Building Work Life Integration - an Interview with Michelle Ragusa-McBain
If you have not met Michelle Ragusa-McBain, this will be your chance to get up close with a distinguished and influential female leader in the global technology channel, a relationship-builder extraordinaire, and an all-around fun and compassionate human being! Michelle's journey, marked by resilience and determination, has been nothing short of remarkable. From her family's immigration to the United States to her groundbreaking achievement as the first in her family to attend college and earn an MBA, her story is a testament to the power of unwavering commitment.
In this conversation, Michelle dives into the intricacies of her career path, being a mother, and emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the pursuit of purpose in the tech industry. Her wisdom transcends her own experiences, offering invaluable guidance for those seeking to leave their mark in the world of technology.
Here are the key takeaways from the interview:
The Power of Resilience (00:01:31):Â Michele's upbringing,...
What it Takes to Achieve âWhatâs Nextâ (Part 3): Achieve
You've dreamed it, you've planned (or envisioned) it, and now it's time to just do it! Execution is where the rubber meets the road. It's the culmination of your vision and planning. But remember, achieving a dream is a marathon, not a spring. Consistency, discipline, and accountability are your best allies⌠And Iâm here to help!
Here are 4 things to keep in mind when setting out to achieve your dream, your next level of impact, and your Olympics!
Metrics Matter: Track AND Celebrate Your Progress
Iâm not a data girl, however, Iâve experienced the challenges of not doing this as well as the triumphs when Iâm consistent. It's not enough to rely on gut feelings or anecdotal evidence. Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are directly aligned with your goals. This data-driven approach will not only keep you accountable but also offer actionable insights. It allows you to make informed decisions, optimizing your strategies for better outcomes.
Adapt and Overcome: The Power of Bei...
Top 5 Lessons Learned in 2023: A Year of Empowerment for Female Leaders
As we prepare for the new year, itâs a great time for reflection and introspection. The year 2023 has been a remarkable journey, not just in terms of the challenges we faced but, more importantly, in the lessons we learned and the growth we experienced. This year has been a testament to our strength, adaptability, leadership, and resilience, particularly in the face of unprecedented challenges. It was a year that not only tested us but also highlighted our unique capabilities as women in leadership roles.
These insights have shaped our approach, honed our skills, and prepared us to lead with more conviction and impact. Here are the top five lessons that have been particularly resonant, each shaping our path toward a more empowered and influential future.
- Embrace the Power of Dreams and Vision: This year has underscored the importance of dreaming big and aligning those dreams with our values and vision. As female leaders, weâve seen the power of visualization and ambition in turning ...
Stop Being Hysterical and Slow Down - an Interview with Laura Guio
It was such an honor to spend time with Laura Guio, a powerful and influential leader with a 30-year career at IBM. Laura joined us from Copenhagen, Denmark to share her journey, filled with invaluable lessons, challenges, and the wisdom she gained along the way.Â
Laura dives into the nuances of building a successful career, the importance of adaptability, and the art of maintaining a strong personal brand. Her insights are not just reflections of her professional journey but also serve as guiding principles for anyone looking to make their mark in their career.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE INTERVIEW:
Embrace Continuous Learning and Role Versatility (02:15): Success often comes from the willingness to learn and adapt. Taking on various roles to understand different aspects of a business can be more beneficial than excelling in just one area. Being versatile and competent across multiple domains often outweighs being a specialist in a single field.
Cultivate a Strong Personal Brand (05:04...
What it Takes to Achieve âWhatâs Nextâ (Part 2): Plan
In the first part of this series, we looked into the importance of dreaming as the first step towards achieving your next big thing. Now, letâs talk about the second crucial step: Planning! Planning is where your dream starts to take shape, where you map out the route to your destination. Letâs get into it.
Strategic Planning is Your Blueprint
Strategic planning goes beyond a simple to-do list; it serves as an intricate blueprint that brings your dream into focus. A meticulously crafted plan acts as your navigational chart, steering you through both challenges and opportunities with unwavering clarity and purpose.
Prioritize and Sequence
In the planning phase, youâll likely have a multitude of tasks and objectives. The key is to prioritize them based on their impact and sequence them in a logical, effective order. This ensures youâre not just busy, but productive. It allows you to allocate your resourcesâtime, energy, and capitalâwhere they will have the most significant impact.
Fle...
