The Ziva Way Bookazine - Faces of Leadership

NO. 2 // $6.99

Faces of LEADERSHIP YOUR STORY AS A PORTAL TO PERSONAL POWER

NO. 1 // $6.99

NO IS THE START OF A NEGOTIATION 5 wys to be a confident negotiator

OUTLIERS: CHOOSING HAPPINES

CONTENTS WELCOME 04 EDITORS LETTER

STEP INTO YOUR LEADERSHIP 08 LEADING MULTIETHNIC TEAMS

12 WISDOM, WEALTH AND WINNING 15 YOU ARE YOUR OWN LEADER: HOW TO DISCIPLINE YOUR MIND

19 WHY YOU NEED TO DISCOVER YOUR TRUE IDENTITY TO BUILD AN AUTHENTIC BUSINESS.

23 3 LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP 26 LEADING CHANGE

30 LEADERSHIP AND OUR OBLIGATION TO ELEVATE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW 34 PEOPLE BEHIND LEADERSHIP

36 FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP IN A FIELD THAT PRIORITIZES ACCEPTING LESS

WWW.KINGAMNICH.COM

STEPPING INTO YOUR POWER

40 PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS 41 INTERCULTURAL LEADERSHIP 44 SHOP FAIR, LIVE FAIR 47 LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE AND AUTHENTICITY

PART 2: REFLECTION GUIDE 52

USING YOUR TALENTS TO BE THE LEADER YOU WANT TO BE

55

LET'S GET STARTED

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STEP INTO LEADERSHIP: NEW FRONTIER

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SUMMARIZING YOUR SKILLS

59

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

65

THE 4 LEVELS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

69

ACTION PRIORITY MATRIX

70

BEHIND THE SCENES

PART 3: THE ZIVA WAY

96 CONTRIBUTORS 73

BEHIND ZIVA

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EXAMPLES OUTLINE OF INDIVIDUAL SESSION

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Editor’s Letter

BY DR. KINGA MNICH

The first time I was struck by the thought that women don’t want to be in leadership was when a dear friend said that she just didn’t want to be responsible for other people.

First of all, as she was and still is a fantastic leader, you can imagine how surprised I was to hear her say this. And, I thought that this was what she wanted: having influence, being trusted by others, and being able to execute positive power; she was already creating long-lasting change in her community.

Our conversation made it clear that she didn’t want it - at least not in the traditional sense. She wanted to collaborate, build a strong community and just be herself. Being a leader took all the energy she had and didn't allow her to create the rest of the life she wanted. It was obvious, she was constantly being torn between either helping people around her or building her own life.

This stimulates the question: is it actually possible for the modern woman to have it all?

But then we have to imagine a world where we didn’t have any women in leadership… because all of us had just decided that we no longer have the energy to battle for equality in leadership positions? This, simply because it is exhausting enough to try to fit into a system that wasn’t created for women in the first place - and that is before even getting on top of the demands of actually being a leader.

So the question remains: can we have it all: the impactful career and a life that allows us to just be who we want to be?

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Well, I, for one, firmly do believe that leadership can be the path towards equality and towards having it all. And professionally, I believe that entrepreneurship is the path to creating longlasting change for women.

This might be confusing at first. How can leadership be the answer if it is so difficult for women to step into it?

Leadership is not autocratic white men sitting behind their big executive chairs (although many of those men would like you to believe it is!).

Leadership also doesn’t mean that you need to know it all. On the contrary, leadership is about creating a space in which others can become their best selves. It is about inspiring, creating a bigger vision and understanding that just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to create a leader

So the answer is simply that it is not just the system that we need to change in order to create better opportunities for women in leadership, but we also have to unite women across the globe to take those opportunities and turn them into something positive. Women have to be encouraged to either step into leadership positions or to create their own businesses - that is the way we will engender positive change.

And that is why this issue of the Ziva Way Bookazine is all about leadership and how it applies to each of us.

I am delighted to present to you some very inspiring leaders from around the world who will share with you their knowledge and insight on how to be a leader yourself. Enjoy!

Kinga Mnich

DR. KINGA MNICH EDITOR IN CHIEF

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 05

IT IS NEVER TO LATE TO BE IMPACTFUL. FIND THE POWER TO TRUST YOUR SELF

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.KINGAMNICH.COM

1 PART ONE

At times we feel alone, misunderstood, and lack the inspiration to continue on our path.

DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET FILLED WITH ABUNDANCE & POSITIVITY

Leading

By Kristy Cooper

My first time leading a diverse team was as a 14year-old counselor at a week-long 4-H summer camp. I was assigned to a group of eager, snottynosed, and bright-eyed kids. We competed against other teams (called “tribes”) in sporting events like archery, nighttime campfire songs, and talent shows. Although I’d been a big sister, I wasn’t accustomed to wrangling tons of children that I didn’t know from various cultures. As you can imagine, my tribe didn’t win the first year. If memory serves me correctly, we placed very low.

However, my second year came with redemption.

My new tribe dominated in every competition. It wasn’t because they were better performers than the children from the year before, nor could it be totally attributed to pre-planning on my part. I was beginning to understand the power of encouragement (“You got this!”), the value of identifying the individual talents of each tribe member (loud kids rock), and the innovation that results from working with people from different places.

Six years later, I would be leading another diverse team as a residential advisor (RA) in Slusher Tower at Virginia Polytechnic and State University (VA Tech). This twelve-floor all-girl dorm in a coed school was the tallest building on campus. Many of my days were filled with celebrating the residents’ good news, being a shoulder to cry on when the opposite occurred,

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and meetings with other RAs stationed in my building.

On any given day you could hear alternative rock blasting from dorm rooms, Black sorority sisters rehearsing step routines, classical violin practice down the hall, Friends or Martin on the tv sets, and barking, yes - barking by Ginger, a seeing-eye dog who made her own rules. It was truly an amalgamation of personalities and cultures.

As the only Black RA in the building, my first attempt at hosting a cultural event was taking a busload of residents to watch “Higher Learner," the late John Singleton’s film that explored racial tensions on a fictional university campus. I didn’t have the DEI training in 1995 to fully explain the film to those who’d never seen anything like it, but I understood the event itself was important for cultural empathy.

I created other opportunities to foster a unified dynamic from Salsa parties to country line dancing - anything that would expose residents to what their neighbors enjoyed.

These pivotal growth moments, twenty + years in media, and spending quality time with my friends from around the planet have helped me to develop a simple SOP for managing multicultural teams.

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What’s most important to me is celebrating the differences, creating a consensus within the group, and building a team identity.

CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCES For several years I managed the creative services department at The Pentagon Channel, the network for U.S military stationed overseas. I jokingly titled my team “the U.N.,” because it was populated with creatives from around the world. To describe a few of the members there was the dynamic NigerianCanadian neo-soul singing live graphics operator, the chic globetrotting Frenchtrained Lebanese-born motion graphic pro, a motorcycle-riding, airplane piloting, scuba diving African-American video editor who shared the most amazing stories about her Tuskegee Airman father, and last but not least art schooled branding and logo expert who doubled as an extremely creative baker.

Her family was from Israel. The team literally learned about each other’s cultures by osmosis working daily in a small shop.

I led this unit like a family because that’s who they became to me. I made sure we acknowledged Jewish holidays, exchanged Christmas gifts and said “Ramadan Mubarak” before a fast. It seemed like such a simple thing to do, but it was creating understanding. Stereotypes were discredited and life-long friendships formed. In fact, over time they helped each other on projects without being asked, deadlines were never missed, and the group was overall extremely productive.

CREATE CONSENSUS

BUILD A TEAM IDENTITY

While working on the ESPN show SportsCenter it was a requirement to brainstorm and volunteer during daily show meetings to get multiple points of view. I adopted that style as an incoming director of a 50-year-old PBS/NPR station in California. I inherited a diverse crew, not just in ethnicity, but also in age. Some had worked there for many years, others just a few, and a large percentage were still in college. The challenge was that many of the staff were part-time or freelance when the shows called for a full-time presence. I found that with so many varying itineraries, lifestyles, and goals it was best to create a group consensus for production.

