habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. How much time do you devote to analyzing your habits? Do you study the habits of successful people?
Almost 50% of our daily activities are driven by habits – good or bad. We are the product of our habits.
In this episode, we discuss the common habits of high achievers. Highly achievers don't rise to the top by behaving like everyone else. We share how you can develop new habits that make success effortless.
Highlights:
[01:21] Common habits of high achievers
[02:17] 5 most common habits of high achievers
[05:48] Summary of 5 common habits
[07:50] Nikki’s morning routine
[10:33] How to develop new habits
[12:45] How to replace bad habits with good habits
Quotes:
“High achievers have morning routines that ground them, fuel them and empower them.” – Nikki Barua
“High achievers have a habit of focusing on the most important thing and eliminating distractions.” – Nikki Barua
“Be relentless in focusing on self-development.” – Nikki Barua
“It’s not just about forming good habits, it’s replacing bad habits with good habits.” – Nikki Barua
“If you want a certain outcome, you must invest time and allocate time towards it.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you think of your career as a sprint or a marathon? Our guest, Gizelle George-Joseph, shares why it is actually both and why regardless of what phase of the race you are in, to raise your game, you need to consistently be focused on building your skillset and competencies.
In this episode, Gizelle George-Joseph, managing director and global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs, also shares her career journey, the importance of building your community of truth-tellers, and why hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
Gizelle is global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research (GIR) Division. In this role, she works closely with divisional leadership on the management of GIR, as well as the development and execution of key strategic initiatives.
Highlights:
[02:25] Gizelle’s journey
[06:01] Gizelle’s daily success habits
[08:53] Overcoming setbacks
[12:45] Building lasting work relationships
[14:59] Gaining access to influential leaders
[16:48] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[18:46] Raising your hand for new opportunities
[23:15] Seeking out feedback
[26:58] Balancing professional and personal priorities
[29:50] How to continue to accelerate your success
Quotes:
“What are the skills that you need to raise your game on a day to day, week to week basis. Get all of those into your toolbox because that's what ultimately moves your career.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“It is important to have a good network of people around you, who can support you, because in moments when you feel like your cup is empty, they will be there to lean on.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Think of building relationships in terms of what are you bringing to the table that will benefit the other person and the community.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Always be prepared to talk about the things that you are working on and how it is moving the organization forward.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Surround yourself with people who are going to tell you the truth about your weaknesses and strengths. And not tell you what to do, but instead feed into your decision making process.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“You can't be every woman every day.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“The only way to continue to be relevant is to be constantly changing and evolving and not going back to the comfort zone.” - Gizelle George-Joseph
About Gizelle George-Joseph:
Gizelle is global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research (GIR) Division. In this role, she works closely with divisional leadership on the management of GIR, as well as the development and execution of key strategic initiatives. Prior to assuming her current role, Gizelle was chief administrative officer for Global Macro Research and GIR infrastructure. Previously, she was the global talent advisor for the Human Capital Management (HCM) Division. Earlier in her career, Gizelle led Learning and
Engagement for GIR and was a talent advisor on the GIR HCM team. She joined Goldman Sachs on the Americas Equity Research Management team in 2005 and was named managing director in 2017.
Gizelle is a founder of the Salisbury Development Organization, a nonprofit focused on hurricane relief and economic development efforts on the island of Dominica. She also serves on the Human Resources and Talent Committee for the DreamYard Project.
Gizelle earned a BS in Business Management from South Carolina State University and an MS in Clinical Psychology from Georgia Southern University.
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Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gizelle-george-joseph-9a127319/
What does leadership look like? Is there a blueprint for leadership that you should be following? Our guest believes that leadership is NOT one size fits all. So, stop trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t suit you.
Meet Annie Jean-Baptiste, author, founder of the Equity Army, and the Head of Product Inclusion at Google, who shares her journey to discovering what true leadership looks like and how finding her authentic leadership style led to building trust with key stakeholders and the communities that she supports.
In this episode, Annie also shares how she helps teams make sure Google products are made for everyone. She spends her days making sure everyone matters. But the most important message she shares is how YOUR voice, your unique experiences and what makes you different from others, is the secret to success.
Annie leads Product Inclusion strategy across Google, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process.
Highlights:
[01:01] Annie’s story
[04:02] Imposter syndrome
[04:30] Lean into what makes you authentic
[06:53] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[10:02] Strategies to highlight value proposition
[12:40] Framework for inclusive product design
[17:42] Setting and achieving your professional goals
[18:39] Writing Building For Everyone
[22:50] Key to developing your personal brand
[27:15] Annie’s success habit
[30:13] How can women accelerate in the digital age
Quotes:
“The more that you try to fit into a mold that wasn't made for you, the more energy you have to expend.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“If you can find something that you're passionate about, something that gives you purpose, and you can get paid for it, that is the trifecta.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“Periodically assess if the things you're doing are moving you towards your goals.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“Find mentors, advisors, sponsors and coaches that are going to push you into uncomfortable situations so you can grow.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
About Annie Jean-Baptiste
Annie Jean-Baptiste is an author, founder of the Equity Army, and the Head of Product Inclusion at Google. She leads Product Inclusion strategy across the company, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process.
Annie is passionate about making the web and Google’s products work for underserved communities while ensuring that Google is a place where everyone shines for their differences. She’s responsible for working with Google product teams and senior leaders on the creation and execution of their inclusive design strategy. She formerly created programs related to Diversity talent management and career development within several technical product areas within Google.
She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (go Quakers!) with degrees in International Relations & Political Science. She is an avid Boston sports fan & loves to bring her dog Hercules to work. She currently is based in Google’s San Francisco office.
Outside of Google, Annie is a former American Heart Association spokesperson and a One Young World ambassador, focused on healthy lifestyles in underserved communities. She is also a former Hack the Hood mentor. She currently serves on the board of KQED.
She's the intrapreneur in residence at the University Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and a member of the IEEE's Ethically Aligned Design committee. She’s been inducted into the Haitian Roundtable’s 1804 society as “One to Watch” and inducted as one of the 30 Black Stars for Face to Face Africa in 2019.
She’s also been covered in Vogue, Essence Magazine, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, Cheddar, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, the Root, the Council of Fashion Designers of America Annual Report, The Miami Times, Boston Globe and Fortune Magazine.
Her book, Building for Everyone, is available now. Follow her on social media: @its_me_ajb.
Links:
Website: https://www.anniejeanbaptiste.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Everyone-Practices-Googles-Inclusion/dp/1119646227
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-jean-baptiste-43511930/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_me_ajb/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Its_Me_AJB
Warren Buffet said that by far the best investment you can make is in yourself.
Where do you invest your time, energy, and money?
In this episode, we discuss why it is important to establish the habit of consistently upgrading your skills, competencies and knowledge. And why investing in yourself has guaranteed returns.
Nikki also shares insights and strategies on how you can become a lifelong learner and aspire to success.
Highlights:
[01:30] The best investment you can make
[05:00] Make it a habit
[07:00] When to upgrade yourself
[10:59] You are worthy of the investment
[12:45] Take control of your career development
[15:00] Best way to aspire to success
Quotes:
“The best investment you can ever make in your life, whether it's time, money or energy, is in bettering ourselves. It has guaranteed results.” – Nikki Barua
“Ask yourself what is the next level of learned competency for professional development that you need and how you do you get it.” – Nikki Barua
“Be intentional in seeking out learning for professional development.” – Nikki Barua
“You are worthy of the time, care, and attention to focus on yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“There is a misconception that your company is responsible for your career development.” – Monica Marquez
“The ultimate job security isn’t being good at your job today, it’s being highly capable and qualified to do your job tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua
“The easiest way to be successful is to find the people who you want to be like and look at what they do, not what they have.” Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Are you ready for a career change but have no idea what else you could do or where to start?
Or perhaps you're between jobs or just starting out in your career, but you find the whole job search and interview experience to be overwhelming and stressful.
Meet Ginny Clarke, CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC and author of Career Mapping: Charting your Course in the New World of Work, who shares with us her journey as a black female, professional and single mom, navigating through work life and managing her own career to becoming an expert executive recruiter.
In this episode, Ginny shares tips on gaining clarity on your strengths and how to communicate with recruiters to level up in your career. Ginny also shares advice on raising your hand for stretch opportunities, asking for help, and why the ability to communicate effectively is so important.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ginny.
Highlights:
[01:03] About Ginny Clarke
[05:34] How someone discovers their unique strengths in order to communicate to people
[07:40] How do you use those transferable skills to switch industries or switch roles?
[12:19] Struggling with fear and limiting beliefs
[16:04] Patterns that prevent women from showing up with confidence and owning their success
[20:56] Expiring skill sets and stretch opportunities
[24:58] Balancing personal and professional goals and setting boundaries
[30:02] Importance of community
[34:32] Future of work in digital age
[38:00] Advice on digital interviews
Quotes:
“Often what we love to do, is what we’re good at, and that can mean we have to push away what other people expect of us.” – Ginny Clarke
“I’ve watched so many people get locked into one thing and what they don’t understand is they are a free agent and can own this process.” -Ginny Clarke
“Part of growing up is learning to deal with the ambiguity of uncertainty. You can’t be rigid and risk averse because that will limit you.” -Ginny Clarke
“Some of the mistakes women make in interviews and more broadly in their careers, they don’t come in willing to assert, ‘This is what I’m good at and this is how I do it.’” -Ginny Clarke
“Competencies trump experience, you have to be your own advocate. In the digital world, go learn it in your own time to keep moving.” -Ginny Clarke
“Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak, if you’re sharing your vision, sometimes you don’t even have to ask for help.” -Ginny Clarke
About Ginny Clarke:
Ginny Clarke is CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC. She provides unparalleled skills and insights to some of the world’s leading executive search firms and technology companies. As a seasoned executive
recruiter, she brings a unique, holistic approach to leadership assessment, hiring, diversity recruiting, and talent management that is essential more now than ever. Ginny is a systems thinker who can deconstruct processes and behaviors to carefully assess organizational and individual capability. From there, she provides integrated solutions to affect change.
Specialties include Leadership Assessment and Training, Talent Acquisition Process Design, Diversity Recruiting Strategy and Execution, Career Management and Internal Mobility. Before pursuing her own business, Ginny held senior leadership positions at Google and Spencer Stuart. At Google, she acted as Director, Executive Recruiting. In this role, she led the Diversity, Internal Mobility, and Non-Tech Recruiting teams. Her team of North American recruiters found and hired senior leaders (Directors +) for finance, sales, marketing, and other G&A functions across Google. She leveraged her expertise to build a scaled internal mobilityprogram for Google’s senior leaders and designed much of the infrastructure that supports their executive recruiting function today. At Spencer Stuart, Ginny was a Partner who worked in the firm’s Financial Services and Financial Officer Practices and co-founded and led Spencer Stuart’s Global Diversity Practice.
Ginny drew upon her breadth and depth of experience to write her book “Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work” (2011). The book provides a framework that empowers individuals to plot and assess their professional competencies and strategically navigate their careers. Ginny’s podcast “Fifth Dimensional Leadership” is designed for leaders, thinkers, and future-makers dedicated to creating the conscious workplace of tomorrow.
Ginny earned her BA in French and Linguistics from the University of California at Davis and her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School. She is the single mother of an adult son, Julian, who works in the entertainment industry.
Links:
Website: https://www.ginnyclarke.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnyclarke/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GinnyClarke
Change is happening so fast in today’s world that it is becoming increasingly difficult to anticipate and prepare for the future. And while we can’t always predict what the future will bring, what we can do is disrupt ourselves before we get disrupted.
In this episode, Nikki shares why it is no longer just about the survival of the fittest, it is also about survival of the fastest. Nikki and Monica also share strategies and insights to anticipate challenges, learn new skills, respond quickly to change and get ahead of disruption.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:16] Growth of artificial intelligence
[00:26] How do you prepare for rapid change
[03:20] Favorite hack #1 to anticipate change
[07:18] Correlation of disruption and innovation
[08:50] Favorite hack #2 to anticipate change
[09:38] Just-in-time learning
[10:59] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“We’re living in a time of so much change and such rapid change, that it’s not enough to just be fit. You also have to be fast.”–Nikki Barua
“It's no longer survival of the fittest. It's survival of the fastest.” - Nikki Barua
The faster you let goof previous beliefs and open yourself up with curiosity and humility, and be willing to learn, that’s what’s going to help you adapt faster.” – Nikki Barua
“You miss out on opportunities when you’re worried about what could go wrong.” – Nikki Barua
“Technology is creating the solutions for the things that people feel technology is disrupting.” –Monica Marquez“
You have to know where the demand is and align your skills and your competencies to where that demand is. Then you can be the one that is benefiting from these opportunities as opposed to being displaced.” – Nikki Barua
“There are opportunities for everyone to combine the power of technology with the beauty of the human mind.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
How do you learn the secrets to success? Who do you look to for guidance on becoming a better leader?
Those are the intangible questions our guest, Selena Rezvani, wanted to answer, not just for herself, but for others. So, she did the smart thing, she asked.
In this episode, Selena shares insights on the lessons she learned from interviewing and asking insightful questions to over 50 top female C-Suite leaders. She shares strategies on overcoming failures and setbacks, tapping into your motivation to help you move forward, and how to stand out as your authentic self.
Selena Rezvani is a recognized leadership consultant, speaker and author, with a mission to help women carve out paths to leadership on their own terms. Selena is the author of two leadership books for professional women – Pushback: How Smart Women Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want, a bestseller, and The Next Generation of Women Leaders. Selena also has several popular courses on LinkedIn learning and has done a TEDx talk titled “Interrupting gender bias through meeting culture.”
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Selena.
Highlights:
[02:41] Selena’s story
[06:32] Standing out as your authentic self
[08:40] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[11:54] Viewing failure as a redirection
[15:41] Learnings from interviews with c-suite women leaders
[19:47] How to tap into your motivation
[23:29] Leveraging your community and asking for help
[28:01] Tips on executing towards your goals
[31:15] How to accelerate your success
Quotes:
“Stop trying to avoid failure and start viewing your failures as redirections.” - Selena Rezvani
“When given a choice, choose to play, you’ll learn more than sitting on the sideline observing.” – Selena Rezvani
About Selena Rezvani:
Selena Rezvani is a recognized leadership consultant, speaker and author. Her mission is to help women carve out paths to leadership on their own terms. Selena also uses workplace culture assessments to help clients be more inclusive and welcoming. She promotes her message through presentations to corporate audiences, universities and associations, and at many conferences, including TEDx, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PIMCO, AstraZeneca, Duke, Harvard, Cisco, Pfizer, Princeton, J&J, Comcast, Apple, Society of Women Engineers, and many others.
Selena’s the author of two leadership books targeted at professional women – Pushback: How Smart Women Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want (Jossey-Bass, 2012), a bestseller, and The Next Generation of Women Leaders (Praeger, 2009). Selena’s experience and success in the women and leadership arena make her a frequent resource for news media and an in-demand business speaker. She has been quoted, interviewed and profiled by the LA Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Oprah.com, ABC, and NBC. She was a regular commentator on NPR’s syndicated The 51% Perspective and wrote an award-winning column on women and leadership for The Washington Post. In 2019, Selena’s TEDx talk on gender bias was recognized with the Croly Journalism award. Today, Selena writes on women and work for Philadelphia Magazine.
Selena’s earlier experience includes serving as a Lead within Deloitte’s Greenhouse Experience team, where she taught teams how to foster better diversity and collective intelligence. Selena also led the assessments practice at Washington, DC-based Management Concepts, where she administered and coached clients on personality, leadership, and aptitude measures. Selena has led numerous workplace culture research campaigns and studies on women in the C- suite, millennials, stretch assignments, program managers, and negotiating habits, which were covered by international media.
Prior to her 3 years at Management Concepts, Selena worked as a senior member of the consulting team at the Great Place to Work® Institute, the firm best known for ranking Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work® in America list. While at the Institute, Selena consulted widely on issues of organizational change and workforce development, working with Fortune 1,000 and non-profit organizations internationally and across many industries including Monster.com, Novartis Corporation, DaimlerChrysler, Inova Health System, and Brooks Brothers. Client services included focus group facilitation, employee opinion surveys, 360º assessments, leadership workshops, and customized survey assessments.
Over the last year, Selena launched five popular courses on leadership with LinkedIn Learning – which have been viewed by over 180,000 learners. She has B.S. and Master of Social Work degrees from New York University, and has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Selena lives in Philadelphia with her husband Geoff and 8-year old boy/girl twins.
Links:
Website: https://www.selenarezvani.com/
Buy Selena's book: https://www.amazon.com/Pushback-Smart-Women-Ask-Up/dp/1118104900/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenarezvani/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selenarezvani/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/selenarezvani
At a time when many people are feeling the most intense isolation because of the pandemic, there is one thing that we're all looking for - connection and a sense of belonging.
We all have an intrinsic need for a sense of belonging and connection and as the majority of our time is spent at work, it is key that we identity ways to foster an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and be the best version of ourselves.
In this episode, we're going to discuss community at work, why it's important, how it affects performance, and how you can make communities at work even more powerful.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTH & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:06] Why community at work is important
[02:08] Diversity, inclusion, and belonging
[04:30] How the sense of belonging affects performance
[06:03] Employee Resource Groups
[08:58] How ERG leaders can empower the community
[10:48] Leveraging your Employee Resource Group
Quotes:
“When you are able to be your authentic self at work, it allows you to focus on your work and be more productive.” – Monica Marquez
“The best thing an ERG community leader can do is stay plugged in to the community.” – Monica Marquez
“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.” – Verna Myers
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt guilty about chasing your dreams? Or fearful of being judged by others for your ambition? Well, you are not alone.
Research shows that women are more predisposed to feelings of shame and guilt than men. From a young age, women are conditioned through social norms to believe that putting yourself first and following your dreams is selfish. And these feelings increase when it comes to going after the life of your dreams.
Our guest, Shellye Archambeau, will teach you how to shed the fear and guilt, and be unapologetically ambitious.
Shellye is one of high tech's first female African-American CEOs and has a track record of accomplishments building brands, high-performance teams, and organizations. Shellye currently serves on the boards of Verizon, Nordstrom, Roper Technologies, Okta, and two national nonprofits, Catalyst and Braven. She is also a strategic advisor to Forbes Ignite and the President of Arizona State University.
She is the author of Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers and Create Success on Your Own Terms.
In this episode, Shellye reveals the mindset, tools and strategies that helped to achieve her dreams.
Shellye shares stories from her own journey – the highs and the lows on her way to the top. She also shares her struggle with imposter syndrome and what helps her deal with it – and how you can do the same. Shellye will empower you with the tools to fight your own battles, make the tradeoffs and create the life you want.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shellye.
Highlights:
[02:28] Inspiration behind Unapologetically Ambitious
[03:29] Sharing lessons through storytelling
[05:32] Advice to those who don’t have a plan
[08:40] Figuring out your North Star and how you’ll get there
[10:31] How imposter syndrome has impacted Shellye
[17:31] Evaluating risks and opportunities
[20:38] How to let others know you are looking to advance
[26:05] Biggest opportunity to prepare for
[28:12] Integrating the different parts of our lives
[34:36] Finding your cheerleader
Quotes:
“Realize that we are responsible for our careers, we own our careers, not the company, not your mentor, not your spouse, or your partner.”– Shellye Archambeau
“Your whole life should be about learning. The more you learn, the more you grow, the more you're able to contribute.” – Shellye Archambeau
“To pursue your vision, you need to define what you are trying to achieve, what has to be true for it to happen, and what do you need to do in order for it to be true.” – Shellye Archambeau
“When chaos is around you, stay focused on what is really important, and let go of the rest so that you can stay on your feet.” – Shellye Archambeau
About Shellye Archambeau:
Shellye Archambeau is an experienced CEO and Board Director with a track record of accomplishments building brands, high performance teams, and organizations. Ms. Archambeau currently serves on the boards of Verizon, Nordstrom, Roper Technologies, and Okta. She is also a strategic advisor to Forbes Ignite and the President of Arizona State University, and serves on the board of two national nonprofits, Catalyst and Braven.
Ms. Archambeau has over 30 years of experience in technology. She is the former CEO of MetricStream, a Silicon Valley-based, governance, risk, and compliance software company. During her tenure MetricStream grew from a fledgling startup into a global market leader.
She is the author of Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers and Create Success on Your Own Terms. A book that will inspire you and provide the tools to enable you to fight the battles, make the tradeoffs and create the life you want. She is also a Forbes contributor and the protagonist of the Harvard Business School Case Study: Becoming a CEO.
Ms. Archambeau enjoys the performing arts, traveling, cooking and writing a blog that provides career advice, insights and other musings (https://shellye.com).
Links:
Website: https://www.shellye.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellye-archambeau/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShelArchambeau
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelarchambeau/
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, but struggled with the feeling that no one can do the tasks better than you can? Or felt it's going take too long to explain it to someone and will be faster if you just do it yourself?
In this episode, we discuss why it’s important to learn to delegate effectively so that you can get past your fear of letting go and focus on the right things. Nikki also shares the steps to effective delegation so can achieve bigger and better results.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS:
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:03] What is delegation & why people hesitate to do it
[02:17] Why it is important to practice delegation
[03:19] Determining what to delegate
[06:40] Who to consider for tasks when delegating
[09:45] Be clear on the outcomes
[14:02] Set expectations on checkpoints
[17:43] Delegation is not just for the workplace
Quotes:
“It becomes easier to practice delegation when you understand why it is important.” – Monica Marquez
“Ensure that the right people are in the right roles and are focusing on the right thing.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever proceeded down a career path even though you didn’t feel it was right for you? Perhaps it was due to family expectations to go into a certain profession or the pressure to stick with it because you’ve already invested so much time. Expectations of who we’re supposed to be or what we’re supposed to do can often lead us down the wrong path. Regardless of the reasons, one thing is certain – your success gets accelerated when you are aligned to your purpose and passion.
Meet Elizebeth Varghese, Global Leader for Talent & HR Transformation Strategy at IBM. Elizebeth shares her story of gaining perspective from her failures while heading down the wrong career path, and how those failures helped her find her true purpose, define the ways in which she wanted to contribute to the world, and set her on the path to being the author of her own story.
