Leveraging Thought Leadership

In this episode, Kate Bravery, the Global Leader of Advisory, Knowledge, and Insights at Mercer, discusses the importance of thought leadership in today's workforce. Kate, also a co-author of the book "Work Different: 10 Truths for Winning in the People Age," shares insights into her roles at Mercer, including leading the Talent Advisory practice globally. She emphasizes the significance of thought leadership in bringing new perspectives to clients, particularly in the areas of health, wealth, and career.

Kate highlights the integration of thought leadership into both 
internal and external practices, stressing the importance of aligning language and ideas to foster genuine conversations and feedback with clients. She emphasizes the need for compelling thought leadership that resonates with both internal teams and external audiences.

Furthermore, Kate provides valuable insights into the setup of thought leadership functions within organizations, emphasizing the need to consider placement, ownership, and measurement of success. Unlike traditional functions, thought leadership can sit in various areas depending on the organization's structure, in Mercer's case, within global business solutions with a reporting line to strategy.

This episode offers practical advice for organizations seeking to
enhance their thought leadership capabilities and drive innovation in the ever-evolving workforce landscape.

Three Key Takeaways:
* Thought leadership can serve as a vehicle for challenging traditional perspectives and bringing new insights to clients, ultimately enabling organizations to tackle persistent challenges in innovative ways.

* It is important to align language and ideas internally and externally to foster genuine conversations with clients and drive meaningful feedback loops.

*  When setting up thought leadership functions, consider placement, ownership, and metrics for success.

In this episode of the podcast series on bridging the researcher/practitioner public divide, Dr. Priya Nalkur, president of
the Round Table Institute and author of "Stumbling Towards Inclusion: Finding Grace in Imperfect," shares insights on bridging theory and practice. Dr. Nalkur emphasizes the importance of language in communication, advocating for accessibility and authenticity by embracing diverse vocabulary and genres. She encourages individuals to find their unique voice, navigating the discomfort of being different and the fear of not being accepted. Moreover, she discusses the significance of audience engagement and dialogue, highlighting the value of listening to diverse perspectives even amidst resistance.

The conversation delves into Dr. Nalkur's upcoming book, which
champions the idea that imperfection is inherent to humanity. She
likens relationships to icebergs, with much depth hidden beneath the surface, and advocates for vulnerability and courage in acknowledging mistakes and repairing relationships. Furthermore, the framework of adaptive challenge in coaching and organizational work is explored, distinguishing between technical and adaptive challenges. Dr. Nalkur emphasizes the necessity of adapting to change, learning from experiments, and embracing life's lessons to navigate complex challenges effectively.

Originally conceived as a companion to workshops, the book expanded in scope due to her publisher's interest in personal details like the origin of her workshop. Dr. Nalkur shares the excitement surrounding ongoing dialogues sparked by the book, even in the pre-order phase. Continuing research has led to the identification of eight common stumbling blocks for leaders, with an accompanying assessment on her website to aid readers in overcoming these obstacles. Through the podcast, Dr. Nalkur provides valuable insights into fostering inclusive communication, embracing imperfection, and navigating adaptive challenges in both personal and professional contexts.

Three Key Takeaways:

* To bridge the gap between researchers and practitioners we need to be aware of the language we use and how to use inclusive language.

* Vulnerability and courage are the keys to owning mistakes, learning from them, and allowing others to do the same.

* By listening and understanding diverse perspectives even in the face of resistance you can gain a powerful and new understanding of a situation or problem.

In this podcast episode, we venture into the intricate world of
ghostwriting with AJ Harper, a seasoned editor, and publishing
strategist who helps authors write transformational books that enable them to build relationships, grow their brands, and make a significant impact on the world.

Ghostwriting, a term often shrouded in misconceptions, is dissected to reveal its multifaceted nature, shedding light on the diverse roles a ghostwriter can assume. AJ underscores the importance of understanding that ghostwriting is an umbrella term with no standardized regulations, urging aspiring authors to exercise caution and discernment in their collaborations.

Central to the conversation is the collaborative essence of
ghostwriting. AJ shares how a skilled ghostwriter can serve as a guiding force, refining the author's concepts and intellectual
property while remaining attuned to their vision for the book.
Contrary to the misconception that ghostwriters simply pen entire
books in isolation, AJ emphasizes that most engagements involve a symbiotic relationship aimed at honing the author's message,
understanding their audience, and ensuring the book fulfills its
promise.

