Welcome to my weekly Q&A roundup. (Scroll down to find the Q&A.)
If this is your first time here, welcome. I spend a fair amount of time speaking at events and conferences. At the end of my presentations, I leave space for audience members to ask questions—tough questions, brave questions, you name it.
The level of candor and curiosity always inspires me, and I want to share that sentiment with you. So each week, I pick one question that I believe others would find most instructive and publish my response to it here.
The purpose of this weekly tradition is transparency and inclusivity.
• Transparency: a behind-the-scenes look at my day-to-day.
• Inclusivity: bringing others along in the journey.
Be Brave™
The Advice I Wish I Had Before Becoming a CEO
Question:
What are a few things you wish someone told you before becoming a CEO and why?
Answer:
There are many things I wish I knew before becoming the CEO of Pipeline Equity™. I’ll share the top four.
1. Your brain is not wired to make you happy, it’s wired to keep you safe.
As an entrepreneur and executive, I’m often faced with situations in which my reptile brain kicks in (fight or flight). My goal has been to rewire my brain. It’s fine to feel a certain way and not act on the feeling.
Regular meditation allows me to put the pause between how I feel and how I act. It’s been a game-changer.
Currently, I’m working through Oprah and Deepak Chopra's “Hope in Uncertain Times” meditation as well as LeBron James’, "Train Your Mind" on the Calm app.
2. Get clear on your story and why.
When we launched Pipeline™, it was suggested we springboard the brand off my story. I was against the idea because I thought folks would only care about how Pipeline™ can help them. I was wrong. My story has given my company more power by enabling folks to see themselves in the Pipeline™ journey.
3. Be of service.
Give first. In unfamiliar situations, rather than being concerned about your discomfort, refocus on what you can bring to the situation. How can you be helpful? One of my favorite things to do after giving a keynote is to mingle with audience members.
I want to know their struggles, their triumphs, and what’s keeping them up at night.
Candid questions ignite meaningful conversation and sometimes lead to insights that we would have never otherwise found.
4. Build on your strengths.
I am not good at everything — no one is. Focus on what you do well because those are the gifts you were given to improve the world. The world needs your gifts — that’s why you have them, to share with the world.
These Q&A roundups can be delivered directly to you—a week before I publish them here.
Interested?
(All you need is an email address.)
Comments