Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

You should authentically embody your personal brand, regardless of who you interact with. Your personal brand should also reflect your values and evolve based on your experiences.    Your brand should show up in your advocacy. This is why I invited Aliza Shatzman to be on the podcast. Her personal experiences in clerkship drive her authentic advocacy. Now, as the founder and president of The Legal Accountability Project, she aims to ensure that law clerks have positive clerkship experiences while extending support and resources to those who don’t.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about what Aliza’s doing to fight for greater judicial accountability and to arm law students and law schools with more information about clerkship experiences.  1:09 - How Aliza defines a personal brand, herself in three words, reveals her favorite Hillary Clinton quote2:45 - How growing up in a progressive Jewish community in suburban Philadelphia shaped Aliza and her view of the world5:06 - Aliza’s professional journey, the pushback against change in the judiciary, and her refusal to stay silent11:35 - The clerkship incident that led Aliza to launch her judicial accountability-focused organization18:14 - My negative experience interviewing with a judge to be a judicial intern and strong feelings on the need for (and lack of) accountability25:01 - How law students and young lawyers can start making a difference with judicial accountability right now29:13 - How a lot of people’s personal brands are very tied to their clerkship (and judgeship) in a dishonest way32:40 - What drives Aliza and how she aligns her personal brand with her advocacy while maintaining professional integrity and ethics39:01 - What Aliza does for fun every day, the aspect of her brand that’ll always exist, and her Branding Room Only magicMentioned In How Aliza Shatzman Is Fighting for Accountability and Change In the Judiciary“2024 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar” | YouTubeThe Legal Accountability Project | Twitter/X | LinkedInAliza Shatzman on Twitter/XAliza Shatzman on LinkedInSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

Many of us have had the boss from hell at some point--that person calling the shots who was absolutely horrible to work for. And while many in this situation just quit, walking away from the job isn’t your only course of action. You can practice the art of managing up instead.As the author of Managing Up, Mary Abbajay literally wrote the book on it. So, if you want to move up, win at work, and succeed with any type of boss, then listen in as she talks about what it means to manage up and how it impacts your relationships.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn how to manage up within a simple framework as you build your brand. Mary will also teach you how to give constructive feedback and overcome three things that might trigger you when receiving feedback.1:39 - What personal brand means to Mary, three words that describe her, her favorite quote, and the hype song that plays every time she steps on stage5:10 - Mary’s journey to discover what she wanted to do and how she defined and built her personal brand11:08 - How luck links to success and how it helped Mary become a LinkedIn Learning Instructor and an author16:32 - What managing up means and how doing it impacts your personal brand22:43 - The simple framework for managing up and how it helps you build better professional and personal relationships26:52 - The art of receiving feedback, its effect on your brand, and how to deal with the three feedback triggers31:17 - How to give potentially challenging feedback in a constructive way and how it impacts your brand39:47 - A brand aspect that Mary will always stand by, her Branding Room Only magic, and a fun sidebar on bartendingMentioned In How to Practice the Art of Managing Up and Navigating Feedback with Mary AbbajayManaging Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss by Mary AbbajayMary Abbajay on LinkedInThe Careerstone Group | InstagramCubicle Confidential podcast: Apple | Amazon | iHeart | Spotify“2024 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar” | YouTubeIs Your Women’s Group Winning?: Strategies For Building A Stronger Women’s Initiative In Your Organization“Some People Are Just Lucky. You Can Make Yourself One of Them.” by Rachel Feintzeig | Wall Street Journal (subscription required)Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

Having a child impacts you not just personally but professionally.As an expecting or new parent, you have access to plenty of information about planning for and taking care of your child. And you’ve probably heard that you’re not the same person after their arrival. But there’s still something that gets left out of the conversation too often.After having two sons, Lori Mihalich-Levin knew there was a missing piece--something essential to the identity of new parents: how do you shift from child-free employee to working parent? Now, she helps moms and dads (and their employers) transition back to work after parental leave.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn how your brand and identity shift as a parent and how to mindfully return to the workforce as a new, working parent. You’ll hear about learning leadership skills through parenting, pushing through postpartum anxiety and depression, the difference in expectations before and after parenthood, the effect of paternity leave on not just the family but others in the organization, and much more!1:58 - How Lori defines personal branding, her three-word description for herself, and her favorite Teddy Roosevelt quote and Rent hype song4:48 - Lori’s career path and how she discovered a gap in the marketplace for working parents7:45 - How Lori works with employers through Mindful Return to support employees coming back from parental leave10:03 - How becoming a parent can change you and help you develop leadership skills15:38 - Why the U.S. system fails new parents and some signs of postpartum anxiety or depression20:34 - Two rules to remember when you become a new parent to help you push through the tough times24:30 - Why your return from parental leave needs to be mindful and how to have small but meaningful interventions in your day28:51 - How to give voice to who you are now after the change you’ve undergone with parenthood31:11 - How to navigate expectations from before and after parenthood36:49 - An example of how parenthood can be an elevating strategy in your career38:34 - Ways to navigate self-judgment and guilt around being absent for some things as a working parent43:45 - Why it’s so essential for even the non-birthing parents (especially men) to take the parental leave on offer47:49 - Lori’s fun factor, the vitality of community and connection in her program, and two things that make her stand out Mindful Return | Instagram | LinkedInBack to Work After Baby: How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return From Maternity Leave by Lori Mihalich-LevinParents At WorkPostpartum Support International (PSI)Every Kid Outdoors Insight TimerOverwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time by Bridig Schulte“The Big Benefit at Work That Dads Are Afraid to Use” by Ben Eisen | Wall Street Journal Is Your Women’s Group Winning?: Strategies For Building A Stronger Women’s Initiative In Your Organization