Speaking of building, with any team, I believe it’s necessary for a leader to build its identity.

I think this is especially important if your group is diverse. What is your team known for? What are the unit’s rituals? How will the meetings be? What’s everyone’s role? Those were some of the questions I meditated on as I prepared to head the Special Projects unit for The Black News Channel. I was assigned a small but talented team to produce projects that were more in-depth than “day of” news coverage. The three producers were from the northeast, south, and western parts of the U.S. with varying opinions to match. We were tasked with developing business, health, entertainment, tech, and lifestyle content. There was a similar setup when I was a producer for CNN’s Special Projects unit where we had clear objectives with divided tasks. From the very beginning, I shared with my BNC Special Projects staff expectations for the unit, for them as individuals, and for the entire network. With all of us working for an everchanging new broadcast outlet, I advised my team that we would be known as “super organized.” I also encouraged them to support each other’s “little wins” (we had the best celebratory working brunch meetings) and make those successes known company-wide. I’d learned that a good narrative became gospel, especially in emerging environments.

I met individually with the crew to understand their talents, ambitions, and schedules. Then held weekly meetings where team members had the opportunity to volunteer for assignments, share ideas, and be briefed on what was next. Everyone had an opportunity to contribute.

It was very interesting to see my PBS crew take full ownership of whatever task they were assigned to and work additional hours without coercion. The meetings became a time to celebrate show “wraps,” birthdays, anniversaries, and any other excuse I could make to treat them for lunch.

I’d read much about a top-down management style, but I learned that listening to everyone’s point of view could be more fulfilling to the individuals and the overall success of the network. It was team-building at its finest.

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Ironically, as word spread about their abilities, executives from shows regularly asked if my team could assist theirs. Our identity (to a fault almost) became dependable and overachieving.

But we had fun, too. You should have seen our dolled-up sequins and suits holiday card.

As I combed through my career to think of best practices of leading teams that didn’t look like one another, sound like another, or worship like one another there was one constant truth: respect and integrity were never overrated. Until writing this I’ve never detailed what it has taken to get “kids to play in the sandbox” and to be frank, I’ve underestimated myself. Diversity helped me to evolve and designed my leadership style. To me being a solid leader, no matter who’s in your group requires humility and the desire to see your people succeed. That is the biggest lesson of all.

Kristy is a six-time Emmy award-winning showrunner/ executive producer who has worked for CNN, ESPN, BNC, PBS, Department of Defense, Oak Hill Strategies and production companies. @kristysamone https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristysjcooper/

EMPOWERMENT

WISDOM, WEALTH AND WINNING

By Deidre A. Jefferies

As a young woman, I set out with the singular purpose of achieving wealth. This may not be a popular sentiment among women entrepreneurs, but in my case, I felt the weight of my family’s ability to prosper laying squarely on my shoulders. How could I insulate my family from devastating financial losses? How could I generate enough money to shelter and protect us from any future hardship? I was determined to find a way.

I worked for fifteen years, successfully building other people’s businesses, making them wealthy and providing fortune and security for their loved ones. I learned a great deal about people and business and what is required to allow both to thrive. The two were not easily integrated among the CEOs I had worked for. Meanwhile, my time was spent mostly away from the people I love and cherish. I finally made the conscious decision that I would not expend my energy, resourcefulness, and ideas to secure an already thriving corporation’s future. The experience I acquired in my positions has allowed me to navigate the management of an organization with a good deal of confidence in my abilities.

WEALTH Today, I am a Creative and an Entrepreneur. I am the founder and Creative Director of the award-winning luxury womenswear brand, ESPION Atelier. A hallmark of ESPION is enduring excellence with a clear visual definition of the brand’s aesthetic DNA. I’ve worked to apply this to everything I do in my public life and privately. Fashion has always been my focus, and wealth has always been my intention. Wealth was my intention because having the resources to help others was my goal. Consecutive, consistent, action had to be taken to achieve the desired goal. Daily efforts, no matter how small or insignificant, are building blocks that make up a thriving business. Again, wealth remained my motivation.

Working on becoming wealthy can be a lonely undertaking, but it is never a lone victory. It requires long hours and a lot of alone time. The work-life balance is easily kicked off-kilter.

Many factors contribute to your success including encouragement from friends and support from family.

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Sometimes slow and steady wins the race and sometimes, you must run the race with whatever you have left in you. Be patient with yourself. Show yourself some grace, for you are always becoming a better version of yourself each day. The good part is that when you win, your victory benefits everyone connected to you, your communities and your causes.

LEADERSHIP Justice was a foundational characteristic born into me. At a very young age, I could never be silent in any instance where someone was being excluded, mistreated or abused. I spoke up many times, even if it meant creating a negative circumstance for myself to help save someone else the hardship.

Leadership is measured most purely by the people who became better, stronger, and more capable due to the wisdom imparted to each of them. Speaking to young people has been the most rewarding perk of my design career. Because of my visibility, I have been able to affect change in their perspective, their perception of themselves and a little more clarity around what the next steps are toward the life they can now envision.

Every morning we wake, yesterday becomes part of our history. We have an opportunity to create something meaningful and enduring to look back on and look forward to at the same time. Consider that the now is where your life, history, and impact on others are created.

The time is always now to be mindful of what you’re creating. Are your words and actions uplifting, encouraging or helping someone, have you offered someone a smile or a compliment today. The smallest behaviors can have a huge impact on your life and the lives of others you encounter. Let your legacy be one of justice, equity, happiness and love.

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FAITH Faith is not easy. Procrastination, delays, setbacks, closed doors and what seems like insurmountable barriers have presented themselves throughout my entire life, especially during my design career. Faith, courage and wisdom are what has carried me through many of these uncertain waiting periods. In some instances, there was no movement at all. While waiting for the green light, I found that there is so much power in the delays. I had to teach myself to trust that everything will work out just as it should.

For example, The Washington Post’s “Fashion Washington” named me Designer of the Year after I released my very first collection in New York. The recent brand partnerships with ESSENCE, Land’s End and Chase Bank were another example of great things happening for you. Friends have notified me of magazines I didn’t know I was featured in. I was selected to provide costume design for the OWN Network, Tyler Perry Studios and Good Morning America.

EMPOWERMENT

I’ve received calls from complete strangers presenting me with opportunities for my brand. I received a call to send my collection to the young star of Euphoria, Zendaya Coleman, she wore our unicorn embroidered cape coat all over New York and Los Angeles.

I could not have done this on my own. These wonderful surprises have filled me with gratitude, each time they happen.

Remind yourself of what you’ve been able to overcome, all the times you felt like you weren’t going to make it through; you proved yourself wrong. You’re far more powerful than you think. There is a quote by Marianne Williamson that has become a constant prayer for me; it says, “Use me dear God that I might know the joy of being used by you”.

This prayer has brought me so many, amazing happy blessings, great successes and so many opportunities to get in front of people and pour into them the way God has poured into me. I now realize a great deal of personal power and personal peace by doing what I love and doing what God loves and these things have fully aligned.

Deidre is an American luxury womenswear Designer and CEO of her ESPION Atelier brand. Jefferies delivers speeches and talks on the business of fashion, fashion technology, textiles, entrepreneurship, branding, corporate culture and wealth to Universities and Corporations. https://www.espionatelier.com/ @espionatelier

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 13

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espionatelier.com/

LEADERSHIP

YOU ARE YOUR OWN LEADER: HOW TO DISCIPLINE YOUR MIND By: Liudmila Schafer, MD There are a number of different types of leadership and one is your own that is inside of you. You are the one who determines what is the best for you although you meet people who tell you that they know what the best for you. If you discipline your mind, although you never be able to reconvince them, you will accept your position and work toward your goals.

