Success Secrets for an Authentic Brand

​Here's MY BELIEF... 

It still amazes me how many people appear to be sleeping through life. I don't mean simply sleeping through their own life, but to what is "really" going on in the world today. I think when it comes to a deep understanding of social disparities (social justice) many people are in a coma and for some hitting the snooze button is an easier way to deny what is happening. I believe most of us have a general understanding of the "ills" within our American society such as poverity, homelessness, and maybe even racism.

"The ability to recognize and understand emotions and the skill to use this awareness to manage self and the relationships with others." – Emotional Intelligence (Goleman, 1995).

I have stumbled upon a few great books that offer practical information and effective strategies on understanding, embracing and managing diversity. While I believe that one must learn from people for the best education, these books will give you great information on how to apply what you've learned in the workplace. Learning about differences by reading and attending workshops is a great way to start, however the best way to understand differences is to engage with those who are different than you.

There is a little princess in all of us, and there is a full-grown woman as well. The little princess is our “girl” self who sometimes overshadows the full-grown woman and can become our own demise. When these two parts of us are out of line, we ultimately are living incongruently or out of balance. Let's talk about the little girl or princess who lives within us as women. She is often immature, self-centered, envious, catty, controlling, whiny, and insecure. Think back to your younger adoescent days of middle and high school.

According to dictionary.com to be competent means to "be adequate, but not exceptional" and proficient means "to be well advanced or an expert." Many speakers, trainers and consultants teach people how to be culturally competent, but I prefer to help people become proficient. It is not good enough to be good, one must seek to be great in all they do. So why not be great at engaging and communicating with people? Why not become proficient in connecting with people who are different than you?

It's that time of year again! The time when many American's light the tree, decorate the house, fight the hustle and bustle to find the perfect gifts and a myrid of other Christmas time rituals. But wait... not all American's celebrate this way right? Of course not, yet I think a lot of people may "assume" this is true. Those of us who are a little more diversity savvy know that there are many other holidays and traditions being celebrated during this time of year.

Entrepreneurship can be a challenging yet rewarding and prosperous experience for anyone seeking to be their own boss and or have control over their finances and life. I have been a full time entrepreneur for the past two years and it has been a bittersweet experience for me. The one thing I can say for sure is that it has been a "sweeter" experience than not.

In preparation for an upcoming diversity workshop, I am gathering information from people of color on what attracts them and keeps them working for an organization or company. The survey responses are rolling in and I am delighted about the insight and suggestions people are offering on attracting and retaining diverse employees.