Elizebeth is a Business Leader and Board Director who partners with C-level leaders to enable powerful business outcomes. Elizebeth furthers People & Technology strategies with solutions in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Blockchain and robotics - for organizations that operate around the world, and in Space. She is recognized as a global Top 100 Influencer, for her continuing work as a futurist and thought leader. Elizebeth brings creativity, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to inspire, uncover the best thinking and exceed business results.
In this episode, Elizebeth shares insights into taking risks to advance your career, thriving in the future of work, and the most valuable skill for success in the digital age.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Elizebeth.
Highlights:
[03:05] Elizebeth’s story
[05:45] Gaining perspective from failure
[10:59] Having gratitude for what you have
[13:46] Overcoming fears
[19:16] Advice on taking risks to advance your career
[23:19] How to thrive in the future of work
[27:17] The most valuable skill to develop
[29:57] Advice on overcoming barriers
[33:47] Owning your voice and your viewpoints
[36:57] Balancing work and home life
[42:06] Final words of advice from Elizebeth
Quotes:
“It is important to be the author of your own potential and your own capability.” – Elizebeth Varghese
“We would be much better as a global community if we could link arms and ensure that more people have access to what they need.” – Elizebeth Varghese
“It's very important to keep close to your purpose because there'll be many days when you doubt yourself, and other people will doubt you. But if you know who you are and what you're here for and what you want to leave with, it makes a big difference.” – Elizebeth Varghese
“The ability to unlearn and accept new input and accept new requirements is going to be the most important life skill.” – Elizebeth Varghese
About Elizebeth Varghese:
Elizebeth is a Business Leader and Board Director who partners with C-level leaders to enable powerful business outcomes. Elizebeth furthers People & Technology strategies with solutions in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Blockchain and robotics - for organizations that operate around the world, and in Space. She is recognized as a global Top 100 Influencer, for her continuing work as a futurist and thought leader. Elizebeth brings creativity, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to inspire, uncover the best thinking and exceed business results.
Elizebeth has business and operational experience and achieved significant growth in all her P&L roles. She has a track record of exceeding growth targets by developing new services, margin management, attracting and growing leading talent, transforming the internal and external brand and inspiring the team to achieve exceptional results and exceed growth targets consistently. She has also worked with CEOs and leaders from various industries and organizational life cycle to successfully inspire transformation and strong business results by sharing clear vision, identifying and motivating talent and developing sound operational foundations.
As a Partner at IBM, she leads Talent and HR Reinvention Strategy client services. She also leads markets and big deals for Cloud transformations across six, high priority, businesses - HR consulting, HR outsourcing, AI & Emerging Tech, Workday, SuccessFactors, and Oracle HCM services. Elizebeth is a member of IBM’s Team on Good Technology. She is also the integrated services community leader for IBM’s Space Exploration Services.
Elizebeth is on the Council of Advisors for the SETI Institute, which works with NASA and other space agencies to explore, understand and explain the origin and nature of life in the universe and the evolution of intelligence. She is a Finance Committee member, and active Board member at South Asian Youth Action, a non-profit providing after-school programming, education and college support.
Currently located in New York, she has lived and worked around the world, and brings extensive experience in executing business strategy through human capital initiatives. She has over twenty years of consulting experience in HR optimization, talent management, and organization effectiveness. She also coaches Boards and business leaders to enhance effectiveness and manage their teams.
Before that, Elizebeth was at Ernst & Young (EY) where she was a business leader and Partner in various roles including leader of the Americas (North America, South America and Israel) practice for HR Performance Improvement and Americas market leader for Talent Management.
Elizebeth was also a Senior Vice President at Aon-Hewitt and led the Talent Solutions practice (Assessment, Test Development & Technology Platforms, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, HR Transformation, Call Center Performance, Engagement). She has also been a Principal at Hewitt Associates and led the North American Corporate Transformation consulting team.
Elizebeth has MBAs from both, the Columbia Business School, New York and the London Business School, UK. She also has a Masters in Personnel Management from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizebethvarghese/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizebethVarghe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizebeth.varghese/
Did you know that many of the skills of today will be obsolete in 18 months? In the next 3 to 4 years, 50% of employees worldwide are going to need to be reskilled. Companies are doing their best to keep up, but it’s not enough, which is why it is more important than ever for individuals to develop the muscle of consistent learning.
In this episode, we share why it’s important to develop the superpower of learning, the different styles of learning, and Nikki also shares her learning strategies that help her keep up with the speed of change and disruption.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:37] Why learning is a superpower
[03:12] What the research shows on how we learn
[04:18] The styles of learning
[06:59] Nikki’s strategy for continuous learning
Quotes:
“With how fast we are evolving, the ability to continuously learn new things is a must-have superpower.” – Nikki Barua
“How much time every week are you investing in learning.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
What does it really take to stand out as a high performer who gets bigger opportunities? That’s the question we’ll be addressing in this episode.
Being great at your job is important, but to accelerate your career success, your value-add must go beyond your job description. Your ability to solve hard problems and create value in new ways IS what makes you more valuable.
In this episode, Elisa Steele, CEO and Board Director, shares her perspective on creating value through relationships and problem-solving. She challenges everyone to be proactive in seeking hard assignments where there is a need for change, and to do what it takes to solve problems instead of simply accepting the status quo. Elisa attributes her own successes to always going above and beyond in creating value for others.
Elisa has held numerous C-suite roles including CEO of Namely, CEO of Jive, CMO of Consumer Apps & Services at Microsoft, CMO at Skype, EVP & CMO at Yahoo! Elisa also has deep board experience serving on multiple committees for both public and private companies. Currently, Elisa is a Board Director at Bumble, Chairman of the Board at Cornerstone On Demand, and member of the Board of Splunk and Namely. She is a member of the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and participates in the Equilar Board Leadership Program.
Elisa has been recognized for her leadership throughout the years, building strong teams, networks and ecosystems. She was recognized by the Stevie American Business Awards for ‘Executive of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ as well as named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Elisa.
Highlights:
[03:02] Elisa’s formation story
[05:22] Learning about business by solving customer problems
[07:51] Developing mastery of enterprise sales
[12:49] Seize opportunities to close gaps
[16:38] Supporting the needs of women’s careers
[19:47] Elisa’s experience with balancing family & work
[22:22] How motherhood shaped Elisa in her role as CEO
[25:39] Advice for women seeking Board positions
[28:54] Importance of visibility in getting Board roles
[32:42] Advice for startup female founders
[35:40] First consideration in scaling a business
[37:33] Ask questions and become a better listener
[40:44] Elisa’s daily success habit
Quotes:
“When you build relationships and help people solve problems, you create value.”– Elisa Steele
“Take the hard assignments at the beginning of your career because you learn exponentially more than you learn in taking the easy assignments.” – Elisa Steele
“It's not just about the rules of today, it's about how you break through those to create the rules of tomorrow.” – Elisa Steele
About Elisa Steele:
A business leader in tech sector for 30 years, Elisa is an experienced executive in Silicon Valley. Elisa has broad experience across consumer and enterprise businesses – and thrives at the intersection of both.
She’s led transformations to scale, grow and drive impact across many organizations, both large and small.
Elisa was mostly recently CEO of Namely, a leader in HCM SaaS, funded by Sequoia Capital, Matrix Ventures and Golden Gate Ventures. During her time as CEO, Elisa raised $60M in venture funding, delivered product modernization, improved customer NPS and set the foundation for scalable growth.
Prior to Namely, Elisa was Jive Software’s President & CEO (NASDAQ: JIVE), responsible for strategy and global operations. Elisa reset corporate strategy, transitioned to a cloud-leading business, created focus
on large scale enterprise solutions and delivered turnaround business and financial results for shareholders, customers and employees. Under her leadership, the company was ultimately acquired for $462M. Elisa joined Jive as EVP of Marketing (CMO) & Products (CPO), and was promoted to CEO after 9 months of joining the company.
Prior to Jive, Elisa was CVP & CMO of Consumer Apps & Services at Microsoft, including responsibility for the brands bing, Internet Explorer, Lync, MSN, outlook.com, Cortana and Skype, among others. Prior to
Microsoft, she was CMO at Skype, EVP & CMO at Yahoo! And SVP at NetApp. She also held various sales, business development, general manager and leadership positions at Sun Microsystems and AT&T.
Elisa is Chairman of the Board of Cornerstone On Demand (NASDAQ: CSOD), Chairman of Namely, and member of the Board of Directors of Splunk (NASDAQ: SPLK). She also serves as Advisor to the CEO of Tile and people.ai. She has deep board experience servicing on multiple committees for both public and private companies. She is a member of the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and participates in the Equilar Board Leadership Program.
Elisa has been recognized for her leadership throughout the years, building strong teams, networks and ecosystems. She was recognized by the Stevie American Business Awards for ‘Executive of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ as well as named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Elisa served as a judge for the annual “Forbes Cloud 100”, the WSJ ‘Marketers that Matter’ awards, and the Churchill Club Awards. Elisa hosts a speaker series called SpeakHer Mind tm that seeks to amplify voices and share practical, positive steps that can deliberately build workplace environments that empower women to achieve their potential.
Elisa has previously served on the Interactive Advertising Bureau Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as well as the Advisory boards for Forbes Women, Amber Alert and Equality Now organizations.
Elisa holds an MBA from San Francisco State University (Distinguished Alumni) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of New Hampshire (Phi Kappa Phi Honors).
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisasteele/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elisasteele
When we think of celebration, we think of holidays, birthdays, and big milestones like graduations and anniversaries that typically happen just once year. But do you ever take the time to think about and celebrate your small wins?
In this episode, we share why it’s important to celebrate your progress on the way to achieving your big goals and share your small wins with the world. You’ll also learn a fun and easy way to motivate and inspire you on your journey to attaining your goals.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:34] Celebrating the small wins
[07:53] Create your rewards catalog
[12:28] Share your wins
Quotes:
“Take a moment each week to reflect on what it is you deserve to celebrate.” – Nikki Barua
“Don’t minimize your achievements. When someone congratulates you for a job well done, just say thank you.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Do you wake up and head to work every day with the feeling that you are just going through the motions?
Have you experienced that nagging feeling that something is missing and that you aren’t living your life’s purpose?
Our guest, Claudia Castellanos, Co-Founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods, had a successful corporate career but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to do more with her life. To the surprise of her friends, Claudia quit her corporate job to volunteer in Africa in search of her purpose.
In this episode, Claudia shares her story of finding clarity, overcoming her fears and making difficult decisions, leading to the launch of her own business, Black Mamba Foods. Claudia is passionate about Africa and finding ways to develop the continent through sustainable projects that uplift women, considers the inclusion of grassroots communities and protection of the environment.
Black Mamba Foods is a growing brand with a strong social and environmental ethos, based in Eswatini (eh·swaa·ti·nee), that manufactures and distributes specialty food products in Southern Africa and overseas.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Claudia.
Highlights:
[02:28] Claudia’s journey
[06:38] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[10:45] Getting past your fears & limiting beliefs
[13:40] Strategies for making difficult decisions
[16:50] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[20:41] Gaining access to influential leaders and mentors
[25:47] Tips on effective execution
[30:09] Accelerating success in the digital age
[32:50] About Black Mamba
Quotes:
“Often times you realize what you don't want to do before you realize what you want to do.” – Claudia Castellanos
“If you're tired, learn to rest and not to quit.” – Claudia Castellanos
“A goal without a plan of action is no more than a dream.”– Claudia Castellanos
About Claudia Castellanos:
Claudia Castellanos, a Colombian that came as a volunteer to Eswatini and fell in love with Africa and made it her home, is the co-Founder and Managing Director of Black Mamba Foods, a growing brand with a strong social and environmental ethos based in Eswatini that manufactures and distributes Specialty food products in Southern Africa and overseas.
Claudia has over 12 years of experience working as a marketing consultant for several businesses and NGOs in Eswatini and overseas, and as a lecturer for international Universities such as the European School of Economics (www.eselondon.ac.uk) in Italy, and Mananga Business College in Eswatini.
Previously Claudia worked as Regional Manager for SAIWA SpA (www.saiwa.it) a former company of the Danone Group, in charge of trade marketing and sales activities with the main retailers of Central Italy.
Claudia has also been involved as a trainer and mentor for Technoserve in Eswatini, and also for several business accelerator programmes (such as VVGROW from Vital Voices) locally and internationally. Claudia holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with specialisation in Marketing from ESADE Business School and a major in Finance and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia (Bogota, Colombia).
Since 2016 Claudia is a fellow of Vital Voices, an American NGO that works with women entrepreneurs from around the world supporting their growth.
Since 2019 she is also an active member of ECCo (Eswatini Climate Coalition), a grassroots organization promoting awareness, action and civic engagement around climate change and pollution in Eswatini.
In 2020 Claudia was awarded the WIA (Women in Africa) Award as the Eswatini Laureate for her work with Black Mamba, promoting and developing regenerative agriculture and inclusive value chains.
Claudia is passionate about Africa and finding ways to develop the continent through sustainable projects that take into consideration the upliftment of women, the inclusion of grassroots communities and the protection of the environment.
Links:
Website: http://blackmambachilli.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiacastellanos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackmambafood/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackMambaChilliVenom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackmambafood/
Recent news: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/416/162/210485.html
Most of us having been working remotely for the past year and the boundaries between our work and home lives have become blurred. Women have been disproportionately affected by these blurred boundaries and burnout is on the rise.
As organizations explore the right collaboration model (onsite vs. remote), it is very likely that the future workplace will be a hybrid environment. It’s not just about where you work, but also when you work. So, how do you ensure high performance without losing yourself to burnout?
In this episode, you’ll learn the importance of setting boundaries so that you can achieve your goals while maintaining your health and well-being. You’ll also learn the 5 steps to establishing healthy boundaries and how to thrive in any environment.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:47] The effects of remote work
[03:12] What’s really causing burnout
[04:38] How Monica learned to set boundaries
[09:48] The steps to establishing boundaries
[20:50] Use PTR – Preference, Tradition, Requirement
Quotes:
“Being authentic and setting boundaries gives you more freedom.” – Monica Marquez
“As an entrepreneur, if you do not set boundaries for yourself, they will not exist.” – Nikki Barua
“Boundaries are the most important mechanism to living your life on your own terms.” – Nikki Barua
“Boundaries can help you protect your energy, your focus, and even your values.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Are you passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion? Do you courageously say something when you see something happening to you or others that just doesn’t feel right? Or do you feel yourself shying away from it because you don’t know what to do in those moments? How would you like to learn some game-changing strategies that you can implement to help disrupt unconscious and systemic bias?
Our guest, Stacey Gordon, CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, shares how her journey was led by her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion. After an experience in the corporate world, Stacey decided that she didn’t want to perpetuate the cycle of bad practices that she had witnessed and decided to strike out on her own and work on implementing DEI strategies at companies holistically.
In her role as Executive Advisor and Diversity Strategist, she coaches and counsels executive leaders on DEI strategies for the business while offering a no-nonsense approach to education for the broader employee population. Taking a 360-degree of work, Stacey is the creator of the second most viewed course at LinkedIn learning and has surpassed the milestone of having reached more than 1 million unique learners.
In this episode, Stacey shares her insights on identifying your passion and purpose, navigating systemic biases, and her framework for addressing microaggressions.
Stacey is also a repeat best-selling author, recently releasing UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work, which is a must-have resource for all employers, managers, and HR professionals seeking to create and sustain healthy, inclusive, and equitable workplace environments.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stacey.
Highlights:
[02:49] Stacey’s journey
[04:06] Identify your passion
[06:21] Advice for women on stepping up for themselves
[10:21] Don’t tell yourself no before you’ve given somebody the opportunity to say no
[12:58] Building lasting relationships
[16:58] Tips on achieving your goals
[20:24] Adapting to the disruption of the last year
[24:30] Navigating systemic biases
[29:30] How to address microaggressions
[33:52] How to connect with Stacey
[35:27] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Don't tell yourself no before somebody else has. Give them the opportunity to say no, but don't discount yourself.” – Stacey Gordon
“We should turn the advocacy inward and advocate for ourselves, just as we’d advocate for others and for our children.” – Stacey Gordon
“Just start pursing your goals. A year from now, you will wish you had started today.”– Stacey Gordon
About Stacey Gordon:
Leading at the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture, as CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, Stacey focuses on reworking how companies work; including how they inclusively recruit, hire and engage employees, effectively creating inclusion and belonging for all.
In her role as Executive Advisor and Diversity Strategist, she coaches and counsels executive leaders on DEI strategies for the business while offering a no-nonsense approach to education for the broader employee population. Taking a 360-degree of work, Stacey is the creator of the second most viewed course at LinkedIn learning and has surpassed the milestone of having reached more than 1 million unique learners. Her unconscious bias course has been translated into at least four languages and has been featured by LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Virgin America (now Alaska Airlines). Stacey is a highly rated coach practitioner who has facilitated coaching of senior DEI leaders at several Diversity & Inclusion forums. She was recognized by Pepperdine University as a Top 40 Over 40 Leader, was a finalist for Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Award and was recognized by Forbes as a Top 3 Business Leader Who Spoke Out About Diversity & Inclusion.
Previously employed as an Adjunct Professor teaching Diversity in Organizations at Phillips Graduate University, she now teaches at Pepperdine University in the Business School where she earned her MBA.
Formerly the Director of Education for the largest SHRM affiliate in the country, Stacey earned her both her Inclusive Workplace Culture credential and her SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Resource Management (SHRM).
She is the author of a best-selling interview guide titled The Successful Interview: 99 Questions to Ask and UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work. As a leadership consultant and DEI strategist, Stacey has provided subject matter expertise to SHRM, Fast Company, Skillsoft, Forbes, NPR Radio, BBC Radio, Essence Magazine, and Monster.com, to name a few. She was also a career segment guest contributor to Fox Business and is a frequently requested keynote speaker.
Links:
Website: https://reworkwork.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceygordon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reworkwork
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diversitydiva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reworkwork
Do you struggle to ask for what you want? Whether it be asking for a promotion, a raise, or a business opportunity, many of us struggle with the fear of rejection or even with phrasing the ask in the right way.
In this episode, Nikki and Monica share experiences where they’ve struggled to ask for what they wanted and the results they obtained when they overcome their fears and learned to ask.
Nikki also shares the 5 keys to getting up the courage to ask and getting the results you desire.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:17] Monica’s story of asking for what she wants
[04:30] Don’t miss out on opportunities
[06:39] Gaining the courage to ask
[10:51] Being clear on your ask
[12:32] The best way to ask
[18:08] Always be gracious
[18:36] Recap of 5 keys to asking for what you want
Quotes:
Get absolutely clear about what you want and why you want it. Then ask for it.” – Nikki Barua
“Choose the right time, the right method, and the right language of the ask. Be respectful and gracious even when things don’t go your way.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Change and advancement rarely happen on their own. Connection and community are what really move the needle. Leaders who understand this principle have the power to create positive ripple effects throughout their communities and organizations.
Meet Stephanie Kinser, EVP, Enterprise Solutions at Salesforce, who is known for her leadership approach which puts culture and people at the center of a sustainable growth strategy. She is a champion for equality creating a world-class sense of belonging for all.
Stephanie connects her passion for STEM and developing future talent at Salesforce by serving as executive sponsor of the Women in Solutions Excellence (WISE) organization. This diverse and vibrant organization is giving back to schools and creating a path for future Solution Engineers in the workforce.
In this episode, Stephanie shares how growing up in a military family that moved around frequently taught her how to adapt to change, and exposed her to the power of relationships, opportunities, and diversity. Stephanie encourages women to pursue their vision and overcome obstacles in their path. She shares insights on having the confidence to ask for what you deserve, and strategies for overcoming doubts. Stephanie also challenges us to question if our fears are real or imaginary, and if we are limiting
ourselves or if we are in a limited situation.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stephanie.
Highlights:
[02:42] Stephanie’s story
[05:45] The decision to go in to technology
[07:44] Connecting your personal and professional life
[09:34] Pivotal moment in Stephanie’s career
[11:42] How to ask for what you deserve
[14:22] Overcoming doubt and limiting beliefs
[17:22] Maintaining your objectivity about your fears
[19:23] Finding mentors and sponsors
[21:50] The makings of a good leader
[24:44] Handling a setback and looking forward
[27:41] Strategies for overcoming and learning from failure
[30:37] Seeing the opportunity for the future
[32:15] Advice to leaders as they look at the future of talent development
[33:20] What keeps Stephanie grounded
[38:13] Stephanie’s message to future women leaders
Quotes:
“Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is powerful and leads to growth.” – Stephanie Kinser
“Ask yourself, periodically, if you are limiting yourself or are you in a limited situation.” – Stephanie Kinser
“Are you putting the fear and doubt into a scenario or is it really there?” – Stephanie Kinser
“The next opportunity will come. Are you waiting for it or are you helping to make it happen?” – Stephanie Kinser
About Stephanie Kinser:
As Executive Vice-President of Solutions at Salesforce, Stephanie Kinser brings a wealth of digital transformation and connected experiences expertise from a distinguished career focused on all stakeholders in this dynamic work-from-anywhere world. Stephanie is known for her leadership approach which puts culture and people at the center of a sustainable growth strategy. She is a champion for equality creating a world-class sense of belonging for all.
Stephanie joined Salesforce in 2003 when the company had less than 500 employees and revenues of $51M. Since that time, Salesforce has grown to $25B in revenue and 49,000 employees dedicated to customer success. The evolution of the Enterprise team has provided focus on Salesforce’s largest customers, the trailblazers adopting cloud computing at scale. This has led to an enviable rank of #1 in customer renewal rate, as well as the repeated distinction as one of Forbes Magazine’s most innovative
companies, and Fortune Magazine’s most admired companies.
Prior to joining Salesforce, Stephanie was a Solutions Engineering leader at Ondisplay Software. As employee #23, she played an instrumental role in the company’s successful 1999 IPO and subsequent $1.4B acquisition by Vignette Software. Stephanie’s continued leadership contributed to the successful integration of the selling organizations of these two companies.
Stephanie began her career at Ceridian (an IBM Company), implementing Payroll and HR solutions. She gained technical expertise in data centers, data privacy, complex payroll and tax regulations, outsourcing, and security before transitioning to Solution Engineering. Her background also includes Solution Engineering roles for Dun & Bradstreet Software.
Stephanie connects her passion for STEM and developing our future talent at Salesforce by serving as executive sponsor of the Women in Solutions Excellence (WISE) organization. This diverse and vibrant organization is giving back to schools and creating a path for future Solution Engineers in the workforce.