When I was about to move to the United States after graduating from medical school, a physician colleague told me, “Liudmila, if you are moving and assume you will be at the top, it will be difficult and disappointing for you. Keep your eyes on the stars but start small and work your way up.” That’s exactly what I did. Even though I had little support from my family, I was an oncologist at heart. While they still do not accept my decision to live in the United States, I am free, happy, and have created my life and profession. I created a leader inside of me and do what at heart I was called to do, and it’s been a divine blessing to be able now to assist others.

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Physicians and healthcare entrepreneurs already have so much on their plates and are unhappy about giving up their credentials for business and they simply don’t have time to make changes themselves. As a gastrointestinal oncologist and Teacher-Scholar, associate professor of medicine, principal investigator, who serves on regional and national committees, and a founder of The Doctor Connect movement, at some point, I personally have let my clinical, teaching, and research work overrun my life. Since I’ve been able to find my path and maintain my passion for the last 3 decades, I consider it my responsibility to provide my strategies and guidance to other physicians and healthcare entrepreneurs so that they can learn how to utilize their credentials and expertise and run a business in a way that allows them to create a legacy, have a lasting impact, and offers them more free time.

Over the years, I learned about different types of leadership. Moving to a new country, I met mentors and I was guided by their best skills and advice as well as by the people around me. Early on, I discovered that you don’t have to have just one mentor; you may have many, some may be non-financial sponsors, who offer guidance, encouragement, and wise advice.

There are mentors in the personal life, professional life, and physical, as well as there are also coaches to help with your workout, diet, and a range of other hobbies. You are the one who knows which one you need now.

As a foreign graduate, you must pass all medical examinations in the United States, just like all Americans who are native English speakers. In the late evenings after work, I prepared for the medical license exams. I confess that I would frequently fall asleep in my chair — and even almost fell off a couple of times — because I was exhausted from working, caring for my child, and studying on top of daily chores. I’ve always wanted to contribute to other people’s lives, to share ideas, and knowledge, and provide the greatest education possible for my son.

Many people have asked me if I have an influential mentor. No, I don’t, not as a single individual. I developed and have many mentors with the best skills, and I had to expand the scope of the definition of the mentor. I just had a strong ambition and dedication to finding myself in life. Growing up without computers, with a limited number of books and resources, and then moving to a location with many books, resources, and modern technology was a stimulant for self-development. I’ve always imagined that having a tool to help me perform my best work would make me happy. Being a minority, I didn’t have a large community, so I relied on the professionals and leaders in the field around me. I began seeking out mentors, but finding one is another challenge for minorities. Based on the leaders in the field, I created my own “wishful mentor.” I was looking up to my coworkers, reading leadership books, being inspired by actual individuals in the media, and doing my best in life. Early on, I understood that there is no such thing as a single mentor. The school was my mentor, and I had a mentor in medicine and in leadership.

When I first got here, I was already a board-certified physician, but I had to retake my medical residency and a medical oncology fellowship in the United States. I’ve had an “old school” training. When we were house officers, we worked at the hospital as trainees for 30–35 hours, followed by 12 hours for several days and again, and we rotated like that for several years, studying medicine, and taking care of patients. There was very little time for our families.

Have you ever been offered an opportunity so appealing that you couldn’t turn it down even though you didn’t have a clear path to achieve it?

I was invited to a conference in the United States, and through translation, I discovered new medical advances, and I really wanted to speak English, so I could learn everything myself. I was not interested in clothing, cars, homes, cosmetics, or anything else; all I was interested in was new scientific knowledge and learning the English language. After I came home, I was still very motivated to continue my English studies and I was fortunate to stay connected and study more about the United States Medical License Exam (USMLE). I felt that my life was gaining meaning and saw an opportunity, so I took the risk and went to the United States.

As a minority, I’ve never belonged to a tribe. Then I discovered my tribe inside a tribe. I’ve realized that mentors, coaches, and friends should not be picked based on their ethnicity or place of origin; rather, they should be chosen based on personality, comparable views, and mutual interests. Decades of friendship and contact confirmed my argument.

“Opportunity favors the prepared mind” — Louis Pasteur. I believe that our mental and physical preparation activates our brain and makes the delivery of the information or activities stronger. If we concisely prepare what we share with the person or the world, it helps the listener understand and better results are achieved more easily. This is how we discover new opportunities.

I strive to find methods for putting an end to “labeling” and promoting equality through The Doctor Connect movement. We often focus on individuals we like, but now that we live in the internet age and we are all linked. People who had never spoken in a public arena before are suddenly sharing their stories. Today, you see leaders who are appointed and nominated only on the basis of their degree, but who have no idea how to lead. So, it’s important to allow individuals to speak freely and allow leaders to show up.

“Opportunity favors the prepared mind.” — Louis Pasteur 16 I MAY-AUGUST 2022

Certain experiences are associated with specific sensations in our brain. I often say that we have to lose what we have. When you hear that, you might say “What?! Lose? I am here to illuminate and to win!”

What I mean is, you have to lose your sadness so you can gain happiness. Get rid of anything that is preventing you from attaining new goals. Consider what you can give up right now and let go. This way your free up space to receive all of the things that would make your life more enjoyable. Mind discipline is key.

Navigating healthcare as a woman in oncology in the face of male dominance has been a problem for many decades. Why establish a more difficult and frequent work schedule for women? And there are justifications for why women might not carry out a specific study, education, degree, or experience.

That’s why I work with young medical trainees now and advocate for the improvement of education, so I can support them during this difficult stage. As a female physician, and a minority, I understand how important it is to help young medical trainees advance now and find leaders within themselves.

The expression “knowledge is power” is frequently ascribed to Francis Bacon, who wrote it in 1597 in his Meditationes Sacrae. I’ve always believed in knowledge since I was young and now share this with medical trainees and healthcare professionals in my talks.

Women continue to face prejudice in the advancement of their careers in medicine, and relatively few women, especially minorities, hold positions of leadership. Covering up an issue does not mean that it does not exist.

Let's start with the exercise of you as your own leader.

Can you think of an independent decision that you’ve made which made a difference in you? When you make decisions and plan, you have to realize that what you find at the end of the road is not always exactly what you hoped for. t’s still worth it to explore because although I didn’t find them at the house, this experience helped me to have faith in my ability to make decisions and established a foundation for my choices in life.

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IIf you are facing obstacles or an unexpected situation, think about what you can learn from it. What I learned is to be independent and to be able to make decisions.

Most of our life experiences (whether positive or negative) are not the result of one big decision. Instead, they are usually the accumulation of many small decisions.

Write down three large decisions you have made in your life.

Inside each of these big decisions were many small decisions. It is like a big box built with small bricks inside. Many big decisions are made up of small ones.

Also, once the big decision is made, then you have to make small decisions to carry it out. You have to decide how you will resign from your previous job,

how you will commute to your new one, what your new schedule will be, etc.

If you change the pattern of the little decisions, you can alter the shape of the major plan. Now, take those big decisions you wrote. What were some smaller decisions that went into (whether before or after) each of them? Think about some of the other small decisions in your life. What were some small choices (or at least, you thought they were small at the time) that ended up having a big impact on your life?

When you do something extraordinary, it helps to unleash you from your standards. It helps your mind to refocus. Making a decision and acting on it quickly unleashes you from the fear, so you can move toward accomplishing goals and become a leader.

Dr. Liudmila Schafer is a board-certified medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers.

Founder of The Doctor Connect consulting, advocating for physicians and healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based medical information to the masses and create a community where people feel confident advocating for themselves and their health. https://www.linkedin.com/in/liudmila-schafer-md-facp-861962193/ @dr_liudmilas

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MAY-AUG 2022

Why you need to discover your true identity to build an authentic business.

by Chengetai Chikadaya I had to discover my true identity to build an authentic business.

