Career Mastered Magazine Summer 2023 by Career Mastered Magazine

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Empowering the engine of progress. By investing back into the communities where we live and work, Mercedes-Benz is striving to build a more inclusive and equitable world. Join us in driving change and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

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For more information, call 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES, or visit MBUSA.com.

HEADLINE: 22 pt. • BODY COPY: 9 pt.

1 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

ENTREPRENEURIAL

WOMEN NOMINATE yourself and/or someone you know for a featured story in the Career Mastered Magazine's Entrepreneurial Showcase! SUBMIT YOUR BUSINESS STORY

SUBMIT YOUR BIOGRAPHY SCAN THE QR CODE TO NOMINATE/SUBMIT

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2 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Inside

CAREERMASTERED.COM // SUMMER 2023

Career Mastered Moment Hosted by Dr. Lisa Wicker with Summit Keynote Speaker, Michele Thornton Ghee

C OV E R S T O RY

FEATures 10 GOOD VIBES

Start with a right mindset.

SUMMIT IN RETROSPECT

26 A SPLASH OF SUMMER

Lean into good vibes this summer season.

34 26

13 YOUR GIRL TRIBE

Learn why they are key to your mental health.

19 WHEN SHE LEADS

Tech and entrepreneurship tips from Telecom CEO Mia Fox.

23 LEADING EFFECTIVELY

Banish stress and burnout by stopping rumination.

19 29 10 TAKE AWAYS FROM THE 2023 CAREER MASTERED DIVERSITY SUMMIT & LEADERSHIP AWARDSS Top women execs share insight and successes from the Summit.

33 THE POWER OF INFLUENCE

What it means to be an influencer and to be influenced.

39 TIME TO CLOCK OUT

Manage your work wisely so you may enjoy summer time with family and friends.

47 IMPACT: I'M STILL STANDING

So much praise and admiration shared from the 2023 Summit attendees!

DEPARTMENTS

ADVANCING THE GLOBAL CAREER WOMAN

4 PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A Splash of Summer.

Lisa J. Lindsay Wicker, PhD

35 SUMMER VACATION SPOTS Discover five you're sure to enjoy.

37 SUMMER READY

How to master the natural look.

53 SUCCESS IN YOUR HEALTH

Five ways to create a consistent fitness habit.

57 YOUR PERSONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Why its important for your career and business success.

Gary Dent, Devine Talent Management, LLC Monica Emerson, Inclusive Performance Solutions LaToya Everett, D.A. Everett Construction Courtney Gentry, Center for Creative Leadership Dawn Cullars Johnson, Dawn Johnson State Farm Insurance Agency Donna Joseph Kemp, DMJ Group, LLC Mark S. Lee, The LEE Group Florine Mark, Formerly,The WW Group, Inc. Marie McLucas, Primax Properties Greg Ridella, Eastman & Smith LTD Dr. Tamara Lindsay Roberts Excel Village Center for Learning Heather Troutman, blueharbor bank Arvis S. Williams, BorgWarner, Inc. Dr. Geneva J. Williams, Dr. Geneva Speaks, LLC Natalie Williams, NAW4 Integrated Business Solutions, LLC Deidra E. Willis, Northwestern Mutual Scarlette Whyte, CNN & Turner Sports Warner Bros. / Discovery Glen Wright, II, Worth Advisors

MANAGING EDITOR/ ART DIRECTOR LaTanya Orr

SENIOR COPY EDITOR Jasmine Ball

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rechelle Andrews • Jasmine Ball • Marci Bryant, MBA Stephanie Hancock • Nicole Hudson • Dr. Sabrina Jackson Priya Kumar • Lisa Nichols • Hadley Roy Haseena Shaheed-Jackson • Kayvonna Stigall Evelyn Summerville • Jody Trierweiler Angianein Wallace • Glen Wright II Center for Creative Leadership

RESEARCH EDITOR

59 42 ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Unlock the 7 benefits to fully engage an entrepreneurial mindset.

45 DOLLAR-COST AVERAGES Explore the fundamentals for best management of your finances.

59 CAREER MASTERED MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Lendell McEwen

CREATIVE DESIGNERS Stephanie Ashman • LaTanya Orr

PHOTOGRAPHERS Santanna Hayes • Cherie Jzar Tony Cash

FOR MEMBERSHIP, ADVERTISING CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES info@careermastered.com

Meet Coach Wendy Gladney.

61 I AM HER

College chapters forming NOW!

64 POWER PLAY!

Stretch! Steps to discover the rewards of risk and innovation.

©2023 Linwick and Associates, LLC P.O. Box 5132 • Mooresville, NC 28117 Ph: 866.601.4441 www.careermastered.com Inquiries/Ad Submissions: info@careermastered.com FIND US @CareerMastered » Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn @LindsayWicker » LinkedIn • Twitter

Career Mastered Magazine reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing that does not meet Career Mastered Magazine standards. Submissions are welcome but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Career Mastered Magazine assumes no responsibility for information, products, services, or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. An advertised special printed in this magazine is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Printed in the United States of America.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Be the mostest in the room with these style moves.

EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD

16 BE INTERESTING

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

A Splash of Summer: LEAN INTO THE GOOD VIBES.

“A season of Warmth, Optimism and Joy.”

s a little girl growing up in the South, I eagerly anticipated summer’s arrival because it brought with it my birthday, lots of hot weather, swimming, 4-H Summer Camp, barbeques, July 4th fireworks, and a new splash of summer outfit. My new outfit was an Independence Day tradition and meant summer was really in gear.

A Splash of Summer: Lean into the Good Vibes is the theme of this issue of Career Mastered Magazine because alas, it’s summertime! Jasmine Ball in her article A Splash of Summer says it’s the season of warmth, optimism, and joy that so many of us look forward to all year round. She reminds us that while we are leaning into the good vibes that summer brings, let’s also challenge ourselves to duplicate this same positive mindset and optimism year-round so that our everyday lives are met with a splash of what summer represents to help us strike a healthier balance of work and play. As you read through this issue, you will be drawn to lean into your girl tribe, your personal board of directors, the power of influence, enjoyable vacation spots, using your natural looks and so much more. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we just concluded the 9th Career Mastered National Diversity Summit & Leadership Awards in Atlanta, GA. Here’s how Forbes described the Summit it in its March 23 article — “Part motivational summit, part mini-business school, part money management workshop, and very much a career planning download, the 2023 Career Mastered National Diversity Summit & Leadership Awards presented practical advice – and lots of personal stories. Speakers included a wide array of high-performing leaders across sectors, several of whose companies sponsored the Summit — including Mercedes Benz (title sponsor), Walgreens, Lowes, Amazon, New York Life, and many others — as well as a few motivational speakers.”

It was a transformation experience for me and many of the attendees. Lean in to read Dr. Sabrina Jackson’s top 10 take aways from the summit and be sure to follow us on social media to get the details for the 2024 Summit to be held in Detroit, MI. Let the Summer Begin!

Lisa J. Lindsay Wicker, PhD, Publisher Contact Dr. Lisa via Email » info@careermastered.com

5 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Advancing Black Pathways We’re dedicated to building a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable future for the Black community. To create stronger pathways toward economic success and empowerment, we’re:

• Committing $30 billion to help close the racial wealth gap • Expanding access to business education and coaching for entrepreneurs • Offering minority-focused wealth-building programs, tools and opportunities • Deepening our relationship with HBCUs and expanding student development programs • Increasing access to well-paying career paths and supporting Black executives To learn more, visit jpmorganchase.com/abp

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

WRITERS AND EDITORIAL STAFF

RECHELLE ANDREWS

JASMINE BALL

Senior Copy Editor/ Contributing Writer Founder, BTM Writing Services

DR. SABRINA JACKSON

Contributing Writer Founder/CEO, Essential Colors & Sabrina Jackson Enterprises Known as "The People Expert"

Contributing Writer Inspirational Makeup Artist; Founder, Inspired Beauty

MARCI BRYANT, MBA Contributing Writer Founder/CEO, Marci Bryant Marketing

PRIYA KUMAR

LISA NICHOLS Contributing Writer Founder/CEO, Love Your Niche

Contributing Writer Founder/Business Coach, Pivot My Profit

KAYVONNA STIGALL

Contributing Writer, Author & Poet CEO, Rise Above the Clouds/iSpitInk, LLC

EVELYN SUMMERVILLE

Contributing Writer Leadership & Lifestyle Coach, Trainer, Blogger

STEPHANIE HANCOCK

NICOLE HUDSON

HADLEY ROY

HASEENA SHAHEED-JACKSON

Contributing Writer Founder/CEO, The Hudson Collective

Contributing Writer Founder, Career Rise, LLC

Contributing Writer Analyst & Developer, MRM

JODY TRIERWEILER

Contributing Writer Founder, Faith Hope & Spirit, LLC

ANGIANEIN WALLACE

Contributing Writer Host/Co-Producer, "Jody’s Fitlife"; Fitness Expert, Live in the D WDIV, Ch 4 Detroit

Contributing Writer Principal Style Consultant, 8th Reign Group

DAWN CULLARS JOHNSON

DONNA JOSEPH KEMP

EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD

GARY DENT

MONICA EMERSON

Devine Talent Management, LLC

Inclusive Performance Solutions

FLORINE MARK

MARIE MCLUCAS

Formerly, The WW Group, Inc.

DR. GENEVA J WILLIAMS Dr. Geneva Speaks, LLC

Primax Properties

NATALIE WILLIAMS

NAW4 Integrated Business Solutions, LLC

LATOYA EVERETT

D.A. Everett Construction

GREG RIDELLA

Eastman & Smith LTD

DEIDRA E. WILLIS Northwestern Mutual

Dawn Johnson State Farm Insurance Agency

DR. TAMARA LINDSAY ROBERTS

DMJ Group, LLC

HEATHER TROUTMAN

Excel Village Center for Learning

blueharbor bank

SCARLETTE WHYTE

GLEN WRIGHT, II

CNN & Turner Sports Warner Bros. / Discovery

Worth Advisors

MARK S. LEE The LEE Group

ARVIS S. WILLIAMS BorgWarner, Inc.