Stephanie earned a degree in Management Information Systems at the University of Oklahoma and in 2016 was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni. She was recently featured as a keynote speaker at events hosted by Texas A&M and The University of Oklahoma. Stephanie and her husband Patrick have two teenaged children and live in Plano, TX. She loves travel, gardening, music, and movies. She is a proud board member of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.
Links:
This past year has brought with it many challenges. The pandemic has changed the landscape of how we work and many are suffering from burnout due to the side effects such as blurred boundaries between our work and personal lives.
In this episode, Nikki shares her experience with burnout in her career. Nikki and Monica also share the signs of burnout and what you can do to build resilience so that you can prevent burnout before it happens.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:29] The stresses of today
[05:28] What is burnout and what causes it
[07:48] Nikki’s experience with burnout
[08:33] Building your resiliency
Quotes:
“Resilience is a muscle that you have to develop.” – Monica Marquez
“Stop associating productivity with hours.” – Nikki Barua
“Set realistic goals and set boundaries for yourself and others to prevent burnout.” – Monica Marquez
“Surround yourself with like-minded people who are going to help and support you.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Are leaders born or made? That is the one of the most often-asked questions about leadership. The answer is that it’s “mostly made”. Researchers indicate that leadership is about one-third born and two-thirds made. So, in short, leaders can indeed be developed.
In this episode, you’ll meet Darja Gutnick, Co-Founder and CEO of Bunch, who believes all of us have an inner leader and the best results happen when we dance with leading, allowing ideas to flow freely, unencumbered by roles and titles. Darja shares how leadership is a mindset that can be learned and not some hidden talent that we need to discover. It’s hard work, attitudes, and behavior that we show every day. It’s showing up every day for our team.
Featured in Forbes, Darja is a rebel academic-turned-entrepreneur with a knack for making psychology tangible. Her motto is grow, inspire, and stay humble. As CEO at Bunch, she’s working to redefine leadership for millennial managers - partly because she is one, and is on her own leadership journey too.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Darja.
Highlights:
[02:19] Darja’s story
[04:07] The decision to become an entrepreneur
[09:01] Weighing the risks and rewards of a big decision
[13:47] Helping people find their inner leader
[21:51] Gaining access to the right people
[26:45] Darja’s daily success habits
[30:40] Bunch team rituals
[33:58] We are all a work in progress
[38:04] Advice to women on accelerating success
Quotes:
“In the end, being transparent, vulnerable, and straightforward wins the game. So if you can find the strength to do that, it’s always the better choice.” – Darja Gutnick
“Leadership is a mindset. You can learn it. It’s not something you’re born with. It’s not some hidden talent that we need to discover. It’s hard work, attitudes, and behavior that you show every day. It’s showing up every day for your team.” - Darja Gutnick
“The more we encourage each other to step up and lead, the more we benefit from each other.” - Darja Gutnick
“Be kind to yourself and thankful for everything you bring to the table.” – Darja Gutnick
About Darja Gutnick:
Darja is a rebel academic-turned-entrepreneur with a knack for making psychology tangible. Her motto is grow, inspire, and stay humble. As CEO at Bunch, she’s working to redefine leadership for millennial managers - partly because she is one, and is on her own leadership journey too.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darjagutnick/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darjagutnick
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darjagutnick/
Continuous learning is the most valuable currency for career success. Careers no longer follow a simple path from learning to earning to retirement. Lifelong learning is an indispensable skill for every individual and organization.
Meet Eileen Schloss, a multidimensional, strategic and transformational human capital expert, who reveals exactly what it takes to get to the C-suite and why continuous learning is the key to success.
Eileen recommends managing your life to make sure that you're constantly learning and adapting to change.
In this episode, Eileen shares the pivotal moments in her career and how learning and preparation helped her achieve extraordinary success. She provides guidance on positioning for your dream opportunity and how believing in herself and speaking up in her interview with Steve Jobs landed her an executive role at Apple. Eileen also demystifies succession planning and executive compensation; and provides step-by-step guidance on getting board positions.
Eileen has worked with CEOs and Boards as a global Chief Human Resources Officer and senior HR leader for companies ranging from major global brands to Pre-IPO businesses needing to scale. She is a Public & Private Board Member, Senior Advisor & Human Capital Expert at Alteryx, Advent and CCC.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Eileen.
Highlights:
[02:41] Eileen’s career journey
[04:05] Pivotal moments for career advancement
[05:52] Be a continuous learner
[08:36] Eileen’s success habits
[10:44] Relationships are the key to success
[11:38] Eileen’s job interview with Steve Jobs
[18:09] How to approach your dream opportunity
[19:57] Preparing your presentation in your own voice
[22:55] Aligning yourself with succession planning
[27:40] Advice on getting to the C-suite
[33:58] Demystifying the drivers behind compensation
[42:09] Advice to women on negotiating compensation packages
[47:23] What to know in positioning yourself for a board role
[52:56] Eileen’s advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Relationships are a key element of any successful venture.” – Eileen Schloss
“It is important to manage your life around making sure that you're constantly learning.” – Eileen Schloss
“Great leaders are authentic and aren’t afraid to speak up and say what's on their minds.” - Eileen Schloss
About Eileen Schloss:
Bold, insightful executive who shapes business and human capital strategy to increase enterprise value for Fortune 500 companies and pre-IPO businesses. Real-world expertise managing acquisitions, divestitures, and change initiatives while steering executive/board compensation decisions for Medidata Solutions, Rovi Corporation, and Apple Computer—crossing industries (health care, technology, media, CPG), business models, and continents (Asia, Europe, North America).
In-depth understanding of HR governance and oversight attained through 20+ years as a senior leader and strategist. Keen business acumen strengthened and supported by an astute, thoughtful approach to assessing executive talent and proposing viable, sustainable compensation strategies. Compensation expert and advisor with nearly two decades working directly with board Comp Committees.
Joined Alteryx, Inc. public board May 2017, concurrently serving on the Compensation and Nominating/Governance committees.
Joined CCC IS, private board August 2020, Chair of the Compensation Committee NACD Board Governance Fellow certification, 2018 - present
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-schloss-executive/
Have you ever felt like you had the perfect life plan and then suddenly life went sideways, and you were forced to just stop and hit the reset button?
In this episode, you’ll learn what to do when life throws you a curveball, and how to navigate through setbacks and obstacles.
Nikki and Monica share their own experiences of life challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them by looking forward instead of in the rearview mirror. Nikki also shares her 5-step framework to turn barriers into breakthroughs.
Give yourself the gift of a 5-day journey from Barriers to Breakthroughs and jumpstart your transformation TODAY! Sign up with your email and get FREE access to this online course, bestselling book, and companion journal.
Visit: https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/gift
Highlights:
[01:29] Nikki’s story of facing barriers
[05:28] Monica overcoming life’s challenges
[07:48] Stop looking in the rearview mirror
[08:33] Focus on gratitude
[11:00] Turn barriers into breakthroughs
Quotes:
“If you keep wishing for what it used to be, you can’t step into what it could be.” – Nikki Barua
“Focus on what you see through the windshield, instead of what you see in the rearview mirror.” – Nikki Barua
“Every day can be a do over, every week, every year could be a do over. Look at setbacks as a stepping stone to reinvent yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“You can go from dreaming to doing as soon as you make that decision.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you sometimes wish you could quit your job and break out on your own? But then you stop yourself because you don’t have the experience or the funds to launch your own business.
Meet Mandy Gilbert, who shares how she left an unfulfilling job, secured a personal credit line of $8,000 and started her company, Creative Niche, the very next day.
Mandy is an entrepreneur who has built two multi-million dollar enterprises from the ground up. She is also a philanthropist, keynote speaker, investor, and bestselling author of Just Go With It: How to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship.
In this episode, Mandy discusses how to invest in yourself as a leader, protect your confidence, and make your company a place where great people want to work. Mandy also reveals the lessons she has learned along the way, including the feedback that catalyzed her growth and helped her become a better leader.
Mandy shows that entrepreneurship is an adventure worth taking and that the freedom and fulfillment we seek is still possible, even if the path is rarely a straight line to the perfect life.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Mandy.
Highlights:
[02:07] Mandy’s story
[03:03] Discovering your path
[05:56] Making the decision to start a business
[09:48] Where to start – the first 6 weeks of Creative Niche
[14:20] The next chapter of Creative Niche
[17:06] Why tenacity is important in getting long-term results
[21:08] Motivation for writing “Just Go With It”
[22:16] The hardest but best lesson learned
[29:19] The leader Mandy is today
[34:34] Advice on accelerating success
[40:47] How to get in touch with Mandy
Quotes:
“Entrepreneurs should embrace the journey because it's not a destination, you've got to keep going constantly, no matter how long you've been at it, you're always working on something.” – Mandy Gilbert
“What you see in the media isn't always true. Something meaningful and long lasting doesn't happen overnight. Nobody’s success is happening overnight.” – Mandy Gilbert
“One of the hardest, but best lessons I’ve learned was understanding my shortcomings and why they were showing up the way they were.” – Mandy Gilbert
“If you want to become a leader, there are a lot of great things that you can do right now, you don't have to wait until you have a specific title.” – Mandy Gilbert
About Mandy Gilbert:
Mandy Gilbert is a speaker, investor, author, founder, and chief executive of Creative Niche, a company that provides creative staffing and workforce management solutions to multinational corporations as well as major advertising, digital and public relations agencies. Mandy has been recognized as the United Nations Global Accelerator and completed the Entrepreneurial Masters Program at MIT. She is also a Director for The Remix Project, an organization that works on leveling the playing field for young people from disadvantaged communities in Toronto and Chicago and sits on the board of her Young Presidents Organization (YPO) chapter in Toronto. She spends her time between Toronto and New York, and is the proud mom of two busy boys, Isaac and Sam.
Links:
Website: https://mandy-gilbert.com/
Mandy’s book: https://mandy-gilbert.com/book/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandygilbert/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/verynichey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verynichey/
Do you have a dream that you’ve been putting off until you’ve figured out all of the details? What would happen if you threw caution to the wind and just took that first step forward?
Meet Ellen Bennett, founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, who shares why it’s important to just get started and figure out the details along the way.
In her new book “Dream First, Details Later”, Ellen shares her journey and personal playbook for starting before you stop yourself. Ellen’s hustle and willingness to leap into the unknown, time and time again, has helped her build a multi-million-dollar company, making aprons and kitchen gear worn by many of the world’s best chefs and home cooks everywhere.
In this episode, Ellen shares how she self-funded her business, and how getting comfortable with the uncomfortable allows her to navigate through change and keep leveling up. She even pivoted her business from making aprons to making masks at the beginning of the pandemic, helping to save jobs and donate over a half a million masks to those in need.
So, if you’ve ever imagined doing something and immediately thought, “that’s impossible,” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start,” or “I’m not qualified to do that”, Ellen will teach you how to push aside your inner critic and launch into action.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find shownotes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ellen.
Highlights:
[02:39] Ellen’s story
[03:43] “Dream First, Details Later”
[06:06] Navigating challenges and setbacks
[07:48] Finding success in doubt
[10:00] Taking the first step forward
[12:23] Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
[15:50] Attracting cutting-edge talent
[19:15] Behind the scenes of success
[20:10] Start with building your community
[23:29] Staying focused on what’s right for you
[26:15] Adapting when your playbook goes out of the window
[30:30] How Ellen stays ahead of the curve
[32:15] Hold on to the scrappiness
[34:34] What keeps Ellen grounded
[38:50] Where to get Ellen’s book, “Dream First, Details Later”
Quotes:
“The best advice I could ever give to anyone is just start, you just need to begin and figure out the details along the way.” – Ellen Bennett
“Seize the opportunity and have enough confidence in yourself that you've done enough things in life to get you this far.” – Ellen Bennett
“Never feel like you are just one person and you can't have an impact in the world, your opinion and your actions matter.” – Ellen Bennett
“No matter how much building you do in life, sometimes things happen and you just have to be willing to rise to the occasion, adjust and let go of what you did before.” – Ellen Bennett
About Ellen Bennett:
Growing up, Ellen Bennett, the founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, the leading Los Angeles based culinary workwear brand, found herself spending summers in her native Mexico learning to cook with her abuelita. Soon after graduating high school, Ellen found herself back in Mexico City attending culinary school where she would rekindle the joys of her summer cooking adventures while learning the skills needed to tackle the hustle of the professional kitchen. Back in L.A. she put her training to work cooking in two Michelin Star restaurants, Providence and Baco Mercat. It was during this time working on the line that she experienced a “uniform” that was not aligned with the creativity and confidence found in the kitchen. This led to the vision for Hedley & Bennett; make the best aprons in the world by marrying the needs of professional chefs with the design trends for today's discerning consumers.
Today, Hedley & Bennett make more than aprons, but culinary workwear and gear that outfits over 6,000 restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, resorts and hundreds of thousands of home cooks all over the world.
This evolution has also led to creative, out-of-the-box collaborations with brands such as Vans, Madewell, Parachute Home, Rifle Paper Co., Product (RED) and more. Most recently, she pivoted the resources of her company during the global COVID-19 pandemic to make masks to meet the needs of both professionals and consumers while donating over 200k masks to front line workers. Ellen and the Hedley & Bennett story has been featured in the New York Times, Fast Company, Inc., Bon Appetit, Martha Stewart, the Today Show and more. Ellen lives in Echo Park with her husband Casey, their pet pig Oliver, and six chickens.
Links:
Website: https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/
Link to Ellen’s Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607064/dream-first-details-later-by-ellen-marie-bennett/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmariebennett/
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedleyandbennett/
Do you have an intense fear of public speaking? Does your heartbeat race at the thought of standing up in front of a room full of people?
In this episode, Nikki shares her own experience with her fear of public speaking and what steps she took to overcome it.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[01:04] Nikki’s first experience on stage
[06:34] How Nikki overcame her fear of public speaking
[08:56] Practice, practice, practice
[15:12] Get clear on your WHY
Quotes:
“You can’t get better at something if you don't invest time in it, and you can’t invest time in it, if you never schedule it.” – Nikki Barua
“The best way to overcome your fear of public speaking is to practice by seeking opportunities to speak whenever you have the chance.” – Nikki Barua
“To overcome your fear of public speaking you must practice the three “P”s - you need to prepare, you need to practice and you need to be patient.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
You’ve likely heard some leaders described as a servant leader. But what does that really mean? Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. Simply put, it is all about leading by lifting others.
Our guest today, Chloe Drew, knows a thing or two about servant leadership. Throughout her career, from her corporate executive roles to her philanthropic and political engagement, Chloe has fought for the underdog and paved the way for others to get ahead. In this episode, Chloe shares her story and how she chose a divergent career path from her Harvard College classmates and followed her passion to help others.
Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion. She currently works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams.
Highlights:
[03:04] Chloe’s journey
[08:13] Gaining clarity on your path
[10:35] Pushing past your fear of failure
[16:11] Excelling in a new & unfamiliar environment
[19:30] Tips for making difficult decisions
[23:32] Dynamics of imposter syndrome
[26:38] Asking your community for help
[29:39] How to stay ahead of the curve and be agile
[32:32] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“The best and most profound lessons of my life have been when I've completely failed.”– Chloe Drew
“Don’t expect to have the full picture when making a difficult decision, strive to get to feeling fairly confident in your decision.” – Chloe Drew
“Asking yourself ‘what outcome are you trying to achieve?’, will help drive out the noise, assumptions and biases.” – Chloe Drew
About Chloe Drew:
Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion.
Currently she works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams across sectors – including technology, communications, financial services, sports and fashion – to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams.
Before that Chloe was Chief People Officer at the real estate tech firm Compass where she supported a team of 2,500 employees nationally and oversaw the full employee experience through talent acquisition, total rewards, talent management, HR policy and diversity & inclusion. She also served as President of Philanthropy and launched the firm’s first community impact program engaging all employees and 15,000 real estate agents across Compass’s 20+ markets.
Previously she was Chief of Staff at the Markle Foundation leading HR, strategy and fundraising at the $125M independent foundation dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to advance economic inclusion. From 2013 - 2015 Chloe was Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Appointments where she ran the Administration’s effort to recruit Commissioners and senior staff for over 60 city agencies and 200 municipal boards and commissions. From 2008 to 2013 Chloe was Executive Director of the Council of Urban Professionals, a nonprofit network of diverse business leaders in New York and Los Angeles, and from 2002 to 2007 she was Campaign Director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee in California’s 13th District.
Chloe earned an A.B. from Harvard College in History and Literature. She has served on nonprofit boards including Wellesley College Centers for Women, Latino Justice, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Emerge America and Oakland Vote. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-drew-7ab26a4/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chloedrew
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloedrew7/
Have you asked yourself and really thought about what distinguishes you from everyone else? What is your unique value proposition? If you don’t know the answer to these questions or if you don’t know how to articulate your story in a compelling way, then you’re limiting your career opportunities.
In this episode, our guest, Sandra Lopez, Vice President for Intel Sports, shares how she turned an ordinary career into an extraordinary one when she finally answered these questions posed by her colleague. Sandra realized that she wasn’t embracing the characteristics and strengths that made her unique and stand out from the crowd of talent around her. This set her on a path to discovery, self-reflection and taking action.
In Sandra’s current role as VP for Intel Sports, she is responsible for partnering with the sports and media industry to provide the future fans with the next generation of immersive media experiences.
Sandra leads a team that is focused on leading the business, marketing and market development efforts of Intel Sports and Studios. She is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on VR/AR/XR. And is dedicated to building the next generation of women leaders. Over the course of her career, Sandra has received numerous recognitions, including “Most Powerful Women in Tech” (National Diversity Council), “Top Women in Media” (Cynopsis), “Top 10 Latina Executives” (LatinaStyle), and the list goes on.
Prior to joining Intel in 2005, Sandra held various positions at Adobe Systems Inc., Macromedia, Computer Associates International Inc. and several other technology companies.
Highlights:
[02:37] Sandra’s journey
[06:37] Building your brand and telling your story
[11:36] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[14:46] Owning your achievements
[19:37] Difference in mentors and sponsors
[24:10] Taking risks and making decisions
[28:17] Overcoming setbacks and failures
[30:10] Sandra’s success habits
[32:57] Establishing healthy boundaries
[35:59] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Life is like Waze, you know where you want to go, but allow yourself to explore the unexplored neighborhoods that you never knew existed.”– Sandra E. Lopez
“Tap into who you were meant to become and lean into that because everyone else is taken.” – Sandra E. Lopez
“Take baby steps towards tackling your fears and anxieties. If you get 1% better every day, imagine how much better you're going to be 365 days from now.” – Sandra E. Lopez
“We need to reframe the word failure so that failure equals growth that enables you to do better.” – Sandra E. Lopez
About Sandra E. Lopez:
Sandra E. Lopez is VP for Intel Sports and is responsible for partnering with the sports and media industry to provide the future fans with the next generation of immersive media experiences. In her role, she leads a team that is focused on leading the business, marketing and market development efforts of Intel Sports and Studios. Lopez is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on VR/AR/XR.
Previously, she led and managed the fashion wearable business for Intel’s New Technology Group.
Earlier in her Intel career, Lopez held various roles within corporate marketing, including director of new business marketing and consumer marketing.
Over the course of her career, Lopez has received numerous recognitions, including “Most Powerful Women in Tech” (National Diversity Council), “Top Women in Media” (Cynopsis), “Top 10 Latina Executives” (LatinaStyle), “Most Influential and Notable Hispanic Professionals in Information Technology” (HiTec) and “Game Changer” (Sports Business Journal).
Prior to joining Intel in 2005, Lopez held various positions at Adobe Systems Inc., Macromedia, Computer Associates International Inc. and several other technology companies.
Lopez earned a B.S. in Economics and Textiles and Clothing from the University of California at Davis. In addition, she attended the Stanford’s Executive Accelerator Program in 2016. As part of contributing to the community, she is focused on building the next generation of women leaders.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lopezsandra/
Have you ever heard of the phrase “you have to see it to be it”?
It’s the beginning of Women’s History Month, and we're celebrating icons, innovators and leaders who have paved the way for women today, and why it’s important for each of us to inspire others.
In this episode, we discuss what is meant by “see it to be it” and the three ways that seeing these trailblazing women is empowering and enabling women everywhere to “see it” and “be it”.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[00:50] The meaning of “see it to be it”
[01:09] 3 ways “see it to be it” empowers
[04:45] Visibility matters
[07:09] Women who’ve inspired us
[10:11] Who represents the future you
Quotes:
“If you're not willing to work for it, it's not a true motivation.” – Nikki Barua
“The reason “if you can see it, you can be it” works so powerfully is that it helps you clarify your what, it helps you connect to your why, and it helps you codify the how.” – Nikki Barua
“It's not just about getting to the top, it's becoming more visible so you can inspire change by sharing your story and making it possible for someone else to dream. It normalizes success.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Hustle – the Urban Dictionary defines the word hustle as: “to strive headstrong and voraciously towards a goal”. Or as Anthony Iannarino clarified in his article, “The Real Meaning of the Word ‘Hustle’”, is that you work hard every single day. It means you do the things other people won’t do, and you do them with a sense of joy and purpose because you love it.
In this episode, you’ll meet Cristina Antelo, a real-life example of the word “hustle”, who lives by Thomas Edison’s motto, “Everything comes to h[er] who hustles while [she] waits.” Cristina shares her life’s journey and how she learned to hustle.
Cristina Antelo is a founding principal and CEO at Ferox Strategies. She has spent more than a decade representing multinational corporations with her trademark hustle at Washington’s best-known government relations firms. From Wall Street to K Street, Cristina has set herself apart as a trusted advisor, skilled advocate, and effective negotiator who isn’t afraid of long, hard work.
Featured in Washingtonian magazine in “Success Stories of Washingtonians of Latino and Hispanic Descent” and identified as a "Top Lawyer," “Power Player,” and “Most Influential 40 and Under Leader” in other regional publications, Cristina provides insider advice on how public policy is created and communicated.