Hi, my name is Chengetai, and I am a multi-passionate Brand Writer.

Imagine laying face up on a plush couch in your beautiful corner office. Your heart is racing, and you’re struggling to breathe. You hear a knock - the friendly woman who cleans your office peeps in. “Is anything wrong?” she asks.

Robotically, you smile and whisper, “I’m fine, thank you,” knowing full well that ‘everything was wrong’.

The woman on the coach was me a few years ago. I was chasing myself up the career ladder - Executive Director of a regional, Non-Profit Organization, attending national conferences, and smiling through my red lipstick. I was overworked and underpaid, but my signature finally meant something. My office was located at a prestigious university where I was finalizing my PhD proposal; ironically, my research was about finding a voice within marginalized spaces.

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 19

But, it was after leaving a PhD group meeting abruptly that I found myself on this couch having a panic attack.

My racing heart and sweaty palms were all indicating something I couldn’t hide any longer - I had lost my voice.

Some people call it a mid-career crisis, and others call it imposter syndrome. I believe I was having a career identity crisis. I didn’t feel stuck in my career, but combining the heavy, dutiful work of Development and the sterile, intellectual work of Academia - I was weighed down by ideas and beliefs that were not mine and not serving me any longer. I had never over-identified with any kind of group, and I didn’t realize how much labels were impacting me. Identity markers of - Black, Woman, African, Intellectual, mixed in with the virtuosity of unpaid emotional labour.

So many times, I found I was unable to be honest with myself.

I felt and thought so many things that contradicted the space and was unable to express this. I was not connecting with my authentic self the essence of my being at the core level, so my body responded.

Two years later, I am a multipassionate Brand Writer. Amongst other things, I offer Brand Strategy & Messaging for business owners looking to get clarity, scale, uncover their brand story and shape how that story is told.

On my journey to self-discovery, I embraced three fundamental, lifechanging truths: I don’t need to find myself; I simply need to evolve into who I am, starting by letting go of my identity facade Behaviour is fluid, and my true self is somewhere between my imagined self and outside my comfort zone Who I am is a set of narratives that I can choose to rewrite, replay or re-imagine at any time content and coaching clients.

I started having conversations with like-minded women and honoured my multiple passions while rediscovering my marketable skills writing & coaching. I believe these were the first steps to discovering my true identity within my work.

Next, I did everything my identity markers would probably cringe at; this Black, African, Intellectual, Woman, quit her job, quit her PhD, got married and started a business with her gorgeous husband.

Together, we have built an enterprise that reflects our family’s true values, a multi-service company called Concept Afrika. We work with businesses, foundations and academics across the world developing content and coaching clients.

One of our core values is rusununguko, meaning freedom because I believe that I am finally free.

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 20

MAY-AUG 2022

I LISTEN, I WRITE, I BECOME. CHENGETAI CHIKADAYA

Chengetai Chikadaya is a multi-passionate Brand Writer & founder of Concept Afrika is a communications consultancy that’s in the business of content development that empowers. https://conceptafrika.com/ linkedin.com/in/chengetaichikadaya/

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IF YOU'RE

Too Comfortable, IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.

Terrified OF WHAT'S NEXT? YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. -Susan Fales Hill

LEADERSHIP

3 LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

By Rachel Dorsey

Leaders come in all stripes, some are great. Some leave us traumatized. All of them give us an opportunity for learning, reflection, and growth.

Over the course of my working life, I’ve followed the leader, I’ve developed leaders, and I’ve been the leader.

I’ve consulted for billionaire leaders, I’ve brought in millions as the leader of my own company, and I’ve supported small-scale entrepreneurs lead towards their very first sale. I’ve led my family, I’ve led my teams and I’ve led my community. It’s safe to say that I’ve learned a lot about leadership - most of it the hard way.

Over the course of one working life, we’ll encounter all types of leaders - we’ll work under good leaders, bad leaders, and ineffective leaders. We may work under toxic leaders - hopefully, we’ll also work under inspirational leaders. We’ll probably work under leaders who motivate by fear, leaders who inspire from the front, leaders who micromanage over your shoulder, and leaders who release control entirely.

We talk a lot about leadership, but leadership isn’t one size fits all, and leadership isn’t something you can learn from a textbook - it has to be experienced, it has to be felt, we have to make mistakes and learn from them so we can grow into effective leaders.

I’ve been every type of leader. I’ve followed the wrong example, and tried on leadership styles that fit me poorly I’m STILL learning to be a good leader - a good leader is always learning. If you’ve found yourself in a position of leadership, if you were born to lead but haven’t settled into the responsibility, if you know that even the best leaders are always learning and growing, these lessons are for you.

LESSON 1: Put people first People do the work. People make the decisions. People buy your products or services and - good or bad - people tell their friends about their experience.

If you’re in business, you’re in the business of people - so put people first.

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Treat people as individuals - that’s what they are.

Understand their unique strengths and put them in positions accordingly. Your team members want to do good work. They want to succeed. They want to excel.

Take the time to understand what roles they are best suited for, then go a step further. Where do they see themselves next year? In five years? What do they want to do next? What do you see for them? Give your people opportunities to stretch, and be there for them as they grow. Celebrate their milestones. Appreciate failure for the lessons that come from having tried.

When you lead people towards growth, you benefit from their expanded skill set, and they feel invested. Don’t be scared of losing them. You’ll lose them if you hold them back. If we don’t have positions for our team to grow into, then we should want them to outgrow us.

Go a step further and understand what motivates your employees, teammates, and partners - then craft your leadership approach to offer that they need. You cannot motivate two different people in the very same way. Do they want to praise? Time and connection? Opportunities to shine? Clear boundaries between work and home life?

What do they need to feel valued? What can you give them to keep them motivated?

Also - (read this one twice) pay people fairly and equitably across the board. If you aren’t in charge of the finances, make sure that you advocate for your people. If you learn of pay inequity, speak up.

LEADERSHIP

MAY-AUG 2022

LESSON 2: Bring your team on the journey I had an employee once who clapped out a beat - she asked me what song she was clapping - of course, I had no idea “That’s right” she said, “because you don’t live in my head, and I don’t live in yours.”

As a leader, it’s our job to set goals - to have a vision and lead your team towards it. But what happens when the leader isn’t articulating where the team is going? Well, then our brains go into default self-preservation mode and we start to worry that our leader is leading us right off a cliff.

A good leader communicates early and often, articulating goals, pointing out milestones, calling out good moves, and course correcting. If we’re clapping the beat, but we haven’t shared the melody, our team is lost. Once our team is lost, it’s really hard to get them back.

Set up a time to connect with the people you lead. Check on them - be a human. Ask about their families, ask about their vacations, and ask about their lives. Get to know them for real. Refer back to LESSON 1. Our people are our most precious asset. Make yourself available. Be transparent about your plans and intentions. When you make a mistake, own it.

Share successes. Share failures. Share learning lessons and invite your team to do the same without fear of repercussion. Can you cultivate a culture of curiosity? Can you foster a culture of transparency?

LESSON 3: Be Self Aware.

As a leader, you will make mistakes. They may be highly visible. They may have a serious impact. Can you acknowledge your mistakes without blaming your team?

Can you learn from your mistakes and share those learnings as a case study so your team might avoid the quicksand you stepped in?

We don’t leave our baggage at the door, and to think that we do is setting us up for problems. What baggage are you carrying into your workday? The way we show up is affected by the way we feel. Take the time to consider your baggage before you give feedback before you join a call before you pitch a concept. Can you set the baggage down? Can you set down the stressors for an hour from now so you can be effective in this moment? It’s hard to do, but it’s critically important.

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Understand how other people see you - understand your mannerisms, take note of your tone and your expression, and pay attention to your body language. People pick up subtle cues. Be aware of yours.

