SHERRY ANN DIXON

POWERHOUSE GLOBAL MAGAZINE (PGMAG) INTERVIEW WITH:

SHERRY ANN DIXON (SD)

Sherry Ann Dixon is the CEO and Founder of Women on the Crossroads. She is an award-winning journalist who has interviewed some of the world most influential men and women (Dead and alive). Some of her guests include: Sir Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher (Former British Prime Minister), Dr. Maya Angelou, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross and a host of others. She is a key player in the development of the black community in the UK. and Dr. Maya Angelou)?

PGMAG: Sherry, it's a great honour to have you on today's interview

SD: Oh thank you so much. I love this magazine important lesson. Life rewards those who go out so it's an honour for me to be interviewed.

PGMAG: I salute you for your positive contribution to our community. As a global influencer, what are some of the strategies needed to enhance the development of our youths?

SD: Young people are the driving force for all nations. With good education they provide the energy, hope and leadership needed for the future. Young people can become active members of society and contribute to the development of all countries if they are included. It’s important to ensure that youth so that they can drive the development of their respective countries.

PGMAG: What are some of the lessons you learned from your interactions with world leaders (Sir Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher,

SD: Dr. Maya Angelou’s teaching was an have the means to become active participants and do it, in whatever way they choose to do so. She insisted that we should not spend our lives living in anger and regret. She wanted us to learn about life, every day, and then go out and live rather than stay in depression.

Sir Nelson Mandela taught me to never abandon hope. He said ‘the struggle is my life’ and he proved it. He also said ‘learn to how to forgive, draw a line under your past and move on’. One of the best points he made to me was too ‘bond by sharing experience’ and I believe that totally. We cannot learn if we are selfish.

Margaret Thatcher, well she taught me leadership. I did not interview her personally, but was in a group of editors who were invited to a briefing which she addressed. This quote makes me think about her leadership “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” If there are any certainties of leadership, it is that you will always have your critics – regardless of your intentions. The challenge is to carry on regardless and do your best.

Young people are the driving force for all nations. With good education they provide the energy, hope and leadership needed for the future. Young people can become active members of society and contribute to the development of all countries if they are included.

PGMAG: In one of your keynote address at the House of Lords and House of Parliament in London, you talked about "Why mentoring women is important and who is holding you back'. Please share some insights on the two topics mentioned above.

SD: My workshops are called Who’s Holding You Back? A question which we should all be asking ourselves and also providing guidance and encouragement to others, allowing ourselves to explore new ideas in confidence. It give us a chance to look more closely at ourselves, our issues, opportunities and what we want in life.

Mentoring is about becoming more self aware, taking responsibility for your life and directing your life in the direction YOU decide, rather than leaving it to chance. I believe in the art of mentoring, especially women and girls, because it’s a powerful personal development and empowerment tool. I truly believe that when the woman and girl child is mentored, that information is passed down and it is an effective way of helping people to progress. In their careers it is becoming increasingly more popular as its potential is realised. I believe it is a partnership between two people (mentor and mentee) normally sharing experiences, learning and followed by the mentee who them moves on to teach others. My role in mentoring is to help others globally to realise that they too can become mentors therefore creating a worldwide transformation network, guiding the mentee, helping to find the right direction and encouraging them to develop solutions.

PGMAG: What else could be done to support more women to become global influencers?

SD: There are an estimated 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the US and women earned 60 percent of the master’s degrees. US women-owned businesses generate $1.8 trillion a year. 40% of US businesses are women-owned. Women started 1,821 net new businesses every day last year. In the UK, from the 22,257 businesses surveyed, approximately 7205 were launched by female entrepreneurs. This sets the number of UK businesses currently owned by women at 32.37%, highlighting a remarkable shift from four years ago when just 17% of founders were female.

Clearly, the business world is no longer a ‘men's club’ and it shouldn’t be. Women entered the corporate management world in the late 80s and have continued to climb the ranks ever since. But unfortunately, the glass ceiling still exists, and women are still facing challenges that men do not when advancing their careers. I think women need to speak up about their ideas and their areas of expertise and leadership. We need to take more risks. No one becomes an influencer by playing it safe and we fall behind when it comes to risk-taking. Leave the fear of failure on the doormat! Many can push forward as confident leaders and achieve the highest ambitions and finally the need to find mentors. One of the best ways to become a great leader is by learning from others who have been there and done that. A mentor can guide a woman through her career path and might even be able to open doors that could lead to a leadership position

PGMAG: In your capacity as someone who is highly respected in the black community, what is your message for world leaders?

SD: Listen to our young people. Engage them in your communities because if they are the heads of the future. I find that they alienate the young, trying to make them follow the heads of the older people. Bring them in, teach and motivate them, and owe will build future leaders with character and strength.

PGMAG: What are the top three books that changed your life?

SD: I have so many but these three I have read recently and have made a difference to me and my teachings: YOU are a BADASS. How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life - Jen Sincero

Smarter Faster BETTER, The Transformative Power of real productivity - Charles Duhigg. He is the Author of The Power of Habit.

MINDSET, THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS, How we can learn to fulfill our potential - Carol S. Dwek, Ph.D.

Listen to our young people. Engage them in your communities because if they are the heads of the future. I find that they alienate the young, trying to make them follow the heads of the older people. Bring them in, teach and motivate them, and owe will build future leaders with character and strength.

PGMAG: What are some of the steps needed to support the boy-girl child development?

SD: Each child has their own personality and responds to experiences differently. Just like adults, children may have outgoing, shy, or even tempered natures. Every parent or caregiver should learn the child’s personality and treat the child in a positive and caring manner that agrees to their special personality. It is critical to nurturing emotional growth . By understanding each child’s personality, you can help them to succeed. There is no one size fits all when it comes to children. Albeit that it may be hard on parents who have more than one child, but finding time to learn about each individual child’s needs is the best way to cope with their growth and future success.

PGMAG: If you knew what you know now, what would you do differently?

SD: I would have studied psychology at a younger age. I would have also gone on to do my PhD, although its still possible to do so now. But in saying this, I have learnt the hard way and maybe learning hard on the way up has made me who I am today. So why change that eh?

PGMAG: What would you say to your younger self?

SD: YOU ARE ENOUGH!!

PGMAG: And finally, what is your message for women of the world?

SD: Women are still fighting for their rights, and that is so unfair. The world needs women, that much is clear. But most importantly the world needs to treat women with the same dignity and respect that it treats men. It is truly unfair that around the world, women face inequality in terms of pay, employment, and even ownership over their own bodies. Men and women should get paid equally for work of equal value and share the care work at home. But we as women have to stand up and convince our governments to be committed to taking strategic, bold action in areas of concern: Poverty, education, health, violence, power and decision making, human rights, and most of all participation in political life. Finally, we as women have to educate the men around us that it is time to change. We are the teachers and nurturers of the world, so stand up whenever possible and enable our young people who are the voice of the future.

PGMAG: Thank you for sharing your brilliance with us.

SD: Thank you for giving me a chance to speak my truth. I enjoyed answering these questions and hope that I motivate others to follow their dream.

PGMAG: Please share your links with us.

SD: e: info@sherryanndixon. com twitter: @sherryadixon instagram: sherryanndixon facebook: sherry.dixon Skype: sherrydixon54

Sherry Ann Dixon| Founder & Director | Women on the Crossroads | e: info@sherryanndixon. com | http://www. sherryanndixon.com| www. womenonthecrossroads. net | twitter: @sherryadixon | instagram: sherryanndixon | facebook: sherry.dixon | Skype: sherrydixon54