LATANYA ORR Selah Branding & Design LLC

7 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Helping others while helping your career. That’s being good at life. Visit www.newyorklife.com/women-career to speak with a recruiter. Insure. Prepare. Retire.

SMRU 1835171(Exp. 10/31/21) ©2019 New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 New York Life is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/ Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

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Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

The Taos German engineering, engineered for everyone

It only feels expensive

10 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

START WITH THE

right mindset BY: Stephanie Hancock CAREERS

indset is the single most important thing each person needs to have control over in their lives. It can determine small and large decisions, interactions with others, success and how we recover from setbacks and failures. In other words, mindset greatly impacts both our personal and professional lives.

Dr. Peter Salerno’s The Belief Equation provides guidance on how Here are five steps on how to get to develop a mindset that will allow started now: us to live the life we want. BE INTENTIONAL. Decide what Our thoughts combined with our you want and state that want in feelings create the reality we the present tense using positive want to experience. Utilizing our words only. Using the present automatic processing system— tense promotes the feeling as if it the part of the brain that allows is happening now, not in the future. us to operate automatically The best time for your wants is now. without conscious thought or effort—we have the power to USE THE POWER OF make the changes we want to WORDS. Only use positive see. Our thoughts and emotions words to state what you want. are automatic. This powerful duo Using elimination language motivates our behaviors, including (like don’t or won’t) or future actions and reactions. projection language (like will, going to, or soon) will reinforce the opposite It is more than just thinking of what you want so avoid those words. positively or embracing sayings like Focus only on language that reinforces the “fake it ‘til you make it”. Negative now. Imagine feeling that it has already thoughts turn into limiting beliefs occurred. Absolutes like never and always that foster in the mind. Imagine are setups that will leave you feeling planting seeds, constantly watering discouraged. Don’t wait until some other and when those seeds take root, time to feel great about what you want. they begin to grow. That is what happens with negative thoughts MAKE IT PERSONAL. and how easily they turn into Create realistic thoughts that beliefs. focus only on you. Don’t expect changes in others. You don’t The beautiful thing is that we each need others to make changes possess the power to change this in themselves for you to be cycle and solve the belief equation. successful. Don’t wait until some other This does not require that you trace time to feel great about what you want. The the origins of negative thoughts. present time is the best time to connect Instead, spend time solving the your thoughts to feelings. belief equation for yourself.

1 2

4 5

KEEP IT SIMPLE. There is power in simplicity so you’ll want to keep your thoughts simple. A simple expression is the most effective. Think like this: Plant the seeds and they will grow.

TAKE POWER OF YOUR THOUGHTS. Every thought creates a physical response in the body. What we believe will happen will happen. The more focused you are on a belief the sooner it will happen. Once the automatic processing system accepts a belief, that belief remains until it is overpowered by a new or different one. Are you ready to ignite the good vibes and live the life you have always wanted? Thinking, feeling and believing that you can achieve what you want in life puts you on the path. Initially, this may be uncomfortable and you may revert to old thinking patterns because it is familiar. This is where your perseverance comes into play. Continue your progress and enjoy your journey! x

Stephanie Hancock, MAIOP is the Owner of Career Rise, LLC which specializes in Professional Development. She is a Human Resources Professional, Certified DISC Consultant, Real Colors Facilitator, Certified John Maxwell Team Trainer, Speaker, and Coach.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

If you desire to embrace good vibes only, it starts with having the right mindset.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

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WHY YOUR

GIRL

TRIBE

is Key to Your Mental Health BY: Kayvonna K. Stigall WELLNESS

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

f you have a group of girls that are rockin with you through ups and downs, count yourself blessed! Having a girl tribe is essential to our mental health in every season of our life. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. In case you need another excuse to hang out with your crew, here are several reasons why your girl tribe is key to your mental health.

1. Help with personal growth. Your

tribe will be beyond what you see to become all the bigger version of your personal what they know you have in you. They will encourage you to sounding board step out on faith and stretch to be the best version of you. through work and relationship 3. Provide support. This life is guaranteed to throw decisions. They some curveballs and your girl tribe will be essential in your will allow you to recovery. They are going to tap into their individual roles in vent, but won’t your life and give you the support you need to get on the leave you there. other side of your situation. #girlpower Your tribe will stay around for the 4. Social Belonging. Sometimes you may want to go regrouping and where everybody knows your name and gets you. With your will be your safe girl tribe, you can just “be”. No expectations, no thinking, just space during times relaxing and chill time. Your tribe is going to give you that of challenge. space to do nothing when you’re needing a reset.

occasion, whether that’s vacations, road trips, spa days or a girls’ night in and out. Life happens fast so make sure your tribe takes the time to enjoy fun moments together.

When you are vibing with your tribe, be a sounding board and best girl friend support. We are definitely better together. You never know who in your tribe may need what in each season of your relationship 2. Improve 5. Enrichment. Each girl in your group will have their own so make every encounter your selfidentity, goals and talents. With that comes collaboration and count and be the tribe confidence and self-worth. insight. Your tribe will keep you balanced and offer different member you want to see experiences, support and resources to make you better. you in your girl gang! x Who doesn’t need You all will lean on each other and be a force to be reckoned someone to make with! them feel good about themselves Kayvonna K. Stigall is a published 6. Camaraderie/Fellowship. You have to love a good author, freelance writer, and poet from sometimes? Your friend gang to roll out with you wherever. Your tribe should River Rouge,Michigan. Follow her work tribe can give you on Instagram @riseaboveclouds consist of women you like to be around for almost any that push to go

15 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

"Fashion changes, but style endures." -Coco Chanel

MOST INTERESTING PERSON How

to be the

BY: Angianein Wallace STYLE

IN THE ROOM with STYLE

very human wants to be seen and heard. With a fascinating outfit, a charismatic personality or a charming smile you could attract immense attention. However, to be the most interesting person in the room requires having a deeper connection with an audience—one that gives validation that our presence matters—and well, that comes from within.

The process of being the most interesting person in the room starts before we ever step one foot in the door. To bring riveting energy into a space, we must know that we have it and then we must own it! Maya Angelou said it best—

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

Here are three ways anyone can embody the possession of all the qualities necessary for not just attracting attention everywhere you go, but also becoming the most interesting person in the room.

• Pay attention to what is creating peace or pain.

• Make time for selfreflection.

some of the interests, hobbies, causes, places or things you care about the most? If you don’t know, do some homework. Putting time, effort and incredible thought into our style and essence before we show up is not only being responsible, it can lead to consistently being the most authentic and engaging person in the room.

Be Intentional.

Be Responsible.

Be Comfortable.

• Dress in colors and clothing that feel joyful to you.

Standing out and catching the Get comfortable being comfortable. Cute Being intentional through attention of others by way shoes don’t have to hurt. An attractive way to our style and essence means of style comes with a certain command a room and show confidence is by making deliberate choices to level of responsibility. You are pulling together clothing, accessories and shoes reflect what is most important responsible for discovering based on your personal style preferences. In to us. Consciously becoming the fashion items that other words, wear whatever makes you feel your intentional with our thoughts accentuate your individual best! and actions can help us style. This includes choosing maintain a positive mindset, colors, patterns, textures and The internal power of self-acceptance reflects reach goals, gain more clarity silhouettes that are flattering confidence throughout our style and essence. and be more present. We and attractive. We have to also Being comfortable with ourselves means not can also increase our focus, do the internal work of making comparing ourselves to others and feeling commitment and bring more content with whatever choices we’ve made in peace with our quirks and purpose and meaning to our life. It means accepting our God-given features, having a genuine zest for life. lives when we are intentional. having good self-esteem, giving ourselves grace But the truth is, we can only concerning our weight and loving ourselves What we wear directly give away what we possess. knowing we are a work in progress. When we influences our thoughts and Therefore in order to exude value who we are and refrain from judging good intentions, we need to first behaviors. It also impacts how others perceive our personality ourselves or others, we can take comfort in our have good intentions. and actions. People decide who own beauty. we are within seven seconds of Ways to activate being The truth is, each of us has a distinct style and a first impression. intentional: purpose that can evolve into being the most interesting person in the room. Simply remember If you successfully become a • Meditate on things that are source of fascination and desire to own it, inside and out because, “style speaks noble, pure and lovely. TM to hold that attention, then you louder than words” in every environment. • Choose to be kind. This x also become responsible for creates good karma. sharing what you know, what Angianein Wallace is the CEO of 8th Reign, an Image and Style • Be forgiving towards Consulting Agency. She is an image consultant, professional wardrobe you’re curious about or what stylist, creative director, and thought leader. Her agency is designed yourself and others. you find concerning. What are around the belief that “Style speaks louder than words” TM.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

To become unforgettable, our style and essence both need to be: intentional, responsible and comfortable.

18 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

A woman’s work is unstoppable

CEOs, inventors, entrepreneurs, artists, teachers, doctors, bankers, innovators and trailblazers. Women have proven themselves in all of these and countless other roles. As we continue to lift barriers that can hold women back, there’s no stopping what they can do in the workplace and beyond. That’s why we sponsored the Career Mastered 2023 National Diversity Summit & Awards.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC. CS4579

19 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Tips on technology and entrepreneurship from a Telecom CEO

WHEN SHE

Leads

s the CEO of A&S Telecom Consulting, Mia Fox has built her business from the ground up. She started as a telecom sales representative and eventually became the VP of Sales before opening her own telecom consulting company. At A&S Telecom Consulting, Fox helps businesses be more efficient through telecommunication services like hosted voice and cybersecurity. I had the chance to chat

BY: Marci Bryant, MBA ENTREPRENEURSHIP

with Fox about her journey to entrepreneurship, what has led to her success in business, and how she balances the roles of being a boss and mom with grace. Career Mastered: What made you branch out into your own company after having so much success working for others? MIA FOX: I knew that technology was changing, and it wasn't really just going to be a monopolized situation. I understood that the world was going to be operated over the internet, which left opportunities open for different partnerships, relationships and a different way for companies to run their businesses. CM: What do you think are some of the characteristics that have contributed to your success as a leader?