Highlights:
[02:35] Cristina’s journey
[07:03] Gaining clarity on your path & purpose
[13:11] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[20:15] Building your story around your strengths
[25:09] Cristina’s daily success habits
[28:21] Decision making techniques
[33:17] Building authentic relationships
[38:57] Cristina’s advice on accelerating success
Quotes:
“You will always get more information out of making a mistake than if you had done nothing out of fear of failing.” – Cristina Antelo
“There is not enough Latino representation in all of the places where decision-making happens as it related to policy.” - Cristina Antelo
“You can teach yourself anything. It doesn't matter what you know right now, in this moment, you just have to commit to learning.” – Cristina Antelo
About Cristina Antelo:
A fierce believer in Thomas Edison’s, “Everything comes to h[er] who hustles while [she] waits,” Cristina Antelo is a founding principal at Ferox Strategies.
Cristina has spent more than a decade representing multinational corporations with her trademark hustle at Washington’s best-known government relations firms. From Wall Street to K Street, Cristina has set herself apart as a trusted advisor, skilled advocate, and effective negotiator who isn’t afraid of long, hard work.
She began her lobbying career in 2004, immediately representing Fortune 500 clients at top-ranked, bipartisan government and public affairs firms in Washington, D.C. Her past clients include major chain retailers, spirits companies, national theme and amusement parks, pharmaceutical firms, and nutrition and wellness companies. Her policy areas of expertise include financial services, tax, trade, border
security, transportation and infrastructure, and crisis management.
Featured in Washingtonian magazine in “Success Stories of Washingtonians of Latino and Hispanic Descent” and identified as a "Top Lawyer," “Power Player,” and “Most Influential 40 and Under Leader” in other regional publications, Cristina provides insider advice on how public policy is created and communicated. As a founding member and former President of the Hispanic Lobbyists Association and a long stint as the interim CEO of the non- profit Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Cristina has served as both a leader and an advocate, promoting communication, ethics, education, and bipartisanship.
Before transitioning to government relations, in the early 2000s Cristina worked as a Wall Street investment banker and wealth management advisor at major Wall Street firms including Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. She also served as a legal fellow with the Senate Democratic Steering Committee, then chaired by former Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Today, Cristina is active in charitable work, contributing her business acumen and political savvy on the Board of Directors of the CHCI, serving under Chairman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), as well as the board of the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Action Fund supporting conservation of endangered species and habitats. Cristina further serves on the finance committee for the March of Dimes' annual Gourmet Gala, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars boosting maternal and infant health worldwide. Finally, Cristina is also on the Board of Directors for her alma mater, the Brooks School in North Andover, MA, and volunteers with Common Threads, focusing on nutrition education for children.
A native Spanish speaker, Cristina was born in Dallas and graduated from Georgetown University and the George Washington University Law School. She is married with two young daughters, Havana and Brooklyn, who are fiercely loyal to any client that provides toys...or snacks...or anything with glitter.
Links:
Website: https://feroxstrategies.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinaantelo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsCEAntelo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceantelo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceantelo
True philanthropy requires a disruptive mindset, innovative thinking and an entrepreneurial drive to create opportunities.
Ana Marie Argilagos embodies these competencies in spades. Ana Marie is the President and CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), a transnational network of foundations and philanthropists that make impactful investments in the Latino community in the U.S. and across Latin America. She is guiding HIP with a bold vision: to usher in a new generation of philanthropy that is for, by, and about the Latino community. Ana Marie has paved the way for a new era to democratize philanthropy.
She is an entrepreneurial thinker bridging diverse agendas with a track record of working within the philanthropic, public, and nonprofit sectors. From the Ford Foundation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Unidos US, the Annie E. Casey Foundation to HIP, she has led with her thoughtful curiosity to bridge diverse agendas.
In this episode, Ana Marie shares her career journey and the importance of being open to opportunity and how her openness and willingness to veer away from a roadmap, led her to the exciting and fulfilling work of philanthropy.
Highlights:
[02:37] Ana Marie’s journey
[05:11] Gaining clarity on your career path
[11:10] Building influential relationships
[13:57] Identifying mentors and sponsors
[16:27] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[19:38] Goalsetting and execution
[22:46] Sharing your compelling story to gain advocacy
[25:49] Hispanics in Philanthropy
Quotes:
“Have direction, but don't have a roadmap that is so defined that you actually put blinders on yourself, because you might miss some of the opportunities.” – Ana Marie Argilagos
“To disrupt, to reimagine, and rebuild, we need to build a system that listens to those with a lived experience.” - Ana Marie Argilagos
“Trust is key in collective problem solving.” – Ana Marie Argilagos
About Ana Marie Argilagos:
As President and CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) - a network of foundations and philanthropists that makes impactful investments in the Latinx community in the U.S. and across Latin America - Ana Marie has paved the way for a new era to democratize philanthropy. From the Ford Foundation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Unidos US, to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, she has led with her thoughtful curiosity to bridge diverse agendas. Ana Marie’s trajectory is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit that seeks to center Latinx voices and leadership. She currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband Rodger and cat Alfie.
Links:
Website: https://hiponline.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-marie-argilagos-4747804/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AM_Argilagos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anamarieargilagos/
HIP’s Mackenzie Scott gift: https://hiponline.org/mackenzie-scott-gifts-15m-to-hispanics-in-philanthropy/
We all know those who seem to easily command a room with their charisma and confidence.
This is referred to as executive presence, and yes, it can be learned.
In this episode, we share the 3 aspects of executive presence as taught by expert, Sylvia Ann Hewlett, as well as tips and strategies for you to gain executive presence and gravitas.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[00:58] What is executive presence
[01:06] Sylvia Ann Hewlett: 3 aspects of executive presence
[07:24] How Nikki & Monica developed executive presence
[12:29] Exhibiting executive presence remotely
[14:22] Your choice of words matter
Quotes:
“90% of communication is how you deliver your message and 10% are the words you use to share your message.” – Monica Marquez
“Being deliberate and thoughtful when you are speaking will help you develop executive presence.” – Nikki Barua
“Your ability to signal preparedness to someone through your executive presence really comes down to creating a sense of certainty and inspiring confidence in the other person by how you show up.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
You hear it all the time from super successful people, long before they were running multimillion-dollar companies, they were strengthening their entrepreneurial muscle by selling lemonade on the corner, inventing the next “big thing” in their garage or helping their parents or grandparents run the “mom and
pop” family business after school. It seems that for most successful people, whether they are working for a company or running their own company, the entrepreneurial mindset sets them apart from the rest.
In this episode, you’ll meet Lauren Sweeney, Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, who shares her own story of growing up in a family of small business owners and how developing her entrepreneurial mindset helped her succeed in her corporate career and ultimately gave her the courage to follow her passion and
start her own business.
Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people.
Their client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty.
Highlights:
[02:36] Lauren’s journey
[04:48] Making the decision to become an entrepreneur
[06:33] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs
[09:32] Identifying your strengths, passion and purpose
[12:36] Asking your community for help
[14:36] How to ask for someone’s time and knowledge
[16:36] Creating your personal brand
[19:27] Advice on dreaming big
[22:00] Turning failures into lessons for success
[24:35] Lauren’s success habits
[28:39] How to make the decision to delegate
Quotes:
“Changing your mindset to embrace failure gives you the freedom to dream big.” – Lauren Sweeney
“Know who you are, what you believe, and where you are headed.” – Lauren Sweeney
“When you ask for someone’s advice, share with them how you used it.” - Lauren Sweeney
About Lauren Sweeney:
Lauren Sweeney is Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, a creative marketing company. After graduating with dual degrees in Economics and Art History from a liberal arts school in Virginia, she worked in communications for a Fortune 200 financial services company. Lauren launched Dotted Line in 2014, and since then the firm has grown into a full-service agency serving 50+ clients at a national scale in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty.
Lauren has been recognized as a 2017 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow with global fashion powerhouse, Tory Burch. Lauren’s involvement with Tory Burch has garnered press in MSNBC, WWD, and regional publications.
Lauren uses the Tory Burch Foundation opportunity to raise awareness for entrepreneurship and women-owned businesses at events such as the 3% Conference and the Southern C Conference, as well as at educational institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University and surrounding colleges and universities.
Lauren serves on the boards for Needle’s Eye Ministries.
Lauren is a proud wife of a fellow entrepreneur, a stepmother of a towering teenage boy, and a new mom to a 1-year old. The Sweeney family is actively involved at Hope Church in Richmond, Virginia. They enjoy outdoor activities and traveling. Recent adventures have taken them hiking in Utah, exploring the Holy Land in Israel, or traveling to Iceland.
About Dotted Line:
Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people.
Started by Founder and CEO at the age of 26, Lauren founded a new model agency for today’s advertising world. Dotted Lines’ client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty. Today, Dotted Line services 50+ clients with a staff of 15.
Links:
Website: https://dottedline.agency/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dotted-line-collaborations/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dottedline.agency/
Imagine you’re at the edge of a freezing cold plunge pool. Would you dive right in? Or would you hesitate and maybe just dip your toe in the water?
Our guest, Anand Verma, likes to dive right in! Anand is a visionary leader, award-winning digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, and investor–and he believes that if you want to innovate in the digital age, you have to dive right in and embrace change no matter how scary and uncomfortable it may be.
Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world.
Previously, he was the Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics, an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company that was acquired by Infosys. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. Prior to Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Media brands Ventures in EMEA. He also held leadership roles at Sapient, AKQA and Modem Media.
Anand has a track record of leading through disruptive change. In this episode, he shares what it means to be entrepreneurial, how to navigate uncertainty, why companies must be purpose-led, and how to build winning teams. He is a passionate advocate for diversity as the fuel for innovation and a champion for women in leadership. That’s why we are so proud to have him on the Beyond Barriers advisory board to guide us on our mission.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anand.
Highlights:
[03:07] Anand’s story of entrepreneurship
[09:24] Most important lessons learned
[12:57] Being a builder vs an operator
[15:45] How confidence is built
[21:32] Anand’s current focus – bringing AI and design together
[25:00] Gaining support from sponsors and advocates
[27:25] Why diversity matters
[35:54] Biggest trends to follow
[38:28] How to prepare for future trends
Quotes:
“Perfectionism is the biggest killer of any business.” – Anand Verma
“Confidence and credibility go hand in hand.” - Anand Verma
“Every day is a good day for doing and learning something new.” – Anand Verma
About Anand Verma:
Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world. Prior to his recent ventures, he was the Owner, Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics (acquired by Infosys), an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company headquartered in London with studios all over the world.
Successfully acquired by Infosys in 2017 to accelerate Design and Innovation for Infosys and its clients globally. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. He is also deeply involved with leading design school and university partnerships for Infosys.
Anand is a digital visionary, innovator and successful entrepreneur who understands new products and services, revenue growth, operations and people. He has over 20 years’ experience in management consulting, digital and tech businesses. Anand has built a successful career by consistently delivering value through digital and customer-centricity. He loves creating value by reducing complexity in the digital world at both speed x scale.
Prior to founding Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest Presidents and CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Mediabrands Ventures in EMEA, a global advertising and media conglomerate where he led digital Operations, Innovative Products and Services and M&A. And previous to that he held leadership roles at Sapient (now a part of Publicis), AKQA (now a part of WPP) and Modem Media (now a part of Publicis).
Anand is an active investor, adviser, non-exec board director, academia, podcast host and speaker.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anandverma/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anandverma
How much time a week do you invest in learning something new? What is your yearly budget for investing in yourself?
The shelf life of skills today is just 18 months. What is in demand today will likely not be in demand a year and a half from now. In this episode, we share why it is important to become a lifelong learner and 3 tips for learning that will keep you abreast of what skills will be needed in the future so you can make sure that you aren’t left behind.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode.
Highlights:
[00:48] The meaning of lifelong learning
[01:42] The shelf-life of skills today
[03:19] Companies need a culture of learning
[05:06] Just-in-time learning
[06:50] It isn’t just about the technical skills
[07:31] The most powerful skill
[08:43] Know your learning style
[09:01] Nikki’s tips on the best ways to learn
Quotes:
“A culture and mindset of lifelong learning is essential for success.” – Nikki Barua
“Shift your mindset from all-knowing to always-learning.” – Nikki Barua
“You are your best investment, make sure you are dedicating time for your growth every week.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you have a hard time saying no to people for fear of letting them down? Do you find yourself seeking the approval of others? Are you driven to seek validation and avoid rejection?
In this episode, we discuss the negative impact of people-pleasing on your career and share three simple principles you can apply to overcome approval addiction.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes for this episode.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Highlights:
[00:47] What is approval addiction
[03:36] Impact of approval addiction
[04:53] The value of being a contrarian
[06:19] Leaders need to be decisive
[08:07] The halo effect
[11:19] Stop being a people-pleaser
Quotes:
“When you have absolute certainty and conviction in your beliefs, you will care less about people-pleasing.” – Nikki Barua
“You can’t be influential if you are afraid to put your own point of view out there.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
We all have a superpower, but we don’t always know what it is, how to use it, or even when to use it. But when you get this right, and learn to harness your superpower, your impact becomes exponential.
Meet Fran Maier, serial entrepreneur, known for growing iconic businesses like TRUSTe and Match.com.
Fran shares how her superpower as a brand builder made her such a huge success and helped her create global impact. Fran is now the CEO of BabyQuip and her superpower as a brand builder has already made the company the leading baby gear rental service for traveling families. Fran is a legendary entrepreneur and has won numerous awards and accolades. She was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award, named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley.
In this episode, Fran shares why it’s important to know your strengths and take ownership of what’s in your control. She also reveals the lessons she has learned in her career and the principles she follows as a leader. Fran is applying all of these principles as she leads BabyQuip in changing lives and improving the way families travel.
Highlights:
[02:47] Fran’s superpower
[05:54] The story of Match.com
[09:04] Keeping brand values in alignment with business decisions
[10:40] Defining company culture
[13:07] Biggest lessons learned
[18:39] The pros and cons of being early to market
[20:23] How does BabyQuip serve the community
[30:47] The effects of the pandemic on BabyQuip
[33:41] Empowering women as independent business owners
[37:17] Who should female entrepreneurs listen to for advice
[41:20] Lesson learned from working with investors
[42:38] Taking ownership of what’s in our control
[46:35] Vision for BabyQuip
[48:02] The question brand builders should be asking
Quotes:
“Be confident and allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask for help.” – Fran Maier
“Always be open to listening to everyone’s advice, but have the conviction to decide for yourself.” – Fran Maier
About Fran Maier:
Fran Maier is CEO and Founder of BabyQuip, the leading baby gear rental service for traveling families and now offering local cleaning services too.
She is a serial entrepreneur and brand builder with over 25 years experience in B2C and B2B internet businesses. She is best known for her 10+ years leading TRUSTe (now TrustArc), the leading privacy trustmark and compliance provider, and as Co-Founder and first General Manager of Match.com.
Fran speaks widely on several topics relating to women in business, including opportunities for women in the collaborative economy, addressing the lucrative family travel segment, women in entrepreneurship and on boards. She serves as an advisor to many start-ups including Portfolia, Women’s Start-up Lab, Sign-up.com, Kango, and Dabbl.
Fran is featured as an expert in the documentary film about entrepreneurship entitled “She Started It.” With Emmy Award winning journalist Kym McNicholas, she hosted a radio show/podcast called "Female Seeking Start-up" which featured interviews with female entrepreneurs. In 2016, Fran was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award. In 2015, she was named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. In 2011, San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and in 2010, AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley.
She served on the board of GE Capital Bank until it was sold in 2016. In addition, she is a Member of Women Corporate Directors and is former Chair of the Steering Committee for Stanford Women on Boards. In 2012, Fran completed the Stanford Rock Center for Corporate Governance Director's College.
Fran holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University. She lives in San Francisco and Santa Fe and is the mother of two grown sons.
Links:
Website: https://www.babyquip.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franmaier/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franmaier
Imagine you’re at an event or in an elevator, and you get introduced to a VIP that you’re honored to meet. Then they ask that dreaded question: Tell me about yourself.
The typical default is to respond with your name, title, employer and work focus, right? Imagine you no longer have that job or title. How would you tell your story?
When we’re asked to introduce ourselves, we often miss the opportunity to share our story in a powerful way that makes us stand out and highlights our unique value proposition. Instead, we respond to that question with our work history that explains our WHAT but not our WHY.
In this episode, you’ll meet Lisa Gates, a leadership and career story coach, and founder of Story Happens Here, a practice focused on helping women master their brand stories, control their narratives, and rise up. Lisa is committed to helping women be seen, heard, promoted—and rewarded—as the agents of change the workplace and the world is dying to see. Lisa stresses the importance of being able to morph your story for any situation that you are in. And how your story isn’t a one-time thing but rather a living breathing story that can always change.
Lisa has also authored several online courses available at LinkedIn Learning, including Asking for a Raise, Negotiation Foundations, Conflict Resolution Foundations, Coaching and Developing Employees, and Coaching for Results.
Highlights:
[02:50] Lisa’s story
[09:21] The key to building your story
[12:57] Techniques for overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[19:46] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[24:23] Making decisions with confidence
[27:46] Gaining access to influential leaders
[30:00] Lisa’s daily success habits
[33:48] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Confidence comes from repetition, practice, and advocating for yourself and others.” – Lisa Gates
“Be diligent about spending time every week cultivating your influence.” - Lisa Gates
“If it’s not on your calendar, it’s not going to happen.” – Lisa Gates
“You will forget something you learn in about three days if you don’t start to implement it.” – Lisa Gates
About Lisa Gates:
Lisa is a leadership and career story coach, and founder of Story Happens Here, a practice focused on helping women master their brand stories, control their narratives, and rise up.
Lisa is committed to helping women be seen, heard, promoted—and rewarded—as the agents of change the workplace and the world is dying to see. She is a certified co-active coach with training in mediation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and Strength Finders. Prior to launching Story Happens Here in 2019, she was co-founder of the negotiation consultancy She Negotiates, which she ran for 10 years.
In addition to her work in marketing and public relations, Lisa holds a degree in theatre and a minor in journalism and has performed in countless plays, torn up the boards in several improv troupes, and participated in storytelling events for over 40 years. Lisa has authored several online courses available at LinkedIn Learning, including Asking for a Raise, Negotiation Foundations, Conflict Resolution Foundations, Coaching and Developing Employees, and Coaching for Results.
Links:
Website: https://www.storyhappenshere.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagates/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaGates1
Is self-doubt preventing you from following your dreams? Are you a high-achiever who struggles with feelings of inadequacy?
In the 1970s, two researchers, Dr. Suzanne Imes and Dr. Pauline Rose Clance, embarked on researching the characteristics of high-achieving women. What they found was that despite all of these women’s accomplishments, all of their achievements, there was this level of self-doubt. This became known as Imposter Syndrome, which affects 70% of all people. Following in their footsteps, Dr. Valerie Young, expanded on their research and introduced 5 Archetypes of Imposter Syndrome and how they present.
In this episode, we'll share how you can discover your imposter syndrome archetype, what you must do to boost your confidence, and why imposter syndrome can be a career killer.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links, including the best way to connect with our guests.
Highlights:
[00:41] Beyond Barriers Mission
[01:17] About Monica Marquez
[03:28] About Nikki Barua
[06:21] What is imposter syndrome
[09:42] What the research has taught us
[12:22] 5 archetypes of imposter syndrome
[24:18] Mindset affects propensity to experience imposter syndrome
[25:33] Strategies for each archetype
[27:27] Tools for overcoming imposter syndrome
Quotes:
“Be aware that by simply change your physical stance and changing your state, you actually show up more confident even if you're not feeling it in that moment.” – Nikki Barua
“If someone pays you a compliment, write it down and add it to an ongoing list over time.” – Nikki Barua
“In this digital age of technology, realize that you're not going to know everything and be committed to constantly evolving and always learning.” – Monica Marquez
“When you find yourself procrastinating, pause, and take a moment to ask yourself, are you pushing something out that you don’t want to deal with?” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt stuck in a career but didn’t know how to make a change? Do you wonder how to position yourself effectively for a future role?
Our guest, Janet Van Huysse, SVP, Chief People Officer at Cloudflare, shares how she changed careers by leveraging transferrable skills and how you can do the same.
Janet started out as a school teacher in Illinois with a dream to move to California. But when she finally got there, she realized that she couldn’t afford the cost of living as a teacher and had to work nights and weekends at a small internet company. She needed a long-term sustainable solution and after exploring her options, she decided to pursue a career in HR. Her only challenge? She had no training or experience in the field!
In this episode, you’ll learn the steps that Janet took to make a career change and how it helped her achieve her dreams and accelerate success. Today, Janet leads the HR function at Cloudflare, including recruiting efforts. A veteran HR leader with over twenty years of experience in technology, Janet was the first VP of HR at Twitter, as well as the company's VP of Diversity & Inclusion. Janet is also the co-founder of TendLab, a venture seeking to transform the workplace by unleashing the power and potential of working parents.
Highlights:
[02:24] Janet’s journey
[09:26] Overcoming setbacks
[11:43] Identifying your transferrable skills
[15:16] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs
[20:43] The importance of Employee Resource Groups
[26:35] Tips on executing effectively
[30:39] Janet’s daily success habits
[33:30] What holds women back
[36:01] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Call out that inner critic that is sabotaging you.” – Janet Van Huysse
“When presenting something or a new proposal, make sure that 60 to 80% of the people in that room have seen it beforehand.” – Janet Van Huysse
“Ask yourself what are the three most important things that you need to do today and focus on those.” - Janet Van Huysse
“It is important to tell people where you want to go.” – Janet Van Huysse
About Janet Van Huysse:
Janet Van Huysse is the Head of People at Cloudflare, where she leads the HR function, including recruiting efforts. A veteran HR leader with over twenty years of experience in technology, Janet was the first VP of HR at Twitter, as well as the company's VP of Diversity & Inclusion. Janet is also the co-founder of TendLab, a venture seeking to transform the workplace by unleashing the power and potential of working parents.
Links:
Website: https://www.cloudflare.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetvh/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/janetvh
Is the glass half full or half empty? Based on your answer, you are assessed as either an optimist or a pessimist, revealing your level of “happiness”.
In this episode, Silvia Garcia, former International Marketing Director and President of the Happiness Institute of Coca-Cola, challenges us that both answers are wrong. The glass is refillable! And anyone can refill their own glass if they focus on the 8 pillars that science attributes to happiness.
As the former President of the Happiness Institute at Coca-Cola, Silvia has studied how positive and negative emotions influence consumer and employees’ decisions. Using the first scientific index of happiness at work, Silvia proves the impact of increasing employees’ happiness at work on business results.
She is one of the top worldwide leaders on happiness at work and is invited every year by the United Nations to discuss the state of happiness in the world.