As the conversation unfolds, AJ offers invaluable insights into
optimizing outcomes with a ghostwriter. From clarifying book
fundamentals to incorporating contractual safeguards such as exit
clauses and rewrite provisions, authors are equipped with practical strategies to navigate the ghostwriting process effectively.

Furthermore, AJ underscores the paramount importance of long-term book marketing—a facet often overlooked by aspiring authors. By emphasizing the need for sustained promotional efforts spanning several years, AJ empowers authors to harness the full potential of their literary endeavors.

In essence, this podcast episode serves as a beacon of guidance for aspiring authors navigating the labyrinth of ghostwriting. Through AJ Harper's illuminating insights and practical wisdom, listeners are empowered to embark on their literary journeys with clarity, purpose, and confidence.

Highlights:

* Ghostwriting involves collaboration to refine concepts, understand readers, and meet the author's goals, emphasizing clarity in book fundamentals.

* Authors must be prepared for long-term marketing efforts, nurturing their books for several years beyond publication to maximize benefits.

*  It's crucial to ask the right questions and seek referrals when
choosing a ghostwriter, ensuring they have relevant experience in the author's genre.

In this podcast episode, Thought Leadership Leverage Founder and CEO Peter Winick and COO Bill Sherman engage in an extensive exploration of the realm of enterprise thought leadership, drawing from their wealth of experience in the field. They dissect the crucial frameworks and models required to seamlessly integrate thought leadership into large organizations. Highlighting the evolving demand for meticulously researched and validated content over mere opinion-based insights, they stress the importance of aligning thought leadership endeavors
with the strategic objectives of the enterprise.

Moving beyond theoretical discussions, Winick and Sherman explore the practicalities of scaling thought leadership within corporate landscapes. They underscore the fundamental distinction between catering to end-users and economic buyers, emphasizing the imperative of delivering actionable and measurable ideas tailored to meet the diverse needs of large organizations. Their insights shed light on the necessity of adapting thought leadership strategies to accommodate
high-volume, low-ticket sales approaches, are crucial for penetrating vast enterprises and ensuring widespread adoption of transformative ideas.

The conversation culminates in an exploration of emerging trends
reshaping enterprise buying behaviors and presenting new opportunities for thought leaders. From the advent of "train-the-trainer" models to the integration of additional needs into core programs, Winick and Sherman dissect the complexities of these trends and offer strategic insights into navigating integration deals effectively. They underscore the critical importance of aligning thought leadership initiatives with tangible business outcomes, highlighting the need to demonstrate how intellectual property can directly contribute to revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and overall organizational success.

Three Key Takeaways:

* Thought Leadership has to be validated when taking it to large
organizations. More and more companies are seeing the importance of consistency and credibility that are found in validated models.

* When scaling our thought leadership for the enterprise level don't get fixated with the end-user.  Remember the needs of the economic buyer can be very different and when dealing with the organization the pains of the economic buyer have to be your focus.

* Trends in frameworks and models don't change as fast as fashion but you still need to be aware of where the industry is going and move with it.

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Robin Daniels, the Chief Business and Product Officer at LMS365, to embark on a profound exploration of thought leadership in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and software companies. With a career adorned with pivotal roles in various tech enterprises, Robin brings forth a wealth of experience and insights.

Throughout the discussion, Robin unveils the pivotal role that thought leadership plays in the trajectory of tech firms. He emphasizes the transcendence of competition beyond mere product features, underscoring the imperative for companies to anchor themselves in a higher purpose. It's this alignment with a broader mission, Robin suggests, that fosters enduring connections with customers and stakeholders.

A particularly enlightening segment of the discussion revolves around the role of internal champions in driving organizational success.  Robin shares how cultivating a culture of empowerment and trust can transform employees into passionate advocates for the company's vision. These internal evangelists, he argues, are instrumental in securing high-stakes deals and fostering organic growth.

Three Key Takeaways:
* Companies often compete at the feature or product level, but if you want to stand the test of time you have to stand for something bigger.

* Moving from evangelizing to evangelizing through is a massive step, that takes time and trust but can have huge rewards.

* People are social media are not looking to be sold to.  If you want your thought leadership to catch on find the things you are passionate and knowledgable about and speak to those.

In this episode, we sit down with Russell Kern, a seasoned business leader, entrepreneur, author, and speaker renowned for his expertise in organizational development and the transformative potential of effective coaching. As the founder of Kern and Partners, Russell has dedicated himself to optimizing human capital and empowering high-performance teams.

