Hear how Traca Savadogo found a new path to transform her life.

Welcome to "On the Brink with Andi Simon," the podcast where we delve into the transformative power of self-discovery and personal growth. I'm your host, Andi Simon, and today, I am thrilled to bring you an inspiring conversation with Traca Savadogo, a renowned relationship strategist who specializes in guiding individuals on their journey to find themselves. In this episode, we'll explore Traca's fascinating journey of self-discovery, a journey that has transformed her from a place of struggle to becoming a beacon of empowerment for contless others. Traca's story is not just about overcoming obstacles; it's about embracing the power within oneself to rewrite the narrative of one's life, a power that can lead to profound transformation and joy.

Join us as we listen to Traca's journey of self-discovery.

Traca's path to becoming a sought-after relationship strategist was challenging. Like many of us, she experienced doubt, uncertainty, and despair. However, through these experiences, she uncovered a profound truth: the importance of reflecting on one's own story to transform it into one where you are the hero, not the victim. One of the pivotal moments in Traca's journey was her realization of the value of connecting with strangers. As a successful TEDx speaker, she shared her insights on "Why You Should Regularly Talk with Strangers," a topic that resonated deeply with audiences around the world. Through her experiences of stepping outside her comfort zone and engaging with unfamiliar faces, Traca discovered a wealth of wisdom and perspective that enriched her life in ways she never imagined.

She had to embrace vulnerability. Should you?

During our conversation, Traca opens up about the profound impact of embracing vulnerability and authenticity in her own life. She shares how she embarked on a journey of rediscovering herself, shedding layers of self-doubt and fear to reveal the bold, brave, and ultimately happy woman others saw in her all along. Through her work as a relationship strategist, Traca empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of self-discovery with courage and resilience. She emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deep self-awareness and acceptance, recognizing that true transformation begins from within.

As we delve deeper into Traca's story, we uncover invaluable insights and practical strategies for anyone seeking to embark on their journey of self-discovery. From overcoming limiting beliefs to embracing vulnerability and cultivating meaningful connections, Traca offers a wealth of wisdom that will inspire and empower listeners to embrace their journey of personal growth and transformation. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey with Traca Savadogo, exploring the power of self-discovery, resilience, and the profound impact of rewriting your story. This is "On the Brink with Andi Simon," and I'm delighted to have you with us on this incredible journey of growth and possibility.

Watch and listen to our conversation here

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

"Belonging to the Brand" sets forth Mark Schaefer's thinking about Innovative Marketing and Community Building.

Let me introduce you to Mark Schaefer, who needs no introduction. With a career spanning decades, Mark has been a trailblazer, a thought leader, and a guide through the ever-shifting terrain of marketing and branding. From the dawn of social media to the rise of influencer marketing, Mark has not only witnessed these seismic shifts but has also been at the forefront, deciphering trends, and charting courses for success.

But what sets Mark apart isn't just his keen insight into what's happening now—it's his uncanny ability to anticipate what's coming next. While others may struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of our industry, Mark has a knack for spotting emerging trends and technologies before they hit the mainstream. In this podcast, we will tap into that foresight, exploring what's happening today and what lies on the horizon.

Megatrends Shaping the Future of Marketing

A core theme we'll explore is bringing people together and building new communities and shared experiences. In an increasingly fragmented and polarized world, Mark understands the power of connection and is passionate about helping brands forge deeper, more meaningful relationships with their audiences.

But this podcast isn't just about theory and speculation—it's about practical insights and actionable advice that you can apply to your own marketing efforts. So, whether you're a seasoned marketer looking to stay ahead of the curve or a newcomer eager to learn from the best, I invite you to join us on this journey through the ever-changing marketing and branding landscape. Together, we'll be navigating tomorrow—and shaping the future of our industry along the way.

The Most Human Company Wins

As we wrapped up our conversation, it became clear that despite the technological advancements, the core of marketing remains unchanged: the most human company wins. In a world where AI is becoming ubiquitous, maintaining a human-centric approach is what will set successful brands apart.

To learn more about Innovative Marketing, we recommend these:

Podcast: Are you Ready for the Marketing Rebellion by Mark Schaefer

Podcast: Are You Ready for the Next Data-Driven-Digital Marketing Strategy? by Patrick Van Gorder

Podcast: Fran Biderman-Gross—Feeling Frustrated With Business? Maybe It Is Time For A New Marketing Strategy?

Hear how Myrna Soto combined her great people skills with IT and business.

Welcome to On the Brink with Andi Simon, where we delve deep into the minds of industry leaders who are shaping the future. In this episode, I'm thrilled to bring a remarkable individual who has managed to shape businesses blending her people skills with her high-tech wisdom. Please allow me to introduce you to Myrna Soto. Myrna is Founder and CEO of Apogee Executive Advisors, an advisory firm providing strategic consulting the areas of Technology Risk, Cybersecurity, Technology Integrations, Digital Transformation, and Enterprise Risk Management.

Are there lessons you can learn to propel your own success in IT and Business? How can women thrive in the complex world of IT and Business?

Watch our conversation here

Myrna Soto is featured in our new book,Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success

How to connect with Myrna

You can reach Myrna on LinkedIn or through her websiteForgePointCap.com.

To learn more about this topic, we recommend these podcasts and blog:

• Eisha Tierney Armstrong—With The Rise Of AI, Professional Services Are Turning Into Products. Are You Ready?

• Lorraine Hariton—How Can You Build A Better Workplace For Women?

• 10 Tips To Empower Women In Male-Dominated IT Industry

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS® is a registered trademark of the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO)

Esther Aguilera is one of the 102 amazing women leaders in our new book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success,

In a world where success is often portrayed as a linear path, Esther Aguilera's journey stands out. Born to Mexican immigrants, she defied the odds and rose to significant positions in Washington, in non-profits, and in business. . Her story is a testament to the power of determination, self-belief, and the unwavering pursuit of one's dreams, inspiring us all to embrace our own unique paths to success. Welcome to "On the Brink with Andi Simon," where we delve deep into the stories of remarkable individuals who have defied odds and shattered barriers to carve their path to success. In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Esther Aguilera, a trailblazer whose journey took her first to numerous positions in Washington, D.C., to the helm of the Latino Corporate Directors Association. Her openness to new ventures and a willingness to try unfamiliar leadership roles have not only transformed her life but have also paved the way for countless others.

Esther's journey is one defined by resilience and tenacity. Growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, she learned early on the value of hard work and perseverance. However, her unwavering confidence and belief in herself truly set her apart. As you listen to our conversation, consider our thoughts about "imposter syndrome." Throughout her career, Esther grappled with feelings of being an imposter - a notion that she was never fully competent, yet always completely confident. However, this blend of humility and self-assurance propelled her forward, allowing her to navigate the corporate landscape with grace and determination.

