How to Corporate

Have you ever thought of your career as one big science experiment?

In this episode, my guest, Carla Fowler, MD, PhD, a former scientist introduces us to the concept of career experimentation through the lens of performance science.

Running a “test and reaching new conclusions” allows an opportunity to make mistakes, learn, and grow. As an Executive Coach to leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives, Carla has a wealth of knowledge that she gladly shares with us.  

Check out the entire episode to learn more. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your career to the next level.

Carla has provided a free download just for How to Corporate listeners on how to look for and choose a coach plus how to avoid common mistakes.

If you were offered a new role in another city or your current employer asked you to relocate would you make a move?

There is a lot of contemplate. What are all the risks? How would a move benefit my career? What support would I have in a city? How long is the commitment?

My guest, Shaun Mayo, Chief People Officer for the Arizona Cardinals, faced this challenge head-on relocating a number of times in his career. In this episode, he shares what it’s like to move away and what he faced in pursuit of accelerated career growth.

Together we discuss his professional wins, personal setbacks, and evolved life perspectives that can come along with leaving “home” and leaving your comfort zone…

Sometimes if you want to GROW, you have to GO. Check out this episode to learn more. It could be life-changing!

Navigating Corporate America can be quite the challenge for anyone, but this is especially true for parents with young families at home. Our careers can be demanding. And if you add in the unique demands of single parenthood… that’s when things really get interesting.

My guest, Crystal Smith, is Financial Literacy and Career Coach that focuses on single parents. She herself is a single parent and understands all too well the hardships that come with balancing a household, a business, and a thriving career.

In this episode, Crystal shares her unique perspectives on the following areas:

- Her definition of Organized Chaos and how to work through it

- Importance of Communication along with Examples

- Analyzing what you can or can’t sacrifice

- Remaining flexible

- Anticipating the outcome and pre-planning

- Creating Efficiencies

Together we discuss real-world common obstacles that single parents face when looking to get ahead at work, and provide strategies that can help make their professional goals more attainable.

Bring your “whole self” to work is a well-known phrase and movement in Corporate America which was inspired by a book of the same name written by Mike Robbins.

The COVID years propelled this concept when the lines between work & personal were blurred even further.

The idea is that being your authentic self at work could unlock untapped potential, creativity, and performance. Sounds refreshing and great, but what does that look like in the real world?

Is it practical to bring 100% of ourselves to work? How often do you hold back parts of your personal self from the workplace? Maybe you’re just fine with separation. How has this impacted your career?

In this episode, my guest, Ngozi Nnaji, an entrepreneur, insurance brokerage owner, consultant, and professor shares her experiences with code-switching, redefining professionalism, empowerment, the role your work environment plays, and defining who you are at work.

Get ready to take notes… because defining “who you are in the workplace” could be the step you need to take your career to the next level!

The negotiation process between employer and employee can be intimidating for many employees or future employees, especially when making a counteroffer.

In this episode, Dr. Rochelle Parks-Yancy, a business professor, career coach, & author, explains how and why you should always counter! Yes, you should always counter!

Employers have a responsibility to manage their costs effectively i.e. employee compensation so don’t assume the first offer is the best one.

In the words of Dr. Parks-Yancy, “You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate”.

But realize compensation and counter offers aren’t just limited to salaries. Think creatively. Do your research. Ask yourself what’s important to you.

We break down all the ins and outs of counteroffers in this episode and provide you with real-life examples that you can use today.

Negotiating is a skill just like anything else! You will get better with time if you study and practice.

For more gems with Dr. Parks-Yancy, check out Episode 2, How to Negotiate Your Worth.

What is the difference between visible and invisible work?

A concept that seems simple to understand, but difficult to manage in our careers. In this episode, my guest Helen Appleby, an executive coach and advocate for women shares her perspective on the subject.

We all want credit and recognition for the hard work we put in, so it’s vital that we not only understand what is “invisible” work but also how we can turn that into “visible work”. Helen shares tangible examples to put this strategic way of thinking into action.

