BEYOND BARRIERS

Do you have a network of friends or colleagues but don’t like asking them for help? Have you ever wanted to get access to influential leaders but didn’t know how? In this episode, you'll learn how to tap into the resources within your network with powerful habits and hacks. Instead of keeping your head down and doing the work, learn how to gain leverage through proximity. Career success – whether in corporate or entrepreneurial – is accelerated when you have access to the right resources and relationships. A common misperception about networks is that it’s about taking from others. That’s why so many women struggle with tapping into their networks because they don’t want to be a burden or feel awkward about asking for help. The truth is your network is built by giving –the more you give, the more your tribe grows. You receive a fraction of the value you create. So if you’re not getting the value you want, focus on the value you need to create for others. When you focus on how you can help others, rather than think about how they can help you, you are able to create value for them.   Highlights: [01:06] Power of proximity [04:34] The perspective of abundance [07:40] How to build a strong community [09:32] Homework for the week   Quotes: “If you have a gift to give, then give to as many people as you can.” – Nikki Barua “Think of your network, not as something you can take from, but rather something you give to.” – Nikki Barua “It's not about a network. It's simply a relationship and relationships are built on shared values, trust and respect.” – Nikki Barua “Make a list of 10 people within your reach that you want to get to know.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/  

Have you ever stepped into a role and questioned if you were the best person for the job? Do you carry the shame of failure and imperfection with you everywhere you go? Meet Danessa Knaupp, executive coach, thought leader and bestselling author, who shares how to embrace your struggles and gain true confidence in your journey. Danessa has coached hundreds of executives across every major industry and has developed a reputation as a candid, compassionate and courageous leadership partner. She is the author of Naked at Work: A Leader’s Guide to Fearless Authenticity and regularly addresses C-suite audiences on how to harness the power of real authenticity to drive measurable business results. In this episode, Danessa shares how you can be the strong, inspirational leader you imagine by leading authentically. She makes the case for owning your unique story and using, that real, imperfect experience to drive your personal and team performance. Danessa also provides her perspective on leadership principles for the digital age, and how to accelerate success.   Highlights: [02:10] Danessa’s story [05:16] How did you discover your superpower [07:46] Proudest career accomplishment [10:18] Making decisions with confidence [12:08] Overcoming your gremlins [13:12] Dealing with fears and limiting beliefs [16:41] Juggling changes in your personal life with your career [18:46] Comparison and the different versions of ourselves [20:21] Naked at Work: A Leader's Guide to Fearless Authenticity [24:00] Authenticity and Action [27:50] Showing up with fearless authenticity [35:10] Critical skills for women in the future of work [39:02] Connection in a geographically diverse workplace [41:41] Managing competing priorities [46:53] Who inspires you [50:12] Recommendation on accelerating success   Quotes: “I have been gifted with an extraordinary number of spectacular failures.” – Danessa Knaupp “I have this superpower now, that I am resilient. It' not about me, it's about what I'm willing to try or do or say.” – Danessa Knaupp “You want to bet smart but betting and losing doesn't mean you'e out of the game.” – Danessa Knaupp “I quiet my own internal interference. Those fears or doubts don't serve me. They are a distraction.” – Danessa Knaupp “Remember and believe that you are a beginner here. You haven't done this before. And you are going to be really good at it. It takes us a while to learn new things.” – Danessa Knaupp “Think about what decisions do I need to make to show up with intention in other areas of my life.” – Danessa Knaupp “There's a version of me that is confident, connected, intentional and strategic. And then there's the 10pm “me”, that’s a little bit tired and a little bit worried and not sure about anything. All of those versions of us are appropriate.” - Danessa Knaupp “I wonder how everybody in this room is different. And if we harness that, what could we do as a team?” – Danessa Knaupp “Leaders who focus and lead with authenticity have much more effective teams.” – Danessa Knaupp “Let go of thinking everyone is looking at you and just start to think about, what's the next right thing?” – Danessa Knaupp “Emotional intelligence will be the key differentiator for leaders. It is what keeps us separate from machines.” – Danessa Knaupp “The single most predictive factor of the collective intelligence of a group's ability to solve a problem was whether or not there was a woman present on the team.” – Danessa Knaupp “Be mindful of how we show up for other people. The unintentional