A profound commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion lies at the heart of Esther's journey. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for Latino representation, from building diverse teams to expanding the seats held by Latinos in corporate boardrooms, recognizing the immense value that diverse perspectives bring. Under her leadership, the Latino Corporate Directors Association rapidly expanded, becoming the premier resource for Latino talent on corporate boards. Esther's unwavering dedication to championing diversity and inclusion is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and opportunity for all of us. You will hear a woman who knew that Latinos were not moving into leadership positions, and she would help them open doors and find pathways to change these limitations.

Embark on a transformative journey with Esther Aguilera, a leader whose story resonates with us all. Her journey inspires us to embrace our strengths, confront our doubts, and forge our path with unwavering confidence. Through her reflections, insights, and profound wisdom, Esther invites us to challenge the status quo, embrace our authenticity, and dare to dream boldly. Join us as we learn from her experiences and find inspiration for our own journeys.

Watch and listen to our conversation here

How to connect with Esther

You can reach Esther on LinkedIn

Or, email her at [email protected]

Additional resources for you

• Our new book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD. Read more about it athttp://www.womenmeanbusinessbook.com
• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants
• Our book website: www.andisimon.com

Read the transcript of our podcast here. (Edited for readability)

Andi Simon: Welcome to On the Brink with Andi Simon. I'm Andi Simon, and as you know, my job is to get you off the brink. However, if you're stuck or stalled. Our job is to bring you interesting people. And I have a wonderful woman here today who's going to help you see, feel and think in some new ways because you don't have a story like hers. And she is an extraordinary role model. So how you can overcome life, life's adversities and rise. We're going to talk about a bunch of things that are going to touch you as she has touched me, and I think this is such an exciting time. Esther Aguilera is here with us today, and I am very excited because she is a part of our new book, Women Mean Business. Esther comes to us with the perspective of somebody who has had a journey, and I'm going to have her tell you about it, but let me introduce her.

She is currently a senior advisor at Altura Capital. Previously, she was president and CEO of the Latino Corporate Directors Association, and she built the first national network of Latino CEOs, corporate directors and C-level leaders. She oversaw the organization's rapid expansion to become the premier resource for Latino talent primed for the boardroom to accelerate the conversation of Latino inclusion in America's boardrooms.

She's a thoughtful, transformational leader, and she's known for driving impact and results. She is a two-time chief executive and a two time executive director, and she comes to us with a 32- year track record, executing strategic business plans and leading high performance teams. And she's going to tell you more.

As you know, my desire is for them to tell you about their journey. It gives you a context for understanding the challenges that she's facing and the way she's overcoming them. But she also tells us that she brings a deep experience and understanding of the intersection between the charitable, business and government sectors. And I think this is really exciting. She's worked with members of Congress, cabinet members, corporate CEOs and directors, nonprofits, and associations, and she's just a superb-powerful person. Welcome, Esther. Thank you for being with me today.

Esther Aguilera: It is a great pleasure to be with you, Andy.

Andi Simon: Tell the listeners and the viewers, who is Esther? You tell me your story. And I think it's a very important one to set the context for your own journey, the challenges you've overcome and how you thrive, and the joy you bring to others in the process. Who's Esther?

Esther Aguilera: Thank you for having me. And thank you for the question. So, you know, as you mentioned, I have had the privilege of working for our nation's most powerful leaders from members of Congress, and cabinet members. I've organized meetings with the US President and worked with the top leaders in the nonprofit space, corporate space, and working with corporate directors. But my path was not a typical one. My family moved to the US from Mexico when I was four years old, so I'm an immigrant. We were actually undocumented when we first came. It's a long story, but needless to say, I'm the proud daughter of a landscape laborer and a garment worker. So, we had a very humble upbringing. But we clearly strived to do our best and contribute and get a good education, which is what landed me in college and also, I studied my first public policy. It's not something that growing up, I would have ever seen myself doing. I didn't even know what it was. By the way, when I moved, I moved to Washington, D.C. after college, and my parents didn't really understand what I did, and neither did my family. But here I was in Washington, D.C. We moved here in 1990 right after college. And that's where oh my gosh, so many worlds opened up. So many opportunities and a lot of scary things. I mean, good, scary things, but new things that really opened up all new apertures and experiences and opportunities again, that I enjoy today.

Andi Simon: But, when you shared with me your story, you said public policy wasn't something you're familiar with. How did you get to Washington?

Esther Aguilera: Well, I was very, very lucky. First I was visiting Washington, D.C., and I had a professor who I contacted and I said, hey, I'm in the nation's capital. And he said, well, you need to meet with some of the premier organizations. And he made some connections for me that I was literally just planning to have some informational meetings and then travel back to California to start looking for a job. And I took the plunge. I had some great meetings. The first organization was a National Council of La Raza, which is the premier today known as Latinos, U.S. and it's a public policy organization. I went for the informational interview, and they offered me a job. And I was just one in shock and thinking, oh my gosh, I’m moving to Washington, D.C. Is that something for me? But you know what? I took the plunge. And this was another great theme that I like to talk about is I've had some different pivots and new areas and new places. And what's been wonderful was really embracing new challenges has been how I have been able to broaden my horizons and find new opportunities.

Andi Simon: Yes. Good. But it is interesting because as we think about it, your intention wasn't to come to Washington and get a job. It was to go discover; you were curious. You're an explorer and you really didn't know what the possibilities were. It was an interesting opportunity for you to land something unexpectedly that has turned into a whole career trajectory for you. And I have a hunch several times during your career, things sort of popped in you and you thought that could be interesting. Where did your career go from that first destination?

Esther Aguile

Welcome to On the Brink with Andi Simon, the podcast where we delve into the stories, insights and wisdom of remarkable individuals who are trailblazing paths in the corporate world. I’m thrilled to have you join us today as we embark on a transformative journey with none other than Sandra Quince, an exemplary woman executive whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Sandra Quince’s narrative is a testament to resilience, determination and unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. With a career spanning decades in the corporate landscape, Sandra has navigated through challengesand shattered glass ceilings and emerged as a beacon of empowerment for women everywhere.

In today's episode, we have the privilege of unraveling the layers of Sandra's remarkable journey. From her humble beginnings to her ascent to executive leadership, Sandra's story is a poignant reminder of the power of perseverance and self-belief in the face of adversity.As we delve deeper into Sandra's narrative, we cannot help but be captivated by her profound insights into leadership and inclusivity. Sandra's wisdom transcends traditional notions of authority and is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a deep-seated commitment to fostering inclusivity and acceptance.