Ask for feedback. Just because you’re in charge doesn’t mean you are perfect. I ask my employees and clients regularly “Is there anything you need from me that you aren’t getting” and “Is there anything about the way I’m communicating that isn’t working for you?” This opens the door for feedback, acknowledgment or repair, and course correction.

Build-in time to reflect and set intentions - it can be weekly, monthly, or quarterly - what matters most is that you follow through.

Leadership is dance.

Be willing to try on different styles. Be willing to make mistakes. Be willing to ask for help when you need it.

@rachelblairdorsey

Leadership is a hard skill and a soft skill - some people are born leaders, others are made. No one is a perfect leader.

Can we let go of the bravado and show up as a human with those we lead? Can we put our people first? Can we bring our team on the journey? Can we cultivate self-awareness?

Can we learn from the experiences we had and be better leaders than the ones who left us with trauma and as good as the ones we still admire?

CONSIDER: Who is the best leader that you know personally?

What are the qualities that make them good?

What qualities do you share?

What small adjustments could they make to be even better?

What small adjustments can you make to try on those qualities?

Rachel is the founder of Bone + Gold, a fullservice, high polish commercial production company. Her team produces content for some of the largest and most influential brands in the world. She takes everything she learned to build her business and puts it to play as a coach and mentor for women who are starting and scaling businesses. www.goinglegit.co www.boneandgold.com THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 25

MAY-AUG 2022

LEADING CHANGE “Women need a seat at the table. And in some cases, where there isn't one available, we have to create our own table”.

-Meghan Markel, Duchess of Sussex

By Susanne Puerschel

For most parts of my life, I copied masculine energy when I was put into a leadership position.

In my own career as a professional ballerina, in corporate America, or even in my family life, I applied characteristics like dominance, assertiveness, competitiveness, and authoritativeness with no room for learning, compassion, or nurturing. I wasn’t really a leader, more like an “I’ll tell you what to do-er”.

I copied what I had seen from my mother, my teachers, and my female corporate leaders' sample.

And I was exhausted, consistently. Fully out of alignment with who I was, who I wanted to be, and whom I was becoming.

The doubt in my own leadership ability was eating every little bit of skill I had acquired and I started manipulating my behaviors by reacting poorly and by letting ego-based actions run my day-to-day.

The day I was lying on the bathroom floor at my corporate job, unable to move anymore because the dis-alignment had made my body so sick, I also had a liberation.

Stop being someone that is trying to fit in and start leading with what I know intuitively is right.

Society often refers to leadership in the corporate settings, only.

“Inspiring teams” and “leading the company to success” are often used phrases.

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But we need to consider that leadership starts within us, first. We all are the leaders of our own lives and that means all of us can and should be interested in what it means to be a great leader. Because our behaviors impact others around us.

Denying yourself your own needs as a leader is a common mistake many still believe in. If you are not at your best you won’t be able to harness and inspire the best in other people. Being hyper-aware of your own needs will enable you to be aware of what others need.

I personally denied myself adapting to this thinking and living because it felt extremely selfish. Until the day I stepped into a room filled with 500 other women.

Learning that we all are seeking permission to be our own leaders and defining what leadership means to us, as women, was the beginning for giving myself permission to courageously step into what I knew my soul wants me to do.

Leadership is defined to be about emotional intelligence, awareness, critical thinking, prioritizing selfdevelopment, innovation, strategic thinking, clarity, action, development of others, communication skills, and radical candor.

And where all of this is very accurate I also want to encourage you that these definitions are other people’s definitions of leadership.

I’d love you to explore whom you want to be as a leader in your own life, as a mother, as a wife, and as a business owner.

“Leadership is a process, and it requires commitment” -Simon Sinek As a former professional ballerina, allowing the process to be the reward is a daily challenge for me. It was imprinted into me that only results count as evidence of my personal leadership abilities, not the creation of an environment that allows ideas and results to happen.

For about a year now I have been working and leading myself into believing that I can lead change within the performing arts.

I have danced on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and learned very fast that the lack of many leadership principles is one of the main reasons why so many performing arts organizations struggle all around.

R.I.S.E. Media was born out of my love for the performing arts industry. An industry that has yet to discover its potential, its power, and its impact.

For centuries, the arts have been seen as something “nice” to have within our societies, treated more like a hobby, not a business.

Which leads to the perpetuation of old habits and thinking.

When the impact of the pandemic crystalized within the industry, change management leaders were and are required and not many have the courage, yet, to step into this position.

We have treated the arts as this fragile, money chasing institution and, over time, it became just that.

Fearful to learn and to develop, evolve, think, strategize and speak up. An environment where people have to ‘fit in” was created. An environment that encourages and rewards Followers on every possible level, not Leaders.

And even though I always knew that I am capable of leading people into and through change, I, too, had become a Follower of systems that, I thought, could not be changed. Until that pivotable moment on the bathroom floor.

To become a leader of your own life and with that give others the permission to do the very same we have to start with asking a lot of questions.

Stop leaning on what has been and start questioning if that is still the truth.

Be willing to be wrong and make mistakes.

Have a vision and know what you want. As a quick note here… knowing what you want often starts with knowing what you don’t want.

Start listening more, to others and yourself.

Communicate often and clearly.

Commit to being a lifelong learner and practice it every day.

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 27

Susanne Puerschel is the Founder and CEO of R.I.S.E. Media- a worldwide community that leads the performing arts industry into financial independency, podcast host, former international ballerina, and mother of three boys.

R.I.S.E. Media’s mission is to build the long wanted and needed bridge between performing arts, leadership, business, and technology.

Leading an industry into change requires every single participant.

It requires courage.

Courage to leave the tables we have found very comfortable seats at.

Courage to make our own tables that permit us to ask questions, to be wrong, to make mistakes, to learn, to create, and to be far from perfect. https://risemedia.group/

@susannepuerschel

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YOUR POWER IS SACRED

MAY-AUG 2022

LEADERSHIP AND OUR OBLIGATION TO ELEVATE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW Deborah A. Coviello

T

heir eyes were sad, their head was heavy, and leaning on their hand as their shoulders rolled forward. I was taken aback by this moment and with determination, we spent the rest of our time together reuniting them with their confidence.

Once we are separated from a strong sense of self, it can quickly feel like we are alone in a sea of radiant, confident people, but, rarely is that the case.

Unfortunately, it is incredibly common not to feel heard, seen, or respectedespecially without a strong support system.

The causes for losing one's confidence are numerous, but I believe there is one narrative that can explain much of this loss. As children, we climb, jump and run without fear. We tell stories of far-off lands and joyfully craft whole worlds within our imagination. Then, as we enter society and the systems seek to mold us into an approved form, we lose our creativity and confidence along the way. Those who survive the conformity of society and continue to live vibrantly are commonly called out for being different. I’m sad to say that we continue to lose talented individuals through this process, leaving shells of unfulfilled humans moving transactionally through life.

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“I CAN STILL SEE MY MENTEE SITTING IN FRONT OF ME SAYING, “IF I COULD ONLY GAIN BACK MY CONFIDENCE, I COULD GET THE JOB DONE.”

While some individuals will appear successful and be praised for delivering results, these rock stars often lose their confidence too. This happens time and time again when the leadership, or strategy of companies change. What worked before no longer works, and the previously thriving individual watches as their once impactful work falls to the waste side. This pattern is extremely frustrating, however, I want you to know that you have the power to change your situation.

Although she hadn’t realized it, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz had had the power of her ruby slippers to take her home all along. Likewise, we all have the ability to change our situation and rebuild our confidence.

In the instance of my mentee, after working within the system to get back on top, they learned their leadership team valued control more than creativity. After 6 months of working together, my mentee had the confidence to realize that they had more to offer than their current company was interested in exploring.

They took control of their situation and confidently entered new pursuits, leading to a flourishing and more fulfilling future.

My mentee is one story of many who have reclaimed their confidence and won out over the status quo.