expectations that we sometimes create, is the responsibility of our leaders.” – Danessa Knaupp   About Danessa Knaupp: Danessa is an executive coach, CEO, and keynote speaker shifting the global conversation on leadership. She has coached hundreds of executives across every major industry and has developed a reputation as a candid, compassionate and courageous leadership partner. She is the author of the leadership manual, Naked at Work: A Leader’s Guide to Fearless Authenticity and regularly addresses C-suite audiences on how to harness the power of real authenticity (not #authenticity) to drive measurable business results. Known for her unique ability to drive new levels of engagement and performance with key leaders, Danessa is a fresh, positive voice on leadership, authenticity, and executive team effectiveness. She has coached CEOs, senior leaders, boards, and C-suite teams on issues related to leadership effectiveness, succession planning, M&A integration, and conflict intervention. Her clients have included Anthem, Bain Capital, BlackRock, Capital One, Comcast, Genworth, Hilton, KPMG, Mastercard, Nordstrom and more. Danessa earned her executive coaching credentials from Georgetown University, and a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the College of William and Mary. She spent more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a senior executive and ultimately, CEO. She is licensed by the International Coaching Federation and certified in many of the top leadership assessment tools.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danessa-knaupp/ Websites: https://www.danessaknaupp.com/ http://www.avenue8advisors.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/danessa_knaupp Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/154450747X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_HELHEbSJP30VK  

Are you frustrated with self-doubt and tired of living small? In this episode, Saren Stiegel, shares with us how to develop strength and confidence and go from living small and fearful, to living big and free. Saren Stiegel is the People + Culture Officer for tech startup generator, ELEV^TE. Named Business Relationship Alliance's 2019 "Visionary Woman of the Year," Saren is also the best-selling author of The Glow Effect. Since its founding in 2013, the Glow Effect social enterprise has worked with over 20,000 people in 32 countries to grow their leadership impact. Saren has been featured in Real Simple, Fox News, and Entrepreneur. Saren shares her personal journey from being a divorce attorney to becoming a conscious culture advocate who helps individuals and organizations maximize their human and team potential. She presents actionable advice on how to pursue your passion and build your legacy with continuous learning and persistence.   Highlights: [02:26] Saren’s journey [07:49] Discovering your unique strength [09:13] Sales is a numbers game [12:37] Approaching fear with humility [14:19] Building partnerships [18:07] Courageous conversations [20:34] Persistency and flow [22:50] Being successful in the digital age [25:27] Focus on right thing at the right time [30:22] Key to accelerating success in the future of work [33:34] Diversity of thought   Quotes: “It's not about me getting the courage to ask. It's about reframing it in a way that we can get this done together.” – Saren Stiegel “When I walked into a room of women, I didn't see them as a network, I saw them as people who I can do cool things with.” – Saren Stiegel “The goal is to distribute power more equally to make everyone feel that they belong.” – Saren Stiegel “Your personal brand is your purpose.” – Saren Stiegel “The top of the triangle is your idea. You need to have a novel idea but supporting that novel idea, is expertise and experience.” – Saren Stiegel “Iteration and constantly willing to communicate and give feedback and be humble and, and learn, learn, learn, and increase your awareness. That's the future.” – Saren Stiegel “The openness and the willingness to consider and think about that diversity of thought in all of our business strategizing, is the infinite game.” – Saren Stiegel “If your goal is constant betterment and constant improvement and going beyond barriers, then it's okay to not know and keep going and to just know that you're consciously learning.” -Saren Stiegel   About Saren Stiegel: Saren Stiegel is the Founder of The Glow Effect, which delivers learner-centered training contents to nurture high performance. She is also an author, activist, speaker, social entrepreneur, and people and culture officer at ELEV^TE. Saren was named “Visionary Woman of the Year” by Business Relationship Alliance 2019. As an internationally recognized thought leader, Saren made herself a vehicle to empower women to rise as revolutionary female leaders. Among her expertise are leadership coaching, diversity and inclusion employee engagement and organizational consulting. She works with individuals and organizations to leverage their strengths and hone qualities that create a profound social impact.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarenstiegel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGlowEffect/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGlowEffect Twitter: https://twitter.com/youaretheglow  