Russell shares his insights on leveraging thought leadership to drive business growth through education, embracing the philosophy of "Give to get." Rather than focusing solely on brand recognition, Russell emphasizes the importance of addressing the immediate problems and
challenges faced by his audience.

He likens his thought leadership to "pain magnets," aiming to provide relief and solutions to pressing issues. Russell emphasizes the need for practical, actionable content that facilitates skill mastery and drives behavior change.

Distinguishing thought leadership and content marketing, Russell highlights the importance of credibility and relevance in thought leadership. He underscores the need for visually engaging,
quick-hitting content that captivates and excites the audience, whether it's through traditional mediums or emerging platforms like TikTok.

Join us as we explore the strategies behind effective thought leadership and learn how to craft compelling content that resonates with your audience in today's fast-paced digital landscape.

Three Key Takeaways:
* You can draw in your target audience by creating thought leadership that not only speaks to their problems at the moment but also provides the promise of a solution.

* Smaller firms can benefit immensely from investing in thought leadership, allowing them to punch above their weight class.

* Effective thought leadership needs to grab the audience's attention. Make sure it is visually compelling and quick-hitting.

In this episode, we sit down with Larry Harding, the Founder & CEO of HSP Group, Inc., a renowned provider of solutions for companies venturing into the global expansion market. Larry sheds light on the complexities and surprises that often accompany international expansion efforts.

Larry explains that many clients underestimate the challenges of global expansion, emphasizing the mantra "you don't know what you don't know." HSP Group assists companies in managing various aspects of their global footprint, from finance and accounting to legal compliance and human resources. Despite clients' initial interest in expanding overseas, they often come to realize the intricacies involved and the need for expert guidance.

Drawing from his own experiences, Larry discusses the genesis of HSP Group. Frustrated by the inefficiencies and challenges faced during his tenure as a finance professional overseeing international expansions, Larry recognized the necessity for a dedicated company to
address these issues comprehensively.

Targeting fast-growing companies lacking infrastructure or experience, HSP Group aims to be a trusted resource for CFOs and venture capitalists navigating global expansion. Larry emphasizes the importance of thought leadership and establishing credibility within the industry. Through strategic partnerships with legal and financial professionals and by utilizing their own services internally, HSP Group builds trust and demonstrates its expertise in managing global operations.

Join us as we delve into the complexities of global expansion and the crucial role of education and expertise in ensuring success.

Eric Siegel is a seasoned consultant with more than twenty years of experience with machine learning. In today's podcast, Eric shares insights from his best-selling book, "Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die," and his second book, "The AI Playbook."

Having taught AI and machine learning at Columbia, he expresses frustration at the underutilization of machine learning. His mission with "The AI Playbook" is to bridge the gap between data scientists and business professionals, emphasizing the need for a customized process, discipline, and playbook for successful machine learning projects.

The conversation delves into the misconception surrounding AI and machine learning, emphasizing the importance of planning for business outcomes and operational changes from the project's inception. The guest stresses that the value of AI lies not in its cool factor but in successful deployment.

Discussing his second book, he reflects a focus on preorders and an emphasis on podcasts, he shares his strategy for getting the book into the hands of Fortune 500 stakeholders vested in machine learning success.

Tune in for an insightful journey into the world of predictive analytics, AI deployment, and the passion that fuels success in the realm of thought leadership.

Three Key Takeaways:

·         Business professionals must gain some technical knowledge to establish a standardized practice for machine learning.

·         Understand the use case – what is predicted and how it’s acted upon are the cornerstone of driving value in machine learning projects.

·         AI and machine learning are powerful tools but don’t get lost in the wonder of them.  Stay focused on what you need them to do for you.

Organizations often talk about having a culture of innovation.

But what does that look like?

To explore innovation and how to achieve transformative breakthroughs I’ve invited Kim Christfort to join me.  Kim is the Chief Innovation Leader and National Managing Director of Deloitte Greenhouse Experience, where they work to spark new thinking, accelerate decision-making, and build long-term business development.

Kim shares how her background in theatre and science gave her a love for problem-solving and interacting with people, but it wasn’t until she created her position at Deloitte for herself that she could fully incorporate her creative side.

The Deloitte Greenhouse Experience is not just a space, it is an experience, a stage where Kim can set the environment to diagnose what is holding the group back and activate the brain through immersion to create momentum and opportunity to break through the barriers that are holding you back.