Throughout our conversation, Sandra imparts invaluable lessons on the art of influence and the importance of cultivating diverse and inclusive cultures within organizations. Her belief in the transformative power of diversity is a guiding light for leaders aspiring to create environments where every voice is heard, valued, and respected.Moreover, Sandra's mantra of "owning your career" is a powerful reminder that in a world where opportunities are abundant yet fiercely competitive, it's imperative to take charge of our own destinies. Sandra's journey is a testament to the fact that when we assert ourselves and take ownership of our paths, we pave the way for success on our own terms.

As we navigate the intricacies of Sandra's narrative, it becomes evident that her journey is not merely about personal triumphs but about paving the way for future generations of women leaders. Through her mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to championing diversity and inclusion, Sandra continues to drive positive change in the corporate landscape. I invite you to join us on this enriching journey as we unravel the tapestry of leadership with Sandra Quince. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, wisdom, and the unwavering belief in one's ability to shape their destiny.

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

Read the transcript of our podcast here (edited for readability and grammatical correctness):

Andi Simon:Welcome to On the Brink with Andi Simon. I am Andi Simon, your podcast host, and your guide. Remember, my job is to help you get off the brink. I find people who are going to do just that to help you. These words are very intentional: See, feel, and think in new ways so that you can change them. And I often tell people the brain hates me. It doesn't want to change. I'd rather stay where you are, even when you know it's better to be different and do something better. It's challenging for you to learn new techniques and begin to thrive with them. So today, I have a wonderful woman, Sandra Quince, with us. You can see her beautiful smile. I will tell you about her briefly, but she's also part of our new book,Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success. So I will show you her picture here, which is gorgeous, and she has a beautiful quote. Remember, our book has 102 women with 500 wisdoms to help you start and spark your success. It's a beautiful book.

It's selling like crazy, but her wisdom is compelling. "Be a leader who creates an environment where everyone can bring their best selves and thrive."

Sandra." loves the quote by Mahatma Gandhi. "The greatest of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane ."I share that with you because I've been doing a great deal of podcasting lately, and people say we must become more humane. Corporations have to become more concerned about their employees' and communities' well-being. Culture has to begin to focus on "we," not "I," and I can say those words, but we have to do them.

Let me share Sandra Quince's bio, and then she'll tell you about her journey because it's beautiful. Sandra Quince is the business enablement and leader on loan and loan program executive responsible for leading business operations across workforce development and arts and heritage while also serving as program executive for the Leader on Loan Program, which is for Bank of America.

Prior to this, she was the chief executive officer for Paradigm for Parity through Bank of America's Leader on Loan Program, and she was responsible for leading all elements of Paradigm for Parity, strategic plan, financial, programmatic, and operational performance. She'll tell you more about P4P because it is a huge opportunity for you to understand what it can do and what you can do. She worked with the coalition's co-chairs and board of directors to oversee and execute the organization's vision and growth plans. She's been featured in Essence CEO, World Magazine, Fast Company and interviewed on Fintech, Fintech TV, BBC, and Bloomberg Radio. She's just an outstanding leader in her community, through boards, and through her actions. And what I'm so excited about today is that I've developed a program to help companies change their cultures, not by thinking about diversity, equity, and inclusion as a program, but instead as a mindset, as a way of seeing the opportunities that come from having lots of different ideas, being more innovative, inclusive. And humans love to belong. They don't want to be outliers. They don't want to be necessarily forgotten. So, how do we build that kind of culture at a time when D and I are under a bit of siege? People are wondering why we're doing it. We're doing it because it is transformative for ourselves and our businesses. Sandra, thank you for joining me today. It's an honor and a pleasure.

Sandra Quince:Oh, it's such a pleasure to be here with you. And thank you so much for having me on today.

Andi Simon:Isn't it fun? I'd love you to tell the listener or the viewer about your journey because it sets the stage for what we'll discuss next. Who is Sandra Quince?

Sandra Quince:Yeah, so thank you for that. My journey really started; I have been talking a lot about and reflecting on what makes Sandra who she is or who has had an influence on her.

And so it brings me back to my childhood. I am a product of a military father. And so we traveled around a lot. And I think that experience in itself, because you meet so many different people and get a chance to interact with different cultures really helps to build who you are and helps you to see the world through a very different lens. I also think about the lessons that my great-grandmother taught me of being just a really kind and strong woman while being kind and being very cognizant of the fact that you're not better than others. It was part of my lessons growing up: how to be resilient and bounce back from things. She was a powerful woman, and while not formally educated, she was extremely intelligent. But then, it also taught me to stand up for myself, advocate for myself, and speak up for myself. And so that's where I draw that inner strength. When I became the CEO of Paradigm for Parity, that didn't happen by happenstance, right? There were a series of things that led up to that. But earlier in my career, Andrea, one of the things that I didn't understand was that when you put your head down and you're working hard, that wasn't enough. And I showed up to laugh.

Andi Simon:I know, I know the feeling well.

Sandra Quince:So you show up. I was a first-generation college student. I was a first-generation corporate. I needed help understanding the rules of the road. And while I had these beautiful life lessons, I wasn't sure how to employ them at that moment. And I came into the workforce thinking, if you just put your head down and do really good work, you will get promoted. And while doing really good work is a part of what we all should do, because that's table stakes, that is not the only path that leads you to promotion. That is just one part of many different things we must consider in the workplace. And so I did learn that I needed to not just do good work, but I also needed to understand what I wanted out of my career. I needed to understand how to advocate for myself, employ the life lessons I learned earlier as a child, and speak up and talk about the good work I was doing. So think about how are you telling your story. How are you telling others about the work you're leading and doing but adding value to your organization and advocating for yourself? And I learned the power of networking and sponsorship. And so all that and part of the wisdom that I shared, and you touched on a little

Hear how we can all embrace the notion of productization, not fear it

Today I bring to you an exceptional businesswoman and innovator whom I would also call a futurist,Eisha Tierney Armstrong. Eisha specializes in helping B2B companies transform their customized services into more scalable products. In other words, she helps them productize, which is also the title of herbest-selling book. She shows businesses how to take a service that is delivered by people and standardize it, usually by automating it with technology. This is not to be feared, she says, but welcomed, because of the many possibilities it enables. Listen and share!

Watch and listen to our conversation here

Key takeaways from our discussion:

• B2B buyers are changing. They’re more comfortable buying products, not talking to people, doing all their research on the internet.
• The cultural attributes that make you a great professional services firm, like always knowing the answer to a client question, can actually get in the way of productizing. Because if you’re productizing and trying to innovate, you don’t necessarily know what the right answer is. You have to go out and learn and be open to failure and experimentation and not seeing failure as a bad thing.
• One of the cultural attributes that’s really important to do this successfully is the ability to learn and be open to change.
• People get afraid and they think, Am I going to lose my job? Am I still going to have value? How am I going to keep up with all the skills required? Those are very valid, important fears.But the most exciting thing about productization is the potential for growth. You can now grow faster than the rate at which you have to add headcount. You can serve new markets. You can impact more people and that can be very rewarding.
• We are at the precipice of a massive explosion in growth and if we focus on that, people will be more willing to embrace the change.