Sometimes, the best career and life advice you receive comes from your family. My guest can certainly relate since she has received pivotal advice from her Dad that has helped her throughout her career!From Zabrina’s upbringing to her love for sports and spontaneity, we explore how her personal interests and family values have shaped her approach to leadership and personal branding. Zabrina’s fundamental belief is that your personal brand should echo your core values, a philosophy that has guided her own career and life decisions.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, Zabrina shares her impressive journey of climbing the corporate ladder, a path filled with unexpected turns and valuable learnings. She opens up about the importance of embracing career changes as opportunities for growth and the profound impact of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Zabrina's remarkable story is a testament to adaptability, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.1:40 - What a personal brand reflects, how Zabrina describes herself, and her favorite quote and hype song4:12 - How growing up with a dad in the Air Force influenced Zabrina’s childhood and her approach to the world, and her career15:30 - The impact of leadership roles on Zabrina’s brand, the three A’s to her success, and how you reflect other people’s brands21:42 - Ground rules Zabrina follows that can help you navigate through life and the different roles you play26:45 - The impact that mentorship can have on your life and career30:47 - Tips to help you navigate your personal brand in a corporate environment34:56 - How much Zabrina loves sports and the outdoors, the risk she will never take, and the one thing some people find disarming about herMentioned In Crafting a Personal Brand in the Corporate World with Zabrina JenkinsZabrina Jenkins on LinkedIn“2024 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar” | YouTubeBranding Room Only Interview: Beyond 9/11: Life and Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith – A Conversation with My Father, Peter GriffithA Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna GriffithSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

Are you dissatisfied, ready to move on, or to pivot in your career?Perhaps you have a dream career or business in mind or don’t really know what you want to do. You just want to make a change, and as smoothly as possible. And while a strong personal brand helps make that transition more seamless, building one doesn’t just start when you decide to pivot.Michelle Ifill made the kind of career pivot that others dream of. But she’s also always been very aware and consistent with prioritizing empowerment as a part of her personal brand, and that has stuck with her--from her former legal career to her current coaching business, and La Maison Michelle resort in Barbados. So I had to have her on to talk about how empowering others needs to be a central piece of how you operate, no matter what you do.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn the secrets to successful brand building as you move up (or on) from a position, company, or career. You’ll hear about the importance of self-awareness, using previous know-how and experience, being vulnerable, and building up others as you build your brand.1:17 - Michelle’s traditional perspective on personal branding, how she describes herself, and her mantra for 20244:24 - Michelle’s story and the importance of self-awareness about your brand as you move up and build your reputation12:44 - Why it’s important to consider your brand when you’re working in-house and different aspects of your personal brand to think about16:07 - Why Michelle’s transition from General Counsel to executive coach was so seamless and the legacy she’s most proud of23:25 - How La Maison Michelle benefits from all of her prior knowledge and experience28:30 - The types of retreats you can expect as a guest at Michelle’s resort30:53 - The increasing awareness of the mental and spiritual health of employees and how you can tie it to your branding34:44 - One thing most lawyers do that you want to avoid so you don’t hurt your brand and network37:44 - How vulnerability helps when you’re building your brand40:30 - What Michelle does for fun and how that coalesces into what she’s built at her resort42:18 - Three aspects of her brand Michelle will always stand by and what makes her stand out in a packed roomConnect With Michelle IfillMichelle Ifill | LinkedInLa Maison MichelleMentioned In How Michelle Ifill Built Success As a Lawyer, Executive Coach, & Resort CEO“2024 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar” | YouTubeSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like a deer in the headlights at a fancy dinner?You look down at your table setting and don’t even know where to begin when you see a dozen or so forks, knives, and spoons! So you look around to see if you can follow along with someone who knows the correct way to proceed.While it might not look like it on the surface, there’s a parallel between table etiquette and your personal brand. When you’re networking, you want to follow certain protocols so that you look like you know what you’re doing and make the best impression possible.My friend of over 10 years, Crystal Bailey, is an etiquette expert and image consultant who puts the “pro” in protocol. She works with a wide-ranging clientèle of executives, professionals, and diplomats in-person and virtually. And I’ve invited her to the show to discuss best etiquette practices for any fine dining or networking event.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about how mastering etiquette can impact your brand. You’ll discover etiquette mistakes to avoid, how to best respond when someone breaches protocol, how to keep your brand consistent, and more!1:45 - Crystal defines personal branding, describes herself in three words, and reveals her favorite quote and hype song6:06 - The duality of Crystal’s life and how she became an etiquette expert11:43 - Communication mistakes people frequently make in the etiquette space and a major shift in etiquette practice post-pandemic13:49 - The proper way to use your eating utensils and napkin at the fine dining table16:40 - How to approach food and drink consumption and handshaking while you network20:49 - How teaching etiquette to kids differs from teaching it to adults22:40 - How Crystal approaches cultural differences in how people eat and act during her in-home lessons24:32 - When ignoring social mores can become a dealbreaker and the best way to let someone know they’ve broken etiquette protocol29:40 - How Crystal pivoted during the pandemic, the biggest mistake she sees people make when networking, and how to remain consistent with your brand35:46 - Why Crystal gets such joy out of being a solo traveler and how it helps her business38:43 - The one brand aspect Crystal will never compromise on and how joy plays into her Branding Room Only magicMentioned In How Etiquette Mastery Helps Supercharge Your Personal Brand with Crystal BaileyThe Etiquette Institute of Washington | Instagram | LinkedInCrystal’s Personal Instagram“Personal Branding Bruisers: Paula’s Professional Pet Peeves” | YouTubeSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