If you are looking for new career opportunities, then applying for a job online and hoping you get it is not an effective strategy. Regardless of your talent and experience, it’s impossible for hiring managers to spot you in a pool of thousands of candidates. That’s why relationship-based referrals account for 70% of all hires made by employers. Instead of looking for a job, focus on leveraging the power and advocacy of your community. Community is about belonging and empowerment. Having a engaged community provides access to resources and opportunities that you may not be aware of otherwise. An influential tribe is key to learning, growing, and leveling up together. Successful careers are built on continually growing networks with strong and lasting relationships. In this episode, you'll learn the 5 essential elements of community so that you can build your tribe and gain their support for your success. You’ll learn how to gain proximity to influential people and networks, how to build a peer group at the next level to help you grow, and how to seek feedback from your community.   Highlights: [00:59] Definition of community [02:18] 1 st essential element of community [03:59] 2nd essential element of community [05:23] 3rd essential element of community [06:21] 4th essential element of community [08:26] 5th essential element of community [10:05] Nikki’s favorite habit in building community [11:15] Homework for the week   Quotes: “Successful careers live and breathe because of the strong relationships and networks that individuals have.” – Monica Marquez “It's not about who you know, it's about who knows you.” – Nikki Barua “Define your Dream list, who is within your reach that you want to learn from. And then figure out how you can add value to them.” – Nikki Barua “When you have proximity to the right people, you get faster results because you are learning through their wisdom and experience.” – Nikki Barua “There's a difference between mentors and sponsors. Mentors may guide you. But sponsors are the ones that have the decision making ability to influence your career.” – Nikki Barua “Be intentional in identifying exactly you need mentorship in.” – Nikki Barua “You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Nikki Barua “By becoming peers with those at the next level, we start to emulate their habits and their mindset. And then success at that level becomes more accessible.” – Nikki Barua “Feedback is a gift that someone is giving to you because they care about you.” – Nikki Barua “When someone cares enough to give you feedback, value their perspective and their opinion, take action on it.” – Nikki Barua “If you want to earn the trust and respect of people, be the person that does exactly what they say they will.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/  

How do you respond to uncertainty caused by crisis? Do you feel paralyzed by fear and anxiety? Are you walking on eggshells but trying to hold it all together? Meet Sheila Darcey who is an artist, innovator and founder of SketchPoetic. Sheila’s experience as a facilitator and coach, and her work with Fortune 500 companies has informed her understanding of what drives transformative growth in individuals and teams. Three years ago, in her quest for a self-care practice as a way of coping with stress and anxiety, Sheila made a personal commitment to sketch every single day. This daily practice became a catalyst for her transformation and led to Sketchpoetic – a movement for those feeling burdened by the desire for change but blocked by fear and doubt. If you feel an evolution stirring within and are looking for transformation, stay tuned and learn how Sheila uses creative expression as a tool for self-reflection, self-care, and healing. Sheila is on a mission to share the Sketchpoetic practice with the world and to help others find their own way.   Highlights: [03:54] Sheila’s journey [08:58] Transformative process of sketching [13:28] Dealing with stress and anxiety [17:11] How grief changes us [20:48] Fear of the unknown [23:24] Creative expression is a powerful tool [26:42] Curiosity about our emotions [29:36] It’s never too late to play [31:15] Bring your creative self into existence [34:48] Guilt of being a working mom [39:24] Struggle with perfectionism [44:15] How the pandemic will change humanity [52:02] Daily self-care practice   Quotes: “Anxiety is the emotion that you are not releasing or expressing.” – Sheila Darcey “Every emotion is there to guide you. It is very uncomfortable, but do not categorize it as good or bad because it's the outcome that will eventually lead you to growth, to transformation, to learning, to healing, to insight.” – Sheila Darcey “We aren't just experiencing isolation today. It's actually making us remember the times we've actually felt this before.” – Sheila Darcey “Creative expression is such a powerful tool. You are tapping into your imagination and focusing it in a positive way.” – Sheila Darcey “When you are in fear, your imagination is used for the negative, and your body experiences the worst-case scenario.” – Sheila Darcey “The power of curiosity is that it kills the inner