20 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

MF: I do a lot of self-managing and self-criticizing as a CEO. I'm hard on myself about my business. Whenever there’s an instance that I don’t reach my goals, I’m always determined to figure out if there was something that I could have done better. I'm very, very anal on making sure that everything is right, and the customer is taken care of. I always tell people that customer service is equally, if not more important, than the sale itself. Every part of the customer experience must be thoughtful and consistent. Making sure that the package is right. Making sure that the customer understands and is comfortable with what they purchased. CM: How has being a mother contributed to your success as a CEO, and how do you find balance between those two worlds? MF: Being a mother gave me the structure that I needed in my life. I looked up the definition of being a CEO, and you are supposed to know how to create, manage and take care of the plan and the people. You're supposed to know how to look at everything and have the intuition to see everything from the big picture to the minute details. I feel like when you're a mom and you’re in charge of the household, it's very much like running a business. You learn principles that can be applied to business successfully. Being both a mom and CEO has taught me the importance of balance. I had to learn that you can't really let your business tie into your personal life. You want to take the good from each experience to be the best at both, but you must know how to separate those worlds. When you're home, you’ve got to be a mom. You can’t let the stress of the workday impact how you treat your family. The same is true at work, so don’t let hard times at home cause problems in your office. You have people with their own families depending on you to

make good decisions, so you need to have a clear mind at work and always stay focused on your business success. CM: How do telecommunications services impact a business’s success? MF: Our hosted voice telecommunications allows us to update the way a business operates, the way they make their calls, the way they function daily. Now they can email their voicemails, transfer a live phone call to a cell phone, and answer their desk phone from their cell phone when they’re in another state or even out of the country. We can program their system to work as an auto attendant, so that all the customer has to do is press a button to find the team member.

To learn more about Mia Fox and A&S Telecom Consulting, find them on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/ company/a-s-telecomconsulting/ x As CEO of SYNC Digital Agency, Marci Bryant, MBA is dedicated to helping companies get more consistent revenue by synchronizing customer facing teams using content, technology and strategy. She is a speaker, trainer, published author, and corporate copywriter. Connect with Marci on LinkedIn or visit www.marcibryantmba.com to learn more.

LEADING EFFECTIVELY

RUM IN AT ION THE NO. 1 REASON FOR STRESS AND BURNOUT

Ever wonder why different people respond to tough events in different ways? Why do some people seem to be more resilient in the face of stress and burnout than others? When it comes to general anxiety, stress and burnout, more than 35 years of research point to one clear difference in our ability to be resilient during hardships: our tendency to ruminate.

WHAT'S RUMINATION?

umination is the tendency to continue to churn over emotional upsets, and it’s a key determinant of whether you become stressed or not. Rumination is what you do when you wake up at 3 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep because you’re thinking about how many months you'll have to simultaneously home-school your children and work from home. It’s the kind of thinking that happens when you spiral into worst-case scenarios about your aging parents. Rumination is what happens when you leave a meeting where you stumbled through your presentation, and you can’t stop thinking about what you should have said. Or your mind wanders to past events or

future scenarios, replaying worry and negative thoughts over and over. In short, rumination is the mental process of thinking over and over about something and attaching negative emotions to it. And there’s nothing useful about rumination. It just creates stress symptoms and is the enemy of resilience. People who don’t ruminate may have plenty of pressure or hardships in their lives, but they aren’t stressed by it. To feel better, live better, and lead better, you need to find a way to stop ruminating and help your teams and direct reports do the same.

PRESSURE + RUMINATION = STRESS

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

BY: Center for Creative Leadership WELLNESS

How to banish stress and burnout by stopping rumination.

22 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

putting your attention where you want it to HOW TO BANISH be and holding it there. Reduce distractions STRESS AND when you’re “in the zone” — working on what B U R N O U T: matters most, thinking strategically, or being 4 HABITS TO singularly productive. BUILD YOUR DETACH. RESILIENCE & Detachment is the ability to maintain STOP RUMINATION perspective. Get appropriate distance

WAKE UP.

To reduce stress and burnout, you need to recognize how much time you spend ruminating. People spend as much as 70% of their daytime hours in a half-awake state, on autopilot or daydreaming. This is where rumination takes place and stress is generated. The alternative? Wake up, practice mindful leadership and focus on where you are and what you are doing in the present moment. Don’t let your mind drift into worrying about the past or the future. As the mind develops new habits, you’ll ruminate less often.

CONTROL YOUR ATTENTION.

People often feel stressed about their lack of control. The one thing you always have control over is your attention. Once you have woken up, you can use and direct your attention. Practice consciously

from the situations you’re facing. A lack of detachment and the tendency to ruminate are intertwined in a spiral of leadership stress.

When you experience rumination, things balloon out of proportion, and when things are out of proportion, you’re more likely to ruminate and reach burnout. If you can detach from the situations you’re facing, you can distinguish between care and worry. It allows you to reflect and plan, and as we like to say at CCL, burn bright — instead of burning out.

LET GO.

When they do, instead of blocking them out or fixating on them, observe and acknowledge them as just thoughts, and let go of them by not continuing to feed them with attention. your team a friendly “I’m out and you should be, too” email at the end of the day or week, or when leaving on vacation. This will help your employees manage their work-life conflicts and increase their ability to unplug from work when the day is over or when they’re taking some much-needed time to rest and recharge.

ACCESS OUR WEBINAR! Watch our webinar, Building Resilience and Leadership in the Context of Crisis & Telework, and learn practical ways to enhance personal and team resilience.

To maintain perspective, you need to let x go. But that doesn’t mean doing nothing or letting go of the work, tasks, or effort. What you let go of are the negative emotions that have become entangled with your situation Since 1970, The Center for Creative or issue. Ask yourself a simple question: Will Leadership (CCL®) has been committed to continuing to focus on this help me, my people, delivering results that matter through leadership solutions customized to clients’ needs. CCL or my organization? If the answer is no, let it helps its clients to grow by accelerating their go. It isn’t doing you any good. leadership performance, their knowledge and Of course, because of the strength of habit, negative and worrying thoughts will return.

partnerships drive sustained results for clients, and committed to create a better world through our work in the social sector. More resources available at www.ccl.org.

23 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Glass ceilings were made to be SHATTERED.

You can break through the ceiling … and we have the tools to help you do it. CCL’s exclusive Women’s Leadership Experience (WLE) blends decades of global research and proven programming to create a three-month journey that will push your potential … and help you kick some glass.

KickSomeGlass.org

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Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

NEIGHBORS

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

——— for our ———

SAVINGS MADE EASY

26 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Lean into good vibes

SPLASH of

SUMMER

BY: Jasmine Ball FEATURE

Picture this:

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Alas, it’s summertime! The season of warmth, optimism and joy that so many of us look forward to all year round. Some have been making an effort in the last few weeks in order to get “summertime fine”, and perhaps many more have been counting down to kickoff the cookouts and summer vacations we’ve been anticipating for months. This is the time of year that represents peak adventure, liberty and making fun memories with those we love most, usually in a new place, trying a new thing under the sun.

bright blue sky, the sun kissing your dewy skin and a warm, gentle breeze making your hair dance in the wind. It’s a beautiful day out and a beautiful time of year. What better way to enjoy it other than dipping your feet in a pool of cool water, listening to the joys of summertime in the distance, thumbing through pages of a book you finally have a moment to read while the smell of sunscreen hits your nose.

away from all responsibilities, regroup and fully recharge. Be intentional about enjoying the life you have today (now) before retirement.

round) so you can see a boost in your overall mental health.

NOURISH YOURSELF. How do you enjoy spending your time during moments of rest? In the summer GO OUTDOORS. is when many take the time to nourish One of the first things themselves the most – whether that’s by many of us look forward going for more walks, swimming, reading a to doing in the summer good book, sitting in front of a bonfire, taking is taking every opportunity to a boat out on the lake, or splurging on extra spend time outdoors! It’s been spa services for example. Carve out time for reported that people often relaxation, rejuvenation and rest daily, weekly, have the best mental health and monthly in order to illuminate yourself during this time of year (likely before you can illuminate the world. EMBRACE FUN. due to a myriad of factors While it’s a good thing to be including longer days and A wise person once said, “If you line up enough passionate about your career, and increased vitamin D). Plus, good days, you could mess around and create not necessarily a bad thing to be according to the National a good LIFE.” Go out and embrace all that a workaholic, it’s equally important to Library of Medicine, sun summer has to offer. Live in the moment, be as intentional about play as you are exposure has a direct impact lean into the good vibes and carry that same about work. Now is the perfect time to on our serotonin levels – the optimism with you now and through the rest of step away from work and make time hormone associated with the year! x for play. But don’t just wait for the boosting mood and helping a summer months or a holiday to do so. person feel calm and focused. Jasmine Ball is a wife, mom, award-winning journalist, and founder of BTM Writing Services. Throughout her career, she’s been helping Schedule special time away from work So get as much sun exposure companies all over the world get confidence over their content and grow their businesses. With God at the center, Jasmine’s life mission is throughout the year, and when you’re as you can now (and yearto use her gift to connect people to resources that will help them live “off”, actually be off so you can step more informed, inspired, and overall better lives. Yet, while we are leaning into the good vibes that summer brings, let’s also challenge ourselves to duplicate this same positive mindset and optimism year-round so that our everyday lives are met with a splash of what summer represents in an effort to help us strike a healthier balance of work and play. Here are a few ways to lean into the good vibes of summer year-round.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