However, there are so many stories waiting to unfold. It is my passion to help aspiring leaders find their voice and achieve their true potential.

Below are actions I believe will lead guide you to find the version of yourself who may have gotten lost along the way.

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Key Actions for Reclaiming Your Confidence: Know your strength, passion, and why you are valued.

Acknowledge limiting beliefs, and learn to release those narratives from your mind.

Seek to understand other people for their strengths & passions.

Keep people informed about your work and engage stakeholders for support.

Learn how to message your ideas vs. sharing informationthere is a difference.

Continually seek feedback - it creates positive and actionable conversations.

Seek out advocates and mentors to help pull you along. Don’t do it alone.

Pause & reflect - evaluate the impact of your actions and what you can change.

These actions are simple but work best when paired with an external guide to encourage you on your journey to greatness and confidence.

The next step is up to you.

What you need is a guide to help you find the mindset, beliefs, values, and skills that you need to grow. Do you have a mentor, a community leader, or an old friend who will be straight with you? Once you have located someone who fits this description, you will be unstoppable.

On the other hand, are you reading this article and recognizing yourself as the character who is already confident and thriving in a leadership role?

We as a community need to recognize those with potential for greatness and seek to elevate them and grow their impact. We need to be giving back to the next generation of leaders. Our life’s work is not based purely on our accomplishments, but on the legacy, we leave behind. Becoming a mentor has the possibility to impact your legacy in incredible ways. I encourage you to reach out into the vast pool of talent in your field and lift them. A single act of kindness can help them to develop their leadership and change the trajectory of their life. The hope is that they will see your investment in them and pay it forward. It is hard to know what ripple effects one mentee could leave on future generations. If you have yet to engage with future leaders, the time is now.

’I'd love to hear your thoughts on this article and work with you to enhance our community.

Feel free to reach out to me at deborah@coviellocm.com to continue the conversation.

Deb Coviello is an advisor, author, podcast host, and Founder of Illumination Partners.

She is a trusted partner to C-Suite Leaders. https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahacoviello/ https://dropinceo.com/

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 32

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

TRADITIONAL & PURPOSEFUL Traditional Leadership

Purposeful Leadership team oriented inclusive

emotionally Intelligent visionary

good listener empathic

confident

empowering

purposeful

clear goals

MAY-AUG 2022

PEOPLE BEHIND LEADERSHIP “Leadership is not about power. It's about a willingness to sacrifice.

Once you're a leader, your life is not about yourself. Your life is about everything and everybody around you.” - Sadhguru

By Kim Normand Dobrin

I have been blessed to stand witness to numerous examples of exemplary leadership throughout my life. In these many wonderful encounters, I have found one common thread among these revolutionary leaders, the humble wisdom they display in being a part of something greater than themselves. They are aware that they are one part of many and see no need for arrogance. They recognize the need for selfreflection, growth, and acknowledging all of the people who have helped along the way.

When those in leadership roles only focus on their own benefit, it will result in negative outcomes. Positivity happens when leadership is based on a foundation of love, empathy, compassion, clarity, and authenticity. These principles unlock doors, creating space for knowledge and healthy power dynamics.

With this insight into great leadership, I learned to abhor arrogance of any kind.

I have realized that typically, those who are arrogant lack the humility that genuinely great leaders embrace and embody.

Nelson Mandela His name resonates and is synonymous with humble, profound, powerful leadership.

His humility, wisdom, and energy were tangible when he walked into a room. Mandela embraced a moral compass in order to guide not only himself but also his country and the world. He was a true role model and humanitarian, not a politician. He knew that politics took playing a game that he didn’t want to play because Mandela was authentic in all situations. It was clear to him what he was doing and who he was.

He was committed to making a positive impact on everyone he could. He was inclusive without exception.

It is also important to remember that leaders are not only those who hold office or public positions. We are all leaders in one way or another and with leadership comes responsibility. Whether you are a leader in your family, career, or community, someone is watching. You are a role model.

I came from a childhood where leadership was utterly lacking on account of poor communication. An environment like this can be extremely confusing for a child, and it’s not much different for adults. That’s why we need authentic leaders who provide structure and understanding. It is a guide to follow in both good and trying times. When it is lacking, it opens a space for chaos.

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Below are some of the leaders I have met along my journey and the wisdom I have received from these encounters:

Steven Spielberg When I met him for the first time, I could feel a rare inner strength and integrity. It created a bubble around him that permeated the room he stood in. This is a man who is prepared to take risks to be true to himself, his art and his belief.

He steps out on the ledge to portray the stories that we all need to hear. By doing so, he gives us all the opportunity and possibility to transparently be ourselves. Speilberg is a man who does not shy away from stretching himself to do more and be more.

Graca Machel Often when women move into leadership roles, they become tough and jaded. However, the moment you meet her it is clear that Machel is kind, gentle, and firm, with a focus that brings absolute clarity. She is gracious, filled with an aura of compassion and love, and is open about embracing this as her feminine power. She knows that this feminine love has the power to lives change. Machel also knows who she is as a leader and is just as content to stand beside someone as she is giving a speech. Through clear communication and commitment, she lives life as an example of feminine power.

Putting integrity into action shows others in your community, work-life, or family that you genuinely care and will stand up for what’s right.

When others see this, they will respect and follow you as their leader and role model.

Inspiration: a sudden brilliant, creative, or timely idea.

Taking part in something revolutionary is humbling and calls on you to take on new challenges. Creating something new comes with uncertainty, risk, and at times a sense of danger.

But this is how progressive change is made.

Leaders who live an inspired life influence others to take on challenges and adventures and help move their community forward.

Inclusion: the innate understanding that to accept only those in, or similar to, one’s own community is not inclusive.

To ask and strive for a better world for all is the base of humanity and is vital in encompassing authentic leadership.

Each day, I aspire to embrace all of this. And I know it’s okay if some days I manage only some.

Whether they realize it or not, all influential leaders are creating something new.

Their lives are an adventure where they take risks to move forward, solve problems, and find new ways and new meaning. They have a driving force that pushes them to be more, learn more and do more.

They have: Insight: the ability to see what others aren’t anticipating.

This awareness leads them to excel in the creation and strategic process of problemsolving issues and creating real change.

Integrity: the quality of being honest with strong moral principles.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/normand7/ https://freethemindco.com/

LEADERSHIP

MAY-AUG 2022

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP IN A FIELD THAT PRIORITIZES ACCEPTING LESS

by Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, LMSW

"Social workers who go into private practice aren't real social workers." This was told to me by a social work professor and reiterated many times during my graduate studies. Jokes about never being able to pay off student loans, driving beat-up and unsafe cars, and earning just enough to make ends meet were constant during my time in school, and to be honest, continue today when I tell someone I'm a social worker.

For those unfamiliar with social work, social work is helping people meet both basic and complex needs, emphasizing those who are "vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty." Social workers can work in mental healthcare settings as psychotherapists, in schools to help advocate for children with special needs, as professors in colleges and graduate schools, and in nonprofits to help with advocacy and fundraising efforts.

When I finished my graduate studies at one of the best schools of social work, I was thrilled to get a job offer within days of graduating. But, as my peers told me, I was one of the lucky ones. Not only did I get a job where I lived, but it also paid more than a typical "limited license stipend." In the first two years of graduation, most social workers work under a limited license until they accrue enough working hours and sit for their social work boards. During that limited license period, it's common to be paid far less, either through low salaries or with monthly or quarterly "stipends."

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But when I got my first paycheck? I was earning less money than I did as a waitress.

Guilt, anxiety, and shame consumed me.

I felt like I'd squandered my financial privilege (my parents paid for my higher education, allowing me to be a small percentage of people to finish grad school without student loans). Trying to stretch my paycheck, I did what I thought I was supposed to do. I clipped coupons, shopped for food and clothes on sale, and did things like secret shopping to enjoy things like dining out (for the uninitiated: secret shopping is when a restaurant lets you dine for free in exchange for reviewing how the staff performs). I eagerly consumed personal finance books. I did everything in my power to be financially savvy. But my body didn't care. I developed chronic insomnia, my previously in remission anxiety and depression came roaring back, and I was susceptible to every cold and flu, calling in sick or fighting through my days with DayQuil.