critic, curiosity kills the judgment. If you go in with curiosity, there's no space for judgment and criticism.” – Sheila Darcey “The challenge with being a perfectionist is that you're programming yourself to have all the answers all the time.” – Sheila Darcey “Being a parent is the act of constantly forgiving yourself. What your children will remember is the effort, the love, and the care that you put in.” – Sheila Darcey “Perfectionism comes from us trying to control something that is uncontrollable.” – Sheila Darcey “On the other side of the crisis, there will be innovation, creativity, experimentation.” – Sheila Darcey   About Sheila Darcey: Sheila has 20+ years as a facilitator, coach, and consultant in the technology and digital agency space. Her work with Fortune 500 companies informs her understanding of what drives transformative growth in individuals and teams. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with a minor in Art History from the University of Memphis and certification Social Emotional Arts (SEA) from UCLA. The SEA certificate empowers educators, community arts professionals, mental health practitioners, and anyone interested in maximizing social-emotional benefits of arts experiences, and minimizing self-judgment and anxiety that can impede learning and growth. “The beauty of SketchPoetic is in the process of creation itself. I want people to connect with the process as much as the outcome - to create without planning, without analyzing, without fear, and without expectations... because it’s liberating. It’s about being in a safe place to quiet the mind and spark the child-like curiosity we sometimes lose in our busy lives.” What started as a personal commitment to sketch daily, soon became a catalyst for my own transformation. It also led to my greater purpose of elevating art as a tool for self-reflection, self-care, and healing. Through art, I was able to sketch and paint my way through complex emotions and process both my conscious and unconscious thoughts. The benefits of this practice became evident in my mental and emotional well- being. It also became a therapeutic tool in helping process anxiety and trauma. It has become my mission to share this practice with the world and to help others find their own way.   Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketchpoetic/ Website: http://www.sheiladarcey.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheiladarcey/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sketchpoetic Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheiladarcey  

If you are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety and don’t know what to do during a pandemic, you are not alone. We are all navigating through turbulence without a compass and there’s just a lot of risk and uncertainty. That’s why we are speaking with an expert who can guide us on what to do in this unprecedented situation. Meet Pam Isom–President/CEO of ICE Safety Solutions–an award-winning safety products and training company on a mission to mitigate illness, injury and loss of life. Pam is a Biologist & Researcher turned entrepreneur who is driven by her desire to save lives. As an expert in safety protocols, Pam provides tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, what steps you must take to manage your business and personal finances, and why it’s important to always be prepared.   Highlights: [02:00] Pamela’s journey [05:59] How to keep safe during Coronavirus pandemic [13:25] What can parents do to protect their children [15:04] COVID-19 versus common cold symptoms [20:16] How to protect the household when a family member has tested positive [23:17] Leading through crisis – advice for professionals from an economic perspective [28:28] Tips for business survival during crisis [32:03] COVID-19 Myths versus facts [38:21] What did the pandemic teach us as a society   Quotes: “For businesses, the first thing to do is determine your liquidity 30, 60 and 90 days. How much liquid cash do you have to survive for 30 days, for 60 days, and for 90 days?” – Pamela Isom “Corporations are dying to fill their supply chain because their supply chain has been obliterated. If there are corporations that you were talking to in the past, and they stopped talking to you, please call them right now.” – Pamela Isom “When you're making your business continuity plan for your family, for your parents and for your business, start identifying what you're too dependent on that maybe you need to slowly become less dependent on.” – Pamela Isom “What are you too dependent on that is decreasing your confidence in yourself?” – Pamela Isom   About Pamela Isom: Since she was a young girl Pam had one focus: “To be sure no one around her became ill, injured or would lose a life” While growing up in Oakland & San Jose, California she was a lifeguard, daughter, friend, sister, wife and mother, who always made sure no one around her would get hurt, she made sure children playing around her were safe or when she was traveling with friends on airplanes & hotels, she made sure everyone knew their emergency exits. Her life changing moment came as a teenager when she used her lifeguard CPR skills to recognize her father was suffering congestive heart