How to connect with Eisha

You can find Eisha onLinkedInand her websiteVecteris.You can also email her [email protected].

Want to learn more about preparing your business for the future, now? Check out these:

• Unlocking New Opportunities: Exploring Blue Ocean Strategy® To Understand Your Future Customers
• Navigating The Future: The Vital Need For Leadership Training In The Post-Pandemic Era
• Jennifer Kluge—Meet The Leader To Build Your Business Into One Of The Best And Brightest
• Byron Reese—How Humans Learned to See the Future, and You Can Too!

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book,Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

Read the transcript of our podcast here

Andi Simon:Welcome toOn the Brink With Andi Simon.Hi, I’m Andi Simon. I’m your host and your guide. My job is to help you get off the brink. I’ve been doing this for almost 400 podcasts now, and it’s absolutely wonderful that you, our audience, keep enjoying it, sending us ideas about people whom we should interview and really celebrating the fact that you’ve gotten off the brink, picking up ideas from the people we bring to you to help you do something important for you to change. You need to see, feel, and think in new ways.

I always say you take your observations and turn them into innovations, and today is particularly interesting. For that reason, I have Eisha Armstrong here. Jennifer McCollum (who was on this podcast inAugust of last year) brought her to us and suggested we should have a conversation, particularly about the work she’s doing in the B2B world of professional services. But I think it’s important for you listening to her to see what she sees out in the market and how that could help you do better for yourself and your business.

Now, I must say, I listen to Amy Webb at SXSW and her video is just wonderful, and I watch it as many years as I can. But she is talking about the fourth industrial revolution coming now, and I would tell you that you cannot wait. It’s here. And that question is really important for you and your business.

So we’ll be weaving that in a little bit today as well. Who is Eisha? Eisha Armstrong is a co-founder and executive chairman ofVecteris. She’s dedicated to helping business-to-business companies transform their customized services into more scalable products. Prior to co-founding Vecteris, Eisha held Senior Product Leadership roles at the E.W. Scripps Company and at CEB, now Gartner, the world’s largest membership-based corporate performance research and advisory company. She has a best-selling book,Productize: The Ultimate Guide to Turning Professional Services into Scalable Productsand her other bookisFearless: How to Transform a Services Culture and Successfully Productize.I think we’ll talk about productize today a bit. I’m delighted to have you here. I should thank you for joining me.

Eisha Armstrong:Well thank you, Andi, it’s a pleasure to be here.

Andi Simon:I am delighted you came back from Costa Rica in time for us to have a great conversation, although I have met with someone in Costa Rica for a podcast, so the world is very flat and small. Tell the audience about your own journey because you are at a point now that’s very timely and important for them to know about you and about what we’re going to talk about and Vecteris today. Who is Eisha Armstrong?

Eisha Armstrong:Well, thank you Andi. So I started my career, as you mentioned, at CEB, which was purchased by Gartner about eight years ago. As a data scientist right out of undergrad, of course we didn’t call them data scientists at the time, so my title was research analyst. But I was doing research on different corporate performance topics that were specifically focused on data analysis to uncover root causes of corporate performance, and I ended up spending a good 15 years of my career there, working my way up.

CEB sponsored me to go to business school, so I was fortunate enough to get my MBA while I was there and that moved me into a very early product management role. And at the time, the company didn’t have product managers. So we had to kind of define what that role meant, what that looked like, and learn from people in the software industry about what product management was. And by the time I left, I was leading a portfolio of products.

Fast forward to 2018, and I co-founded Vecteris with a former colleague of mine, specifically to help B2B professional services firms learn how to, as you mentioned, the title of my book, productize, which means taking a service that is delivered by people and standardizing it, usually automating it, with some form of technology. Perhaps, delivering it in a more scalable fashion, which tends to improve profit margins. If they’re selling, they can usually do that on a more subscription basis, which improves renewable revenue, and makes it easier to run their firms.

So we’ve been focused on that for the last six years,and as you mentioned, I published two books. I have my third one coming out later this year because my passion is really understanding what are the keys to being successful in this type of transformation. So I’ve focused a lot of my time now on researching that and then publishing those findings.

Andi Simon:So clarify for the audience, what professional services firms are.

Eisha Armstrong:Oh great question. So it could be anything from a law firm, an accounting firm, management consulting firm, training and development, HR services, engineering and architecture, IT services. But usually where you have professionals who are providing you with their expertise and their time in exchange for money, versus a product company, which is providing a kind of a prepackaged set of features and value, in exchange for money.

Andi Simon:And so we’re going to take the people part and somehow turn it into something that you can sell that could be accessed without necessarily as much people interface on it.And this has interesting implications both for the company producing it and selling it and those who are buying it and their expectations.

So I have a hunch that as you’ve gone through your six years into Vecteris now, I’m 23 years in business and I’ve watched many generations of changes come and go. This one is the most exciting for me because I do think it’s transformational.

But for a B2B company, my accounting firm client, for example, I’ve been working with for six years, what could they do to sort of productize something? Is there something you can sort of share with us that you’ve seen work particularly well?

Eisha Armstrong:Yeah. So we talk about productization in terms of different levels. The first level would just be what we call productized services, where they’re still delivering value through people. But perhaps the engagement of this accounting firm, let’s take an audit for example, is more standardized. So there’s a set of templates and tools that their professionals can use to deliver that audit the same way for every client. And perhaps they have different packages.

So rather than selling the audit engagement based on time a

Hear how to answer the question: Why should your customers care?

I always say, in my coaching or our leadership academies or my workshops, the more ideas you have, the more likely you will have big ones. And they come at the intersections. Big ideas are actually already in your head waiting for those a-ha moments where you might say, Wow, I’m onto something. My podcast guest today can help you do just that. Fran Biderman-Gross is going to help you see yourself through a fresh lens, feel differently about what you’re doing and why, and think about how to make some changes. We know that change is painful and we don’t always like it, but often it’s necessary to get where we want to go. Listen, learn, and share.

Watch and listen to our conversation here

Key takeaways from today:

• Buyers are informed.They have access to information in record speed and record time.
• Informed buyers need a reason to believe.Then you must make the emotional connection to why your product matters to them. Today, purchases have to be meaningful.
• People crave emotional connection.It is no different with services and products. Consumers are demanding it. They are voting with their dollars and demanding it.
• Why is the world a better place with what you are offering your customers?
• You fundamentally must understand who your customers are and what they want, what matters to them.