TAKEAWAYS

FROM TOP WOMEN EXECUTIVES

AT THE 2023 CAREER MASTERED SUMMIT

he 2023 Career Mastered Summit is now in the history books! In case you missed it, let’s recap some of the good vibes created during the summit. As I think about highlighting ten takeaways from top women executives at the Summit, I am drawn to the importance of the number 10. In Numerology, 10 represents leadership and success. In Astrology, 10 represents the planet Saturn which is seen as the planet of responsibility and discipline. In Sports, 10 is traditionally worn by the star player or the one who gets it done. In Science, 10 represents the atomic neon which is the 10th element on the periodic chart. The metric system is based on powers of 10. It is useful in calculations

BY: Dr. Sabrina Jackson LEADERSHIP

and measurements. Lastly, in culture the phrase “Perfect 10” is associated with someone that is ideal or flawless. HERE ARE 10 TAKEAWAYS FROM TOP WOMEN EXECUTIVES AT THIS YEAR’S SUMMIT:

NETWORKING IS TRANSFORMATIONAL. Women at this life-changing event gained the opportunity to meet, learn from and create new lanes to support one another. Your network determines your net worth. The power in the room was at an all-time high. The first

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Janice Dupré

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

evening in White was fun, everyone looked great and the bling gym shoe contest… amazing!

COMMAND THE DAY. Commanding the day was modeled each morning– which as boss women, we must all remember we can control our thoughts, which leads to controlling our words and results in us having more control of our world.

COACHING = LEVELING UP. There is a study done by a group called leadership IQ and, in this study, they determined the #1 reason people fail at their job is the lack of coachability. Think about it. How can we get better if no one can tell us anything? The summit had built-in coaching opportunities. Invest in yourself and seek coaching and mentoring.

EMPOWERED WOMEN EMPOWER WOMEN. The women who represented the executive spaces shared their challenges and how they dealt with difficult spaces. These amazing women recognize that sharing helps another woman not have to experience the same challenge in the corporate hallways. Rather than purposefully withholding helpful information, these top executives choose to be women of impact who uplift.

TRANSPARENCY DRAWS TRUTH AND HEALING. During the gala, the monologue performed by Teisha-Lott Brown was deep, tear jerking and thought provoking. She shared real and raw truths that lead to healing. So many women hold their traumas in and think they are the only ones going through something.

Dr. Sabrina Jackson and Gail Perry Mason engage the audience during a panel at the 2023 Career Mastered Summit. However, we are all faced with adversity at one point or another. Sharing your truth creates space for self-healing and gives others permission to do the same.

the very time you may need to laugh.” Often the responsibility of life squeezes out time for laughter. However, we must be intentional about laughing as it provides benefits physically, emotionally and socially.

MEN ARE ALLIES. The panel with all men was eye opening as it was refreshing to hear from men on ways they have supported women in the corporate space. These men were also open to learning how to do more. It is important to know we need both men and women to elevate our careers.

STARS HONOR STARS. The celebration of women by women was simply awesome as there was no competition, just jubilation. When we look at a star-filled sky, you never see them fighting for position, only shining. Women, we all are stars and must shine from the space we occupy.

MAKE YOUR MARK… PERIOD. The top women executives at the summit shared (and demonstrated) how you must make your mark without excuses or allowing the view of others to stop you from making your dreams a reality. Put your best foot forward!

LAUGHTER IS MEDICINE. The presentation on the Power of Laughter allowed participants to laugh on purpose. One of the statements that so many resonated with was, “when you feel you should not laugh is

DREAMS DO COME TRUE. The visionary Dr. Lisa Wicker had a vision nine years ago to honor women. It has grown to a major summit where 100’s of women are honored, corporate sponsors, national media coverage, facilitating connections that have grown into business opportunities, books and webinars. She is a model for women to write your vision… then work on it. Because dreams do come true.

Dr. Sabrina Jackson, Career Mastered Contributor, is known as "The People Expert", as she helps people with people, even if that person is themselves, creator of Essential Colors, DEI Expert, Author, Actress, TV Personality, and Award-Winning Motivational Speaker. For more information, visit www.sabrinajackson.com.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

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POWER OF INFLUENCE Y ou may have heard the term “influencer” floating around, but what exactly does that mean? An influencer is a person with the ability to influence potential buyers of a product or service by promoting or recommending the items on social media. In other words, an influencer is someone others look up to in a particular niche or industry who has specialized knowledge, authority or insight on a specific subject. Their pre-existing presence in a niche makes them a useful launching pad for brands in search of credibility. Some examples of influencers include celebrities, athletes, bloggers or motivational speakers to name a few. They impact thoughts and behaviors in their industries. An influencer is focused on the results. They can partner with large companies and inspire their followers to buy a certain product or service, behave a certain way, dress a particular way or even think the way they want them to think.

BY:Priya Kumar CAREERS

What makes influencers have this kind of power? Trust. An influencer may show a product or service that has improved their lives. Their followers who can relate to their story will most likely be interested in purchasing the same product or service in hopes of having a similar result as the influencer. For example, a make-up artist may compare different products by applying them on and rating their favorite. Their followers will most likely buy the products that were more favorable according to the influencer. Someone who is trying to lose weight may discover an influencer who is having success on their weight-loss journey, follow them and copy

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

THE

What it means to be an influencer and to be influenced

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

their diet and workout plan. We have even seen trends of people copying influencers who have obtained plastic surgery in order to enhance how they look and feel about their bodies. Not all influence is positive. We have not only seen people get influenced to buy certain products and services, but also get influenced to vote for certain representatives or causes without doing much research on their own or with very little understanding of the impact to their communities. How often have you done research on the ultimate impact of a ballot measure when voting? Probably not that often or none at all. News may use fear to

influence communities on certain policies and changes. And because of the trust that we have in these influencers, we take their opinions, thoughts and perceptions as truths without taking the time out to do the due diligence of determining how it could impact our lives. Can we prevent being influenced? No. The only time we are not influenced by anyone or anything is when we are completely disconnected from this world. From the time we are born, we are influenced. It’s a part of

human life. It’s human nature to imitate what we like (that’s just another form of flattery). While there’s a lot we don’t have control over, we do have the power to decide what kind of influence we want to invite in our lives. The best thing one can do is take inspiration from their own experience. We have the power to decide what we want to be influenced by or whether or not we’re just taking someone else’s word for it. Decide for yourself what you desire to have in your life and let that be the core of what you choose to be receptive to in your life. x

Priya Kumar is a Financial Literacy Coach educating and empowering women on how to create financial security, freedom, and success. Her program offers financial trauma healing and a step-by-step process to rebuilding and growing.

You Will Enjoy!

BY: Hadley Roy H. TRAVEL & LEISURE

Washington, D.C. can provide a fantastic (and affordable) big-city experience for your summer vacation! With three airports to choose from and an easyto-use subway system, getting there and getting around is simple. Visit the Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall and tour the Library of Congress, or if you’re looking for something a bit off-the-beatenpath, tour the Woodrow Wilson House or the UdvarHazy Air and Space Center! Grab a meal at the National Museum of the American Indian - which is home to unique and delicious First Nationsinspired food. Most museums in the District of Columbia are taxpayer funded, so admission is free. On top of fantastic museums and

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Vacation Spots

BEST FOR BIG CITY FANS:

5 Summer

inding the right summer trip can feel overwhelming. There’s so many places to see and so many options to consider. But with this quick list, you can find the perfect vacation destination for your needs, preferences and budget!

36 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

culture, D.C. has wonderful nightlife and hotel options. Try hotels near DuPont Circle for a bustling and exciting location or book in Old Town Alexandria and experience a more charming and laid back vibe.

BEST FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ENTHUSIASTS:

mind (summer temperatures in the Utah desert can be extreme) and not undertake any trails beyond your ability and experience level.

BEST FOR FAMILIES:

Tampa, FL provides a wide range of exciting activities for kids and parents alike. Kid-friendly attractions include Busch Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Tampa Zoo, Tampa Bay Historical Center, American Victory Ship, and Glazer Children’s Museum. In addition to a wide range of attractions, Tampa boasts sunny beaches and outdoor activities such as clear-bottom kayak tours.

Moab, UT gives on-the-spot access to two National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands), Dead Horse Point State Park and the Sego Canyon petroglyphs. It’s truly a must-see for outdoor adventure enthusiasts! Don’t-miss trails include Mesa Arch, Double Arch, Balanced Rock and Park Avenue. History enthusiasts may also enjoy the historic Wolfe Ranch cabin & petroglyph trail. Most major airlines run regular flights to-and-from Tampa and Most major airports in the US have car rentals are readily available. A multiple flights per day to Salt Lake City. wide variety of hotels and resorts From there, visitors can either rent a car are available with pools, suites, and drive (approximately four hours) or waterfront views, or whatever is take a small plane to the Canyonlands needed to suit your preferences! Field Airport. There’s accommodations for every preference and price point: BEST BUDGET: from overlanding vans for rent, to Lexington, KY proves that budgetluxury hotels, to rustic cabins. Be sure friendly travel doesn’t have to be to check out the Moonflower Co-op boring! Lexington has a mid-sized Market, Moab Coffee Roasting, and airport, but is also an easy drive Gallery Moab while in town. from airports in Cincinnati or Louisville. As with all outdoor adventures, take the advice of park rangers, keep weather in

Visit Kentucky Horse Park and the race track at Keeneland or take some tours on the Bourbon Trail, then spend the evening getting pizza and ice cream in Lexington’s charming Distillery District. Just outside the city in Berea, there’s a nationallyrenowned folk arts college and a host of independently owned artisan shops to explore. Food in Lexington is also highly affordable with many restaurants to choose from (including a cafe devoted exclusively to hot chocolate) and a wide selection of grocery stores.