failure and she leaped into action! Because of her love of life, it is no surprise Ms. Isom earned a degree in Biological Sciences from UC Davis and started her career as a Biologist in Preclinical Drug Development and Cardiovascular Pharmacology. After 9 years in research, she left her career with the birth of her daughter and started an American Heart Association CPR training company. Fast forward 20 years, ICE Safety Solutions is a nationally ranked safety company executing fun, innovative & transformational safety training, equipment and services focused on mitigating employee illness, injury and loss of life for corporations across the US. ICE Safety Solutions was recognized by Union Bank/MUFG, Toyota, Bright Horizons, Oracle, Comcast, Kaiser, Honda, Turner Construction, Golden State Warriors, Allstate and other Fortune 1000 companies as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Minority Business Enterprise of the Year, 2017, National Association of Women Owned Businesses (NAWBO) & WBENC Pacific as Woman Owned Business Enterprise 2018. Ms. Isom admits that the greatest success in working with Fortune 1000 corporations delivering their CPR, First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator training, High Rise Evacuation Drills, Emergency Response Team Simulations, Earthquake/Disaster/First Aid Kits new in 2018 their innovative Virtual Reality CPR training has been the lives saved and here today because of the training, products and services we innovated. These lives and testimonials from clients are honored on the ‘Wall of Life’ at ICE Safety Solutions headquarters in Fremont, CA.   Links: Website: https://www.getice.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-isom-mbe-wbe-17b1b02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.isom.3 Twitter: https://twitter.com/pam_icesafety

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and struggled to balance competing priorities? You can’t focus on one thing if you’re constantly worried about something else. Well, you are not alone. Did you know that human attention span is now less than a goldfish! In this episode, we bust the myth of multitasking, how you lose focus when you switch, and why discipline gives you freedom from stress and anxiety. Tune in to learn how to establish daily rituals with powerful habits and hacks.   Highlights: [01:45] How to remove distractions [03:47] Favorite hack # 1 [04:51] Favorite hack # 2 [06:52] Nikki’s all-time favorite hack [09:47] Homework for the week   Quotes: “When you know that what you're focusing on right now is exactly the right thing to do at that point in time, you can avoid the distraction.” – Nikki Barua “Discipline is what creates freedom.” – Nikki Barua “Setting aside time in the morning for yourself to think about your day ahead gives you the power to decide how do you want to invest your time and your energy for that day.” – Nikki Barua “Don't pick up your phone the minute you wake up. Instead start your day with a ritual that is meaningful and nourishing to your mind, body and soul.”- Nikki Barua “Recognizing and rewarding yourself is a great way to not only acknowledge your accomplishments, but to celebrate progress.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/  

Success often isn’t about what you know, but who you know. Although, that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Everyone tells you to network, but no one tells you how to do it. If you’ve ever struggled with networking or reach out to an expert you could learn from or been afraid to connect with a leader who could help you, then this episode is for you. You’ll learn the secrets of building powerful and influential relationships –and exactly, how to grow your network. Our guest today is Pat Hedley, TedX Speaker, and Author of the book Meet 100 People. Pat is an investor, advisor and founder and CEO of The Path Ahead. Pat spent 30 years in the private equity world with global growth investor, General Atlantic. Now, in her role as an independent investor, Pat identifies high growth companies in which she invests and takes on advisory roles. Throughout her career, Pat has observed what it takes for business leaders to succeed and attributes even her own success to the power of relationships. In this episode, Pat provides motivation, inspiration and practical advice for building your network. She shares expert insights on creating meaningful relationships that will provide life-long value. She provides a framework to determine what you need, so you can reach out to those who can help you. And she gives tips and pointers on the right way to approach new people, how to connect with them, and what helps to build authentic relationships. Highlights: [02:25] Pat’s journey [06:22] One conversation can change your path [13:19] Overcoming fear [17:41] Turning rejection into successful outcomes [21:38] Common traits of successful leaders [26:35] “Meet 100 People” [33:53] Building your network [41:03] Challenge yourself to make things specific [43:30] Daily habits to building successful relationships [52:33] Growth mentality [54:03] Biggest trends impacting business [58:17] How to get future-ready Quotes: “I did not need to be an expert in everything or in