How to connect with Fran

You can reach out to Fran onLinkedIn,Facebook,Instagramand her websiteAdvantages.net. You can also email her [email protected]. and check out her book:How to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm: 3 Keys to Unlock Purpose and Profit

Want a deeper dive into how to market for success? We recommend these as a starting point:

• Mark Schaefer—Are You Ready For The Marketing Rebellion?
• Patrick Van Gorder—Ready For The Right Data-Driven Digital Marketing Strategy To Expand Your Business?
• Melissa Copeland—Want Your Business To Be Successful? Start With A Great Customer Experience
• Aviva Ajmera—First Get That Great Strategy. Then Tackle How To Get It Done!

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book,Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

Read the transcript of our podcast here

Andi Simon:Welcome toOn the Brink With Andi Simon. Hi, I’m Andi Simon. I’m your podcast host, and as you know, my job is to help you see, feel and think in new ways. I go looking for interesting people who are going to help me do that. Today is a day when we’re all on the brink. We don’t know if we’re going to soar or fall, but the ladder is there for us to climb. But sometimes we need new ideas. We need to fill our head. Remember, the more ideas you have, the more likely you will have big ones. And they come at the intersections. So as you listen to our podcast, things are going to come your way and you’re going to say, That’s a big idea. It’s actually sitting in your head waiting for it to happen, but I’m happy to share.

So I have a wonderful woman here today to help you do just that. She’s going to help you see yourself through a fresh lens, feel differently about what you’re doing and why, and think about how to make some changes because change is painful and we don’t always like it. Fran Biderman-Gross is our guest today. A little bit about Fran. She is here smiling at you, and she is going to smile through her whole time together because she is just a very happy, wonderful woman with lots to share with you.

Fran Biderman-Gross is the founder and CEO ofAdvantages, an award winning branding and marketing agency and among The Fortune 500 Best Places for Entrepreneurs. I’m going to let her tell you exactly what that is. The Advantages team leads clients on a journey of brand discovery that reveals personal and organizational purpose, values, and story. And Fran is just full of ideas for us today.

She also is a podcast host for Drive Profit with Purpose, where she speaks with business leaders about the importance of purpose. And, you know, purpose-driven organizations are doing better than those without a purpose. And she’s co-author ofHow to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm: 3 Keys to Unlock Purpose and Profit, which I have a hunch is hers and could be yours. So this is a book focused on the leverage of three keys of purpose, values, and story so that you can grow and scale profitably and make a difference. Fran, thank you for joining me today.

Fran Biderman-Gross:Thank you for having me today. What a meaningful intro. What a great way to set up somebody’s mindset in how they should receive every single episode. I’m very grateful to be here. Thank you.

Andi Simon:Well, and we are as well because your ideas are fresh. And I haven’t had anyone who’s a marketing maven in a long time and there’s a push now to rethink what we do in the world of communications, storytelling, marketing, whatever those words now mean in a world where it’s not a newspaper ad or even what do you do with a press release? It’s really sort of like, what are we doing? But tell the listener about who is Fran. Let’s really set the stage around your own journey because it sets the context for what you’re doing and how you’re helping your clients and your staff. Please, Fran.

Fran Biderman-Gross:So what can I tell you that’s interesting about Fran? I’m a very curious, purposeful, intentional, resourceful human who really loves people. I say that because it’s true. While I can be labeled an eternal optimist, just ask my team, I’m always looking for the good in everything. Innately, I really appreciate when others are in that spotlight moment and they’re shining, or they set a goal and they accomplish it. I’m really there with them, enjoying not only the journey, but reveling in the success of whatever that is. And while that might seem broad, I’ve definitely chosen my path in helping others really stand out and understand how they build emotional connections with the people who give them the most fulfillment.

So, getting clear on what I call the three keys: your purpose, your values, and your story and the way that you tell it, and there’s just so much that’s so complicated when we talk about branding and marketing that I just wanted to make it simple but not easy. So it’s simple to understand that the concept of a minimum viable brand is very much based on what you believe in, why you exist in the world, and how you bring that to the organization you lead.

And if we could just get clear on that, it’s simple, just not easy to articulate. It sets such a strong foundation for everything that you’re going to do. So in terms of me, I’m just on this journey to help as many people as I can, which is really why the book came about. And, you know, I have a limited, finite amount of time and hours that I could teach a workshop, teach or speak or work with clients. So the book and the podcast are an extension of me having those great conversations so that people can further think about what their purpose, value, and story are, what their three keys are, and how to have tips and tricks to apply it to unravel this mystery of marketing. And what is branding and why is it important? And all of those complicated questions.

Andi Simon:The question: you didn’t just jump in and know those things. Were there some catalytic moments that took what you were doing and gave it in moments? Well, when you go whoosh and you go, that’s what it’s about. Is there something you might be able to share?

Fran Biderman-Gross:I think there’s a couple of light bulb moments, if you will. I think the first time I met Simon Sinek was back in 2004, when he had just discovered the Golden Circle, maybe it was 2003. He had spoken to the entrepreneurs’ organization we were at, a little marketing gathering, talking to strategists, colleagues, if you will. And I was really intrigued. And they had asked us to bring some of our best design work, and I did, and I got there early and I placed it on the corner of the table. I was hoping I would stand out and get his attention.

Everybody always likes to be called out by the teacher and given some accolades. Who would ever not want that? And I placed this incredibly, very proud, designed piece of collateral on the corner of the table. And wouldn’t you know, it caught his eye and he lifted it up in the middle of his chat and he said, This is beautifully designed and it’s great quality, and it looks like everybody else and it sounds like everybody else.

And I’m like, how do I leave? You just embarrassed me in front of about 80 to 100 people. I’m like the Marketing Maven in there. I’m like the printing princess, the girl who gets everybody noticed. And my stuff is like everybody else, does he know me? So at first I was embarrassed and sunk in my chair. I literally sunk in my chair and I wanted to leave, but I resisted that urge. It desperately took every ounce of fight in me to do that. I waited in line to kind of really unpack what he meant, because I really needed to get over mysel

She was absolutely determined to succeed. Hear how you can be too!

I always want to bring interesting people toOn the Brink with Andi Simon. You will love this interview with Maryles Casto. Her journey has been extraordinary, largely because of her ability to listen carefully, understand people’s needs, and create solutions that are part of her personal style and amazing business savvy. Thanks to an unquenchable can-do attitude and sheer hard work, Maryles made her travel agency the go-to travel company in Silicon Valley, serving the biggest names in tech and beyond. Listen to her story, get inspired, and please share.

Watch and listen to our conversation here

About Maryles: “Asian hospitality with Yankee business sense”

Born in the Philippines, Maryles Casto is a pioneering travel industry executive and entrepreneur with 47 years of experience founding and leading companies to profitability. A former Philippine Airlines flight attendant, Casto created and helmed Silicon Valley-based Casto Travel, the West Coast’s largest privately owned travel management agency. (Casto Travel was frequently ranked among the Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, and ranked second in revenues among Silicon Valley women-owned businesses bySilicon Valley Business Journalin 2006.) In 2019, she sold the company to Flight Centre Travel Group of Australia. She is also the founder and owner ofCasto Travel Philippines, Inc., as well as chairwoman and CEO ofMVC Solutions, which provides travel industry businesses with back-office support, accounting and other services.