Get Ahead by Giving: An Interview with Lynne Thornton, SVP Channel Acceleration at JSG
Lynne Thornton, SVP Channel Acceleration at JSG, is a seasoned professional known for her insights into career growth and networking strategies. In this conversation, she shares valuable advice on building meaningful connections and amazing wisdom on how to advance your career. Lynne emphasizes the power of networking with a giving approach, the influence of suggestion, and the importance of leaning into your adaptable skills.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Networking with a Giving Approach (03:22):
Lynne Thornton emphasizes the significance of networking, highlighting that the act of giving within professional circles can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.
Power of Suggestion (06:43):
Explore the âpower of suggestionâ as a valuable tool, encouraging individuals to clearly communicate their career goals and intentions to create opportunities.
Skills are Transferable (11:19):
Recognize that skills are transferable across different roles and industries, promoting opportunities to explo...
What it Takes to Achieve âWhatâs Nextâ (Part 1): Dream
As we navigate Q4 of 2023, and weâre focused on âhitting the numberâ, itâs a great time to take a step back and focus on the first pivotal step to achieving âwhatâs nextâ: Dreaming.
- Dreams as Drivers: Your gut and your heart are very wise, but weâre often too busy, anxious, or distracted to hear the wisdom of our internal compass. It may be time to slow down before you can speed up.
- No Limits: Aim high and boldly; stretch your imagination beyond your current circumstances. The world is in desperate need of courageous heart-centered leaders who are ready to feel whatâs next, and go all in.
- Personalized Dreams: Your dreams are uniquely yours, reflecting your values, priorities, and vision. Take the time to slow down and right the ship if you feel a bit off course or if your pace is not sustainable.
- Dynamic Nature of Dreams: Keep your dreams active and dynamic, updating them to align with your growth and with your highest sense of integrity.
Stay tuned for the next part of the se...
Beyond KPIâs: How to Ensure Women are Heard and Valued
Christine Kiefer, Senior Vice President at Experis/Manpower Group, embodies the qualities of adaptability, inclusive leadership, and dedication to excellence.
In this interview, Christine dives into the challenges she has encountered, the transformative moments that have shaped her remarkable career, and the profound importance of fostering diversity within organizations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KPIs Donât Always Reflect Satisfaction: KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) may show success on paper, but they donât necessarily reflect client or employee satisfaction. Sometimes, despite meeting KPIs, clients may not feel they are receiving the expected value. (Timestamp: 16:05)
Importance of Sponsorship for Women: Sponsorship, which actively supports and promotes individuals, is crucial for womenâs career advancement. Having a mentor is not the same as having a sponsor, and many women feel they lack sponsorship opportunities. (Timestamp: 19:07)
Benefits of Diverse Leadership: Companies with divers...
How to Turn a Disappointment into a Breakthrough Opportunity
Many times I give the coaching advice, âItâs not about being perfect, itâs about how you respond to adversity and setbacksâ.Â
Recently, I had a unique opportunity to follow my own advice.
I've just wrapped up a whirlwind 5-week trip to the East Coast speaking, seeing East Coast clients, cycling through Maine with family, with a finale being a dream come true: speaking at the United Nations. But as we all know, life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. Due to (understandable) heightened security, the venue changed last minute to NASDAQ. But here's the kicker: I learned some invaluable lessons that I can't wait to share with you.
Give Yourself Permission to Be Disappointed
Let's be real: disappointment stings. I had visualized myself at the UN, sharing my insights and experiences with a room full of global change-makers. When that vision crumbled, I felt a sense of loss. But here's the empowering part: it's absolutely okay to feel disappointed. Suppressing those feelings only le...
From Dream to UN Podium: The Power of Persistence and Vision
Sometimes our gut and our heart speak to us and guide us towards something important that weâd like to accomplish.
Just a few years ago, 2019 to be exact, speaking at the United Nations was a far-fetched dream. I thought that if I could speak on behalf of Sustainable Development Goal #5, Gender Equality, Iâd somehow be able to empower even more women to have a bigger voice and impact. Â
There were all sorts of reasons why this dream made NO sense, why it was unlikely at best and why it was NOT likely to happen. But dreams have a funny way of becoming reality when you're committed to doing what it takes for âwhatâs nextâ. Let's dive into how the journey unfolded and the actionable lessons you can apply to your own path.
Visualize Your Goals
In 2019, I set a goal in my speaking mastermind with Bo Eason. I wanted to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal #5: equality for women and girls. So, I drew a pictureâhusband, client, kids, audience, stage. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it ...
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