BEST LUXURY:

Napa Valley, CA is a scenic spot with everything a luxury vacation needs. Fly into San Francisco or Oakland, and drive only 60 miles to reach the secluded and relaxing haven. Napa features a wide array of wine and vineyard tour options, from biking tours and on-the-farm experiences to meals with custom tasting pairings! Napa is also home to a wide variety of spas, restaurants, and charming boutiques to round out the experience. Consider staying at one of the many name-brand luxury hotels, or go straight-to-the-source and book rooms at a local vineyard. x Hadley Roy H. is an Analytics Manager at Campbell Ewald, where she specializes in user experience optimization and creative analytics. She also runs @Just_ Had_Tea on Instagram. Hadley lives with her husband, their 13 houseplants, and two sourdough starters in Southeast Michigan.

37 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Summer READY BY: Rechelle Andrews BEAUTY

Here's How to Master the Natural Look!

38 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

f you have been waiting all winter and spring for that fun and relaxing summer vacation in the tropics, now is the time to pack your skincare and makeup essentials! This summer, I’ll be sharing some of my product must-haves to get you ready for the summer and master the natural ‘no-makeup’ look. Are you ready? Let’s go! Ok, so here’s what you’ll want to be sure to include in your skincare and makeup travel bag. Also, remember to have your airport-approved and travel size minis handy if needed.

BASIC SKIN CARE CHECKLIST • • • • • •

Unscented cleanser Toner Moisturizer Anti-puff / brightening eye cream Face and body sunscreen (Nighttime) Serum of your choice

MAKEUP ESSENTIALS FOR A SUMMER NIGHT OUT (+ PHOTO READY) • • • • • • • •

4 Brushes, powder puff, and beauty sponge Brow pencil and brow gel Mattifying, but moisturizing primer (if you tend to be oily in the summer) Powder foundation or translucent powder (compact) For dark circles – color correcting cream and/or concealer Blush Waterproof mascara Lip gloss

MAKEUP ESSENTIALS FOR FUN IN THE SUN • • •

Face and body sunscreen Waterproof mascara (or get your lashes done) Lip gloss

Now that you know what to pack, let’s make sure you understand the basics of how to apply them and why you might need these items in the first place. Skincare is essential year-round and especially when you are traveling. In the summer, most of us are likely to wear less makeup. That said, having a skincare routine that gives you a natural glow will help you to achieve looks that require little to no foundation products. Pay attention to how your skin behaves in the summer and give it what it needs. If you tend to be oilier when it gets warmer, a skincare routine that controls oil production will help to minimize clogged pores and breakouts. As always, sunscreen should always be on deck. Makeup is a personal preference in the summer and especially on vacation. I’ve offered two scenarios to choose from depending on if you know you’ll be taking lots of selfies or if you are just having fun in the sun and can’t be bothered with makeup. Either way, you want to look your best!

HOW TO APPLY MAKEUP FOR A SUMMER NIGHT OUT For a natural look that requires just a few products you can get everything done with your fingers and a beauty sponge. However, I do recommend a foundation brush, blush brush, fluffy eyeshadow brush and an angled liner brush to achieve a more refined look. You can

use concealer as your foundation just where you need it and a compact powder foundation or translucent powder to set and cut down on shine. A coral or light pink blush can be used above the cheekbones and on the eyelids to add color. Waterproof mascara and lashes along with your favorite lip product will complete your look.

HOW TO APPLY MAKEUP FOR FUN IN THE SUN Most of us are likely to walk out the door with a cleansed and moisturized face and call it a day. Just don’t forget your sunscreen and lip product. If you want to look a little more put together – use a brow pencil to fill in your brows and/or just a brow gel to shape them, throw on some lashes, and apply your lip gloss. You are ready for summer fun! As always, I wish you the best time with family and friends, memorable vacations and relaxing moments for selfcare. For product recommendations or a free consultation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. x

With over 15 years in the beauty industry, Rechelle Andrews has acquired the skills and an indepth knowledge of products and makeup application techniques. She has made it her goal to help people realize their greatest potential in beauty and YOU are her inspiration. For more information and/or to schedule a free consultation, email inspirebeautiful2@gmail.com.

39 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

Manage work and enjoy summer with family and friends

LEARN TO

BY: Nicole Hudson CAREERS

CLOCKOUT

ON TIME

THIS SUMMER Summer is here and with it, long sunny days and warm nights– days and nights that you might spend slogging away on your computer if you don’t learn how to clock out and enjoy the summer.

e know the importance of taking a break. But it’s still difficult to do when you are thinking, I’ll just check this email, or do a quick once-over on this client presentation. Meanwhile, family, friends and good times are passing us by.

Here are some tips I’ve learned to clock out and start enjoying the summer.

40 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION Treat yourself with the same compassion and consideration you give your staff. If your assistant asked to leave early to go on a family outing, you’d say yes, and then tell them to have fun and not worry about work. Do the same thing for yourself! As the founder of Hudson Collective, I have a lot of duties and responsibilities and I need to grant myself permission to take some time off. Just this simple mind shift makes it easier to leave at noon and enjoy the afternoon with my daughter at the zoo. If there’s something that can wait, go ahead and tell yourself yes. Have an unconventional summer Many of us grew up with parents that worked a traditional nine-to-five schedule, and as much as we’ve tried to banish those rigid rules and work structures, some of it is embedded in our DNA. It’s hard to break the cycle. But there’s no better time to bust out of that routine than the summer. I’ll take advantage of long sunny days by doing some work early in the morning, then leaving in the afternoon to splash around in the pool with my family, then clock in later to catch up on email, finish tasks, and get caught up. This “in and out” approach may be unconventional to some people, but there’s plenty of evidence that shows that taking breaks from work in the middle of the day spurs creativity and production. Prioritize what needs to get done and knock that out first, so your mind is free to have some fun. Obviously, I’m available when clients need me, but I find clients appreciate a relaxed approach in the summer, too. TRUST YOUR STAFF I put a lot of effort into hiring talented people who are excellent at what they do. They are self-directed and know how to get things done without me looking over their shoulder.

What does that mean for summer fun? It means that I can take time away from work and trust that things are getting done.

get new ideas and perspectives, recharge and relax. To make it happen, I block out the time months ahead.

Is it 100% vacation? Nope. I am still Empowering your staff is in touch with my clients and my essentially empowering people, but that’s so much easier in yourself. When staff knows today’s world of Zoom and digital what to do and have the tools to workplaces. What it does allow do it, it means that you can take me is time to explore cities with off every Friday and go to the my family and make memories lake, or take that mid-week trip together. with your partner. If something comes up, you know they’ll be The point is, if you don’t plan it, it in touch, but otherwise, you are doesn’t happen. So, schedule that free to enjoy your summer. trip, plan that long weekend, invite those friends over. It’s the only way PLAN TO MAKE MEMORIES it will happen. WHILE THE SUN SHINES I know that life will get more hectic This moment in time is unique. as my daughter gets older and Your children will never be wants to hang out more with friends this age again. This summer and less with mom. I’m planning to will never happen again. Don’t make those special memories now. leave the opportunity to make x memories with your family and Nicole Hudson is the Founder of Hudson Collecfriends to chance. Make a plan tive, an integrated digital strategy and communicato spend time together. tions firm creating social impact by activating their Those plans look different for every situation. Travel is a passion of mine—it’s how I

communities through branding, storytelling, and expanding their engagement with a robust online presence. Hudson’s strategies are driven to deliver compelling messages and a suite of business tactics that engage, inform and influence audiences to action that creates lasting impact.

www.itc-holdings.com 41

Smart phones, connected homes, electric vehicles. Every day, technology is changing the way we use and think about electricity. You may not realize it, but in our increasingly electrified society, that’s where electricity transmission infrastructure matters most. ITC is working every day and investing in infrastructure to modernize the grid in order to move electricity from where it’s generated to where it’s needed. That means safe, secure, reliable electricity to power economic growth, job opportunities, and our long-term energy future. We’re ensuring the grid can meet your energy needs now and long into the future. At ITC, we’re always working for the greater grid.

@ITCHoldingsCorp @ITCGrid ITC Holdings Corp

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

EMPOWERED WOMEN, POWERING OUR FUTURE

42 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

BENEFITS OF AN

ENTREPRENEURIAL

MINDSET

BY: Evelyn Summerville ENTREPRENEURSHIP

ntrepreneurs are often admired as risk-takers and innovators. They start businesses to solve problems, live out their values and work autonomously. Entrepreneurs challenge the status quo. They disrupt existing patterns and unleash new ideas that generate unprecedented success.

Entrepreneurs are bold. Bullish, perhaps. They have mastered a mindset that continuously motivates them to pursue heartflamed passions. Time and again they demonstrate the powerful truth of an old saying, “it’s mind over matter.” That’s because they

possess an entrepreneurial mindset.

Truth. Mindset does matter. Investing time in developing an entrepreneurial mindset can propel you in many ways. This includes personal fulfillment, career success and business savvy. Why not take a bet on yourself? Develop a mindset that can help you set sails for new horizons. Here are seven benefits of an entrepreneurial mindset that you can unlock starting today.

Curiosity: An entrepreneuriallyminded person is a

Patience: You may have noticed that individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset are patient. They work for results consistently and work through challenges deliberately. They have the long arc in mind viewing success as a journey not a destination.

Openness: Entrepreneurs are open-minded. They actively seek multiple perspectives when making decisions and troubleshooting. They value input from others. They listen attentively and incorporate new ideas with their own for a greater gain.

