Outlier's Edge Podcast with Niiamah Ashong

"We often compare how WE FEEL on the INSIDE with how OTHERS LOOK on the OUTSIDE." - Rich Litvin Are you holding yourself back because: you feel doubt while others look confident? you feel unsure while others look like they have clarity? you feel afraid of failing while others look always succeed? I know these specific comparisons because they are persistent inner thoughts of mine. But I know I'm not alone with these thoughts . And you're not alone either. That's why we've revamped Outlier to Trailblazer coaching conversations to explore the "inner journey" of becoming a more impactful and influencial entrepreneur, thought-leader, coach, change-maker, author, business leader, and trailblazer. Today, Trailblazer Erin Baker shares her inner journey to blazing her own unique trail while navigating failure, career changes, committment, and the journey to becoming a leader and coach to social impact entrepreneurs. 🔥🧭👣RSVP to Blaze Your Own Trail Now at the next Outlier to Trailblazer Community experience: https://niiamahashong.com/tribe Ready to play at your next level? Here are 3 ways we can help you increase your income, influence, and impact: Play at your next level with our curated small-group coaching program:  If you’re ready to be the least interesting person in the room, and to reap the rewards of visibly showing up in your life and business as yourself, we should talk.  Learn More   Immerse yourself in a community of safety and bravery: Join 12 leaders in NYC or Singapore for 2 days of intensive deep-dive coaching exploration to create more impact, influence, and income in your life and business. Learn More   Be coached by me 1:1: Take your life and business to your next level with me as your personal coach. My clients invest $30K–$100K to transform their life, leadership, and culture in their business. If you're ready to lead your tribe and move your movement, we should talk. Learn More

At your current level growth, how are you choosing to play the game? What would it look like if you chose to live in your gifts by taking responsibility instead of becoming a victim of circumstance? I am joined by two game-changers who are not afraid to speak their truth no matter how unsettling it may be for others. Through this conversation, we dig deep at the meaning of “Next Level Game” and the lukewarm decisions they have made that have instead caused them not to show up more visibly. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES As you look into how to attain your next level success, take time to look at decisions that are a definite yes, a definite no and those which fall into the category I call “sure!”

Inclusion is a term that has come up on many occasions recently and with good reason. To many, inclusion means tolerance. What if, however, we elevated the conversation in a meaningful way? Lionel Koh joins me in this conversation that illuminates the problem with inclusion as we have it now. He brings the duty of inclusion to you and I and our responsibility in taking the time to understand one another. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES What if we viewed inclusion as a way of getting to know other people's journeys? This would certainly change out would-be biased opinions to appreciation and respect.

In our bid to make an impact on our creative paths, we can sometimes find ourselves questioning if whatever we are doing is working. It is normal to question yourself as you continue to trudge on the road less traveled. This is why you should purpose to receive any appreciation sent your way. Stacy points to put the strengths she sees in me during this conversation. It is a humbling experience that shows me how much of an impact the path I have chosen, is having on her and others. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES I have learned that surrounding yourself with the right people is priceless. They have a way of pointing out the strengths they see in you and at times this is all you have to hold on to.

Having an idea and actually stepping out to implement it is no easy feat. The idea sounds great while still in your mind but to move to your next level, you will need to actualize it and then sell it. A step that has many entrepreneurs a little shaken. Christine Volden and I dive deep into a conversation that covers all you need to get to that next level. She reveals truths that have brought her success time and time again. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES Trust yourself! That's it because you have everything you need to get you to where you need to be. 

In order to make an impact in the world, you need to bring more vulnerability by showing up more authentically. You need to venture into places that others wouldn't want to go and by doing this, you are making connections that truly matter.  Dr. Chris Joseph joins me in this impactful conversation that dives deeper into the power that comes when we show up authentically. He isn't afraid to appear vulnerable as long as his message serves others. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES What would happen in your life if you chose to make non-action a non-option?

There is this perception out in the world that hustle is a hard grind, and maybe that’s what it is. As Pioneers, Outliers and Mavericks, we have to deal with fulfilling this expectation but also with carving out paths less travelled. This can get exhausting and the zeal you started your journey with can slowly fade.  In this discussion with a fellow Pioneer, Dr. Sarah Coxin, an experienced ex-archaeologist, who left that highly acclaimed profession to follow her desires gives her definition of the word hustle and brings insight to the pressure that comes with the term. Society has made it seem like if you aren’t getting results, you aren’t focused enough, and yet she wants to feel to achieve a flow which makes everything happen in a seamless motion.

Trust conundrum: Knowing too much and simultaneously not knowing enough.

https://empjoyment.com "I feel like this is the first time I have been truly seen..." I spent the last week in London at the Youpreneur Summit. What will stay with me always are the 5 people who shared with me that they felt fully seen as a result of a conversation with me. These were 5 people who in a lot of visible ways have achieved more success than me and more impact than me. AND through it all, felt more like my peers than most other people I encountered. They were each a more powerful leader than others tend to see. They had created success in unconventional ways and were at the precipice of something beyond that. They didn’t know it yet, but it was shining out of them as brightly as a candle in a dark room. Their work was not done - it is time from them to take their success and start creating unconventional impact. But it’s not something most of us choose see - in ourselves and in others. We often focus on the outer journey of being visible (likes, views, hearts, mentions, audience size, downloads, books sold, etc.) As movement leaders, we are required to go beyond the surface of what looks good to make our inner journey visible as well. You can shift the entire trajectory of someone’s life by giving them the gift of being seen, heard, and understood. This used to be a "fru-fru" kind of statement to me until the people I worked with consistently started their own movements, leveled up their impact, and started to change their world during the time we worked together. I’ll say it so you don’t have to: "You are here to change the world in a way that only you can. " If you are ready to fully step into being a powerful and authentic leader who ushers us into a new and brighter future, we should talk. I am curating a special group experience for 10 Trailblazers who, like you, know they can take their impact to the next level and want a guide and companions as they navigate the uncharted territories of this next frontier. You cannot simply buy your way into this group and program. I’m not here to convince you to join it either. You’ll already know it’s for you if you have felt the calling to something greater. I acknowledge you for stepping into this level of leadership and impact. You are here to change the world. We’re here to help you become the leader who does. If now is the time for you or someone you know to answer or figure out your purpose and your soul’s calling to elevate the future of your world, leave a comment/send a message and I will invite you to explore whether we will be the tribe that helps you as you fulfill your purpose.

You are here to change the world. Let’s help you become a leader who does! #outlier2trailblazer