It takes more than hard work to get to the mountain top so let's start the new year with a plan and strategy to take your career to the next level!

Unexpected career changes can be nerve-racking but are inevitable so how you prepare and react will determine your outcome.

But how do you deal with an ever-changing work environment and stay ahead?

Les Brown says it’s better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.

My guest, Elois Joseph, co-founder of Greenwood Project embodies the spirit of “staying ready” for anything so we tackle the subject in this episode. Listen now to learn about her career experiences in the financial services industry and as a Chicago-based non-profit co-founder focused on helping students navigate professional work industries.

Opportunity waits for no one! Put the learnings from this episode into action. Don’t wait.

No one should tell YOUR story better than you do.

Why do we keep quiet and let other people control OUR narrative??

When you don’t:

-build extending relationships,

-find ways to gain supporters,

-make your voice be heard…

you’re actually limiting your options for the future. You’re also leaving room for anyone with influence to “fill in the blanks”— which could be to your benefit OR detriment.

That’s why establishing your voice is so crucial. You are the overseer of your personal brand.

In this episode, I talk to Mel Kirk — Executive & Change Leader — about the importance of speaking out while staying authentic to you, conformity, controlling your narrative and how doing so positively impacted his long-standing change management career. Listen to hear detailed examples of how speaking up in an authentic way led him to success.

Your behavior & intentionality can manifest OPPORTUNITY.

But often we spend time going through the motions of what we "think" we're supposed to do and later ask ourselves why we don't get the results we want?!

The decisions you make every day create a snowball effect. This is why being deliberate is so vital to your career progression.

In this episode, I talk to Ashtyn Duncan – Readiness & Onboarding Manager – about how she maximized her college years, after giving up something she loved to do to focus on her future career. She provides real life experiences of how to overcome fear and disappointment to achieve personal goals.

What characteristics come to mind when you hear the phrase “model employee”? Someone that:

· Keeps to themselves?

· Observes without speaking?

· Works independently?

Or are they more likely to:

· Be the center of attention?

· Think out loud?

· Prefer group assignments?

While any of these points could describe a great team member, many organizations encourage people to emulate extroverted qualities. Not a problem for extroverts. But where does that leave everyone else? How do you succeed at work as an introvert?

Those are the questions I explore in this episode with my guest, Lissa Appiah – Certified Career Strategist. We discuss what it means to be an introvert, how to identify opportunities for improvement, and strategies for showing up as your authentic self at work while STILL building a successful career.

Check out the episode for this critical career guidance. Don’t forget to subscribe and write a review when you’re done!

Imposter Syndrome manifests in many ways that we don’t always recognize and can be debilitating to your career.

With this in mind, we kick off Season 2 with my guest Qiara Suggs, Senior Vice President, and Chief Human Resources Officer to discuss this important topic so we spend this episode first clearly defining what Imposter Syndrome really is.

Qiara shares her unique experiences in human resources dealing with and overcoming imposter syndrome. Her story is an example that we all face this issue at some point in our careers, but we don’t have to be defined by it. Listen to the episode now to apply these learnings in your career and start winning!

You can reach out to Qiara on LinkedIn under Qiara Suggs.

Make sure to write a Review & Rating for this episode and hit the subscribe button.

Just like that, Season 1 is a wrap! In one year we produced and released 21 episodes so cheers to our 1 year anniversary!

Reflection is important at all levels to truly be successful so that’s what the ReCap episode is focused on. There have been an endless amount of learnings this year that required so many changes along the way.

This episode covers How to Corporate’s geniuses and how the show has evolved over time. Whether it was figuring out the show’s target audience or testing the episode length or buying the wrong mic there were countless mistakes this season but we persevered.

You only lose if you don’t get back up! THANK YOU for supporting this movement to EMPOWER you, the working professional, to better advance your career.

DON’T forget to take a moment to write a review or leave a comment, provide a rating, and share this podcast with a friend/colleague!

We continue the journey with Season 2’s premiere on September 21st‼️

Your career is a MARATHON.