Resilience: Entrepreneurs rebound from setbacks and difficult experiences. They tap

Belief: An entrepreneurially-minded person has high confidence in self, purpose and possibility. They are certain of their personal value, contributions and impact. They know they are making a difference now and into the foreseeable future.

Resourcefulness: Hands down, entrepreneurs are people who make things happen. They identify creative solutions when faced with obstacles or a lack of resources. They focus on what they can achieve, refusing to be stomped by what they cannot accomplish. Now that you know the benefits of an entrepreneurial mindset, why not make an action plan for your growth. Take a moment to do a quick self-assessment by answering the following questions: Which of these are your strengths? Which ones are opportunities for growth? What is one thing you can do today to further develop your entrepreneurial mindset? Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset will take time. Start today by setting a small goal that you can work on daily for the next three months. You will reap the benefits as long as you put in the effort. Bet on yourself. Evelyn Summerville is an executive, leadership & life coach. She harnesses the experiences and lessons learned during her time as Director of Marketing Research & Analysis for a Fortune 500 firm to support leaders in fast tracking their success. In doing so, Evelyn empowers people to live and lead with purpose, passion and excellence.

Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

What is an entrepreneurial mindset? It is a constant drive to grow, learn and create. It is a mindset we have observed in such celebrities as Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Simpson, Sheryl Sandberg and Rihanna, to name a few. It is also worth saying that this mindset is not limited to business owners. Anyone can be entrepreneurially-minded.

Risk Tolerance: Entrepreneurs dare to be different and take chances. They walk with confidence to new edges. They make high-stake bets on themselves and their vision. Their mantra could be “nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

into their mental reserves to focus with a renewed clarity. They reframe what’s happening in the moment as an opportunity to learn and grow. They coursecorrect.

Mindset is the beliefs and attitudes one holds about self, others and circumstances. Mindset can be many things including positive or negative, fixed or growth, employee or entrepreneur. But it is the entrepreneurial mindset that we are emphasizing as an important element of your personal growth. Because this mindset encapsulates multiple attributes tied to success.

life-long learner. Their thinking and problem-solving is sparked by asking “what if” and “how can” questions. They yearn to know and discover more.

44 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

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Planning For Your Future Should Not Be A Concern

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45 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

BY: Glen E. Wright II FINANCE

FUNDAMENTALS OF

DOLLAR-COST

AVERAGING

hether you work with us or follow our blog, you may hear us reiterate specific themes. For instance, the professionals at Worth Advisors, LLC believe that financial management is for everyone regardless of their economic position or perceived status. Another one of our core messages is that you should stop trying to time the market. Recall movies such as The Wolf of Wall Street or just Wall Street.

People unfamiliar with investments or investment strategies may need help understanding what financial advisors do. Specifically, we are referring to “timing the market.” Hypothetically, this is when you invest in something when it is low and before it suddenly increases in value. Then you sell your shares for

46 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

a significant profit. Anyone who thinks this is what investing is may dismiss it outright. If they don’t understand the market and cannot foresee a trend, they assume investing is for those who do. This is unequivocally false, and we are about to explain why. LET SUCCESS COME TO YOU Timing the market is difficult even for experienced investors! Instead of trying to predict the market, accept that it will fluctuate at irregular intervals. Dollar-cost averaging embraces this concept and can deliver long-term financial success despite fluctuations. The basic premise of dollar-cost averaging is that you invest at regular intervals regardless of the purchase price. To give you an easy example, imagine that you have $1200 to invest. Rather than spending your $1200 on one stock and hoping the market works in your favor, i.e., timing the market, invest $100 a month in a mutual or index fund. When the market is up, and prices are high, your $100 will yield fewer shares. When the market is down and prices are low, that

same $100 investment will enable you to purchase more shares. People who invest this way shift their focus to the long-term. Why? Because over several years, you will likely see that your cost per share, on average, is lower than if you had invested the money all at once. EXPERIENCE A SHIFT IN MINDSET When you understand how basic dollarcost averaging is—and how well it works—you will embrace the fact that investing is for anyone willing to do it. It comes down to discipline instead of studying and watching the market roundthe-clock in hopes of gambling a sum of money on the market. Allow yourself the freedom to invest despite what the market is doing and have confidence that you will succeed over the long term. Dollar-cost averaging is one way to survive the inherent corrections of the market. At Worth Advisors, LLC, we believe in a diversified approach by investing in stocks,

mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and closed-end funds. Although we incorporate principles that we firmly believe in, our approach to each client is customized to their needs and financial goals. When we design a portfolio for you, we will ensure it is tax friendly. Why? Because taxes are your most significant liability. (You may have heard us say this before!) Regardless, contact Worth Advisors today and discover why investing is for you. It’s your future, but we want to ensure you are financially prepared.x As a Certified Financial Planner, Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Investment Advisor Representative, Glen E. Wright, II is a Top of the Table member of the Million Dollar Round Table, an exclusive honor achieved by only the top one percent of all financial advisors worldwide. A published author (The Financial Shepherd: Why Dollars + Change = Sense) and notable speaker, Glen is passionate about philanthropy and actively gives back to the local communities in which Worth Financial operate. Excerpt Adapted From: "The Financial Shepherd® –Why Dollars + Change = Sense" by Glen Wright and Sy Pugh.

47 Career Mastered • SUMMER 2023

IMPACT

I'M STILL STANDING

A SNAPSHOT OF PRAISES FROM EXECUTIVES & SPONSORS AT CAREER MASTERED DIVERSITY SUMMIT

“This conference is such a motivating; inspiring event and it makes me want to be a better person and supporter of others. Well done, and so many life learnings.”

BY: Dr. Lisa J. Lindsay Wicker FEATURE

hen sponsors from Mercedes-Benz USA, Walgreens, Ally Financial, JP Morgan Chase & Co., The Hartford, Fifth Third Bank, Amazon, Henry Ford Health, Food Lion, Lowe's Companies, Corewell Health, KeepWOL, Volkswagen, and other executives and participants start sharing positive testimonials before the conference concludes --- and there’s a write-up about its impact in Forbes --- you know you’ve had a successful conference.

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It’s just over a few weeks since we wrapped up the three days of the Career Mastered 9th National Women’s Diversity Summit & Leadership Awards and we’re continuing to have enthusiastic and abundant words of praise from so many participants. Such as the following testimonials: “I wanted to say THANK YOU for everything. Last week was phenomenal. I met so many amazing women, learned a lot and got to share my gift on stage. I do not take this opportunity lightly. Thank you for inviting me. I am extremely grateful to have shared the stage with so many powerful women.” “Attended Career Mastered this week! I was so inspired and humbled to be in the presence of such amazing women. Thank you, Dr. Lindsay Wicker, for hosting a remarkable event. Check out #Careermastered for networking, learning and FUN!” “Thank you for what you do. Thank you for your YES. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for pushing through when it gets tough. Thank you for never quitting. Thank you for creating an experience that invigorates us and challenges us and celebrates us at the same time.” “I could not go to sleep tonight without telling you how special you are. Your conference truly checked every box. Thank you so much for the gift… all the gifts. Thank you for being YOU! Love you Dr. Lisa!” “I have a testimony to share with you about the importance of companies sponsoring several leaders to attend the summit. The experience exceeded my expectations. Everything you touch is done in excellence. I am pleased to work for a company that values women and invests in our development and networking. Not only did my external network grow, but I also built a bond with five other women leaders at my company. Upon leaving Career Mastered, one colleague committed to helping me navigate the organization. Well, she is a woman of her word! While on

vacation two weeks ago, I received notification that I was nominated to participate in an accelerated internal leadership development cohort. This is a long way of saying, your model works!!! Thank you.” “YOU are amazing!! I have wanted to send you a message since your fabulous event, but knew you were totally busy making everything wonderful for everyone else and decided to give you a chance to catch your breath. THANK YOU!! It was a beautiful event in every way. From the moment I walked in the room, I sensed God’s presence powerfully and felt so blessed to be there. In addition to your beautiful, inspiring words honoring Him from the start and celebrating all who were participating, you kept things moving and entertaining throughout. The event was perfect, and you should be so pleased! Thank you for making me a part of something so very wonderful. I am humbled, honored and blessed.” “Being in a room with incredible women making a difference with diversity efforts for their respective industries was humbling and inspiring. Seeing others that share in your journey, triumphs, and challenges is energizing and a good reminder of the broader mission to bring equity and inclusion to the forefront. Thank you, Career Mastered Magazine and Lisa Wicker, Ph.D. for honoring and uplifting myself and others, and creating an intentional space to connect.” “This week I’ve been in ATL for the Career Mastered Magazine 9th Women’s History Month Diversity Summit and Leadership Awards. This year’s theme is “IMPACT I’m Still Standing.” This summit is among the most empowering and motivational spaces I’ve ever attended. Powerful, brilliant, and talented women surrounded me.” “I will forever remember this Women’s History Month, cherish this recognition, and remain inspired and embolden by the dynamic women who so generously shared their wisdom, wit, and encouragement!”

“My heart and mind are full having spent the last couple of days focused on personal development with many career-driven successful women and male supporters at Career Mastered! The opportunity to moderate a panel and the acknowledgement received while there is another reminder that I have arrived beyond my circumstance, and you can too.” “Impact- I’m Still Standing” was the theme of this year’s Career Mastered Magazine conference held in Atlanta. We heard from a lineup of dynamic female leaders across top Fortune 500 companies. To say I left feeling inspired and motivated would be an understatement. Cheers to leaning in and leading fearlessly! Thank you, Lisa Wicker, Ph.D. for your vision and for organizing such a transformative conference! “I am glad that I was able to attend and network with all these amazing women! It was inspiring and powerful.”