Highlights:
[02:24] Silvia’s journey
[06:41] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[09:32] Happiness and success go hand in hand
[11:18] Tips for happiness
[15:58] 8 pillars that science attributes to happiness
[24:13] Celebrating yourself
[26:03] Have your network of cheerleaders
[29:13] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[31:52] Silvia’s daily success habits
[34:53] Staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“When you avoid the things that are causing you pain, you are also avoiding the path to feeling well.” – Silvia Garcia
“Happiness is always more than one person, whether you are feeling good or feeling bad, you need to share with others.” - Silvia Garcia
“Remind yourself that failures are lessons for the future.” – Silvia Garcia
“If you don’t have challenges that are bigger than you, then there will be no learning.” – Silvia Garcia
About Silvia Garcia:
As former International Marketing Director and President of the Happiness Institute of Coca-Cola, Silvia studied how positive and negative emotions influence consumer and employees’ decisions. Silvia has inspired millions of people to do what it takes to increase sales, attract and keep more customers, build longer-lasting, healthier relationships, strengthen their leadership skills and become more profitable, happier and successful than they ever thought possible. Using the first scientific index of happiness at work, Silvia proves the impact of increasing employees' happiness at work on business results and creates new brands and products that gain immediate consumer love. Highly demanded by companies all around the world, her speeches have been said to change “lives and companies”.
Silvia is one of the top worldwide leaders on happiness at work and, as such, she is annually invited by the United Nations to discuss the estate of happiness in the world.
She is a foresighted and humorous storyteller who enjoys simplifying big, complex ideas to make them actionable for a wide range of audiences. She is known for her keynotes given in companies around the world. She is described by clients from sectors like banking, food, sharing economy, media, and various universities and business schools as a “standout favorite for audiences”, with a “rare and visionary intellect”.
Links:
Website: https://www.happiestplacestowork.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvia-garcia-barnechea/
Welcome to Season 2 of the Beyond Barriers podcast! If you are an ambitious woman who wants to advance in leadership, then this podcast is for you.
In each episode, we interview thought leaders, industry influencers and C-level executives from top corporations. Listen to our guests share their perspective on leadership in the age of artificial intelligence, autonomy and authenticity. From inspiring stories to cutting-edge strategies, you’ll learn exactly how our guests made it to the top and the invaluable lessons they have learned in their own journey.
This podcast is co-hosted by Nikki Barua - Digital Innovator, Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Speaker. And Monica Marquez - Senior Corporate Leader, ex-Googler, and Diversity Expert.
As thought leaders in innovation and inclusion, we bring unique insights on how to develop the skillset, mindset and toolset to get future-ready fast and accelerate your success.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links, including the best way to connect with our guests.
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
This is our last podcast episode of the year. We are so grateful, honored and blown away by the amazing podcast guests we've had the opportunity to interview since our launch in February.
And what better way to close out the year then to share with you a recap of some of the best and inspirational seeds of wisdom that our guests planted for all of our listeners.
In this episode, Nikki and Monica discuss how the Beyond Barriers Podcast came to life, the milestones we’ve reached, and nuggets of wisdom from our most popular guest episodes.
We’d like to wish you a very Happy New Year from Beyond Barriers! Thank you for supporting us and our community of women worldwide.
Highlights:
[01:02] Launching a new podcast
[02:16] Thank you to our community
[03:44] Recap of our most popular podcasts episodes
[18:57] Happy New Year from Beyond Barriers
Quotes:
“Just by sharing your vision, you may not need to ask for help.” – Ginny Clarke
“You can't raise your net worth until you raise your self-worth.” – Audrey Bellis
“The life that you want is on the other side of a difficult conversation.” – AmyK Hutchens
“It's about talking to the right person at the right time about the right opportunity.” – Sarah Johnston
“Figure out what your self-promotional gift is and how it's going to help other people.” – Dr. Nashater Del Solheim
“Don't let a crisis pivot you from your true north.” – Carina Edwards
“The more you try to fit into a mold that wasn't made for you, the more energy you have to expend.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“We don't have failures, we have experiences and lessons learned.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Talk about your work like you're your own best friend.” – Judith Williams
“Sometimes others see something in you that you may not see in yourself, and you need to be open to them.” – Gail Fierstein
“It doesn't matter whether you feel confident, it matters what you actually do.” – Kara Goldin
“Asking for help allows others to know where they can use their superpowers to help you.” – Tami Rosen
“Your ability to have power and influence is limited when no one knows what you've done.” – Mallun Yen
“Having courage of voice empowers you when you take ownership of your own ideas.” – Melonie Parker
“When someone gives you feedback, make it comfortable for them to give you feedback again.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
“Exceptional leaders do not want to be the smartest person in the room.” – Katie O’Reilly
“You can't be every woman every day.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Put your own comfort aside so that you can create comfort for someone else.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“Part of securing the seat at the table is owning the space that you want to create.” – Minda Harts
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
It's less than two weeks until the end of the year. We are in the midst of the holiday season – a time for celebration, community, giving, and reflection. It is also a time for planning for success in the new year.
In this episode, Nikki reflects back on 2020 and shares memorable moments, new competencies she’d developed over the year, and her lifelong planning rituals that help her reach her goals in the new year.
And finally, as the year comes to a close, we would like to thank our listeners for your support and ask you to help us to empower even more women worldwide. Podcast subscriptions and ratings affect the visibility of content on popular platforms, especially on Apple.
It takes less than 2 minutes and it’s easy. Please help!
Here are 3 simple steps to Subscribe, Rate, and Review.
1. Click here your iPhone or Desktop.
2. Click on “SUBSCRIBE”.
3. Scroll down below ALL episodes and you will see “Ratings and Reviews” on the iPhone.
Click the stars to rate and then write a review.
Thank you for your support and for this precious holiday gift to our community!
Highlights:
[01:02] Nikki’s reflection on the year
[06:50] What Nikki learned this year
[14:09] 3 questions Nikki asks herself at year end
[18:01] Nikki’s ritual in planning for the new year
[25:12] Nikki’s vision for 2021
Quotes:
“Within every crisis there is opportunity.” – Nikki Barua
“Nothing mobilizes a group of people more than coming together and uniting around a common cause.” – Nikki Barua
“You can’t control everything that is coming your way, but you can control your response.” – Nikki Barua
“With focus and sustained commitment, anything is possible.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Kamala Harris recently shared that her mother always reminded her that, “You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.” Being a pioneer is hard. It means pushing through boundaries and overcoming great challenges, often times alone.
In this episode, Ileana Musa, Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending at Morgan Stanley, shares what it was like growing up as a young Latina immigrant in a single parent home and how education and a strong work ethic laid the foundation to achieve her career aspirations. Ileana also shares why staying true to yourself and sharing your authentic story leads to awareness and stronger relationships, which ultimately leads to opportunity.
Highlights:
[03:30] Ileana’s story
[05:16] Decision to pursue a career in financial services
[07:40] Ileana’s daily success habits
[10:10] Building your personal brand
[17:42] Gaining access to influential leaders
[23:30] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[29:43] Executing on your new opportunity
[37:14] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Sharing your story helps others to share their stories.” – Ileana Musa
“It's up to each of us to paint the picture of what the future holds.” – Ileana Musa
“When you give back to other employees as it relates to their development, people take notice, and that ultimately gives you access.” – Ileana Musa
“Think about what you bring to the table and how you can then build a meaningful connection.” – Ileana Musa
“The sooner you fail, the sooner you are going to learn.” – Ileana Musa
About Ileana Musa:
Ileana Musa is the Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending. In this role she leads the segment and strategy that focuses on Morgan Stanley’s International Client Advisors and international clients to ensure they have access to strategic investment, cash management and lending solutions, services and thought leadership to address both sides of a client’s balance sheet. Ileana is a member of Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management Management Committee, Wealth Management Operating Committee, Latin America Management Committee, US Banks Management Committee, and the Bank Leadership Committee. Ileana co-chairs the enterprise Latino Employee Network.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley she was the Global Client Segment and Strategy executive for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this capacity, Ileana focused on international financial advisors to ensure the delivery of a consistent, goals-based wealth management experience for international high-net-worth and ultra-high-net worth clients. Prior to this role, Ileana was head of International Credit & Banking within Bank of America’s Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM) Banking group. In this role, she led the teams that supported and delivered integrated liquidity, cash management and lending solutions and services to financial advisors and high-net-worth clients in Latin America, Asia and Europe.
Ileana held several leadership roles in the domestic, international and affluent banking platforms at Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, where she lent her talent in growing the cross-border wealth management business.
Ileana received her BBA degree, with a concentration in finance, from the University of Miami and an M.B.A. degree in finance from Florida International University. Ileana is fluent in Spanish, is FINRA registered and is Six-Sigma Greenbelt certified.
Ileana was recently named to the Girl Scouts National Board (GSUSA) and sits on the Corporate Advisory Boards of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Florida International University Honors College and the Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami.
Ileana was named to the ‘Top 100 Most Influential Latinas’ List in 2020 by Latino Leaders. Last year she was recognized to the 2019 MAKERS class of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as well as being recognized by Latino Justice with the 2019 Latina Trailblazer Award honoring her professional and personal achievements in opening doors and new opportunities for other professionals. Additionally, Ileana was named to ALPFA’s 2019 Most Powerful Latinas in corporate America list for a third year in a row as previously featured in Fortune magazine. In 2016 Ileana was awarded the 2015 Top 10 Corporate Executives of the Year by Latina Style magazine.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileanamusa3
This has been an incredibly challenging year. We're navigating new circumstances in an uncertain environment. Some of us are not only dealing with everyday responsibilities, but also taking care of others – whether it’s child care, or elder care. In these situations, one of the first things that we let go of is self-care. After all, when time and energy is limited, how do you even find the time to focus on yourself?
In this episode, we're going to talk about why self-care is even more important when you're caring for others, and provide tips on taking care of yourself.
Highlights:
[00:41] Challenges of today
[02:27] Monica shares her story of elder care
[03:08] Effects of not practicing self-care
[05:48] Hitting pause and changing trajectory
[09:19] 3 key takeaways
Quotes:
“Draw boundaries with yourself and others on what is possible, reasonable and feasible.” – Nikki Barua
“Make sure that you do something to nourish yourself daily.” – Nikki Barua
“Self-care shifts caring for others from a burden to a privilege.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt like an outsider that didn’t belong even after you earned a seat at the table? Our guest Mallun Yen has faced and successfully overcome this challenge over and over again in her career. She reveals how being an outsider fueled her creativity and helped her tap into the power of community to find breakthrough solutions. She was able to think outside the box because she didn’t even know there was a box!
Mallun is the Founder and Partner of Operator Collective, a $50M venture fund that brings together senior operators from diverse backgrounds as Limited Partners. This is a group critical to a startup’s success but largely absent from the historically white male venture industry. Mallun has assembled a close knit community of 130 incredibly talented Operator LPs who have built up the world's most admired companies like Zoom, Stripe, Salesforce and Slack. 90% of the LPs are women, and more than 40% of them are people of color! Prior to Operator Collective, Mallun was Vice President at Cisco, founding team member at multiple category-creating startups, including RPX ($0 to $100M & IPO in 3 years) and SaaStr (world’s largest b2b software community).
In this episode, Mallun discusses why building powerful communities is the key to changing the status quo and what has helped her bring people together for a common cause. She also shares her bold vision of an inclusive world where every dreamer and every doer can go beyond barriers.
Highlights:
[02:57] Mallun’s career journey
[11:57] Being an outsider can be an asset
[18:30] What makes the Operator Collective different from traditional VC funds
[23:37] Solving for the gender gap in investors
[31:57] Facilitating power, wealth and influence for women
[37:59] Asking your community for help
[48:02] Advice on expanding your personal network
[53:39] Mallun’s biggest dream for the future
Quotes:
“Being the outsider allows you to think outside of the box.” – Mallun Yen
“Your ability to have power and influence is limited when no one knows what you’ve done.” – Mallun Yen
“When you start a relationship that is both personal and business-related, it is much more natural to continue having the business part of it.” – Mallun Yen
“Be deliberate in building your relationships.” – Mallun Yen
“You can treat people well, put culture first, build relationships, and still build an ultra-successful company.” – Mallun Yen
About Mallun Yen:
Mallun Yen is the Founder and Partner of Operator Collective, a $50M fund that brings together as LPs a group critical to a startup’s success but largely absent from the historically male and white venture industry: senior operators from diverse backgrounds. Beyond having assembled a close knit community of 130 mind-bogglingly talented Operator LPs who have built up the world's most admired companies like Zoom, Stripe, Salesforce and Slack, notably and deliberately 90% of the LPs are women, and more
than 40% of them are people of color.
Previously a Cisco Vice President, Mallun has built up multiple successful, category-creating startups, including as part of the founding teams at venture-backed RPX ($0 to $100M & IPO in 3 years) and SaaStr (world’s largest b2b software community).
Links:
Website: https://operatorcollective.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallun/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malynyn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mallun
Did you know that 92% of people who set new year’s resolutions never achieve them? In this episode, we explore how planning can help you achieve your goals. We also discuss different styles of planning and whether to plan or not to plan.
You’ll learn how planning can save you time and energy, and provide relief from stress. You’ll also learn the steps of planning to set yourself up for success.
Highlights:
[01:09] I am not a planner
[04:29] Downside of not planning
[06:52] Steps for planning
Quotes:
“Taking the time to plan up front will save you a great deal of time in the future.” – Nikki Barua
“Creating a plan allows you to anticipate the future, explore your options, and get leverage.” – Nikki Barua
“Good planning is about anticipating the worst case scenario and rather than assuming the best case scenario.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you worry about what other people think of you? Have you let your fear of judgment get in the way of leading with courage?
Research has shown that when people are their authentic selves at work, they are less likely to feel stalled in their careers, more likely to be promoted and advance in their career, and more likely to build a strong sense of trust with their employers, peers and team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Katie O’Reilly, fearless leader and Executive Director at the Milken Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank on a mission to increase global prosperity by providing access to capital, creating jobs and improving health.
Katie shares how being unapologetically authentic helped her earn the trust and respect of powerful global leaders, lead her team of change agents, and make massive impact in the world. Katie reveals her own challenges and how she stepped into her personal power after overcoming self-doubt and fears. Katie shares her perspective on the importance of taking chances in your life and career, always learning and growing, and building and nurturing your relationship network.
In her role as Executive Director at the Milken Institute, Katie has overseen the international expansion of the Institute’s major initiatives globally. The Milken Institute convenes the world’s leading CEOs, institutional investors and government leaders for solutions-oriented dialogues about pressing social and economic challenges while also producing independent, data-driven research and crafting meaningful policy initiatives.
Katie has spent more than 15 years working with leading organizations in the NGO, philanthropic and corporate space. She began her career as a community organizer and policy analyst for the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness and served as Senior Fundraiser for United Way. Active in many organizations, Katie currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery. She is co-chair of the U.S. Board of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She also serves on the advisory board of Pocket Patient, a patient-centered, digital medical platform for the developing world.
Highlights:
[03:33] Katie’s story
[08:26] Connecting in your career and finding your place
[23:39] Advice on being your authentic self in difficult situations
[25:59] Overcoming imposter syndrome
[28:59] Practical tips for business development
[30:02] How to open the conversation
[33:11] Nurturing your relationships
[36:01] Common traits of exceptional leaders
[40:13] Most exciting trends for the future
[44:05] Biggest barriers that hold women back
[47:32] Katie’s success habit
Quotes:
“When you're thinking about your career, try not to think TOO big, because it's about the day to day and what you enjoy doing every day.” – Katie O’Reilly
“The best advice for your career is to be curious.” – Katie O’Reilly
“You have to be vulnerable to be a great leader.” – Katie O’Reilly
“Getting outside of your comfort zone will turbocharge your learning.” – Katie O’Reilly
“Exceptional leaders do not want to be the smartest person in the room.” – Katie O’Reilly
About Katie O’Reilly:
Kathryn (Katie) O'Reilly is an Executive Director at the Milken Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with offices in Washington D.C., London, and Singapore. The Institute’s mission is to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health. The Institute convenes the world’s leading CEOs, institutional investors and government leaders for solutions-oriented dialogues about pressing social and economic challenges while also producing independent, data-driven research and crafting meaningful policy initiatives.
Since joining the Institute in 2007, O’Reilly has overseen the international expansion of the Institute’s major initiatives and leads teams engaged in relationship management and program development globally. More specifically, she creates strategies for engaging in the work of the Milken Institute for a global network of supporters including financial institutions, corporations, foundations and individual philanthropists. In the area of program development, O’Reilly fosters collaborations across a variety of topics including capital market development, medical philanthropy, disease research and capital access.
From Financial Innovations Labs to conference panels and workshops, O’Reilly leads efforts which bring together leaders from different sectors and regions to design and implement market-based solutions to global challenges.
She has spent more than 15 years working with leading organizations in the NGO, philanthropic and corporate space on crafting partnerships while also helping companies and individuals leverage their philanthropic investments. She began her career as a community organizer and policy analyst for the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness and served as Senior Fundraiser for United Way.
Active in many organizations, O'Reilly currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, which coordinates a global strategy to permanently dismantle slavery systems and is co- chair of the U.S. Board of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the largest child health research institute in Australia and one of the top three worldwide. She also serves on the advisory board of Pocket Patient, a patient-centered, digital medical platform for the developing world. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and served as an Americorps volunteer for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-o-reilly-2b57894/
Did you know that for every 100 men promoted or hired into a role as a first-time manager, only 72 women are promoted or hired? The imbalance is greater for women of color, with only 68 Latinas and 58 black women hired to managerial roles per 100 men.
A survey conducted by Lean In and McKinsey in 2019 revealed that women are not getting hired at the same scale, promoted at the same pace, nor paid at the same rate as men.
While there are many institutional reasons for this gender gap that may not be in your control, here’s something that is - taking ownership of your successes!
In this episode, we share how you can demonstrate your impact, put yourself in a better position to be hired, promoted and compensated well, and stop being the best kept secret!
Highlights:
[00:41] Hiring statistics
[01:52] Why achievements of women executives are less visible
[04:08] The struggle with promoting yourself
[08:44] Make your greatest hits list
Quotes:
“There are things known, and there are things that are unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Monica Marquez
“When you finish a project, you must share your results with a little self-promotion to gain the necessary visibility to advance.” – Monica Marquez
“Every accomplishment builds upon the previous one and amplifies your value to the world.” – Monica Marquez
“Your reputation allows other people to know how you can help them.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever experienced the “Resume Black Hole”? That dreaded abyss your resume falls victim to when you click “submit” after spending countless exhaustive hours searching and applying for numerous jobs online. And then, you sit and wait, and wait some more, only to get nothing but those automated “thank you” confirmation receipt emails. That’s it, nothing. Nothing but frustration and disappointment.
Sound familiar?
In this episode, you’ll meet Jena Viviano, and hear her perspective on how to avoid the “black hole” and land your dream job.
Jena is a career coach and entrepreneur who knows what it’s like to go through multiple career changes.
She’s worked on Wall Street as an investment banker, reported live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and scored a job at a growing career startup, The Muse, before launching her professional development business. Her sweet spot is helping ambitious female professionals articulate their personal branded career stories to land their dream jobs via her signature program Recruit the Employer.
Jena has worked with over 800+ clients from around the world and has been featured on Business Insider, Monster, Glassdoor, Bustle, The Muse and Grit & Virtue. She’s created courses for LinkedIn, LinkedIn Learning, and her resume work is highlighted in the WSJ Bestseller, The New Rules of Work. Jena also speaks on various platforms about the intersection of work, branding and faith.
Highlights:
[02:58] Jena’s story
[04:22] Making the decision to change careers
[06:02] How to identify your strengths
[07:30] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[08:47] What holds women back in corporate setting
[11:16] Looking for your dream job
[13:35] Gaining access to influential people
[16:01] Job seeker key habits to develop
[18:38] How to stand out as a job seeker
[23:41] How to execute in your first 90 days at a new job
[25:45] Leveraging your network and asking for help
[27:21] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
[28:52] Leveraging LinkedIn to build your brand
[30:24] Choosing your thought leadership topics
[35:46] Accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Work on your mindset on a daily basis to show up as your most authentic self.” – Jena Viviano
“When you get friendly with rejection, your opportunities become limitless.” – Jena Viviano
“Network early, network often, and don’t only network when you need something.” – Jena Viviano
“The key to building resilience to rejection is to practice failing.” – Jena Viviano
“Think of your career more as a marketer than a historian documenting your past.” – Jena Viviano
“If you don’t believe you deserve to be in the room, you won’t be in the room.” – Jena Viviano
About Jena Viviano:
Jena is a career coach and entrepreneur who knows what it’s like to go through multiple career changes.
She’s worked on Wall Street as an investment banker, reported live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and scored a job at a growing career startup, The Muse, before launching her professional development business full-time. Her sweet spot is helping ambitious female professionals articulate their
personal branded career stories to land their dream jobs via her signature program Recruit the Employer. Jena has worked with 800+ clients from around the world, been featured on and written for Business Insider, Monster, Glassdoor, Bustle, The Muse and Grit & Virtue. She’s created courses for LinkedIn,
LinkedIn Learning, and various professional organizations like YNG+ and NAPW. Her resume work is highlighted in the WSJ Bestseller, The New Rules of Work, and she’s spoken at various panels, podcasts, and universities about the intersection of work, branding and faith.
Jena lives in the Nashville area with her husband Brent (ask how LinkedIn was a part of her engagement story!) and spends her days exploring new coffee shops, mulling over theological principles, launching her podcast called Your Career Story or sampling the best wine bars in town. In case you were wondering - she’s an Enneagram 3.
Links:
Website: https://jenaviviano.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenaviviano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jena_viviano/
Did you know that 40% of your activities are driven by habits – good or bad? That means you are the product of what you do habitually. That’s why it can be a struggle to change even when you hope to exert willpower. Habits are a powerful force that makes change challenging.
In this episode, we discuss the daily habits of successful people. Highly successful people don't rise to the top by behaving like everyone else. We’ll share how you can develop new habits that make success effortless.