Your voice is a significant part of your brand. But what is the impact of not having a voice in the workplace?Many Black and Brown women feel unheard and undervalued at work. Their stories of experiencing unfriendly, biased, and/or disadvantageous environments are often ignored or discredited.As someone who was never the most boisterous in the room, Minda Harts used to feel like she lacked a voice. Her profound brand has continued to grow and evolve as a workplace and equity consultant, bestselling author, and speaker.  Now, through her books and consultations, she’s helping Black and Brown women figure out how to empower themselves for success in the workplace. And she’s on the show to talk about the experiences of women of color at work and what can be done about it.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about how Minda built her brand to showcase the workplace traumas experienced by women of color and help facilitate the healing process. You’ll also hear about what it means to be an ally and a better leader, the need for authenticity in your branding and work environment, the importance of building more equity in inequitable spaces, and how it all leads to the elevation and evolution of brands (both personally and professionally).1:39 - Part of Minda’s personal brand, her three-word description for herself and Beyonce, and what might be at the root of slander against Beyonce 5:04 - How Minda realized she had a voice and a brand 7:32 - How the disconnect with the brand of Black women in the workplace ties into Minda’s brand and her first book, The Memo13:22 - The Audre Lorde quote that’s Minda’s go-to mantra, why her second book Right Within made me cry, and why it was hard for her to write it19:20 - How Beyonce and Drake pick up and energize Minda and the space that women of color have to enter to know that they’re enough22:09 - The journey Minda took to build her brand and the necessity to elevate and evolve your brand over time26:34 - How those who want to advance equity can use their understanding of women of color to be better leaders with better brands30:18 - The branding mistake everybody made after George Floyd’s murder and why identity doesn’t equal having expertise34:58 - The audacious expectation that Black and Brown women speakers (especially those early in their careers) must be careful of39:14 - Why working with a brand consultant was the best thing Minda did when she started (despite having fewer resources at the time)41:54 - What Minda does for fun that not many people know about, the core value she’ll never compromise on, and the secret sauce to her magic with othersMentioned In Using Branding to Empower Women of Color for Success in the Workplace with Minda HartsStephen A. Hart | LinkedIn2024 Intention and Goal Setting WebinarConnect with Minda HartsThe Memo, Right Within, and You Are More Than Magic by Minda HartsMinda Harts on X | LinkedIn | Instagram