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“I am so honored to have attended this event with these amazing women. This event was life changing! Thank you, Dr Wicker, you are living out your divine purpose. Now it’s up to us women to lift others with all that we learned at your amazing conference.”

“Thank you to Career Mastered for the 2023 Women in Leadership honor and the opportunity to be a panelist on the women on boards discussion! I was in awe of the phenomenal women recognized for their many community and professional contributions.”

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“Thank you for the surprise interactive charity activity to support Goodr (focused on food insecurity in what you want to be good at… delegate Atlanta) by packing snacks for a local the other tasks accordingly.” “Give yourself grace.” school.” “Laughter is medicine for the soul.” “Your story is your story. Use the good And this . . . and the bad to achieve your destiny .” “This week I was afforded the opportunity to participate in the 9th annual Career Mastered Diversity Summit and Leadership Awards Program. Career Mastered, led by Dr Lisa Wicker, is a premier career development conference prioritizing women’s executive presence, mentorship, entrepreneurship, strategic planning skills, boardroom representation, mental health, and more through extraordinary speakers, panel discussions, collaborative conversations and powerful intentional networking.” Here are a few of my favorite quotes: “Fail fast and get back up.” “Self-care is a requirement not a recommendation.” “Get comfortable feeling uncomfortable.” “Spend your energy and brilliance on

The leadership and team at Career Mastered want you to know how much we appreciated your presence, thought-leadership, networking, support, and commitment to providing such wonderful and historical women’s leadership information. The incredibly diverse and rich collection of so many powerful voices was truly an amazing part of the success of the conference. We are so grateful to you for making the effort to attend. We can’t thank you enough, but wanted to be sure to share our appreciation. Our conference is unique in many ways: the mix of speakers, the topics, the attention to detail, the entertainment, charity interactivity that allow attendees from across the nation to feel a part of it - and the fact that we leave a positive impact within the community and so much more.

Here are some ways you can remain connected and ensure your colleagues, sister friends are, as well. 1. Subscribe to Career Mastered Magazine: https://careermastered.com/product/ career-mastered-magazine/ 2. Become a Career Mastered Individual, Business or Corporate Member: https://careermastered.com/membership/ 3. Join the Career Mastered Women’s Leadership Network private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ CMWLN/ 4. Start a Career Mastered Women’s Leadership Chapter in your State or on your Campus: info@careermastered.com 5. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn: @CareerMasteredMagazine 6. Bring us in to speak to your company for seminars, including women’s leadership panel discussions: https://careermastered. com/contact-us/

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7. Apply to write for the Magazine: info@careermastered.com 8. Volunteer or Donate to support Excel Village Girls: www.excelvillage.org 9. Become a Sponsor: https:// careermastered.com/become-a-sponsor/ Our goal is to advance women’s leadership. Let’s continue this movement of growth. Thank you so much for being part of it. x

VISIT WWW.CAREERMASTERED.COM TO VIEW MORE SCENES FROM THE 2023 SUMMIT

Internationally recognized HR executive, thought leader, author and career strategist, Dr. Lisa J. Lindsay Wicker shares contemporary relevant work life experiences and empowering principles with her clients as demonstrated in her books, The Winning Spirit, Power Play! and her award-winning release - Capacity: Women Shattering the Limits - NOW. With her dynamic approach to life and her signature style, she connects people across the world and finds her mission to be that of helping others to get the most out of their work lives and companies to create value. She is the founder/Chief Visionary of Career Mastered. Following prominent human resources careers with Fortune 50 Companies, Dr. Lisa established her Detroit, MI and Charlotte, NC firm, Linwick & Associates, LLC (LWA).

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Together, we are now

corewellhealth.org

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SUCCESS In Your Health

5 WAYS TO CREATE A CONSISTENT FITNESS HABIT

BY: Jody Trierweiler HEALTH & WELLNESS

f you consider yourself to be “successful”, I challenge you sleep, strengthens bones, reduces pain, to consider that if you don’t have a consistent fitness improves skin, improves sex life, and many routine, are you truly successful? more!

In 2023, there is overwhelming evidence suggesting that exercise is necessary for everyone. According to the National Library of Medicine, the benefits are unequivocally proven to add longevity, lower disease risk (including cancer), mental health improvements, weight management, increased energy, improved cardiovascular health, improved brain health, blood sugar regulation, decreased stress, decreased risk of falls, promotes quality

If you currently have a regular exercise regimen, congratulations! You’re in the minority of only 28% of Americans meeting physical activity guidelines according to a 2022 study by the CDC. But if you don’t, stop reading this right now and ask yourself WHY. What are the reasons you aren’t committing to your health through

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exercise? Self-evaluate and be very honest. Rather than feeling guilt or condemnation, identify why you aren’t exercising on a regular basis. Here are the top reasons (excuses) that people have for not exercising: 1. I don’t have time. 2. I’m too tired, not motivated. 3. I’m not overweight, so I don’t need to exercise. 4. I hate exercising. 5.I walk all day at work or chasing kids. Let’s explore each of these reasons further to uncover solutions to help you overcome them so you can have success in your health. 1. I DON’T HAVE TIME. Life is busy for everyone. Our schedules are jam packed. However, the people that exercise regularly don’t wait for extra time to appear. They just decide if they prefer morning or evening, and then stick to it. 20 minutes in the morning can be done at home with a bit of research and little equipment. 20 minutes in the evening can be a great family activity that involves everyone. Try bike riding with some pushups and walking lunges at the end or a game of family basketball.

3. I’M NOT OVERWEIGHT, SO I DON’T NEED TO EXERCISE. We all want to look our best, and exercise is one way we can maintain a healthy weight. But the benefits of exercise for your overall health are proven undoubtedly and that’s why you need to do it. Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans (according to the CDC), and exercise can help us fight that battle.

5. I WALK ALL DAY AT WORK OR CHASING KIDS. Walking is a form of movement, but is it classified as exercise? It depends on your current fitness level and how fast you walk. A leisurely pace won’t cut it. In order for walking to be a truly beneficial exercise, you need to be on the cusp of breathlessness for at least 20 minutes.

4. I HATE EXERCISING. As a trainer, I love hearing this. That just means that you haven’t found your “thing”. We all have a “thing” that wakes us and stirs up our excitement 2. I’M TOO TIRED, NOT and adrenaline. Your new goal should MOTIVATED. be to keep trying new activities until Here’s a secret. Many people you find what wakes you up inside: actually workout even though dancing, swimming, hockey, lifting they’re tired. It’s called discipline – weights, jump rope, rock climbing, etc. doing something you may not want Invite a friend and begin your quest to do because you’re committed to until you find what you look forward to it. When it comes to exercise, it’s doing! time to act like a grown up and “eat your vegetables” even though you may not like it because it’s good for your health.

Adults should spend at least 150 minutes per week doing aerobic activity at a moderate intensity, and at least 2 days per week doing muscle-strengthening activity like lifting weights, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. x Jody Trierweiler, CNC is a certified nutritional coach and consultant. She is the Health and Fitness Expert for WDIV Local 4 Detroit tv show “Live In The D”, teaches fitness classes and is a corporate presenter. Learn more at jodysfitlife.com or find her on social media @jodysfitlife.

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WHEN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IS A PRIORITY, EVERYONE BENEFITS.

Career Mastered actively supports, celebrates and empowers women’s careers. The Hartford proudly served as a sponsor of the Career Mastered Leadership Diversity Summit & Awards. TheHartford.com

The Hartford® is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. 23-DI-1686051 © January 2023 The Hartford

FIVE STEPS TO SELECT YOUR

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PERSONAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND WHY BY: Haseena Shaheed-Jackson CAREERS

e are not intended to be alone, but to form partnerships and alliances that cause us to grow and develop. One way to do this is by creating your personal circle or board of directors. A personal board is a group of individuals that inspire, motivate, love, engage and equip us to press forward to live a purposeful life. As the scripture goes, “As iron sharpens irons, so one person sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17 WHO DO I SELECT TO BE ON MY BOARD? The selection of your personal board of directors is not to be taken lightly. Sue Enquist —UCLA Softball's first AllAmerican, National Champion, and Hall of Famer— said it

best when she suggested, “Live in the 33% rule. Hang with the top third of people, they are dream makers. Middle third: blow in the wind. Bottom third: suck the life out of you.”

When we go about selecting members for our personal board, the focus should be on surrounding ourselves with individuals who are dreamers that take action and support us in the sharpening of our skills. We need individuals that have aspirations and who will push us forward to pursue living a life that is significant and impactful.

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The number and size of your board is your decision. Keep it simple. In addition to picking those who are aspirational, here are 5 other steps to select your personal board of directors and why. These are individuals that will be integral to your life in the seasons that occur as part of life. 1. SOMEONE DOING YOUR DREAM WORK. Target individuals who are working in the career or business in which you are striving to grow and develop. These individuals are successful in doing what they are doing or ahead of you in making progress. You will be able to glean, collaborate, partner and learn from these individuals. 2. SOMEONE WITH YOUR DREAM CHARACTERISTICS. Determine the areas in which are seeking to grow and learn. This could be personal characteristics or skills where you are weak that could use development. Based on these areas, identify individuals who are stronger in these areas that may be able to support you in your growth journey with the goal that they can help you pick up some of their stronger characteristics.