It didn't make sense! I was doing everything as fiscally responsible as possible.

It wasn't until a job opportunity with a 30% pay raise changed everything.

I landed a much better-paying job in my field. Within weeks of my first paycheck hitting my bank account, my insomnia started to resolve, the SSRI medication I'd been on finally began to take hold, and my immune system started healing.

It hit me: we can't scrimp and save our way to financial health. We have to earn more money. As women, we are woefully behind our male counterparts regarding our earnings. Sure, the wage gap has narrowed (women now earn 83 cents on the dollar compared to men), but there is still a substantial financial disparity. The wage gap is even more significant when looking at Black, Asian, and Hispanic women; Black and Latina women stand to lose 1M dollars in earnings over their lifetimes due to the wage gap.

Circling back to my belief that we need to earn more money in a field that prioritizes being pious?

That makes you some hell of a pariah.

Why would advocating for a living wage make you a pariah? Because the core values of social work are helping those in need and challenging social injustices, social workers tend to assume that "doing good work" and "making a good living" conflict with one another.

My take? Advocating for our economic justice is modeling the importance of financial self-care for our clients.

And that same take that can make me unpopular in some social work circles is the exact thing that makes me a great financial advocacy leader. I believe that when social workers practice financial self-care, it affords us the ability to be fully able to do the work we do. So when we can comfortably pay our bills, make our student loan payments, and save for our future, it frees up space in our brains to be completely present with our clients. And being completely present with our clients is embodying additional social work values, such as respecting the inherent dignity and worth of others, challenging social injustice, and helping those in need.

Since then, I've become an advocate of not just financial literacy but of advocating for thriving wages for social workers and allied mental healthcare professionals. When we are fairly compensated for our labor, we can volunteer or donate to causes that matter to us.

This type of financial leadership is consistent with the message that people in the helping and healing fields need to be paid well.

I'm consistent about the importance of being compensated well for our work on my podcast, social media channels, and email newsletter. This message isn't about "making six figures" or "becoming a millionaire" like lots of money coaches claim; it's about the ability to make enough money to take care of our needs and have enough left over to pour into the people and causes that matter.

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 37

And if you're ready to practice financial leadership? I recommend starting with your financial well-being. Here are some ideas to get you started: Review the last time you got a pay raise or raised your fees. If it's been over a year, it's time to negotiate a raise or raise your prices. (Because of a 7% inflation rate, if you haven't gotten at least a 7% raise or increased your rates by 7%, you've effectively given yourself a pay cut)

Financial leadership isn't just standing on a stage (though it can be). It's also daily conversations with others where you share what you believe in. It's when you refuse to lower your fees or prices in business. It's what happens when you only pay contractors and employees thriving wages. When you say "no" to a job that doesn't pay you a thriving wage.

It happens when you tell a mentee that they should advocate for a pay raise.

Financial leadership is something we should all embody.

Create or update your spending plan. Most people fail to account for their expenses truthfully, especially perceived "one-off" expenses like repairing a vehicle or spending a bit more celebrating a loved one's 40th birthday.

Ensure that you are investing in your future by contributing to retirement accounts.

Lindsay Bryan-Podvin is a social workerturned-financial therapist, author, and speaker.

She is the Founder of Mind Money Balance, LLC where it helps you to discover what methods best work for you and your money.

@mindmoneybalance https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 38

The role of a

Leader

is to create a space in which people feel safe to make

Mistakes

PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS We've added some podcasts that we truly enjoy listening to!

1. WOMEN'S HOUR| 2. SHE MEANS BUSINESS SHOW | 3. COMMUNITY BUILDER IN WEB 3.0 | 4. THE GET UP GIRL | 5. ON AIR WITH ELLA 6. Side Hustle Pro | 7. Mind Money Balance | 8. So Money | 9. Earn your Happy 40 I MAY-AUGUST 2022

LEADERSHIP

INTERCULTURAL LEADERSHIP

By Vera Futorjanski

I now live in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I have lived here for nearly eight years. Since moving to Germany as a 12-year-old immigrant child, I have lived in 10 different countries, giving me the ability to navigate through different cultures and religions. I went to high school in Odessa, Texas, and University in Barcelona, Spain, Auckland, New Zealand, and London, UK. I have worked in Brussels, Belgium, and Guangzhou, China. I have lived and worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Berlin, Germany.

Life has been intense, fast-paced and, more than anything, life has always been diverse.

“Diversity has always been important for me. I believe that being judgment-free and letting go of society’s pre-made perceptions are extremely important for living a full life.”

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 41

18

In my travels around the globe, my willingness to engage with and understand other cultures has been instrumental in my journey- allowing me much richer experiences and more moments of joy.

When I was asked to write an article about intercultural leadership, I reflected on the historical women and men that I look up to as leaders. RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) and Maya Angelou were some of the first to come to mind, as did several other influential figures. However, after a few moments, I realized that the most significant role models and leaders in my life have always been my grandmothers. For the sake of this article, I will focus on only one of my grandmothers- the one I saw last weekend and had a conversation with about her upbringing in rural Kazakhstan, a town on the border with Uzbekistan. We spoke about the various nationalities and ethnicities that coexisted in Kazakhstan – Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Polish, Greek, German, and many others all lived next to each other peacefully.

Focusing on otherness was not their priority.

Learning from and accepting one another was what these groups found foundational to their existence.

My conversation with my grandmother got me thinking- How can we use the philosophy of these people to become better leaders?

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Tangible tip 1: We could actively seek otherness in order to put ourselves in a position where we learn and actively listen to learn, not to answer or hear ourselves speak. We need open minds, open ears, and open hearts.

I love exploring new cultures and learning about their unique traditions.

I remember my first visit to Saudi Arabia. It was initially scary traveling alone because shortly before my trip, women weren’t allowed to enter Saudi Arabia without a male companion, but I went anyway. And I had a wonderful time visiting with my Saudi friends, whom I had known for years through my studies in the UK. I remember soaking up all the new information about Saudi and how excited I was to meet Saudi women. Every Saudi woman I had met was a powerful and emancipated woman, which was vastly different from the cliches I had heard around the world. My exposure to these women has influenced me and formed me as a leader and human being. Although their culture originally felt distant, I was eager to learn and welcomed their differences, and because of that, we found common ground, and I was opened up to new ways of thinking. Without or without travel opportunities, I hope you will seek ways to learn about women from different cultures. We can all only gain from that.

So, say yes, to thinking differently. Yes, to changing perspectives. Yes, to actively seek otherness. Yes, to relating to people.

Tangible tip 2: Say yes to things that scare you and learn on the go. Do not be afraid to start over.

Humans are creatures of habits; routines give us a feeling of security and stability. Breaking out from our patterns can be scary, but it is essential for evolving as a leader. One of the most critical elements of leadership is not being afraid to start over completely. If you find a sector that interests you, even if it’s completely new, don’t be afraid to dedicate time to mastering it. I have done this a few times, and I recommend it to everyone.

This is also something I learned from my grandmother, who, after we immigrated to Germany, let go of all she did previously in the city where we lived. Previously, she had worked in a very high-level Government job with a personal driver. When we moved to the Germany, she was not afraid to put it all aside, let go of her ego and take on an entirely new job working in an elderly home. This story shaped a fundamental part of myself. The feeling of trusting in myself and working up the confidence to leap into something new has pushed me to accept jobs and projects that seemed very scary.