fact, in anything, what I needed to do well, was needed find people who had that expertise.” – Pat Hedley “In a business setting when someone says, no, this doesn't work for me, it might only mean that the timing is not right, or that the timing is not right, in this way.” – Pat Hedley “One of the most important things that an entrepreneur or a senior executive thinks about, day to day, is to make sure that they have the right talent in place, that they retain that talent, that they continue to motivate that talent.” – Pat Hedley “Anything that you practice often and regularly, you can become better at.” – Pat Hedley “People are willing to help you if you approach them the right way. If you'e specific about what you need and what you would like, if you can ask the right questions and ask for the assistance that you need, you will get help.” – Pat Hedley “A no today does not mean a no tomorrow.” – Pat Hedley “Persistence should not be undervalued or underestimated ever. Persistence is what wins the game. Persistence is what wins marathons.” ‘ Pat Hedley “There is real talent in recognizing how to take this great idea that you've started with, and then scale it over time.” – Pat Hedley “Entrepreneurs who are good at networking and good at relationship building, really do have an edge.” – Pat Hedley “It's important to approach relationship building with a spirit of generosity, you're for sure going to learn in the process of meeting someone and talking to someone, but also approach it with the thought that you're going to give something to.” – Pat Hedley “On networking, the first and most important thing is to look within yourself and to figure out what you need and what you want.” – Pat Hedley “Talk to people who are very different from you, because sometimes those people can inspire you in ways you cannot predict.” – Pat Hedley “You need to know where you're going in order to figure out how to get there.” – Pat Hedley “Treat every relationship as if you're going to see the person again.” – Pat Hedley “It's incumbent upon each one of us to share what's important to us, or to be specific about what we might need.” – Pat Hedley “I think that the future is in customization, applying data and technology to making things efficient and easy for us.” - Pat Hedley About Pat Hedley: Pat is an investor, advisor and the author of Meet 100 People. As the founder and CEO of The Path Ahead, Pat identifies high growth companies in which she invests and takes on either formal or informal advisory roles. Since 2016, Pat has invested in over a dozen innovative private companies, more than half led by women. Prior to her current role, Pat spent 30 years with global growth investor, General Atlantic, most recently as managing director. While at General Atlantic, Pat was an investor focused on software and services and led the firm’s global marketing and human capital efforts. She began her career as a consultant with Bain & Company. Pat is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in computer science and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Inspired by the experiences of thousands of people she has interacted with over her own thirty-year career, Pat wrote Meet 100 People to encourage us all to proactively and consistently meet people in person. Her goal is not only to inspire but to provide practical steps to expanding your network. Pat speaks regularly at colleges, to alumni groups and to corporations. She gave a TedX Talk at Dartmouth College in 2018. Links: Website: www.meet100people.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pathedley/ Twitter: @meet100people.com

When it comes to professional networking, we all know that LinkedIn is the place to be. But do you feel lost when it comes to presenting yourself or your business? Are you missing out on opportunities because you just don’t know what to post or how to network online? On today’s episode, Jennifer Corcoran shares how professionals and entrepreneurs can stand out and become super connectors on LinkedIn. Jennifer is an award-winning social media influencer and the founder of My Super Connector – a LinkedIn Training & Consultancy firm. As someone who has worked through shyness and introversion, Jennifer knows first-hand that confidence and networking skills can be learned and honed. Jennifer uses her experience to help others overcome confidence gaps and achieve sustained visibility and success online.  In this episode, Jennifer gives expert tips on the best way to network on LinkedIn. She proves that you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to get noticed. She shares do’s and don’ts so you can stand out professionally. You’ll learn how to set up your professional profile, highlight your unique competency, and get noticed by your target audience. Highlights: [02:11] Jennifer’s LinkedIn superpower [03:45] More to LinkedIn than the home feed [12:29] LinkedIn premium versus free version [17:29] Designing your profile page [21:02] LinkedIn headline is your introduction [23:59] Highlighting your competencies [26:46] LinkedIn posts vs. articles [29:22] Engaging with your community [30:38] Thriving in the digital age Quotes: “Too many people compare themselves to others, they get a bit