3. SOMEONE ON YOUR SAME LEVEL. Find individuals who share your aspiration in growing and developing. This person can be on a complimentary or similar journey in life. Think of this person as a growth partner, an individual who will be on the same level as you. 4. SOMEONE YOU CAN POUR INTO AS YOU GROW. Identify someone who you can help in their journey who is eager, motivated and driven towards growth. Your circle is not all about you. It is also about being of help to others. Find someone you can mentor. Not only will it be rewarding for them (and you), but it will also be rewarding for society. When you reach back to give back, you are helping the leaders of our future. 5. SOMEONE WHO CAN OFFER YOU SPIRITUAL SUPPORT. Whether you consider yourself religious or not, it’s important to choose individuals who can provide you with spiritual support. Personal development can take an emotional toll on our mental health. For this reason, you’ll want to pick an individual who shares your beliefs and faith who can help uplift you in moments of great challenge. Having a board is instrumental to life development. It’s like looking at a library of people, not books. Make sure there is

reciprocity. There should be times when you lend a hand to members of your board and times when they will extend a hand to help you. Also, keep in mind that your board may change as you evolve. Some people are for a season not a lifetime. It’s the natural cycle of growth. Now get moving to create your personal board of directors so that you can be sharpened as well as sharpen someone else. x Haseena Shaheed-Jackson is an author, coach, speaker and trainer who is passionate about valuing others and helping others to keep moving forward by believing and seeing more. She challenges individuals to live a life that is significant and impactful while encouraging others to not allow anyone or anything to place you in a corner to be forgotten, causing you to believe that you are insignificant.

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Challenge, Triumph, and Positive Impact

WENDY GLADNEY

CAREER MASTERED MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

he Career Mastered Women’s Leadership Network (CMWLN) is a group of women whose success extends far beyond their career progression. United by a commitment to purpose, impact and service, these women exemplify the heart of the Career Mastered community, each using their unique platform to empower others. Meet Coach Wendy . . .

Along with a positive attitude and a deep faith in God, she has overcome abandonment, sexual and domestic abuse, several divorces and many other life hurdles. A firm believer that we must all do our best with what life hands us, Coach Wendy has gone from “victim” to “victorious” and shares how to embrace happiness, experience joy and live a fulfilled life. She says her pain has been transformed into a testimony of life lessons that serve as a map for other women.

A multifaceted businesswoman, she is the founder of Personal Services Plus As a certified life strategist, consultant, Consulting (PSP), Forgiving for Living, speaker and best-selling author, Coach Inc. (FFL), and Season of Greatness Wendy Gladney is living proof that a strong (SOG) – a new initiative she recently will to triumph can propel you to greatness. launched to serve a community of

like-minded women towards growth, understanding what their season of greatness looks like and how to achieve it. Coach Wendy specializes in helping women step out of fear and limitations into their season of greatness both mentally and spiritually. Meaning, Message, and Mission is the framework for Coach Wendy’s Season of Greatness community. She uses this framework to help her clients and members navigate the various seasons of their lives. Her goal is to see you win. To learn more about Coach Wendy and Season of Greatness (SOG), visit wendygladney.com. x

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SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE

I can & I will SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Looking for female founders ready to shatter the limitsNOW!

HER

I AM

COLLEGE CHAPTERS FORMING

mpacting women’s global leadership and careers begins with providing a strong foundation for success and a powerful network of women who are influencing the world.

Dr. Lisa Wicker has created a network that does just that. Beginning with Excel Village, girls in 5th-12th grades are mentored and provided with opportunities to learn and develop. The Career Mastered I AM HER College Experience supports female students navigating higher education, equipping them to achieve their goals in the corporate world or entrepreneurialship. For those women already in their careers, the Career Mastered Women’s Leadership Network (CMWLN) is a community of iconic women who are leaders in their industries. Throughout the entire career pipeline, Dr. Wicker influences women and encourages them to “shatter any limits to create their desired future” (Wicker, 2021, p. 11). The I AM HER College Experience strengthens and cultivates student leaders by offering opportunities for growth through interactions with successful women in the CMWLN. This enables soon-to-be college graduates to “Be in the power of proximity,” according to Dr. Lisa Wicker. In bringing Corporate America to college campuses, highpotential students are given the key to unlock potential internships and future job offers by connecting with companies even before they graduate.

BY: Lisa Nichols CAREERS

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to build their candidate pipelines with those who are emerging as next-generation leaders. Corporate sponsors partner with I AM HER, because they understand that the future begins today. Developing relationships with students who demonstrate leadership potential strengthens their emerging talent pipeline and positions their companies for growth.

In today’s career landscape, encountering opportunities prior to graduation is invaluable, considering the alarming statistic from a recent Burning Glass Technologies study that “those who graduate into underemployment are five times more likely to remain stuck in mismatched jobs after five years compared with those who start in a college-level job.” As the Wall Street Journal states, however, “Colleges that work aggressively now to prepare students for the jobs that remain in demand can ensure that graduates still make a strong start.” Now, more than ever, students need connections and leadership development on their campuses to prepare them for career success. This is the reason that now is the time to form Career Mastered I AM HER College Chapters starting with every HBCU campus across the country. Each Chapter creates a link from educational experience to career accomplishment for both current and subsequent generations of women. Through I AM HER College Chapters, we send a powerful message to students: “You are not alone. You have the support of the entire Career Mastered Network. We’re here to help you navigate your career.” I AM HER College Chapters open the door to developing an influential professional network and learning from those further along in their

careers. Through group mentoring with the Founder of the Career Mastered Women’s Leadership Network, Dr. Lisa Wicker, students are encouraged to build their capacity and remove the boundaries that are holding them back. As Dr. Wicker (2021) says, “Capacity isn’t potential. Potential means you just haven’t done it yet. Capacity is the power to do it now” (p. 70). As they near the end of their college careers, she reminds young women that they have the power to shatter the limits that have been imposed on them and move in the direction of their goals. The goal of the CMWLN is to support college students and to let them know that they are not alone in their career journey. The key to career success is relationships, and our network of iconic and influential women is committed to helping college juniors and seniors establish valuable connections as they position themselves to achieve their career goals. Beyond the personal relationships Career Mastered I AM HER College Chapters foster, they also connect talented young women with corporations who want

In anticipation of the next Career Mastered I AM HER College visit, we’re looking for female founders to partner with us to establish I AM HER College Chapters on their campuses. As new chapters are launched all over the country, the Career Mastered Women’s Leadership Network is preparing to motivate and inspire students through training that helps them to develop their leadership capacity and grow in confidence as they learn to make life, work and finance decisions. You can be part of this incredible movement to support the leadership development of women at the inception of their careers. After enjoying your spring break, exercise your talent muscle by committing to initiate the I AM HER founder’s conversation with your Career Services office before the new semester begins. Now is the time to launch a Career Mastered I AM HER Chapter on your college campus. Alumni networks can also help to establish I AM HER Chapters in support of current and future students at their alma maters. Will you be part of this opportunity to impact the next generation of women leaders? Female founders are women who are committed to empowering other women, as they pursue growth for their own career journeys. If that sounds like you, contact us at 866-601-4441 or careermastered. com/contact-us for more information and additional benefits. Become a female founder today! x Selingo, J. & Sigelman, M. (2021, February 4). The crisis of unemployed graduates. Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-crisis-of-unemployed -college-graduates-11612454124 Wicker, L. (2021). Capacity: women shattering the limits – now! Archway Publishing.

Lisa Nichols helps leaders empower their teams and expand equity by creating spaces that give each person a voice. You can find her baking, drinking coffee, or enjoying healthy food when she’s not busy changing the world. Connect with her on linkedin.com/in/ lisacnichols or instagram.com/loveyourniche.

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Power Play with Lisa J. Wicker, PhD

STRETCH - 5 STEPS ON HOW TO DISCOVER THE REWARDS Don’t settle for things as they are at the moment. You can hit new heights by stretching. The key to stretching is to enjoy where you are, on the path to your future.

www.

careermastered.com

his step is where I am today. I’m stretching and getting outside of my comfort zone in several ways. And yes, I am enjoying the moment. The first stretch was to start an entrepreneurial venture, some years ago—something I always wanted to do. But I was unsure of myself, thinking that maybe I wasn’t ready. I was afraid of failure. But I decided that being “ready” was a choice and a thought, and that I would never be ready if I continued to question myself. Sometimes you must do it—and so I did. If you really want the new job that just opened in your department, step into your boss’s office and ask for it. If you really want that degree, sign up for a course at the nearest college. What’s holding you back? Change your thoughts about it! Move, and you will find the wings to help you soar like an eagle.x FIVE STEPS FOR DISCOVERING THE REWARDS OF RISK AND INNOVATION: 1. Choose one dream for which you believe you are “not ready.” 2. Make a list of what you must be or do in order to be “ready.” 3. Pick one thing on your list and make a commitment to do it or be it. Notice how you feel when you make the decision. Are you frightened or excited? Are you believing you will achieve it, or expecting to fail? 4. DO IT! 5. Track your results—whether the choice you made worked or didn’t, how you felt afterwards, and the changes that came about in your attitude or your process after you took the risk to try something different.

Internationally recognized HR executive, thought leader, author and career strategist, Dr. Lisa J. Lindsay Wicker shares contemporary relevant work life experiences and empowering principles with her clients as demonstrated in her books, The Winning Spirit, Power Play! and her award-winning release - Capacity: Women Shattering the Limits - NOW! With her dynamic approach to life and her signature style, she connects people across the world and finds her mission to be that of helping others to get the most out of their work lives and companies to create value. She is the founder/Chief Visionary of Career Mastered. Following prominent human resources careers with Fortune 50 Companies, Dr. Lisa established her Detroit, MI and Charlotte, NC firm, Linwick & Associates, LLC (LWA).

Inside Our Next Issue! www.careermastered.com info@careermastered.com

FALL 2023 ISSUE

SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER • NOVEMBER BACK TO SCHOOL » SPACE CLOSE: JUNE 30 • MATERIALS DUE: JULY 15 AVAILABLE: SEPTEMBER 1

When your job is making people healthier and happier in our communities, there’s no better feeling. And that’s why a career at Walgreens feels so good. With plenty of learning and growth, exciting challenges and talented teams, you’ll have everything you need to see your future in a whole new way.

Together, we care | jobs.walgreens.com