Maryles has served on many business, civic and philanthropic boards, including the Commonwealth Club of California. She has been International Chair of the Committee of 200, an invitation-only group for the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, and she is a founding member of the Northern California branch of the International Women’s Forum.

You can connect with Maryles onLinkedInand herwebsite, or email her [email protected].

Key takeaways from our interview:

• Business is all about anticipating the client’s needs.
• If you can’t believe in what you or your company is, how can you go out and sell?
• It’s not what you do. It’s what the clients are asking for.
• “There is a hole in the cloud, and whatever I do, I always have a hole in the cloud to get out.”
• It’s time for us to be kind to each other.

More stories of women who dreamed big and achieved success in business:

• Debra Clary—Yes, You Can Become The Curious Leader You Were Meant To Be!
• Roseann and Clara Sunwoo—How Did Roseann And Clara Sunwoo Build A Successful Women’s Fashion Brand?
• Gemma Toner—An Exciting Woman Took A Moment Of Inspiration To Transform Other Women

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book,Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

Read the transcript of our podcast here

Andi Simon:We’re giggling. But welcome toOn the Brink With Andi Simon. I’m here to help you see, feel and think in new ways. My job is to get you off the brink, and our podcasts are here to bring people to you whom you might not know or meet people who have stories to share that are going to help you change your story. Now remember, every time you hear someone’s story, your own brain begins to shift things around until you go, oh, I can do that! Or wow, what a great idea.

And so the whole idea of a podcast, whether you visualize it and see it or you listen to it, is to help you see, feel and think in new ways so that you can soar. And that’s why I bring wonderful people here, and people bring wonderful people to me. To be here today is just going to start out a little bit different. The co-author of our book, Edie Frazier, who is on the bottom of our screen here, she and I wroteWomen Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success.And it’s been quite a journey. And asMaryles Casto, who’s come to us through Edie has said, is that turning a page and changing your life is really amazing. But that’s what we wanted to do. And I wanted Edie to introduce Maryles to you, because she’s very important in her own life.

And then Maryles will talk about her own journey so that you can learn from it, because there’s wisdom here that is going to be difficult to get from reading her bio or looking at her great website. So this is an opportunity for us to share. And in sharing, we can all grow together. Edie, thank you for joining us. Please, I can introduceMaryles Castowhen you’re done more formally, but this is so special for you. Please tell us about your experiences withMaryles Castoand why it makes you smile so.

Edie Frazier:A joy to say thank you to a dear friend,Maryles Casto, because we go years without talking to each other. But when we get together and reminisce, we think of the qualities of a leader, a true trailblazer, and the best of friends. You know, Maryles wrote her bookA Hole In The Clouds: From Flight Attendant to Silicon Valley CEO. And she did it. And she built this major travel business where she was the icon, and she knew all the founders in Silicon Valley who trusted her, respected her, and built with her.

And she built that business across the US and world and runs the business now in the Philippines from her home there. But she gives joy and support, and she’s the best you can find and firm of that word trust and respect and caring and she lives a legacy. So Maryles, I just want to say thank you for the friendship and know your spirit is in each of us who have gotten to know you, adore you, and we’ve got years ahead to salute one another. But I just say toMaryles Casto,you are the true blue of the hole in the sky.

Andi Simon: Oh.

Maryles Casto: I love you, too.

Andi Simon:Edie, that’s beautiful. Maryles, do you want to respond to Edie before she takes off?

Maryles Casto:That’s what friends are for is our song. Keep smiling and that’s what friends are for. And, Edie, I just want you to know, can I plug this? This is my book.

Andi Simon:Yes, of course.

Maryles Casto:That’s for you. And I want to talk about why this cover. We can talk about it later because it’s natural. It happened. And the world needs to read that book on the sky and the hole in the sky. We love you, buddy.

Andi Simon:This is such a wonderful way to introduce you. And maybe we will start almost with the book for a moment. But for my listeners, you know, before we jump in, I just want to give you a little context.Maryles Castowas born in the Philippines and lives in the United States and has for most of her life. She’s a successful leader. But when you hear her story, she really is an explorer. And there’s something about the way she has tackled her life and built something really special that’s so important to share.

But here’s a quote that I think captures it. And remember, I’m an explorer. Sometimes I’m a philosopher or a futurist. But Maryles, listen, I care a great deal because we’ve been to 37 countries, not to the Philippines yet, but this is the way we discover. I’ve yet to see a problem where the best solution is to hide or be ignorant. It’s only through contact with other cultures and peoples, and in their contact with us, that we can hope to bridge the divide between people of the world.

As ananthropologist, my job is to help people see and feel and think in new ways through a fresh lens. And today, that’s just what we’re going to do. So I’m not going to read your bio, but I’m going to ask you to talk to our audience about your own journey. You started in the Philippines. You came here. You capture it much better than I could ever.

And then what we’ll do is, we’ll sort of migrate into the lessons learned, the things that you, the wisdoms, you want others to understand. The kind of sharing person that you are and the kind of glorious life that you’ve lived. Maryles, please. Who’s Maryles and how is this book been sort of this triumph of what’s happened? Because we’ll come back to your book.

Maryles Casto:Okay. So let me tell you a story. I was born in the Philippines, and I was raised on a sugar plantation. So that was my background with my family and I think my inspiration really comes from my mother because she was always so kind and because we were privileged. My friends were all the workers, the children of the workers. So I developed a kind of relationship where there was no class basis for me. I mean, everybody is the same. And so I really valued that.

But also, my father was my closest friend. And I learned a lot from my father as well. And my father was very competitive. I remember one time, and this was when I was growing up in the Philippines, we have a fair every year, and so I was entered as one of the contestants. I wanted to be the queen. I wanted to win. It really started about wanting to win. We arranged it. There were three candidates. And the big dinner that night, it was a gala dinner, and they were contrib

Curiosity is contagious. Curiosity can be learned. So be curious!

Sometimes, we meet people who make us pause for a moment and ask how we are building the life that we want to live. It is not about mimicking their lives. It is about understanding how they have stopped what they’re doing and begun reflecting on whether this was a life they wanted. That’s what happened when I met Dr. Deborah Clary. We met through theWomen Business Collaborative(WBC). Deb and I were involved in WBC and found ourselves sharing our life journeys in different discussions. She was the right person to bring onto our podcast to share her career and how she has taken a turn in new directions. As you listen in, think about your own life.