Meaning that at times you will pace ahead of the goals you set for yourself, while at other times you may fall behind.

When it comes to running YOUR race, it starts with a positive mindset and good energy. That’s what PROPELS you forward, especially during challenging times.

In this episode, my guest, Dr. George Okpamen, shares his story of how maintaining good energy helped him overcome multiple hurdles and failures throughout his career which ultimately lead to success.

Check out the full episode for this critical career guide.

Don’t forget to Subscribe and Write a Review!

If I were to ask, what skills do you possess what would you say?

You’d likely make reference to the skills you’ve built from your current job title or career. Is that it though?

What if you decide to switch careers? How about seeking a promotion? Do you qualify for these opportunities if you don’t have the skills?

Or maybe you DO but you just don’t know it.

Think about all your LIFE experiences and what type of transferable skills you’ve learned that could apply to any career.

In this episode, my guest David Anderson, shares how he switched careers from veterinary technologist to accountant but realized many of the skills he learned from his first career were transferable to his new career.

Check out the episode for this critical career guide on transferable skills.

A lot of emphases is placed on mentorship throughout our careers, but what about sponsorship?

In this episode, my guest, Irlande Audenier, a Vice President in insurance, dissects what sponsorship is, how you can recognize it, and why it's vital to your career growth.

Irlande explains how a Sponsor is someone:

· that knows you

· that can advocate for you

· that is willing to put their reputation on the line for you

· that sees your potential

Check out the full episode for this critical career guide.

You can reach out directly to Irlande Audenier on LinkedIn under her name.

Do you go to work fantasizing over an idea that you wish you could bring to life?

Do you have a side business that you wish could be your “main business”?

Do you love the idea of working for yourself and creating?

What’s stopping you? Who’s stopping you? Are you YOUR biggest obstacle?

In episode 17 my guest, Travis Smith, had to figure out his WHY when deciding to take the leap from Corporate America to Entrepreneur. The path hasn’t been easy but we share his entrepreneurial journey as an example of how he overcome fear, doubt, and restlessness when contemplating if/when to make the jump. Nothing is guaranteed, not even a career in Corporate so you owe it to yourself to at least try!

I'm BACK!!! Did you miss me?? I know it's been a while. What I thought was a short break turned into a sabbatical! Sometimes we all need to take a hiatus to reflect and reset but I'm happy to report that I'm back in action.

Going forward, I'll be releasing episodes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. First come-back episode will release Wednesday, July 6th.

My mission is to empower working professionals who are struggling with career advancement but can’t figure out why. If you want help identifying what’s holding you back in your career then this is the podcast show for you. I'm here to be your guide to a thriving career!

The biggest lesson I've learned during my hiatus is the importance of PACING. Don't let anyone tell you how to run your race, folks. Let's get after it!

We don’t always get the opportunity or role we want on the first try so what happens if you don’t get it?

Do you stop trying and convince yourself you weren’t a fit? Do you settle back into your existing role? Does anything change?

Your career is a long and winding road but far too many times we quit at the first sign of failure.
 

The road less traveled is not easy. We all want to be successful but ask yourself what challenges are you really willing to go through to get there?

My guest, Mia Lorick, is an award-winning attorney but don’t let the accolades fool you! She’s seen her fair share of hardships and setbacks surviving a gauntlet of difficult career crossroads from microaggressions to inappropriate and hurtful racial “jokes” to lack of maternity leave and more.  Though it’s come with opposition, Mia has pushed to create solutions when coming up against roadblocks so that people coming behind her won’t have to face the same issue.

There is no substitution for being good at what you do. In this episode Mia breaks down actionable items to take to achieve the success that you’ve dreamed about along with realizing when to choose your battle, navigating office politics in an artful form, taking initiative, dealing with uncomfortable conversations, building your brand and visibility, and more. “Act like a boss” takes on a whole new meaning.

