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://www.buzzballz.com/ 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: https://themixxnyc.com/ https://www.titaniumww.com/ 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. . 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: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniekinser/

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/