Watch and listen to our conversation here

An accomplished woman leader not afraid to learn new things

Dr. Debra Clary is the Founder and CEO of Elevascent, a personal growth and performance development company focused on helping individuals and teams accelerate growth through curiosity. This experience comes from three decades of executive leadership roles at Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s and Humana. In addition, Dr. Clary is also an author, global speaker, playwright, off-Broadway performer and an award-winning film producer. She holds a doctorate in leadership and organizational development from George Washington University, and received the Ralph Stone Leadership Award for exemplary leadership. She is also a board director for Health E-Commerce.

In our podcast, we talk about women discovering their purpose and not letting others define them. And we share Debra’s life story as a model for you, our audience, to think about as you step along on your pathway. Own your career, and enjoy it.

Contact Debra

You can connect with Debra onLinkedIn,Facebook, and herwebsite, or email her [email protected].

Want more inspiring stories of women owning their careers and taking charge of their lives? Here are some of our favorites:

• Shellye Archambeau Is Unapologetically Ambitious And Shows Us How We Can Be Too
• Kerry Flynn Barrett—Learn Why So Many Brilliant Women Have Ditched The Corporate Ladder To Start Their Own Business
• Sarah Soule—Busting Those Stereotypes of Women
• Lisa Caputo—Smashing The Myths Of What Women Can Accomplish

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book,Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

Read the transcript of our podcast here

Andi Simon:Welcome toOn the Brink With Andi Simon.I’mAndi Simon. I’m your host and your guide.As you know, I’m acorporate anthropologist, and I specialize in helping organizations change and particularly the people inside them. And I really like to go looking for people to interview. And many of you send me people to interview. So it’s so much fun to share. I look for people who can help you see, feel and think in new ways.

And I use those words intentionally because you decide with the eyes and the heart. So how something feels is going to help you decide how to think about it. But what matters to me is that unless I can open your mind to see opportunities, possibilities, and be curious, you are going to see what’s all around you and opportunities are all there. So today I have a wonderful, wonderful woman to come and share with you her wisdom around curiosities.

Debra Clary is a Doctor of Organizational Design, but she’s also someone who has culled her skills inside corporate and has now launched herself outside corporate as an entrepreneur to help many companies begin to see themselves through a fresh lens. Very anthropological. Let me tell you a little bit more about her, and then I’ll ask her to talk about her own journey, because she’s had a really important juncture point.

Right now, Dr. Clay is a purpose-driven leader with a compelling message to share. Her enthusiasm lies in inspiring leaders and organizations in achieving business success through their enhancement of strategic alignment, team dynamics, and fostering a culture of curiosity. Now, that is a really big idea, bringing a wealth of experience from her roles and operations, strategy, marketing and people development at prominent companies such as Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s and Humana.

Debra brings incredible business insights and her dedication is evident in her commitment to working with leaders who aspire to elevate their impact and contribution to their organizations. So she’s now writing a book, and she also is performing her own one-person play called A Curious Woman. And she did it Off Broadway, and I watched it streaming, and you can watch it coming up, too. And she’s doing it again in Louisville, and she is having a wonderful time celebrating her own success as a curious woman. Debra, thank you for joining me today.

Debra Clary:My pleasure.

Andi Simon:You know, it’s always fun when we share our stories. We’re storytellers. We’re also storymakers. And when you and I did our fireside chat at the Louisville Leadership Center, we really had a good time getting to know how we each have grown and how our own experiences have opened up opportunities for us. But for our listeners and our viewers who aren’t familiar with you, talk about your own journey and why this is such an important point for you. It’s a tipping point, opening up a whole new world of opportunity. Who is Debra?

Debra Clary:Oh, well, that’s a big question, Andi, but let me let me take a shot at this is. I was the first person in my family to go to college, graduate from college, and went on to get a Masters in Business. And my first job was driving a route truck for Frito-Lay.

Andi Simon:I always laugh when you tell me that. You say it so much better than I could.

Debra Clary:And my parents were like, Did you really need six years of higher education to do this? But I also recognized that it was an opportunity to start with a great company and they started everybody on a route truck. And the one question I asked was, Are there other women doing this? And they said, Yes. And I said, May I ride with that individual one day to see if I think I can do this? And then I did.

And so I spent nearly a decade at Frito-Lay, not on the route truck. I spent about nine months on the route truck in the city of Detroit and then evolved into sales management and then marketing and actually was one that was on the team that launched Flamin Hot, which is now a $1 billion brand for Frito-Lay. It’s where I really learned how to market to consumers.How do you understand what consumers need?

And from there, I was recruited away by Coca-Cola. I spent almost a decade at Coca-Cola in marketing roles where I got my experience of global marketing and how to really manage a global account. From there I went to Brown-Forman, where I was the VP of Strategy. I worked in the wine division, which was a really tough job, Andi. I mean, I had to spend all this time in Napa Valley tasting wines, trying to understand positioning. It was really tough, but I got through it and then I went to Jack Daniel’s.

I got really intrigued with culture because I had worked for Fortune 40 companies, and then I went to work for a publicly traded company, but it was still managed by the family, the Brown family. And there were just different dynamics, different cultures that I didn’t quite recognize because of my background. And so I said, I’m curious. I want to understand people and culture. I want to understand how I can adapt to different cultures and how I can become a better leader.

So I was reading theWall Street Journalin which George Washington University had an ad in there that they had this cohort program for people that wanted to better understand leadership and culture. Exactly what I was looking for at the doctoral level. And so I went to my boss and said, I’m really passionate about this. And he said, Then go do it. And they completely supported me and funded that.

So while sipping wine in Napa Valley, I was also going to school full time. So full time mother, full time employee and then a full time student. And how I did that is, once a month I flew to Washington, DC. I went to school 12 hours Friday, 12 hours Saturday and then I flew home Sunday morning, so that I could be with my children. And I did that for three years. Wrote my dissertation on women in leadership. I just had this real passion on what are the differences in women leadership and how we can continuously support women to step into these really big roles.

And then I was recruited away by Humana, a healthcare company. And at first I said, There is no way I’m going into healthcare. I mean soda and snacks and now alcohol. Healthcare just did not seem to fit me. But, they said, You have an opportunity that we are starting a Leadership Institute. With your marketing, your business, your experience, and now with this academic degree, you’re the perfect person to help us change our culture. And I was really drawn to those words of changing culture because I had experienced different cultures, but I wasn’t quite sure how to do it. I had the academic side of it. I had some opinions, but now I was going to take this step and re

Hear how when you allow life to unfold, you find that miracles happen

I first interviewed Dr. Srikumar Raoin July 2023and was so deeply inspired by the wisdoms he shared with us that I wanted to have him back so he could teach us more. And he does. The title of his new book isModern Wisdom, Ancient Roots, in which he offers solidtools we can use to let go of the mental chatter that gets in the way of seeing what’s possible. The universe is benevolent, Dr. Rao says, it’s your friend, and when we understand this, that’s when we can change our story and thus, the direction of our lives. Are you ready to make a change, today?