Highlights:
[01:21] Common habits of high achievers
[02:17] 5 most common habits of high achievers
[05:48] Summary of 5 common habits
[07:50] Nikki’s morning routine
[10:33] How to develop new habits
[12:45] How to replace bad habits with good habits
Quotes:
“High achievers have morning routines that ground them, fuel them and empower them.” – Nikki Barua
“High achievers have a habit of focusing on the most important thing and eliminating distractions.” – Nikki Barua
“Be relentless in focusing on self-development.” – Nikki Barua
“It’s not just about forming good habits, it’s replacing bad habits with good habits.” – Nikki Barua
“If you want a certain outcome, you must invest time and allocate time towards it.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Can you imagine, at the age of 26, taking a $100 birthday gift challenge and turning it into $2 million in order to turn your idea for social change into reality, all in just two weeks? Sounds unbelievable doesn’t it? Where would you even begin?
In this episode, you’ll meet Carrie Rich, the co-founder and CEO of The Global Good Fund, an organization that accelerates the leadership development of high potential young social entrepreneurs tackling the world’s greatest issues. Now, just 8 years after taking on her birthday challenge, Carrie has impacted the lives of more than 8.5 million people around the world.
Carrie is also the managing director of the Global Impact Fund, a venture capital fund created in 2016 that invests in social impact companies led by people of color and women. In addition to leading The Global Good Fund, Carrie has served on the faculty at George Washington University, Georgetown University and at the Amani Institute in Kenya, Brazil and India. Among her many awards, she was named a 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Washington Business Journal 40 under 40, Entrepreneur.com Top 30 Start-ups to Watch and is the recipient of the POLITICO Women Who Rule Award, among many more.
Highlights:
[03:19] Carrie’s story
[09:07] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[10:21] Decision-making techniques
[13:17] It only takes one person believing in you to make a difference
[16:43] Tips on effective execution
[18:36] Carrie’s daily success habit
[22:06] Gaining clarity to tell your story with passion
[24:19] Challenges that hold underrepresented groups back
[26:05] Getting the most out of a mentoring relationship
[28:07] Mentors don’t have to look like you
[31:13] The impact of COVID on mentoring relationships
[33:53] Advice on accelerating success
Quotes:
“If you don't ask, the answer will definitely be a no.” – Carrie Rich
“Financial planning will help you build the confidence to take risks.” – Carrie Rich
“It only takes one person to believe in you and take a chance on you.” – Carrie Rich
“One of the greatest gifts people can make is an introduction and sharing their network.” – Carrie Rich
“The best way to accelerate your success is by investing in yourself.” – Carrie Rich
About Carrie Rich:
Carrie Rich is the co-founder and CEO of The Global Good Fund, an organization that accelerates the leadership development of high potential young social entrepreneurs tackling the world’s greatest issues.
Ms. Rich co-founded The Global Good Fund in 2012 at the age of 26 after raising $2 million in seed capital in two weeks. Ms. Rich is the managing director of the Global Impact Fund, a venture capital fund created in 2016 that invests in social impact companies led by people of color and women. Ms. Rich co-authored Sustainability for Healthcare Management: A Leadership Imperative, featured in Handelsblatt's Top 5 Business Book in 2013. Ms. Rich is the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, POLITICO Women Who Rule Award, Washington Business Journal 40 under 40, Entrepreneur.com Top 30 Start-ups to Watch, Stevie Award for Women in Business, Asian Social Innovation CEO of the Year, and Social Enterprise Alliance 50 under 40. Ms. Rich has served on the boards of Rezon8Capital, Women in Business, Ibasho, One Planet International School and the Atlas Health Foundation. Ms. Rich served on the faculty at Georgetown University, George Washington University and at the Amani Institute in Kenya, Brazil and India. Ms. Rich advises start-ups in the health, technology and retail industries, assisting with raising capital, business strategy, and market outreach to achieve audience engagement amongst millennials, women and those who care about sustainability and social impact.
Links:
RSVP for Fund The Good 2020 on December 9th at 5:30 pm EST – A virtual event featuring Arlan Hamilton: https://globalgoodfund.org/fundthegood/virtual-event/?mc_cid=61e178eae5&mc_eid=cbdff9db7e#RSVP
The Global Good Fund – to donate or for sponsorship: https://one.bidpal.net/fundthegood/ticketing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-rich-10b8445/
Have you ever chosen a path that you want to follow and set out with a determined commitment only to realize somewhere along the way that your just not enjoying it? What do you do? Do you keep going or do you make the tough decision to change directions even if there are sunk costs?
In this episode, Judith Williams, Head of People Sustainability and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at SAP, shares her perspective and important life lesson she learned on the economic principle of “sunk costs” and how it can also be an important career strategy. Judith shares her story of deciding to make a career pivot, leaving her well-established career as an academic professor to becoming a change agent in the world of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Judith has been at the forefront of the culture change movement in technology and entertainment –with a deep focus on analytics and strategies to identify and disrupt bias in social systems and corporate culture.
Prior to joining SAP, she ran an organization which consults with start-ups, venture capitalists, and accelerators on embedding diversity and inclusion into the foundations of their organizational cultures.
In addition, Judith also served as the Global Head of Diversity for Dropbox and was also a Diversity Programs Manager at Google where she directed the unconscious bias work stream, and built strategies for recruiting, retention, and advancement of the company’s technical employees.
Highlights:
[02:57] Judith’s story
[05:52] Understanding sunk costs
[07:43] Making the decision to pivot
[12:02] Gaining clarity on your strengths and competencies
[17:35] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs
[19:48] Judith’s success habits
[23:40] Building a strong network
[27:46] The impact of COVID on underrepresented groups
[29:57] Opportunities for women of color
[32:09] Staying ahead of the curve
[34:19] Accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Do the tasks you enjoy the least earlier in the day, and afterward, the tasks you do enjoy doing become a reward.” - Judith Williams
“Practice reframing something, not in terms of whether or not you can do it, but are you willing to do the work it takes.” – Judith Williams
“When you first join an organization, it is more important to listen than to talk to understand the lay of the land.” - Judith Williams
“Look for opportunities to show your value, but also look for opportunities to highlight the value of others.” – Judith Williams
“Make sure that your work is visible. And as you grow in seniority, your job shifts to include making the work of your team visible.” – Judith Williams
“Talk about your work like you're your own best friend.” – Judith Williams
About Judith Williams:
Head of People Sustainability and SVP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, SAP SE Judith has been at the forefront of the culture change movement in technology and entertainment – with a deep focus on analytics and strategies to identify and disrupt bias in social systems and corporate culture.
She joined SAP in September 2018 as Head of People Sustainability and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer leading both diversity and inclusion and business health programs at SAP.
Previously, she ran an organization which consults with start-ups, venture capitalists, and accelerators on embedding diversity and inclusion into the foundations of their organizational cultures.
Judith has also been instrumental in the development of the ReFrame Project, a partnership between the Sundance Institute and Women and Film. The project addresses systemic barriers in the Hollywood ecosystem, and encourages gender parity at every level in film, TV and media.
Prior to that as Global Head of Diversity for Dropbox, Judith was responsible for all diversity and inclusion programs, as well as corporate social responsibility. Her efforts increased the pipeline of women and underrepresented minorities at Dropbox, creating a more inclusive corporate culture and forming deeper ties into the communities where the company operates.
In addition, Judith was the Diversity Programs Manager at Google where she directed the unconscious bias work stream, and built strategies for recruiting, retention, and advancement of the company’s technical employees. She was instrumental in implementing Google’s widely praised unconscious bias training program which was the first to call out hidden prejudices as a major contributor to the systemic lack of diversity in the tech industry.
Judith lives in San Francisco, CA.
Links:
LinkedIn: judith-michelle-williams-55751a
Happy Halloween everyone! We hope you are celebrating this holiday dressed up as your favorite character and spreading the festive spirit.
Much like Halloween gives you the opportunity to step into a different character and assume its persona and behavior, you can also do the same in everyday life by assuming the right identity for any situation.
In this episode, we discuss the power of identity and how it can be an effective tool to overcome obstacles, achieve your goals, and not let your fears and limiting beliefs get in the way of your success.
Highlights:
[01:22] Why assume a different identity
[03:59] Monica’s power identity
[04:33] Our physical state impacts our mental state
[06:26] How to take on a power identity
Quotes:
“Assuming an identity isn't about not being yourself, it's about stepping into a character that brings out the best parts of yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“Observe how you're showing up in certain situations and whether that identity is disempowering or empowering.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Given the challenges we are all facing living in this current environment of dealing with COVID, working from home or working on the frontlines, managing home schooling, racial and social tensions, and all of the political rhetoric, it’s no wonder that we all are feeling some level of stress, anxiety and overwhelm!
The question is: what are you doing about it all? Are you practicing self-care?
In this episode, I chat with Jenny Evans, speaker, author, and on-air expert on physiology and chemistry, as it relates to resiliency, confidence and performance. Jenny shares her perspective on how you can learn to recover from stress more quickly and raise your threshold for it by utilizing realistic and manageable tactics.
Jenny Evans is the founder and CEO of PowerHouse Performance and author of the award-winning book The Resiliency rEvolution: Your Stress Solution for Life –60 Seconds at a Time. Working with thousands of C-suite executives, leaders and employees worldwide, Jenny helps audiences tap into their personal power and confidence, as well as learn how to increase their capacity for stress and to recover from it more quickly and effectively.
Text “STRESSPROOF” to 44222 to receive the 365 Days of Journaling Questions in addition to other free resources.
Highlights:
[02:49] Jenny’s journey
[05:59] Gaining clarity
[09:37] The effects of cortisol on our behavior
[14:05] The importance of good sleep
[17:38] Clear your mind before making decisions
[19:53] Building trust in yourself
[25:19] Change isn’t always easy
[29:34] Tips for reducing stress
[31:27] Overcoming the stories we tell ourselves
[35:04] Rewriting your story
[40:32] The importance of your community
[44:03] Advice on accelerating success
Quotes:
“A clear sense of purpose is essential for resiliency.” – Jenny Evans
“Figure out what is your ONE best next step and take action today.” – Jenny Evans
“Let go of stories that aren’t working for you and author new stories that are a reflection of the truth .” – Jenny Evans
“The top three forms of recovery available to the human body are sleep, exercise, and nutrition.” – Jenny Evans
About Jenny Evans:
Jenny Evans is obsessed with human performance and has created a career and life designed around maximizing her own potential, and helping others do the same. With a blend of confidence, creativity, stubbornness and some naïveté (which is sometimes key), she has gone headlong into following her passion and purpose...and figured out how to make a living while doing it.
Jenny is a keynote speaker, author and on-air expert on resiliency, stress, confidence and human performance. She is founder and CEO of PowerHouse Performance and author of the award-winning book The Resiliency rEvolution: Your Stress Solution for Life – 60 Seconds at a Time. Working with thousands of C-suite executives, leaders and employees worldwide, Jenny helps audiences tap into their personal power and confidence, as well as learn how to increase their capacity for stress and to recover from it more quickly and effectively. Clients improve their performance and productivity, all while enhancing their health.
Jenny has spoken on the TEDx stage, is the resiliency subject matter expert for Optum and The Big Know’s digital courses, writes as a blogger for The Huffington Post and was an NBC Health & Fitness expert for over four years. She has been quoted on National Public Radio, in Health Magazine and Women’s Health, while being showcased on FastCompany.com, Inc.com, Entrepreneur.com, Shape.com and Elle.com.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Psychology from the University of Minnesota, has been an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor for over 20 years, and is a certified Exercise Nutritionist. In her spare time she is an aerial arts performer...because you never know when you’re going to need a backup plan.
Jenny’s corporate client list includes Yale School of Management, Ameriprise Financial, U.S. Bank, AT&T, Estée Lauder Companies, Comcast, Nationwide, Procter & Gamble, Target, and many other Fortune 500 companies.
Links:
Website: https://jennyevans.com/
Book: https://jennyevans.com/products/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/powerhouseperform
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyevans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenny_c_evans/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennyEvansPH/
Do you have a dream that you are not pursuing because of fear and self-doubt? Have you let other people’s opinions drown out your own? What if...you could move forward with certainty towards your dream and ignore the naysayers?
That’s exactly what we’ll discuss in this conversation with Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint, and author of the bestselling book Undaunted. Kara will inspire you to move past your fears and defy the doubters. As Kara says, it doesn’t matter whether you feel confident; it matters what you actually do.
Kara has received numerous accolades as the Founder and CEO of Hint, best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. She was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Northern California, one of InStyle’s 2019 Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, WWD Beauty Inc.’s Feel Good Force and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.
The Huffington Post listed her as one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. Previously, Kara was VP of Shopping and Ecommerce at America Online where she helped lead the growth of its shopping and ecommerce business to over a $1 billion in revenue.
Highlights:
[03:32] Kara’s story
[09:20] Overcoming doubts
[15:10] Following your North Star
[22:08] Where there is a will there is a way
[29:42] Advice on overcoming fears
[33:53] Lessons learned on managing at scale
[37:33] Building your presence and why it matters
[40:15] About “Undaunted”
Quotes:
“It's not just about having a great product, it's about building a great team.”– Kara Goldin
“Becoming comfortable with letting others know that you do not know something helps build confidence.” - Kara Goldin
“Sharing with people that you don't understand something might actually get you further.” – Kara Goldin
“You gain more confidence when you don’t try to be the smartest person in the room.” - Kara Goldin
“If you put belief in self-limiting thoughts, you will not be able to do make progress.” - Kara Goldin
“Creative ideas can come from anywhere, everyone has a voice and has valuable input.” – Kara Goldin
“Sharing authentically who you are, the things you care about, and the things that you're curious about is leading.” – Kara Goldin
“You are not alone in terms of having fears and having doubts. Take action and be okay with knowing that a lot of people fail.” – Kara Goldin
About Kara Goldin:
Kara Goldin is the Founder and CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water.
She has received numerous accolades, including being named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Northern California, one of InStyle’s 2019 Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, WWD Beauty Inc.’s Feel Good Force and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs. The Huffington Post listed her as one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
Previously, Kara was VP of Shopping and Ecommerce at America Online where she helped lead the growth of its shopping and ecommerce business to over a $1 billion in revenue.
She is an active speaker and writer and, in 2017, she launched Unstoppable with Kara Goldin, a podcast where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs and disruptors across various industries. Kara’s first book, Undaunted, published by Harper Leadership, will be released in October 2020.
Kara lives in the Bay Area with her family.
Please follow Kara on her website at www.karagoldin.com and on all social channels @KaraGoldin
For more information, images, interviews, please contact press@drinkhint.com
Links:
Website: https://karagoldin.com/undaunted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagoldin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karagoldin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraGoldin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karagoldin/
How do you fill your time? Do you invest it or spend it? Are you always stretched for time or do you feel flow every day?
In today’s episode, we’ll share a different perspective about time and why it’s not about time at all.
Highlights:
[01:01] Why we obsess about time
[01:53] Manage your energy instead of your time
[03:20] We all have 24 hours in a day
[04:49] Focus on what you want to create
[05:53] 10 tips to break through the tyranny of time
[10:52] Multi-tasking does not equal productivity
Quotes:
“Being busy and filling every minute of your day does not equate to creating impact.” – Nikki Barua
“Time doesn't matter. It matters only when we're trying to do something that isn't joyful.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the biggest myths is that multitasking increases productivity. Its saps your energy and your focus and actually slows you down.” – Nikki Barua
“Once you choose your top priorities for the day, be sure you know the reasons why those matter.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you have a goal or lifelong dream that you’ve never shared with anyone because you are afraid of being judged? Do you worry about not knowing enough or not having the right skills or perhaps questioning whether it’s the right time?
In this episode, we’re speaking with Petra Griffith, Tech Executive and Investor, who says if you want to pursue your dream, you have to start by vocalizing it.
Petra Griffith launched Wedbush Ventures to foster the next generation of technology companies solving big market problems. Having built many firsts -the first online printing software, first fitness wearable, first native ads -and even having ushered a bank into the age of technology, Petra truly understands the mindset necessary to achieve product market fit. Her leadership roles at organizations such as Netflix, Yahoo!, and 24 Hour Fitness makes Petra a coveted ally to entrepreneurs ready to scale innovation.
Highlights:
[02:29] Petra’s journey
[09:29] Switching lanes and following your dreams
[13:18] Position yourself for opportunity
[15:00] What Petra is doing today – Wedbush Ventures
[20:51] Advice on seeking venture capital
[24:36] Common traits of successful leaders
[26:39] Daily success habit
[27:52] What Petra wishes she had known earlier in her career
Quotes:
“If you’re honest with yourself about what you want to do and you think about what you're good at, what kind of environment you want to be in, that’s when you’ll find the right match and it's magic.” – Petra Griffith
“It's critical to take the time to figure out what your superpower is and what is the right environment for you to be successful.” – Petra Griffith
“The most effective leaders are those who are laser focused on what matters and focus on those things so they can make an impact.” – Petra Griffith
“Be able to verbalize your goals because people can't help you unless you tell them where you want to go.” - Petra Griffith
About Petra Griffith:
Petra Griffith launched Wedbush Ventures to foster the next generation of technology companies solving big market problems. Having built many firsts - the first online printing software, first fitness wearable, first native ads - and ushered a bank into the age of technology, Petra understands the strategic and creative mindset necessary to narrow in on a product’s core features for successful market fit. Her past leadership to product, strategy, marketing, and operations teams at established and startup organizations like Netflix, Yahoo!, and 24 Hour Fitness makes Petra a coveted product strategy ally to entrepreneurs ready to scale innovation.
Links:
Website: https://www.wedbushventures.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petragriffith/
Most people don't bother to update their resume until there's a pressing need for it, and when they do...they have no idea where to begin. Sound familiar? If you're finding yourself in need of “dusting off the ol’ resume”, no need to fear...help is on the way.
Meet our guest, Virginia Franco, a multi-certified Executive Resume and LinkedIn Writer, Coach and Storyteller, whose documents have helped clients around the globe tell their stories and land interviews in record time. In this episode, Virginia shares her expertise and insights on the “Do’s and Don’ts” in your next job search.
Virginia founded Virginia Franco Resumes after recognizing her years of corporate communications, journalism and healthcare social work offered her a unique understanding of how people read, communicate and share information.
She is one of less than 70 writers nationwide to hold the prestigious National Certified Resume Writer certification from the National Résumé Writers' Association, and holds several additional industry certifications.
In January 2020 she launched Job Search Secret Weapon with 3 industry peers, offering job search support via DIY guides, kits, scripts and templates, for those who don’t have the means to work with professionals one-on-one.
Highlights:
[02:37] Virginia’s journey
[04:57] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[06:23] Building your personal brand
[11:46] Deciding which role is best for you
[13:16] Resume and job search advice
[20:51] Honing in on your transferrable skills
[27:23] Apply even when you don’t meet 100% of requirements
[30:35] The importance of your digital profile
[32:39] Maintaining your presence on LinkedIn
[37:08] Staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Make a list of your proudest accomplishments and within there you will find your greatest strengths.” – Virginia Franco
“It's important to understand what you excel at, what other people believe you are good at, and what you like to do and how that aligns with market demand.” – Virginia Franco
“Instead of simple a laundry list of responsibilities, your resume should demonstrate how those responsibilities led to results.” – Virginia Franco
About Virginia Franco:
Virginia Franco is first and foremost a writer and storyteller.
She founded Virginia Franco Resumes after recognizing her years of corporate communications, journalism and healthcare social work offered her a unique understanding of how people read, communicate and share information.
You name it she’s written it – from articles for websites, local newspapers and magazines to newsletters, executive talking points and annual reports.
Today Virginia writes documents that help clients land interviews. Her customized career documents help people struggling to tell their story in a way that appeals to today’s skim, online and small screen readers.
In addition to writing their documents, she offers guidance to those testing the job search waters or making a career change on navigating the world of online job search and social media networking. She shares her insights with job seekers via a variety of publications and podcasts.
Virginia is one of less than 70 writers nationwide to hold the prestigious NCRW certification from the National Résumé Writers' Association, and holds two additional certifications as a Resume Writer and an Employment Interview Coach from the PARW-CC.
In January 2020 she launched Job Search Secret Weapon with 3 industry peers, offering job search support via DIY guides, kits, scripts and templates, for those who don’t have the means to work with professionals one-on-one.
She makes sure to squeeze in time for a bit of of yoga and walking (while listening to podcasts!). Virginia lives with her husband, their 4 children and 2 dogs in Charlotte, NC
Links:
Website: https://virginiafrancoresumes.com/ and https://www.jobsearchsecretweapon.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiafrancoresumewriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vafrancoresumes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vafrancoresumes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaFrancoResume/
This is our 100th episode and we want to thank you for your support. Thank you to everyone who is part of our community – our listeners from around the world, our inspiring guests who contribute their time and wisdom, our production partner MZ Studios who work their magic to ensure the highest listening quality, and our dearest teammate, Cheryl Couch, who puts her heart and soul into managing this show to ensure an outstanding experience every time.
As for us, we are truly humbled by this achievement. When we began our journey, we had no idea how popular this show would become, or how much impact our message would create.
In today’s episode, we want to share our story, and why we embarked on this mission to accelerate the advancement of women in leadership.
Highlights:
[01:38] Why the mission matters
[02:32] Industry disruption and how it impacts you
[05:48] Despite progress, women are still being left behind
[08:10] 2 things that need to happen to change status quo
[10:23] Challenges women face in the workplace
[16:53] How do you develop future-ready leaders
[19:41] Challenges for senior leaders
[22:38] Democratizing access to coaching and high performance training
Quotes:
“In less than three years from now, 40% of the work will be different from what it is today.” – Nikki Barua
“If you want to stay ahead, you have to shift your mindset, not just your skill set. You have to go from all knowing to always learning.” – Nikki Barua
“Imagine a world where every woman could advance in a career because she has access to the right resources - the right training, the right coaching, and the right relationships and communities.” – Nikki Barua
“In the age of influence, visibility matters. You can change hearts and minds if you're invisible.” – Nikki Barua
“If you have something to give, something to teach, then it's time to step up and put a spotlight on yourself.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Visibility matters. How can we expect to change the world if we’re invisible? That’s what we will discuss in this episode featuring Suezette Yasmin Robotham, who is a passionate advocate for visibility and authenticity as a catalyst for change.
Suezette is a DEI practitioner, speaker, connector, coach, and a leading “Black Woman in Tech”. She currently leads Diversity Programs on the Global Product & Software Engineering Recruiting team at Facebook. Suezette has more than a decade of leadership experience, with expertise in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning and relationship building across various industry sectors. Suezette also founded a platform created to amplify the voices of Black Women in Tech and beyond, called #BlackTechBeauty in 2020.