For ten years Kim and her team have been working with people, teams, and leaders to achieve breakthroughs but have never codified or packaged the research and data they have been doing.  This was the catalyst for Kim’s book The Breakthrough Manifesto which acts as a field guide for leaders and organizations to act, join the movement, and achieve breakthroughs that can fundamentally shift the way an organization thinks and operates.

Three Key Takeaways:

·         A good metric for thought leadership is repeat usage.  If people continue to come back time and again, investing their time and money they must be seeing value from it.

·         Moments are all around us.  They are opportunities.  Thought leadership can have a huge role in making those opportunities visible to clients.

·         Thought leadership that can become a movement is powerful. Those who believe in your ideas will become your biggest and loudest champions.

When complex topics come up, thought leaders typically have a list of usual suspects we can turn to for information.

However, by continually going to these same sources you might become repetitive and miss out on new and important perspectives.

To explore why these old habits can be detrimental and how we can overcome our presets I’ve invited Watchen Nyanue Hampton to join me.  Watchen is the Founder and CEO of I Choose the Ladder, a boutique consulting firm in Chicago that does work at the intersection of talent culture and strategy.

Watchen starts us off by discussing how our defaults could be drowning out other voices and perspectives that could potentially be advantageous to your business.  Further, she shares how breaking that cycle can only happen with conscious and thoughtful effort.

Finding new voices that want to step into the spotlight can be difficult.  Watchen explains how finding them can only happen by getting to know people as people, by humanizing the way we interact with others in our personal and professional spaces.  Asking questions and being genuinely interested in others can help them feel seen and heard, which will have a massive impact on how they work and the pride they feel.

Watchen shows how elevating others in thought leadership and using your own power to share the spotlight can be good for retention, succession planning, and reaching wider audiences through wider conversations that you otherwise might never have been aware of.

Three Key Takeaways:

·         If you are in a leadership role it is your job to know the people who you are leading.

·         Be intentional about the way you craft your life and your career.  Always know that you have a choice.

·         If you are not part of the community and are aware of the conversations that are going on, you are never going to think about engaging them.

AI is a hot topic right now, but many don’t fully understand the ramifications.
How do you present data sets and explainable AI to the average person?

Today we sit down with Keith Goode, the Vice President of Services at ZeroedIn Technologies which provides HR solutions by combining people data with business data for one source of truth.

Our conversation begins by getting a sense of how complex ideas like AI can be used by people who are not familiar with it.  Keith shares how he identifies the business issue or concern at hand and that AI could be useful to help solve those problems.  From there they seek the right data to answer the questions and then qualify that information by looking at historical data, then aggregating it together to generate an AI model that can predict outcomes based on the predetermined traits.

Building a data set is a crucial part of creating an accurate AI model.  Keith explains how they use a template that has key factors that have been used in the past coupled with various data elements that are unique and important to the client. Keith continues by explaining how the model can be tested and updated to make the model more accurate.

If you want a better understanding of AI in terms everyone can understand you’ll want to tune into this episode.

Three Key Takeaways:

·         If an idea is not explainable, then it is also not actionable.

·         AI models are not a one-and-done solution.  You need to update and retrain them to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

·         AI models allow for a deeper and more complex dimension of examination of complex topics.

Why do we do what we do and buy what we buy?
What invisible forces drive those actions - and how can they be seen?

Today our guest is Marcus Collins an award-winning marketer and culture translator.  He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Ross School of Business and an award-winning author.  His newest book is For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be.

Marcus shares how there is no greater external force more influential to human behavior than culture! However, if you ask ten people what culture is you’ll get a different answer each time. Marcus explains that you must understand who you are, how you see the world, and what you believe if you are going to create a coherent and positive culture.

Marcus’s first solo book For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be came from his exploration of social sciences to understand better who we are as people and what the underlying physics of why we take the actions we do.  Marcus states that as a marketer we have to gain that understanding to get others to adopt the behavior we are promoting.

While launching the book Marcus chose to eat his own dog food, taking the same approach to his book launch as he would launch a client’s product.  Building out from understanding the culture the book represents he reached out to former students who embraced the thinking he taught, enlisting them to boost the signal of the book on launch day.  By doing this he created a following of true believers willing to evangelize his book and ideas!

Marcus shares smart advice for anyone who feels their culture is lacking clarity or for those who struggle to truly connect to their target audience.