Watch and listen to our conversation here

Some of Dr. Rao’s wisdoms which you can apply to your own life

• The most important thing is not what you’re doing but who you are being as you do it.Too often we get hung up on the doing, and we completely miss the fact that being is much more important than the doing.
• Allow life to unfold.And as you do, you find that miracles happen, and they happen on a regular basis.
• We never experience life the way it is.We always experience life according to the story we tell ourselves about it.
• When you change your thinking from the universe is indifferent to the universe is friendly,your experience of life has such a tremendous transformation.
• Open yourself up to possibilities.
• The universe is benevolent.The universe is your friend. Recognize that it’s your friend. And the more you do this, the more signs you will get that it in fact is your friend.
• Your job in this life is to recognize who you really are and cast yourself free from this cage in which you have ensnared yourself.Trust yourself and recognize that the door to your prison is always open and unlocked. All you have to do is open the door and step out of it.
• Why does the universe give you stuff you don’t want?Well, the universe doesn’t give you what you want, but gives you exactly what you need for your learning and growth.
• We all have mental chatter.And the problem is not that you have mental chatter, the problem is you identify with your mental chatter. So sit back and observe your mental chatter. Observe yourself feeling worried. Observe yourself feeling anxious. And as you create that distance, you no longer have your mental chatter. You’re the observer of the mental chatter. Then it loses its ability to take you to places you don’t want to go.

To contact Dr. Srikumar Rao

You can reach out to Dr. Rao onLinkedIn,Twitteror his website,The Rao Institute. Watch his TED Talkhereand email him [email protected].

More inspiration for finding joy and purpsoe on your life journey:

• Blog:Time to Add Gratitude to Your Life—And Your Company’s Culture!
• Blog:You Can Find Joy And Happiness In Turbulent Times!
• Podcast:Richard Sheridan—How To Lead With Joy And Purpose!
• Podcast:Meg Nocero—Can You Feel Joy As You Rethink Your Life?

Additional resources for you

• My two award-winning books:Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in BusinessandOn the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
• Our new book,Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Andi Simon, PhD
• Our website:Simon Associates Management Consultants

Read the transcript of our podcast here

Andi Simon:Welcome toOn the Brink With Andi Simon.I’mAndi Simon. I’m your host and your guide. And as you know, this podcast is designed to help you get off the brink. The one thing we don’t want you to do is get stuck or stalled. But you can begin to understand how you can change. And that’s what we like to help people and their organizations do.

So today, I have a wonderful gentleman here, andDoctor Rao did a podcast with us earlier, last July in fact, that was just a hit, but he’s got a new book coming out. Actually, it’s out and I have been reading it and you will love it. Let me tell you a little bit about Dr. Srikumar Rao.

He is a creator of creativity and personal mastery. His bio doesn’t fit a bio. It’s a wonderful story about a life well-lived. He’s a speaker, a former business school professor and head ofThe Rao Institute, and I urge you to take a look at that online because it’s full of rich opportunities for you to begin to see, feel and think in new ways. And I use those words, but they mimic the words he uses.

He is an executive coach to senior business executives, and he helps them find deeper meaning and engagement in their work. He also talks about the fact that work isn’t work. And I love the idea because I love to work, and people say, when are you going to retire? I say, I’m never going to retire. Why is work bad? Because we define it as something that is not fun, but work isn’t work. Work is something that gives us all kinds of things, purpose, meaning, joy. What could it do for you?

My last thought today is to make sure that you understand Dr. Rao has programs and coaching that you can enjoy because they are joyful to help you begin to become the kind of person that you’d like to be. I’m going to call you Srikumar.

Srikumar Rao:Works just fine.

Andi Simon:Thank you for joining me again. It’s really a pleasure.

Srikumar Rao:It’s my pleasure, Andi. I had such a blast the last time you interviewed me that I was positively looking forward to this session.

Andi Simon:For our audience, watch out, here comes some really wonderful, wonderful stuff. Give the audience some context, though. Who are you? A man of your journey and why was this book? The book is calledModern Wisdom, Ancient Roots. Now when you buy an ebook, that’s how I can show you the book. And I did buy a hard copy, but it isn’t a hard copy. And as I’m reading it, I think you’re going to find it wonderful. What is the context for this book and who are you? Why should they listen?

Srikumar Rao:Who am I? As you mentioned, I’m an executive coach, and I have a very well defined niche. I work with successful people, mostly entrepreneurs, who have already done very well for themselves. But they’re driven. They want to have an outsized impact on the world.

But at the same time, they have an explicitly spiritual bent that they would like to infuse into every area of their life. They know that life is about more than getting the biggest toys, or the most expensive toys. And there’s something deeper, and they want to bring that into all parts of their life. So that’s the sandbox in which I play, and to the best of my knowledge, I’m the only person who’s playing in that particular sandbox. I may be wrong, but I’m not aware of any others.

Andi Simon:Well, clearly it’s not ared oceanof lots of competition pushing you away, is it?

Srikumar Rao:No there isn’t. By the time people come to me, they’ve already done their homework. They’ve listened to myTED Talk. They watched many of my videos on YouTube, and they know they want to work with me.

Andi Simon:And when they do the kind of work you like to do with them, can you give us some ideas?

Srikumar Rao: We have conversations. We have deep conversations, and I have an unusual take on coaching. So let me explain that. In my view, the only thing you ever do in life, Andi, is you work on yourself. A benevolent universe has given you many tools. Your husband is a tool. Your daughters and granddaughters are tools. The business you run, the clients you have, they’re all tools.

You want to do the very best you can for your clients. You want them to feel: Gee, hiring Andi was the best thing that I ever did. But in the process of doing that, what you’re really doing is you’re working on yourself. You want to be a great wife. You want to be a great mother. In the process of doing that, what you really do is you work on yourself.

The only thing you ever do in life is work on yourself. Now the universe has given you wonderful tools and running a business is a Swiss army knife of tools. You use that skillfully, but you never lose sight of the fact that in using these tools skillfully, what you’re really doing is you’re working on yourself. Does that make sense to you, Andi?

Andi Simon:Yes. Maybe because it requires you to be reflective of what you’re doing, how you’re doing it, and what the impact or the outcome is.

Srikumar Rao:Exactly correct. Because the most important thing, Andi, is not what you’re doing. but who you’re being as you do it. And too often we get hung up on the doing, and we completely miss the fact that being is much more important than the doing.

Andi Simon: I’ll stay on that for a moment. I don’t want to lose track of why this new book and how it fits. But as I hear you, you work with successful people who may or may not realize how they have become who they are. They may not be happy with where they are, but they don’t seem to have a toolkit to begin to take them to the next place. And that is a big theme that I’m finding that people find themselves either in retirement or transition or job change or career growth, and it’s being done to them instead of them owning their lif