“I’ll keep in touch!” You’ve likely said something like that to someone and meant it at the time.But then... life gets in the way, time flies by, and you haven’t spoken to that person in years. Yet the idea of reaching out and reconnecting gives you pause, and you can’t put your finger on why.Relationship-building expert Jason Levin, knows why! He’s even written a book on it backed by academic research. And he’s here to help us reframe what we think we know about networking, building relationships and keeping in touch.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn why people don’t stay in touch despite promises to do so and what’s really behind the fear of rekindling relationships. You’ll discover best practices for making introductions, reconnecting with others, and following up to solidify those new and renewed relationships in authentic, personalized, and supportive ways.1:29 - The source of the personal branding concept, the opportunity of appreciation, Jason’s hype songs, and his annual go-to movie for addressing fear8:30 - Why Jason took 10 years to write Relationships to Infinity and how it emerged from an idea into reality13:25 - How the Bermuda Keep in Touch Triangle reflects why you don’t stay in touch even when you say they will16:48 - What people really fear about rekindling a relationship20:03 - How to reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while when you have an ask but don’t want to make it feel transactional25:13 - How the process of making introductions can impact your brand28:16 - How to facilitate the follow-up after an introduction is made31:22 - How to solidify the connection made after an initial follow-up so that it makes sense, doesn’t feel weird, and helps your brand39:00 - Mistakes that hurt your brand when connecting with others40:35 - The appropriate time for making a business-related ask in a relationship and the approach that helps you get over your fear of asking42:39 - The key to cultural fluency of communication between people47:21 - The introverts’ superpower for building relationships properly and a different way for them to network49:21 - Where to start with relationship building and what Jason does for fun, where he will never compromise, and his Branding Room Only magicMentioned In Reframing Keeping in Touch with Jason Levin“The Brand Called You” by Tom Peters | Fast Company 2024 Intention and Goal Setting WebinarAcapella version of “This Is Me” “Personal Branding Bruisers: Paula’s Professional Pet Peeves” | YouTubeBooks written by Daniel H. PinkRelationships to Infinity: The Art and Science of Keeping in TouchReady, Set, LaunchConnect with Jason on LinkedIn4 Key Considerations for Law Firms to Navigate Cross Cultural Mentoring Effectively Maximize Your Event Attendance: 12 Strategies to Amplify Your Personal BrandIs Your Women’s Group Winning?: Strategies for Building a Stronger Women's Initiative in Your Organization

Is there something missing or a little off about your life, your work, your brand, or anything else you do?Like many who grew up as first-generation immigrants, Anjli Garg was outwardly focused on a certain level of success and got a secondary degree--in her case, from law school. But at some point, an unexpected shift in perspective brought her inward and caused her to connect with what really made her feel fulfilled and happy.That shift now has her on a mission to empower high achievers to soar to their highest potential as leaders and human beings. She’s on the show to talk about her journey, how she works with others holistically, and help expand your understanding of service, success, and strengths as attributes and assets of your personal brand.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll hear about going within to connect to your true self and, through that, expanding your perspective on everything you do. You’ll learn about a new way to look at being of service to others, the opportunity that coaching affords everyone, defining personal success and branding that’s authentic to you, and much more!1:15 - Anjli’s definition of personal branding and her favorite quotes, description of herself, and hype songs4:57 - How 7-year-old Anjli’s life felt like Alice in Wonderland and her adjustment to it9:57 - The light switch that changed Anjli’s perspective and how she’s rebranding the idea of service12:53 - Anjli’s transition from practicing corporate law to having her own full-time coaching business16:15 - Why coaching is important and how it can help you even if you don’t feel like you have challenges20:25 - How holistic practice is like healing and helps contribute to Anjli’s brand and her client’s journey (including my own experience)27:03 - The impact of unresolved energy that just sits within you30:53 - The mistake that leads to imposter syndrome when building your brand37:03 - Your most valuable brand-building asset that conveys confidence when you tap into it41:35 - Anjli’s “words of the year” and her intention for 202443:39 - One aspect about her personal brand that Anjli will never compromise on and her Branding Room Only traitMentioned In Going Within to Connect With Self and Expand Your Perspective with Anjli Garg2024 Intention and Goal Setting WebinarYour Coach to SoarSchedule an Epiphany Call with AnjliIgnite Your Abundance Mindset ProgramConnect with Anjili on LinkedInSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

Paula T. Edgar is an attorney, speaker, and CEO of PGE Consulting Group LLC, a strategy firm specializing in professional development and diversity, equity, and inclusion solutions for organizations. She is an expert in personal branding, leadership, networking, leveraging social media, and business development. In the last year, Paula delivered keynote speeches and facilitated workshops for over 10,000 attendees. Paula has written for and been featured in publications such as the New York Times, Bloomberg Law, Business Insider, and US News. For show notes and more information, visit paulaedgar.com/podcast. In this episode… The most valuable difference-makers can catalyze and magnify the lives in their communities. These individuals refuse to settle for the status quo and enable radical change for themselves and others. Paula T. Edgar was recognized within one of her affiliate organizations for consistently embodying this transformative work throughout her career. In this special episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar reflects on receiving the 2023 Law Catalyst Award from the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP). She discusses what it means to be a catalyst, how she helps and receives support, and she shout-outs the people who made this award possible and continue to support her in being a change agent in the legal profession.