 Three Key Takeaways:

·         There is no external force more influential to human behavior than culture.

·         It's about getting your thinking in the hands and minds of more people.

·         If you can activate people with shared convictions, then those people will evangelize on your behalf.

Should you try to make your thought leadership relevant to everyone?
Or, is being focused the answer?

To examine the effectiveness of "going narrow" with your thought leadership, I’ve invited David G Ewing to join me. David is a trailblazer in customer experience innovation, and the CEO of Motiv, the world’s largest Oracle CX exclusive partner allowing clients to manage their customer experience (CX) through every step of their journey.

David shares how he uses thought leadership to differentiate and drive business, by narrowly focusing on customer experiences using technology from a single vendor. This has allowed him to tackle any challenges a customer might bring his way.

David explains that a narrow focus allows him to find the exact target customer which is a match made in heaven for both sides.  With thought leadership content focused directly on their pain points the customer knows from the outset the partnership is a good fit.

Part of finding that focus came from coming up with a mission and motive.  David trimmed that down to a single word “Growth.” Having a one-word mission made it possible to have a lot of creativity while remaining focused.

David shares excellent advice for going deep for elevated relevancy!
 
Three Key Takeaways:

·         The more focused you are the more useful you are despite being relevant to a smaller group of people.

·         Having a good and clear mission statement can allow you to stay focused on your vision.

·         It’s never too early to start thought leadership.

In today’s episode, we showcase some of the best guests from our Organizational Thought Leadership series.  We think their insights will be as useful this year as it was last!

Lynette Jackson is the Head of Communications at Siemens.  She shares how thought leadership can act as an umbrella for your brand, bringing all the various disciplines of communication together under it, enabling them to move in the same direction with purpose!

Kathy Risch is Senior Vice President, Shopper Insights & Thought Leadership at Acosta.  She takes us inside what it takes to understand how and why people buy.  She shares how it goes beyond the usefulness of a product and dives into the impact the emotion a product or service can tap into while speaking to an underlying need or frustration in the consumer's life.

Kasey Lobaugh is the Chief Futurist for the Consumer Industry and Principal at Deloitte Consulting, LLP.  He shares how the research they did over a year is more than a white paper, it’s a platform!  Kasey explains how they can shape the thinking of the future of not only Deloitte but their entire industry by engaging with hundreds of people inside and outside the company.  He shares how they approached people from diverse backgrounds to get a better picture of the future by seeing it through many unique perspectives.  

Three Key Takeaways:

·         Having the ability to create content that speaks to an audience on their level, be it introductory or expert is the key to reaching a wider audience.

·         Connecting your product or service with the consumer's insights is how you hit the sweet spot.

·         When engaging others on large scale research you need to allow them to engage with and shape the content.

As we ring in the New Year it is always a good idea to take a moment and reflect on the past year.  We continue our tradition of doing so by providing a compilation from a few guests who provided timeless advice.

Jenna Fisher is the Co-lead of Global Financial Officer Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates and a Wall Street Journal bestselling author with a new book To the Top: How Women in Corporate Leadership Are Rewriting the Rules for Success.  In this conversation, Jenna shares how she interviewed dozens of women who provided inspirational and practical stories that she used in her book.  In addition, she discusses the synergy the book has with her business and what she learned in the process of writing.

Mark Miller, is the Vice President of High Performance Leadership, Chick-fil-A Inc. and author of Culture Rules: The Leader’s Guide to Creating the Ultimate Competitive Advantage.  Mark gives insight into being an embedded research house within Chick-fil-A and how pragmatism and leadership are the keys to balancing the scales between the two.

Lily Zheng is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion speaker, strategist, and organizational consultant. Recently they wrote DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right.  Lily discusses the ebb and flow of DEI in the workplace and how it is something that is needed all the time not just when things go wrong.

Jane Hanson is an Emmy Award winning Journalist with thirty years of coaching experience helping people communicate more clearly and efficiently.  Jane shares what thought leadership means to her and how the heart of soul of it is communication.  She discusses knowing your purpose and provides tips and advice for communicating in mediums you might not excel at.

Three Key Takeaways:

·         While doing research for a book or any thought leadership, reaching out to a diverse audience can help give you a wider and more balanced perspective.

·         Everything rises and falls with leadership.

·         As a thought leader your purpose needs to be getting the important information you have out into the world for others to hear and use

You can find an audience for your thought leadership on almost any social media platform.
Time is the ultimate commodity - so, how do you break through the noise to get your audience's attention?