Links to Mia’s LinkedIn page and Sharpley Suited blog are below:

In Part 2, we continue our conversation around the ins and outs of pursuing career growth while working abroad and living in London as an expat. Keeping an open mind and intentionally exploring all the unknowns allowed him to maximize his stint in the UK. Your opportunities are not limited to states and zip codes, so stop thinking about it and start doing!

Why pick between your career vs traveling abroad when you can combine the two? My guest, Brandon Cheatam, recently lived in London for 4 years traveling to 25+ countries. Working in Oil & Gas, Brandon spent much of this day job traveling back and forth between Milan Italy, Shanghai China, Frankfurt Germany, New Delhi India, and Atyrau Kazakhstan.

There are so many elements to consider when pursuing abroad career opportunities so it’s hard to remember everything but we dive into all of it! Comparable Salaries, Premiums and Stipends, Exchange Rates and Conversion, Sponsorship, Taxes, Societal nuances between countries, Relationships, Communication, and more. This discussion was too important to capture in one episode. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode releasing soon!

You can follow Brandon on Instagram at b_cheat.

Producing is not limited to sales! Are you expected to produce results at work or in your business? Then yep, you’re a “producer” but in order to maximize your professional goals, we have to be consistent while evolving. In episode 12, Darius Reid, a Senior Director of Sales & Strategy breaks down the producer mindset and what it takes to consistently achieve results.

The books referenced in this episode are: Winning with accountability by Henry Evans & How to Succeed with Continuous Improvement by Joakim Ahlstrom

In Episode 11 we continue our Real Estate conversation with Junious Williams IV, Land Development Manager, Real Estate Investor, & Adjunct Real Estate Professor. We discuss real estate tax advantages, depreciation, investing in bigger project, benefits and downside of investing on your own vs with a larger real estate group, and more. Check out the initial conversation in Part 1 of How to Invest in Real Estate.

In Episode 10 we dive into the world of Real Estate investing and as a career. My guest, Junious Williams IV, has a degree in civil engineering but after graduating he learned quickly that he had a passion for real estate and switched careers. Junious is now a Land Development Manager, Real Estate Investor, & Adjunct Real Estate Professor. We discuss his first investment property, why he switched careers, hard money lending, investing during the pandemic, and more. Part 2 of this episode will be released next week. Stay tuned!

In Episode 9, Dustin Martin, Senior Portfolio Manager & Vice President, walks us through his successful career in commercial banking. We detangle the “truth” behind many workplace myths such as company loyalty, merit-based promotions, office politics, the power of relationships, and more. Dustin is passionate about helping people with effective professional networking and effective career management which shows! You have to make enough deposits before you can make a withdrawal so get ready to run up the tab.

In Episode 5, we discuss how managing "your brand" does much more than just build up your reputation. Your brand has the power to speak volumes and fill a room before you enter it. Dr Delonia Cooley, a Marketing Professor and expert in her field, breaks down the power of marketing through her own experiences and real-world examples. Part 2 of of this episode will be released next week. Stay tuned!

Episode 4, we discuss how Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Leveraging your Network, Employee Entrepreneur Mindset, Social Interaction, and Fixed vs Growth mindset all play a pivotal role in having a successful career. Lindsay lends not only her experience on the subject but breaks down how soft skills play a major role in our personal lives to help us achieve all of life’s desires.

Below are books Lindsay recommended that listeners read to assist with developing soft skills:

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi

Give and Take by Adam Grant

Mindset by Carol Dweck

In Episode 3, we discuss how relationships are a key factor to career growth versus hard work alone. Dimitrius King is an Insurance Executive and entrepreneur that breaks down the differences between networking and building connections. He also provides some best practices and real examples of how to apply effective relationship building.

Click the links below to Dimitrius’ business website - Blk Stry Studio website

In Episode 2, Dr Rochelle Parks-Yancy says, “You don’t get paid what you deserve. You get paid what you negotiate.” Dr Park Yancy is a seasoned career coach, human resources professor, resume writer, and author. We talk through salary and benefit negotiation tactics, tips, and best practices with real examples. We also discuss how confidence plays such a big role and why accountability is necessary.