Highlights:
[03:26] Suezette’s journey
[15:25] Building relationships
[20:55] Advice on landing a role in Big Tech
[22:18] Articulating the transferability of your skills
[26:19] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[30:32] Finding your community
[33:42] Suezette’s daily success habits
[36:44] Advice on accelerating success in the digital age
[40:09] Black Tech Beauty
Quotes:
“Be grateful for your process and trust in that process.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“Assess the company landscape and gain an understanding of who are the people that you have an opportunity to learn from.” - Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“Owning who you are authentically can help you overcome imposter syndrome and increase your confidence.” - Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“Ensure that your LinkedIn profile evokes someone to want to know more.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham
About Suezette Yasmin Robotham:
Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a DEI practitioner, speaker, connector, coach, and a leading “Black Woman in Tech.”
She has more than a decade of leadership experience, with expertise in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning and relationship building across various industry sectors. Over her career, she has contributed her work to large urban school districts, such as Atlanta Public Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools, as well as education reform organizations that include Teach For America, The New Teacher Project and The Achievement Network. She previously served as the lead Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Manager on the Google Search & Assistant team; and currently leads Diversity Programs on the Global Product &
Software Engineering Recruiting team at Facebook. Suezette also founded a platform created to amplify the voices of Black Women in Tech and beyond, called #BlackTechBeauty in 2020.
Suezette has been tapped as a speaker by a number of organizations across the U.S. and Canada for her thought leadership in authenticity in the workplace and diversity and inclusion, and she has been a featured TEDx Speaker (TEDxBeaconStreet 2015). Suezette is passionate about the power that can be realized in spaces where vulnerability, empathy and authenticity are encouraged, and she is devoted to using her talents to connect others – whether individuals or organizations – to the people, opportunities and resources that will help them realize, access and achieve their highest potential. Suezette is also a TNJ 40 Under Forty 2019 Honoree.
An alumna of the University of Florida and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, Suezette currently lives, works, and plays in Brooklyn.
Her words to live by: “You were brave before you were born.”-Her Mommy
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suezette/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suezette/ & https://www.instagram.com/blacktechbeauty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/11Zette17
How many of you experience sweaty palms, shaky knees, and can feel your heart about to pound its way out of your chest the moment you have to speak or perform publicly? Glossophobia, also known as the fear of public speaking, stage fright or performance anxiety, affects an estimated 73% of the population according to a recent article in Psychology Today. Now, in this day and age, with all of the new technology and the increase in video conference meetings, you have to be prepared to speak to an audience AND be camera-ready at any given moment. Which only increases the anxiety for many people.
The good news, however, is that you can learn to control this fear. In this episode, our guest, Michele Moreno, a 14+ year Hollywood actress and a Stanford graduate, shares her perspective on how any leader can become confident on camera to build trust and influence virtually anywhere —no matter how overwhelmed or terrified they start out.
Michele teaches business leaders secrets from the acting world, where she appeared on hit TV shows such as ABC’s Boston Legal, FX’s The Shield and NBC’s Parenthood. She’s also a contributing author to 2 books by Guy Kawasaki and has appeared on dozens of online shows as a video confidence expert.
Michele believes that the most valuable currency online today is people’s attention. Learning to capture it on camera is the superpower of the 21st century. So she wants you to lead with authority, confidence and on-camera style.
Highlights:
[03:31] Michele’s story
[05:02] Overcoming failure and taking action
[07:11] Finding the right mentor
[09:22] Getting comfortable with 60% confidence
[11:05] Speaking up in a meeting
[13:55] Common mistakes made on video
[17:27] Formulating your value proposition
[21:55] Crafting your brand
[27:14] Tips on expressing your ideas confidently
[30:27] Tricks to filler words
[33:35] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“A winner is a loser who got up one more time.” – Michele Moreno
“Grit is what makes winners.” - Michele Moreno
“Paint your results in a way so that it is a mini-story in a time and place.” – Michele Moreno
“Do a better job of saying no and knowing that you and your time are valuable.” – Michele Moreno
About Michele Moreno:
Michele Moreno believes any leader can become confident on camera to build trust and influence virtually anywhere — no matter how overwhelmed or terrified they start out.
She teaches business leaders secrets from the acting world, where she appeared on hit TV shows such as ABC’s Boston Legal, FX’s The Shield and NBC’s Parenthood. She’s also a contributing author to 2 books by Guy Kawasaki and has appeared on dozens of online shows as a video confidence expert.
The most valuable currency online today is people’s attention. Learning to capture it on camera is the superpower of the 21st century. So she wants you to lead with authority, confidence and on-camera style.
Links:
Free 20-minute chat at http://bit.ly/chatwithMichele
Website: http://videoconfidence.biz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmichele/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelemmoreno/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachmichelemoreno/
Do you know what people say about you when you aren’t in the room?
What people say about you, think of you, and how they perceive you is what your reputation is built upon. And your reputation is your personal brand.
Whether you want a personal brand or not, you have one! And if you aren’t actively building your brand, you are missing out on the opportunity to make your reputation work for you.
In this episode, we will share why it’s important to build your personal brand and how to get started.
Highlights:
[01:16] Why it’s important to build your personal brand
[01:50] Your digital presence
[05:37] 1 st step to building your brand – audit yourself
[08:37] 2 nd step – do an external audit
[09:28] 3 rd step – identify patterns
Quotes:
“We leave a trail everywhere we go based on how we show up.” – Nikki Barua
“If you're not aware of your personal brand and are not actively building it, you're unknowingly creating a major barrier to your success.” – Nikki Barua
“We're living in the age of influence where our reputation precedes us.” – Nikki Barua
“Look at what your digital and physical footprint and what it says about you.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt like you were the only one dealing with challenges that you didn’t know how to overcome? Those moments when you didn’t have an answer and wished you could get the wisdom and guidance of those who have walked that path before you.
Meet Loren Feldman, former senior editor at Inc, Forbes and New York Times, who shares his perspective on the power of community and what helps business leaders survive and thrive.
Loren Feldman is chief content officer of 21 Hats, an online platform for business owners. He currently hosts the 21 Hats Podcast and publishes the 21 Hats Morning Report, a daily email newsletter for entrepreneurs. Previously, he was a senior editor covering entrepreneurship at Inc, Forbes and the New York Times and hosted a call-in show for business owners, Mind Your Business, on Sirius XM. Loren has also spoken and moderated discussions at numerous conferences and seminars on entrepreneurship.
Highlights:
[02:44] Loren’s career highlights
[07:33] Starting a business during the pandemic
[15:14] Highlighting stories of navigating through uncertainty
[20:39] Lessons learned
[23:52] Common traits of successful leaders
[28:29] Women entrepreneurs and leaders
[33:32] The venture capital industry
[35:51] The importance of visibility
[39:02] Living in this age of uncertainty
Quotes:
“The most important part of a blog is the conversations that the content elicits.” – Loren Feldman
“To be an entrepreneur, you have to be incredibly stubborn and headstrong, you have to be willing to keep going, when people are telling you that it's not going to work.” - Loren Feldman
“The real challenge of being a successful entrepreneur is calibrating when to keep going no matter what and knowing when you need to listen to others.” – Loren Feldman
“Find your tribe, find other people going through similar challenges. It cannot be a single person, you need a diversity of opinion.” – Loren Feldman
About Loren Feldman:
Loren Feldman is chief content officer of 21 Hats, an online platform for business owners that will debut in 2020. He currently hosts the 21 Hats Podcast and edits the 21 Hats Morning Report, a daily email newsletter for entrepreneurs. Previously, he was a senior editor covering entrepreneurship at Inc, Forbes and the New York Times and hosted a call-in show for business owners, Mind Your Business, on Sirius XM. And he has spoken and moderated discussions at numerous conferences and seminars on entrepreneurship.
Links:
Website: www.21hats.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feldmanloren/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lfeldman
Many barriers stand in the way of a Latina interested in a career in STEM...from societal and familial norms to high school counselors telling Latinas, and other women for that matter, that “maybe you’d be better suited majoring in something else”. This has been the case for decades. Even if one pushes past discrimination, there is still the challenge of a lack of resources, support and the isolation of being “the only”.
The numbers say it all: Only 2 percent of Latinas held science and engineering positions, as reported by the National Science Foundation. And that number hasn’t changed in the last 5 yrs. But Latinas in academia, the workforce, and beyond are working to change the depressing data.
In this episode, you will meet Isaura Gaeta, Vice President of Security Research and General Manager of Intel Product Assurance & Security at Intel Corporation, who is leading by example in her respective field and sharing her story in order to encourage the next generation of Latinas in STEM.
Highlights:
[03:51] Isaura’s journey
[07:53] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[09:51] Building relationships
[15:28] First experience in corporate
[18:50] Gaining access to influential leaders
[22:47] Raising your hand for opportunities
[24:33] Building your personal brand
[27:09] Tips for achieving your goals
[29:39] Staying ahead of the curve
[32:24] Opportunities for the Latino community
[36:41] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Engineering is about helping people. It's about making our lives better.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Always give more than you get back.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
“Remind yourself that you have information that is valuable to share and if you don’t share it, then you may not make the progress that is needed.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Utilize CPU – Commit to being your best self every day. Persist despite setbacks. Unite with your community for support.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Quell that little voice that is telling you that you're not good enough or you're not supposed to be here. Stand up and say - Yes, I am supposed to be here.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
“Be confident about sharing and asking for what you want.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
About Isaura S. Gaeta:
Isaura leads an engineering team focused on hardware security research including penetration testing, physical attack mechanisms, and outreach to academia. Previously she was GM of systems engineering in the Platform Engineering Group and was responsible for optimizing engineering execution capacity, quality management systems, and operational excellence for a global engineering organization of 18k people. A 30-year veteran of Intel, Gaeta spent the first two decades of her Intel career developing various semiconductor processing technologies. Her work during that period led to two patents and five Intel Achievement Awards, the company’s highest recognition. Gaeta holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. She founded Intel’s Network of Executive Women for the Latin America region and was the chair of Intel’s Hispanic Leadership Council. Outside of Intel, she serves on the board of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley where she chairs the Nominating and Governance committee. The Hispanic IT Executive Council has recognized her six times on the top 100 Hispanic professionals in the IT industry.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaura-s-gaeta-1a50262/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IsauraGaeta
It’s that dreaded time of the year ... performance review cycles are in process in most organizations. According to research from SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management), 90% of performance reviews are painful and ineffective.
Managers spend 210 hours on performance management and are inundated with reviews to complete. Meanwhile employees experience anxiety about an unpredictable outcome with 22% of employees preferring to call in sick rather than face a performance review.
In this episode, we will share performance review tips so you can set yourself up for success and turn this into an opportunity and make the most of it to advance in your career.
Highlights:
[00:40] Dreading the performance review
[02:27] Actively managing your career
[05:10] Tips for last minute prep for review
[07:28] Seeking out the truth tellers for feedback
[10:24] Be curious when receiving feedback
[11:18] Always follow-up after a review
[12:44] Summary of 5 performance review tips
Quotes:
“If you're not actively managing your career, chances are that you haven't done all of the groundwork needed for you to make the most out of the feedback cycle and to leverage the review for advancement.” – Nikki Barua
“Take every opportunity to illustrate your accomplishments and share measurable results that you've created.” – Nikki Barua
“Your self-assessment is not the time to be humble. It is the time to advocate for yourself and highlight your accomplishments.” – Monica Marquez
“Utilize the STAR method in your performance reviews – Situation, Tasks, Action, Results.” – Monica Marquez
“Be strategic in who you ask for feedback and what you ask them to support you in.” - Monica Marquez
“Seek feedback to listen and learn, not to refute and reject.” - Nikki Barua
“Feedback is essential for growth, it is a gift.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
How would you feel if you knew your manager had your back? What if they lifted you up and shined a light on your accomplishments? What if they were willing to do whatever it takes to give everyone a level playing field?
Servant leadership is all about leading by lifting others. Our guest today is Tami Rosen and she is that kind of leader. She believes that leaders don’t go far if they leave others behind. Throughout her career, Tami has fought for the underdog and paved the way for others to get ahead, inspiring them to do more, learn more and become more.
In this episode, Tami shares her perspective on leadership, contribution and impact. Tami is currently the Chief People Officer at Atlassian where she is responsible for the attraction, engagement, development, and experience of Atlassian’s most important asset –its people. Prior to Atlassian, Tami has held leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, Apple, and has served as the first Chief People Officer for both Quora and Luminar Technologies. Tami brings an agile philosophy to all aspects of people operations.
Highlights:
[03:03] Tami’s journey
[07:17] Risk-reward analysis
[09:30] Seeking out feedback
[13:23] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[16:44] Tami’s superpower
[19:43] Diversity and inclusion
[24:20] Making the decision to change industries
[30:01] Asking for help
[33:33] Accelerating success in the digital age
[35:19] Becoming a change agent for others
[37:41] Tami’s final words of advice
Quotes:
“It is just as important for others to share feedback when they see someone who is high performing as it is to be asking for the feedback.”– Tami Rosen
“Building your network and relationships isn’t about the work you are doing in the moment, it’s about how you carry that forward and keep that relationship going.” – Tami Rosen
“Asking for help allows others to know where they can use their superpowers to help you.” – Tami Rosen
“Failure is an opportunity to learn and get back up and do something better and different.” – Tami Rosen
“Drive the change you want to see. See what the future should be and make sure that you can help make that change happen.” – Tami Rosen
“When you see somebody struggling, give them the support, because it's always more powerful in twos than it is by yourself.” – Tami Rosen
About Tami Rosen:
Tami Rosen is a senior HR executive passionate about enabling people to perform at their best. Through leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, Apple as well as start ups like Quora and Luminar Technologies, she brought an agile philosophy to all aspects of people operations for up to 15,000 global employees, becoming known for strengths in four key areas: HR Transformation, Employer Branding, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development and Culture Education. Throughout her career, she earned distinction as a relationship builder, thought leader, connector of people, and trusted advisor to executive teams.
Tami launched her corporate career at Goldman Sachs, where she spent 16+ years advancing from technical recruiter and generalist to heading human resources for three of the firm’s largest divisions:
Technology, The Federation (back-office operations), and Investment Management.
In global and regional roles, she provided the leadership to transform HR into a strategic business asset and instill excellence into talent management programs and processes. She advocated for and engaged employees through initiatives that embraced the inclusion and growth of female, LGBT, and diverse populations, including Wall Street’s first Ally program. She developed leaders and rising-stars, and set technical and business employees on career roadmaps designed to bring out their full potential.
Recruited to Apple Inc. as Human Resources Senior Director for two technical divisions, Tami used people analytics to shape talent recruitment, development and management programs designed to attract and retain the best performers in a competitive job marketplace. Her leadership facilitated the smooth integration of several large acquisitions, including Beats by Dre. Her success resulted in a rare invitation to join Apple University as a faculty member. Tami created and conducted development programs for executives and managers that focused on building innovative cultures and engaging employees. She also led research on employee attrition factors at suppliers in Asia.
Tami also served as the first Chief People Officer, Luminar Technologies, advising the executive team on strategic planning and organizational structure to ensure business viability. She established the HR infrastructure including compensation strategy and developed an empowering corporate culture. Prior to Luminar, she was the first Vice President of People and Internal Communications at Quora where she made talent and culture a keystone of business strategy and provided executive leadership coaching.
She is currently the Chief People officer at Atlassian where she is responsible for the attraction, engagement, development, and experience of Atlassian’s most important asset – its people. She has been instrumental in developing the future of work called TEAM Anywhere and has shepherded the company through the recent pandemic.
Tami currently resides in Los Altos with her husband (Marc), two children (Emma and Justin), two cats (Ava and Max) and her husky (Alani). She is passionate about philanthropy, coaching/mentoring, democracy/equality and working with STEM programs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in Law and Society.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-rosen-388714b/
Read Tami’s blog on Employee driven crisis response plan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tami.rosen
Twitter: @tamibrosen
What would you do if you earned a seat at the table, but you struggled to belong or simply feel welcomed in the conversation? Recent research from the Center for Talent Innovation found that exclusion is a growing issue. And, that more than 40% of those surveyed feel isolated in the workplace. Now, imagine being the “only one” on a team or in a meeting and not feeling as though you belong, or worse, “not being heard”.
In this episode, Melonie Parker, Chief Diversity Officer at Google, shares her career journey over the years as she learned to navigate the male-dominated corporate ladder, reclaim and step into her power, and become a passionate thought leader and an advocate for change.
Melonie is an HR executive committed to innovative, relevant, and contemporary HR leadership. She is responsible for advancing Google's employee engagement strategy across Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Additionally, Melonie serves as a Minority in Energy Initiative Champion for the Department of Energy.
Highlights:
[02:58] Melonie’s journey
[04:05] Dealing with failure
[05:34] Finding clarity on your career path
[08:20] Gaining access to mentors and sponsors
[15:36] Owning your seat at the table
[18:30] Finding your voice
[20:32] Don’t let others silence you
[25:03] Feeling under the microscope as women of color
[28:59] Building powerful relationships virtually
[30:50] Opportunities for women of color
[33:21] Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
[39:06] Common traits of leaders
[44:24] Leveling up and staying ahead of the curve
[45:52] Parting words to listeners
Quotes:
“To thy own self be true, you are enough, lean into who you are, recognize what that is and how valuable you are to the rest of the world.”– Melonie Parker
“Leadership done well is servant leadership.” – Melonie Parker
“Hiring is a two-way dialogue – what are you giving to a company and what are you getting back in return.” – Melonie Parker
“Don’t only seek mentors that look like you. Mentoring is not about what fits you but what you need to add, stretch and grow.” – Melonie Parker
“We might walk into a room and be the only one, but we always come with others, our community that always has our back.” – Melonie Parker
“Have courage of voice. It empowers you when you take ownership of your ideas.” – Melonie Parker
“What's the story that you’re telling yourself when you are sitting at the table, because if you go to the table, and know that your designed to be there, that conversation is enriched because you're in it.” – Melonie Parker
“If we had representation at parity, across healthcare, education, all of these structures, we would see a huge difference.”- Melonie Parker
About Melonie Parker:
Melonie Parker is an HR executive committed to innovative, relevant, and contemporary HR leadership.
She is an advocate for change and a passionate thought leader. Parker is responsible f or advancing Google's employee engagement strategy across Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Additionally, Parker serves as a Minority in Energy Initiative Champion for the Department of Energy.
Prior to this role she served as the Vice President of Human Resources & Communications at Sandia National Laboratories. Parker was responsible for the leadership and Labs-wide management of human resources, health, benefits and employee services. She was also responsible for Sandia’s communication efforts, which include planning, strategy, executive communications, media relations, external branding, community affairs and internal communications.
Prior to joining Sandia as the VP of HR and Communications, Parker extends expertise from a career spanning over 17 years in a variety of Lockheed Martin business areas, locations, and progressive leadership roles. During her time at Lockheed Martin, she has held responsibility for employee relations, staffing, EEO/Affirmative Action, diversity programs, compensation, benefits, and K-12 outreach initiatives.
Parker received a B.A. in Mass Communications from Hampton University and an M.A. in Human Resources from Villanova University. She was named the 2016 HR Professional of the Year by the New Mexico Society of Human Resource Management. She was recognized with a Special Recognition Award at the 2014 Women of Color STEM Awards, and in 2012 graduated from Lockheed Martin’s Executive Assessment & Development Program.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melonieparker
Have you ever wondered why some organizations come up with game changing ideas while others struggle? What can leaders do to ignite creativity and spur innovation? What does it take to push for change and stand up for what you believe in?
Our guest is award-winning leader and Chief Marketing Officer Lee Ann Daly, who shares how to build great teams and let good work happen. Throughout her career, Lee Ann has been a pioneer, who is not afraid to break rules or take risks. She is a passionate advocate for bold new ideas that excite people and keep brands relevant.
Lee Ann has been a C-suite leader at public and private companies since 1998–including being CMO at ESPN, Thomson Reuters, Game Show Network. Lee Ann has won wide industry recognition from Cannes Lions to being named Top Female Sports Business Executive by Sports Business Journal. Lee Ann is also an investor and advisor to early stage companies and Board director of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and The Dean’s Advisory Board at IU’s Media School.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Lee Ann.
Highlights:
[02:15] What drives you
[03:30] Lee Ann’s story
[08:56] Listen, write, ideate
[15:16] Lee Ann’s career journey
[25:37] Overcoming self-doubt
[30:41] Excelling and demonstrating success
[33:58] Creating strong teams
[40:37] Driving execution
[44:16] Bringing your emotions to work
[46:33] Vision for the future
[50:19] Advice for success and self-care
Quotes:
“Being brave is being scared and doing it anyway.” – Lee Ann Daly
“Whenever something comes into our consciousness that invites us to take a risk, it's there for a reason, it's coming to us as a gift.” - Lee Ann Daly
“Leadership is helping your team understand how they contribute to the overall delivery of the service to the company.” – Lee Ann Daly
“Growth is important at every stage of a career.” – Lee Ann Daly
“Bring your authentic, separate self to work because it's the only way you'll figure out who you want to become inside the context of business.” – Lee Ann Daly
About Lee Ann Daly:
Lee Ann Daly leads business strategy, content creation, marketing and communications for media entertainment, luxury and digital brands. Lee Ann’s aim is to create relevant culture in everything she do.
Lee Ann has been an Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, GM and C-suite leader at public and private companies since 1998. She has won wide industry recognition as well, ranging from Cannes Lions to being named Top Female Sports Business Executive by Sports Business Journal. Lee Ann is an investor and advisor to early stage companies and Board director of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and The Dean’s Advisory Board at IU’s Media School.
Links:
Website: https://leeanndalybio.me/
Podcast website: https://sayitforwardpodcast.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeanndaly/
Facebook: Lee Ann Daly
Instagram: @boojumlad
Twitter: @LeeAnnDaly
Did you know that, despite accounting for over half of the college-educated workforce, women in the United States made up only 29% of those employed in science and engineering (or STEM) roles? That’s according to the latest research done by the research group, Catalyst. For women of color, the number is even smaller at 11.5%. But here’s an even more disturbing statistic, in engineering, specifically for Latinas, this figure drops to a low of 2.3%!