Today’s guest has a keen understanding of audience, message, and modality! Robert Glazer is the best-selling author of Elevate: Push Beyond Your Limits and Unlock Success in Yourself and Others, a keynote speaker, award-winning executive, and host of The Elevate podcast.

Our conversation starts by discussing creating content and discovering what the audience is seeking.  Robert shares how experimentation is required, but one trick for content creation is writing an article on anything you’ve been asked about five times.  This shows that the topic is a pain point to many and allows you to point back to the article as something you’ve previously dealt with, not something you are tackling at the moment.  Furthermore, Robert tells us why you have to create content that is more than a sales pitch.  By creating content and opportunities that are mutually beneficial you increase the odds of reaching your audience.

In addition, we look at the medium for thought leadership Robert explains that you need to understand the reason for tackling the platform you are.  Many platforms like podcasting reward longevity, so digging in and preparing to stick it out through the crickets is required to find success down the road.  He also discusses picking one channel and learning to excel at it.  Once you’ve built an audience there, you can expand to other platforms.

Three Key Takeaways:

·         Pick a strategy, pick a tone, and pick a channel.  Learn to do that one channel well before moving on to another.

·         Success of a platform can take on various looks.  From increasing brand awareness, creating new relationships, or by establishing yourself as an expert in your field.

·         If you want to make something go viral, make something worth sharing.

Can you spot a good idea?
And when you do, how do you successfully find its best audience?

These are just two questions we examine with today's guest, Ward Kampf. Ward is the President of Northwood Retail, which leases, manages, and markets a portfolio of over five million square feet of mixed use and community properties.

With retail facing constant technological changes, leaders are always trying to discover the next frontier. Ward shares with us the exciting way content and context come together to impact a potential consumer. Part of creating that impact involves staying relevant, fresh, and - if possible - first to market.

Searching for the next frontier means having to constantly examine new ideas.  Ward explains why we need to step back, absorb the idea, and learn about it.  Only then can you create a vision, strategy, and execution that can bring success.

We also discuss building relationships.  Again, retail and thought leadership involve creating relationships based on trust, which means not always seeking to make a sale.  Ward shares how some of his best relationships took years to develop before any business transactions took place, but that time invested has paid off in the long run.

Today’s episode is a great example of how thought leadership can have an impact on a wide variety of industries - around the world!

Three Key Takeaways:

·         You have to have an open mind and a want to listen and learn. It's an evolve-or-die environment.  You can’t afford to become irrelevant or stale.  

·         Financial and human resources are not infinite.  Go where you can be your most productive with the resources you have.

·         It can take years to develop a business partnership.  Investing time can pay off down the road when you are trying to sell a better experience and partnership instead of just a product.

It can be easy to think “I’m just not a confident person”

But confidence isn’t something you have to be born with.

Like any other skill, you can practice behaviors to grow that skill.

Our guest today is Emily Jaenson, a keynote speaker, host of the hit podcast Leadership is Female, and co-founder of The Assist Group a collective of experienced sports professionals ready to step in and provide sales, marketing & leadership consulting.

Emily has an impressive resume in sports and thought leadership, but at one time she was too shy to even order a pizza.  She shares her journey leaving her small town to attend university where she realized she needed to level up and that could only be accomplished with confidence!  She pushed through one uncomfortable situation after another taking them as opportunities to grow and even take on leadership roles helping others grow.

One way Emily has been able to help others grow is with her TEDx talk “Six behaviors to increase your confidence” which has been viewed more than 3 million times.  Emily discusses how the TEDx talk was the culmination of years of knowledge, experience, and interviews from her podcast distilled into an incredibly impactful twelve-minute talk.  The talk was so impactful that corporations began to reach out to her to deliver that message to their employees.  We learn how she took this opportunity to grow her business, going on the offense creating a website, networking, and developing a pitch to take her content to the world instead of waiting for it to come to her.

We wrap up our conversation with Emily giving examples from her career on the behaviors others can practice to get through tough times, expand their comfort zone, and ultimately grow their confidence!

Three Key Takeaways:

·         Once you have content out in the world you can’t sit and wait for the clients to come to you.  You need to network and take the content to the people who need it most.

·         People tend to believe you are born with confidence or you’re not.  However, confidence is a skill.  It can be taught and learned.

·         Confidence is competence.  And you gain competence through curiosity.