of imposter syndrome. I think when you just start to be you and you are authentic, then it is actually easy.” – Jennifer Corcoran “Focus on increasing your LinkedIn recommendations. Think of it like TripAdvisor, when you want to book a hotel, you look up reviews.” – Jennifer Corcoran “Applying for a job? Review the job description and use some of the keywords in your profile.” – Jennifer Corcoran “When people are on the LinkedIn app on their phone, they're going to judge you on the cover banner, your headshot and the headline, and they're going to decide if they're bothered to read on about you. And I think if you don't grab them within those few seconds and make an impact, they're not going to read on.” – Jennifer Corcoran “When you are consistent, people will start to trust you, you will get the know, like, and trust factor.” – Jennifer Corcoran “Adopt the 80/20 rule, 80% of the time, when you are posting, it's all about inspiring, educating, motivating, giving value. And then the 20% is about you.” – Jennifer Corcoran About Jennifer Corcoran: As an award-winning social media influencer, Jennifer Corcoran knows a thing or two about leaving her comfort zone behind. She uses her experience to help others achieve sustained visibility and success. Too many of us feel lost when it comes to selling ourselves or our businesses online. Jennifer's mission is to help entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses stand out on LinkedIn. Her business, My Super Connector, proves that you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to get noticed. While working in The City as an Executive PA, Jennifer used social media to elevate her reputation. This helped her win regional, national and global awards. A back injury cut her City career short but led Jennifer to find her true calling –as a LinkedIn trainer and networking adviser. Jennifer is more than a skilled social media scheduler or self-pronounced “Expert”. Her talent and hard work is evident in her list of qualifications and awards. As a Pitman-accredited LinkedIn trainer, she has qualified in LinkedIn and Social media for business. Her expertise is evident in her list of prestigious awards such as Social Media Influencer of the Year in the Venus Awards. She has also been spotlighted in national campaigns such as F-Entrepreneur. Jennifer’s clients include London South Bank University, London Chamber of Commerce, Exeter College, the FSB and Enterprise Nation. Her work has been featured in many publications and websites including The Guardian, BrightTALK, Grow Exeter and LBC. Learn more about Jennifer and her work at MySuperConnector.co.uk. Links: Website: https://mysuperconnector.co.uk/ Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercorcoran1/ LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13618082/ LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-super-connector Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysuperconnector/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/superconnector Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysuperconnector/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/superconnector/ Free Access to ‘How to Master Your Visibility on LinkedIn’ and BrandMe! 2020 Visibility Summit (valid until March 23rd ):  https://visibility-summit-2020.heysummit.com/tickets/?coupon=VIPAccess

Do you define your vision and goals but struggle to stay on track? If you can relate to missed deadlines and dreams, don’t worry you are not alone. A shocking 92 percent of people do not achieve their goals! In this episode, you'll learn the 5 essential elements of commitment so that you can set AND achieve your goals. You’ll learn how to focus on the right thing at the right time. You’ll understand the secret to staying motivated as you pursue your goals. And you’ll learn how to develop the right roadmap that helps you keep track of your results, adapt as needed, and celebrate your progress. Master these habits and hacks and turn your dreams into your destiny!   Highlights: [01:13] No secret to success [01:55] 1st Essential Element of Commitment [02:57] 2nd Essential Element of Commitment [04:58] 3rd Essential Element of Commitment [06:38] 4th Essential Element of Commitment [07:58] 5th Essential Element of Commitment [11:07] Nikki’s favorite habit or hack [16:49] Homework for the week   Quotes: “Success is about staying motivated and focusing on the right thing at the right time.” – Nikki Barua “Break down a really big dream into measurable tangible goals so you know what to focus on.” – Nikki Barua “Having clarity on a week to week level to say what is that one thing that I must get done is really important to move you forward.” – Nikki Barua “It's who we are becoming in the journey and what we're learning in the journey that defines the experience and fulfillment we have.” – Nikki Barua “Focus allows you to excel at what you're doing, give your best to it, and gives you greater fulfillment because you're not just chasing, you're enjoying the process.” – Nikki Barua “It’s important to reflect back on our accomplishments as we tend to forget how many things we’ve actually done, because we're so busy doing them.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/