In this episode, we get to celebrate one of these trailblazing Latina women who has worked hard against the odds, fighting tooth and nail, to be in this elite 2.3% - Iliana Quinonez, Sr. Director of Solutions Engineering at Salesforce. Iliana shares exactly what it's like working with the boys and how we can pave the way for future female generations.
Iliana is an award winning, Latin Trailblazer Woman in Engineering and a Developer of Leaders. She is a passionate advocate and ambassador for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Her career in the high tech industry spans over 25 years across 3 continents and more than 15 countries, working at both enterprise and startup companies. She has held leadership positions in several functional areas including solutions engineering, product, and marketing strategy, consulting and business development. She is the former Chair of the Board for Latinoforce, the Salesforce Latinx Employee Resource Group and currently serves as their Advisor.
Highlights:
[03:42] Iliana’s journey
[08:57] Moving forward in moments of uncertainty
[11:39] Techniques in dealing with uncertainty
[15:42] Iliana’s success habits
[19:43] Keys to building your community
[23:54] Asking for mentorship
[28:06] Secret to achieving your professional goals
[35:04] How to accelerate your career in the digital age
[38:09] How to do your personal brand audit
Quotes:
“Fear is a natural response to uncertainty. But the more exposure you have, the more comfortable you become in those moments .”– Iliana Quinonez
“Practice visualizing different scenarios, as it will condition you, psychologically, to be better prepared for challenges.” - Iliana Quinonez
“At the end of each day, take some time to review your TODO list and prioritize.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Building your network so that it is broad, you need to have different circles that will add value to your network.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Find joy and fulfillment in giving to the community at a time when nobody's asking you for something.” – Iliana Quinonez
“We don’t have failures, we have experiences and lessons learned.” – Iliana Quinonez
“If you aren’t investing in networking, at least a few hours a week, it's something you need to put on your agenda.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Be sure to do a brand audit - you need to know what people are saying about you when you're not in the room.” – Iliana Quinonez
About Iliana Quinonez:
Iliana is a Latin Trailblazer Woman in Engineering and a Developer of Leaders. She is a passionate advocate and ambassador for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Her career in the high tech industry spans over 25 years across 3 continents and more than 15 countries, working at both enterprise and startup companies. She has held leadership positions in several functional areas including solutions engineering, product, and marketing strategy, consulting and business development. At Salesforce, she currently leads the Solutions Engineering team for the West Coast.
Iliana is the former Chair of the Board for Latinoforce, the company's Latinx Employee Resource Group and currently serves as their Advisor.
Iliana is originally from Mexico City, holds a BSc in Computer Science from Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico) and an MSc in Information Systems from the London School of Economics (UK). She lives in San Francisco with her husband and their two daughters.
Links:
Website: www.salesforce.com
LinkedIn: iliana-quinonez-34794/
Twitter: @iquinonez1
Are you someone who doesn’t have any mentors and has no idea where to find one? OR ... are you someone who knows the right people but don’t know how to ask?
In this episode, we will discuss how to find mentors and the do’s and don’ts to build powerful mentoring relationships.
Highlights:
[01:00] Why mentorship matters
[06:18] What holds people back from getting mentors
[08:33] Three keys to finding a mentor
[10:03] Mentorship at all stages of life
[13:05] Mentorship through content
[16:19] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Mentors shorten the learning curve by imparting their wisdom and their experience.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” – John C. Maxwell
“Be very specific about your areas of growth and mentoring needs.” – Nikki Barua
“A mentoring relationship is a privilege, treat it with the respect it deserves.” – Nikki Barua
“Don’t think of mentorship in terms of a specific individual that is ahead of you. Think of mentoring in the context of a mentoring circle.” – Nikki Barua
“When you are focused on yourself and doing great work, people will come to you and be excited to help you.”- Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Did you know that according to several research studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking.
Number two is death. So, that means, as Jerry Seinfeld famously said, “...if you're at a funeral, it's better to be the deceased in the casket than the person giving the eulogy”.
Stage fright is real, but the good news is you can overcome the fear of speaking publicly. More importantly, you have to remind yourself that you aren’t the only one feeling afraid.
In this episode, Billie Shepard, author of The Billie Shepard Presentation Method, shares with our listeners some tips and tools to help you get past any fears of speaking and become better presenters, leaders, collaborators, and communicators. Billie has been a presentation coach, as well as a professional actor and acting coach for over 30 years. She’s also worked with clients like Uber, Facebook, Cisco, Intuit, and Splunk to name a few, as well as, thousands of professional actors.
Highlights:
[02:16] Billie’s journey
[05:29] Intention removes fear
[10:15] Overcoming the fear of public speaking
[14:31] Tips for impromptu Q&A
[17:36] Biggest challenges in presenting
[20:29] Preparing for the presentation
[25:10] Tips on projecting your message
[30:06] Practical tips for Zoom meetings
Quotes:
“The key to intention is that it removes all fear.”– Billie Shepard
“The difference between having an intention and tying it to a feeling is the difference between being brilliant and being good.” - Billie Shepard
“Projecting your voice isn't something to fear. It's something to free your personality and energy.” – Billie Shepard
“When preparing for a presentation, NEVER start with the slides, the slides are there to support your soul and your message.” - Billie Shepard
“People may forget what you’ve said, but they never forget how you made them feel.” – Billie Shepard
About Billie Shepard:
Billie delivers a coaching experience that transforms how an actor acts and business people communicate.
Clients have said, “It seems she has a mysterious or supernatural power that influences the creativity, confidence and best abilities of a speaker or performer. What Billie does is magical.”
Billie has been a professional actor for over forty years, appearing in lead roles in Equity productions, featured television appearances and numerous national and regional commercials. An acting coach for decades, she founded two acting academies and five acting workshops in four states. Billie has produced and hosted guest-artist workshops including such notable instructors as Academy Award winner, Alan Arkin.
Twenty years ago Billie had an idea. She founded Billie Shepard & Associates, leveraging her acting experience and unique training methods into the business arena; transforming corporate speakers into influential leaders. Her clients include Facebook, Uber, Intuit, Rackspace, Lockheed Martin, as well as many financial and medical research companies. This March Billie had another idea! She merged her presentation-training methods with the virtual needs of our times and created a powerful blend of the two.
Her book: The Billie Shepard Presentation Method, describing her methods, and participant breakthrough stories of success, recently launched on Amazon.
Billie is a Dean’s Scholar with a BA in Creative Arts and Masters in Theatre Arts from San Jose State University.
BILLIE’S WEBSITE: WWW.BILLIESHEPARD.COM
Links:
Website: http://www.billieshepard.com/
LinkedIn: billie-shepard-and-associates-59b3534
Facebook: Billie Shepard & Associates
Company culture isn’t about what you say, it’s about what you do –the standards you uphold, the values you live by, and how you treat each other even when no one is watching.
In this episode, you’ll meet award-winning entrepreneur, Sherry Deutschmann, who built a multimillion dollar business by putting employees first, even ahead of customers and shareholders. Sherry reveals her recipe for building a people-first culture and how a leader’s choices directly impact employee morale, engagement, and commitment.
Sherry Deutschmann is a serial entrepreneur and author of the bestselling book Lunch with Lucy, an inspiring and instructive guide to transformational leadership through empathy. Sherry is the founder of BrainTrust, a company dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses to $1Million in annual revenue and beyond.
Highlights:
[02:51] Sherry’s journey
[05:00] Overcoming early struggles
[09:43] Finding focus & positivity in difficult times
[12:28] Advice on finding your north star
[17:27] Building culture from the beginning
[19:26] Sharing profits with your employees
[25:25] Helping employees buy their homes
[29:04] Lunch with Lucy
[32:58] Overcoming struggles of entrepreneurship
[35:47] Advice on dealing with imposter syndrome
[40:29] About BrainTrust
[51:31] Writing “Lunch With Lucy”
Quotes:
“Take care of your employees and they will take great care of the customer.”– Sherry Deutschmann
“Focus on what you do have, your strengths and your gifts, and less on what you don't have.” - Sherry Deutschmann
“Celebrate failures and hardships because that is where the important lessons will be learned.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“When employees have greater access to company knowledge, the more it shapes their behavior and their decisions. It empowers them to make changes that drive the bottom line.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“Knowledge and breadth of knowledge takes away lack of confidence.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“Peer-to-peer learning is the best tool for entrepreneurs and for professional development.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“You can do more good in the world when you are doing well. When your business is doing well, then you have the resources, the power, the influence, to make your reach far wider and deeper.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“The employee-first business model is the secret tool to make companies more successful.” - Sherry Deutschmann
About Sherry Deutschmann:
Sherry Deutschmann is a serial entrepreneur, author, and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship. In 2019, Sherry founded BrainTrust, a company dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses to $1Million in annual revenue…and beyond.
Prior to founding BrainTrust, Sherry was founder and CEO of LetterLogic, Inc., a company she grew to $40 Million and sold in 2016. LetterLogic was named an INC 5000 company (fastest growing privately held businesses in the US) for ten consecutive years.
Sherry attributes the success of LetterLogic to its unique culture in which the needs of the employees came before those of the customer or shareholder. That culture led Sherry to be recognized by EY as one of their 2009 Entrepreneurial Winning Women and LetterLogic was featured in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, Business Leaders, INC, and Fast Company. Sherry was honored by President Barack Obama as a White House Champion of Change in 2016.
Sherry’s book, Lunch with Lucy – Maximize Profits by Investing in your People – will be released on March 20, 2020.
Links:
Websites: https://sherrydeutschmann.com/ & https://ourbraintrust.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrystewartd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrystewartd
Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrystewartd/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherry.stewart.d/
When was the last time you asked yourself: What do I really want?
Perhaps you’ve been so busy taking care of responsibilities and serving others that you haven’t stopped to check in with yourself. But when you pause and ask that question without fear or judgment, your answer will guide you towards your true north star. And when you lead with purpose and passion, you have the power to change the world.
In this episode, serial entrepreneur and investor Sarah Dusek, shares how asking this question shaped her journey and helped her leverage the power of business to impact our world for good.
Highlights:
[02:26] Sarah’s story
[04:30] Recovering from failure
[08:00] Seeing the opportunity in crisis
[10:00] Two biggest challenges facing today’s world
[12:54] Taking risks to achieve your dreams
[17:45] Lessons learned
[19:51] Turning a dream into reality
[22:25] 3 things to showing up as an entrepreneur
[25:11] Preparing to approach a venture capitalist
[29:25] Bigger business, bigger impact
[36:09] How can you help to make an impact
[39:14] How to become a lifelong learner
[41:33] The importance of networks
[44:38] Staying grounded
Quotes:
“Crises are moments of opportunity because they are absolutely transformative in terms of the direction with which we move forward.” – Sarah Dusek
“The real essence of entrepreneurship and growing as a human being is the ability to tackle very challenging circumstances and leverage them to move us forward and propel us into what's next.” - Sarah Dusek
“When you start to ask yourself what it would take to achieve your goals, that’s when you start to find the pathway to making it happen.” – Sarah Dusek
“When you build a bigger business, you have a potential to have a much bigger platform to make a difference.” – Sarah Dusek
“If we want to change the world we live in, if we want the world to be a better place, we have to stop waiting for someone else to make that happen.” – Sarah Dusek
“Coaching is an incredibly powerful tool for helping women see what they can't see.” – Sarah Dusek
“Voracious learning, openness, listening, and being prepared for different ways of thinking is going to be enormously valuable for our journey ahead.” – Sarah Dusek
“Understanding that uncertainty is the certainty and that the only way to navigate that is to live with a higher sense of purpose and mission and belief that we all have a calling and that we have the possibility of making the world better.” – Sarah Dusek
About Sarah Dusek:
In 2019 Sarah Dusek launched Enygma Ventures, a Venture Capital fund focused on investing in women-led businesses in Southern Africa. Sarah is passionate about empowering women to reach their full potential and enabling them to grow in grow scalable, sustainable businesses that have the power to transform communities, cities and nations.
A entrepreneur in her own right, Sarah Co-Founded Under Canvas; the US’s leading adventure-hospitality company offering luxurious glamping accommodations just minutes from America’s most popular and iconic national parks. Sarah sold Under Canvas in 2018 for over $100m achieving a record breaking EBIDTA multiple. In 2017, under Sarah’s leadership, Under Canvas received a spot on the coveted Inc. 5000 list and Sarah was named to the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women list from Ernst & Young.
Links:
Website: https://www.enygmaventures.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-dusek-0b630ab/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enygmaventuresfund
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnygmaVentures
Do you know what it takes to land a job at the biggest and best organizations in the world? Do you have the skills, the competencies and drive, but you find the whole job search and interview process intimidating and difficult to catch a break?
Well, in this episode, we welcome Gisselle Ruiz, a key leader within the Global Talent Acquisition Teams at ByteDance and TikTok, who shares with us her journey as a proud first generation bilingual Afro-Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican roots and how taking risks and changing lanes helped her build her career as an expert recruiter, what her successes and failures have taught her and how she empowers all of her recruits by telling them, “They are lucky to have you!”.
Gisselle has led talent acquisition and DEI initiatives at top companies and organizations including The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently TikTok. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities, especially Latinx and Black/Brown women.
Highlights:
[03:08] Gisselle’s journey
[06:10] Transition from academia to corporate
[11:29] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[14:53] Learning to leverage your network
[20:19] Sponsors and mentors that don’t look like you
[25:25] How to prepare for an interview
[32:00] What can make or break an interview
[38:32] Overcoming imposter syndrome
Quotes:
“Uncomfortable conversations are necessary and critical for growth and are part of our learning journey.” – Gisselle Ruiz
“When going in to an interview, be prepared to talk about some of your key highlights, accomplishments, achievements, failures, disappointments, challenges and barriers that you've had to overcome.” - Gisselle Ruiz
“Imposter syndrome keeps us away from opportunities and keeps us from shining at our highest level of vibration, it holds us back from being successful.” – Gisselle Ruiz
“Companies are not doing you a favor by giving you an interview or a role, they are lucky to have you.” - Gisselle Ruiz
“Go in to an interview truly knowing your worth and what you are bringing to that organization, which is far greater than what they are bringing to you.” – Gisselle Ruiz
About Gisselle Ruiz:
Gisselle Ruiz Ed.M is a human capital strategist, change agent, global talent acquisition executive, diversity, equity & inclusion leader who specializes in identifying, coaching, and developing best in class talent while creating access and opportunity through inclusive recruitment practices and strategies. She specializes in building and scaling inclusive and diverse workforces, workplaces, marketplaces, and transforming organizational culture.
Gisselle has 18 years of experience with both national and global organizations in both the public and private sector including:K-12 & Higher Education, Non Profit, Technology, and a decade in the Entertainment & Media industry. Throughout her career she has developed and executed engagement, outreach, recruitment and selection strategies of top talent across various functions and positions ranging from internships & apprenticeships, professional development programs, middle management, and senior
level executive leadership positions. She has led talent acquisition and DEI at top companies and organizations including The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently joined TikTok.
Gisselle is passionate and committed to transforming, disrupting and awakening organizations and leaders to how they can combat systemic inequities, create economic empowerment, challenge legacy systems, disrupt bias, catalyze equity, and shift culture. Her mantra is that representation matters and inclusion enables and ignites the best innovation.
Gisselle holds a bachelor's degree from Clark University in Urban Development and Social Change and a masters degree in Policy, Planning, & Administration in Education from Boston University. She is a proud 1st generation transnational bilingual Afro Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican heritage. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities especially Latinx and Black/Brown women. She is deeply rooted in social justice reform, dismantling systemic racism and oppression, and anti recidivism. She coaches individuals and teams on owning their power, story, and journey to amplify and unlock their potential to achieve personal and professional growth.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisselleruiz/
Twitter: GRuiz1003
What happens to you when you make a mistake that gets called out? Do you get so upset with yourself that you get angry or become paralyzed and begin to doubt your worth? Or worse, you vow to never try that again or opt out of taking the lead?
In this episode, we are going to discuss the dangers of this self-defeating pattern and how you can overcome the negative self-talk and develop the confidence to move forward with an action plan.
Highlights:
[01:15] Don’t let a mistake define you
[03:27] Break the pattern of negative self-talk
[08:13] The emotional toll of negative self-talk
[11:03] How to overcome negative self-talk
Quotes:
“When you make a mistake and make it about who you are versus what you can learn, you don't see the opportunity for growth.” – Nikki Barua
“Letting go of negative self-talk allows you to take a very optimistic view of challenges and obstacles.” – Nikki Barua
“The best ways to get past making mistakes is to practice self-acceptance.” – Monica Marquez
“View mistakes as teachable moments and develop an action plan on how you'll handle the situation the next time it occurs.” – Monica Marquez
“Move past a mistake quickly by reflecting, gaining insight, and then developing an action plan.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Imagine this scenario… You take on a role and you are knocking it out of the park. Getting positive feedback from managers and leaders. So, you decide to ask for and create a new role that plays to your strengths and would elevate your team. Your idea is well received BUT instead of you for the role, your told they’d prefer someone else! What would you do?
In this episode, you’ll hear how our guest, Gail Fierstein, Chief People Officer at CaaStle, decided to advocate for herself early in her career, garner support from other leaders, and ultimately get the role she proposed.
Gail is a seasoned senior HR and Tech executive with extensive international experience transforming organizations in large scale public companies and cutting edge startups in finance, education and retail.
Gail spent several years as the SVP, Product and Technology HR Business Partner at Pearson Education.
And had a successful 25-year career at Goldman Sachs, where she was a Managing Director in Technology and Human Capital Management (HCM).
Gail is a Board member, Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair at NPower, whose mission is to bring the tech community together for social good by creating pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for veterans and young adults from underserved communities.
Highlights:
[03:28] Gail’s 1 st career lesson
[06:10] 2 nd career lesson
[07:36] 3 rd career lesson
[10:13] 4 th career lesson
[15:12] Gaining the confidence to ask for what you deserve
[20:03] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[23:33] Building relationships
[29:30] Developing trust
[34:51] Preparing for success
[38:54] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Stay true and authentic and advocate for yourself.” - Gail Fierstein
“Sometimes others see something in you that you may not see in yourself. And you need to be open to that.” - Gail Fierstein
“Confidence gives you energy.” – Gail Fierstein
“How women process information and build relationships is the key ingredient, the secret sauce, in this digital age of accelerating success.” – Gail Fierstein
“Seek out mentors and sponsors from your day to day because they see and work with you and will have the best insight.” - Gail Fierstein
About Gail Fierstein:
Gail is a seasoned senior HR and Tech executive with extensive international experience transforming organizations in large scale public companies and cutting edge startups in finance, education and retail.
Collaborates and advises senior leaders on setting strategic direction for their people strategies and developing best in class HR capability to create an engaged workplace in ever-changing business environments.
Gail is currently the Chief People Officer at CaaStle, CaaStle is creating a new economy for apparel with its technology and services platform for retailers and fashion brands offering rental clothing subscriptions to their consumers.
Gail spent several years as the SVP, Product and Technology HR Business Partner at Pearson Education. She led Pearson’s digital product transformation by defining the organization design, culture change and aggressively building out agile teams needed to create word class digital educational products.
During Gail’s 25-year career at Goldman Sachs, she was a Managing Director in Technology and Human Capital Management (HCM). In her role as the HCM head for Business Partner teams, she developed senior executives across many areas of the firm and was an active voice for women and in particular women in Tech. Gail developed the firm’s workforce re-entry programs, The ReturnshipTM– an internship designed for people rejoining the workforce after an extended personal time off.
Gail is a Board member, Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair at NPower, whose mission is to bring the tech community together for social good by creating pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for veterans and young adults from underserved communities.
Gail received a BS from Rutgers University and lives in New York City with her husband and son.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailfierstein/
Twitter: @GailFierstein
Have you ever wondered what it takes to rise up to senior leadership roles in global corporations?
Research indicates that women leaders who’ve taken the unconventional path gain unexpected opportunities of success. So, are you willing to take on tough challenges to gain valuable experience? Would you risk failure when making decisions and follow through with conviction? And are you committed to always going above and beyond?
In this episode, you’ll meet Alyssa Altman who shares why building great teams, delivering massive value to clients, adapting to change, and continuous learning are absolutely essential.
She also reveals the choices she made in her career and the values she lives by that have led to her success.
Alyssa has been recognized by Consulting Magazine as a “Global Leader in Consulting” for Excellence in Engagement. She is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient and leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America. Throughout her career at leading organizations, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, you can gain valuable insights to create innovative solutions to any business problem.
Alyssa plays an active role in shaping and executing Publicis Sapient’s MBA-like leadership program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership. Alyssa is also an Advisory board member of Publicis Sapient Women’s Leadership Network shaping the next generation of women leaders.
Highlights:
[03:37] Alyssa’s journey
[09:03] Mastering managing at scale
[11:19] Alyssa’s WHY
[14:01] Doing great work AND managing your career
[17:00] Being the only woman
[19:44] Gaining the courage to have a difficult conversation
[21:58] How to move your ideas forward
[25:08] Evolution of effective business development
[28:47] Approach to decision making
[31:36] Learning from failure
[39:24] Designing teams
[41:18] Top trait for success
[42:17] Common attributes of great leaders
[46:26] What Alyssa wishes she had learned earlier in her career
[47:48] Biggest trends that will impact business
[53:17] The greatest joy of Alyssa’s career
Quotes:
“Leaders should not try to be everything to everyone, but instead build a team of people that feel empowered to take ownership and to tell you when they need you.” – Alyssa Altman
“Our responsibility as leaders is to help people grow in an organization.” – Alyssa Altman
“You always need to be in the work, because it gives you the perspective, it gives you the connection.” – Alyssa Altman
“Don’t think of it as a sale, think of it as a partnership that you are helping to bring someone something they are going to see value in.” – Alyssa Altman
“As a leader you need to find ways for people to feel like they are winning, even if you have a failure.” – Alyssa Altman
“Acknowledge your successes and learn how to market them.” – Alyssa Altman
“Leaders are not afraid to make bold moves and make mistakes and then recover from those mistakes.” – Alyssa Altman
About Alyssa Altman:
Alyssa Altman is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient. She leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America. In her role, Alyssa helps her clients find their digital future through the delivery of omnichannel strategies and robust technology solutions.
Throughout her 20+ years at Publicis Sapient, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams who realize goals through inclusive collaboration. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, we gain valuable insights that create innovative solutions to any business problem we may face.
When not working directly with clients, s