However, if you always avoid things The advantages of being open to new that scare you, how can you expect to people and experiences far outweigh grow? I live by a quote Eric Schmidt the anxiety surrounding them, even if gave Sheryl Sandberg in 2001 when he it gets complicated. As Adam Grant put was Google's CEO: "If you're offered a it – “good arguments help us seat on a rocket ship, you don't ask recognize complexity where we once what seat. You just get saw simplicity”. The ultimate purpose on." of a debate is not to produce consensus; it’s to promote critical thinking. Hence the highest compliment from someone who disagrees with you is “you made me think,” as per Grant, and I couldn’t agree with him more!

Tangible tip 3: Actively create opportunities for and connect with groups of diverse people with contrasting views and perspectives on life. Such encounters lead to intercultural leadership. And intercultural leadership leads to a better IQ- or as I call it, Intercultural Quotient.

It is essential to know and remember that the opposite of stability is not instability. The opposite of stability is emergence; it’s evolution, it’s growth.

We can all be natural leaders; we just need to trust our intuition. Take that leap. You have everything to win.

Go Beyond.

Vera Futorjanski is the CEO & Founder of Veritas Ventures.

Most recently, she was with 500Global in charge of the Middle East.

Before that Vera was with Rocket Internet and had co-founded one of Rocket’s startups in the Middle East. https://www.linkedin.com/in/verafutorjanski/ https://veritasventures.co/

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 43

by Teresa Hendricks

For decades, the developed world and the United States especially, have been moving away from reliable hand-crafted products and turning towards more quickly produced lower quality merchandise. However, with the rise of online shopping, trend purchasing has exploded in the early 21st century. Major name brands such as H&M, Zara, and Forever 21 take elements from high fashion brands and reproduce them at a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, producing ever-changing trends at lowcost results in these companies and many others underpaying and overworking their employees. This popular business model is known today as Fast Fashion.

Unfortunately, producing ever-changing trends at low-cost results in these companies and many others underpaying and overworking their employees. This popular business model is known today as Fast Fashion.

The fashion industry is one of the largest globally, employing nearly 40 million people with an annual turnover of over 3 trillion dollars. Yet the workers at the bottom of the supply chain see very little of the profits. Despite the United Nations and the International Labor Organization recognizing fair wages and safe working conditions as a fundamental human right, big fashion corporations often exploit workers, especially those in underdeveloped countries.

Farmers and garment workers across the globe are working in hazardous conditions below a living wage so that we can have access to the latest fashion trends with the click of a button.

For example, the nonprofit Labor Behind The Label’s “Undercover, Told by Workers” campaign in 2016 recorded that working conditions in Cambodian garment factories are poorly ventilated and lack access to water.

44 I MAY-AUGUST 2022

These conditions, coupled with overwork and chemical exposure, result in fatigued, dehydrated, and malnourished workers.

Although the negative outcomes of Fast Fashion affect a wide range of individuals and families, women are disproportionately abused through this system.

While women make up about 80 percent of garment workers worldwide, they earn significantly less than their male counterparts and rarely see promotions.

According to the 2018 Garment Worker Diaries report, the average woman in Bangladeshi works 60 hours a week and earns an hourly rate of 28 takas or $0.95 in USD. And poor working conditions are just one element of this feminist issue, the most disturbing aspect of the unfair treatment of women in the garment industry lies in the amount of unchecked abuse. A 2018 report from Global Labor Justice includes the documented case of a woman working in an H&M supplier factory in India, whose supervisor beat her. After filing a complaint with the human resources department, the supervisor was told to apologize, but no effort was made to ensure that the harassment stopped.

Without being regulated, the man’s abuse continued.

As a recent widow with few other options, the H&M worker felt trapped in her situation and continued to work at the factory to support her family.

Unfortunately, this type of story is far too common due to the lack of regulation or sympathy within the fast fashion industry. This is where the Fair Trade movement is stepping in to make a change.

Fair Trade is a business model based on promoting social, economic, and environmental responsibility as well as equity in the international trading system. As members of the Fair Trade Federation, myself and others are committed to practicing the Principles of Fair Trade: Cultivate New Market opportunities Develop Transparent & Accountable Relationships Build Capacity Promote Fair Trade Pay Promptly and Fairly Support Safe and Empowering Working Conditions Cultivate Environmental Stewardship Respect Cultural, Racial and Ethnic Identity Fair Trade businesses partner with farmers and craftspeople to improve the quality of life for artisans and their families, who often lack alternative sources of income. Our Fair-Trade partner companies are dedicated to paying fair wages in the local context, developing markets, practicing non-discrimination, and employing marginalized people. Fair compensation is the driving force behind Fair Trade. Salaries are based on the true cost of production and are determined by: The amount of time, skill and effort involved in production Minimum and living wages where the products are produced The purchasing power in the community Other costs of living in the local context Many of the world’s most talented artisans live in remote and impoverished areas in the third world.

They have little knowledge of how the world market works or how to get their products to the market. Lucia’s Imports and our other Fair-Trade partners work with the artisans to adapt their traditional skills into products with a modern twist for international markets. As the market for Fair Trade products grows, Fair Trade organizations are able to employ more artisans at fair wages in developing communities and make way for brighter futures across these areas.

Another wonderful aspect of Fair Trade is that the traditional nature of artisan crafts typically results in products made from natural and sustainable resources. Therefore, Fair Trade products have a significantly smaller environmental impact than merchandise massproduced in large factories with synthetic materials. Fair Trade producers often use upcycled fabrics to keep beautiful textiles out of landfills. For example, one company we work with, World Finds, which is located in India uses upcycled Kantha fabric from discarded saris to create beautiful jewelry, blankets, and accessories.

Other best-selling examples in our shop include soapstone and tagua. Soapstone is a natural stone in Kenya that artisans carve to create beautiful sculptures. Tagua is a seed found in Ecuador that is often referred to as vegetable ivory for its ability to replace elephant ivory in the creation of beautiful jewelry and carved figurines.

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 45

The central themes of Fair Trade have been a part of my life for nearly 30 years, beginning with my graduation from the Patterson School of International Diplomacy and International Business in 1989. Following my graduation, I traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, to study Spanish, and while there, I fell in love with the country and the culture. Later that first year, I opened my first retail store. By this time, I knew the Guatemalan people and their art would forever be a part of my life. In opening my retail store in Guatemala, my goal was to provide my customers with the best products in the region.

To do this, I traveled across the country to remote villages and worked side by side with local artisans. Together we transformed their unique products into more functional and marketable merchandise. In these early years, I met my husband and business partner.

After many years of working together and growing our business, we decided to return to my home state of Kentucky in 2004. We moved back to expand our children’s education opportunities but still longed to continue our work with the Guatemalan artisans. This desire led to the development of our wholesale company, Lucia's Imports, L.L.C. Through this new project, we were able to continue our partnerships with the artisans while developing new products that meet the needs and desires of consumers in the US market.

However, even with this new wholesale business, we missed our retail operations in Guatemala. In 2007, we opened Lexington, Kentucky’s first and only Fair Trade retail store, known today as Lucia’s World Emporium. Having a retail storefront allows us to highlight our Guatemalan imports and offer our customers an eclectic array of ethically produced clothing, jewelry, and gifts from around the world. In the years since we have opened a second retail location, expanded to online sales, and have seen tremendous growth in the demand for our hand-crafted items.

Limiting our product offering to Fair Trade items and avoiding merchandise made under cruel working conditions allows us to contribute to a more just and equitable world. In spite of the rise in Fast Fashion, the market for fair trade alternatives continues to grow. While Fast Fashion seems cheaper in the short term, the low quality of these products will cost you more over time-not to mention the disservice purchasing these products does to those without the resources to work within a safe and thriving environment. Simply using your purchasing power to support fair and just trade demonstrates to businesses and governments that you stand for safe conditions, respected workers, and quality products. When enough of us stand for the rights of every worker, we can build a brighter future together.

Teresa Hendricks is the owner of Lucia’s Imports and Lucia’s World Emporium, which helps a customer with jewelry. https://www.luciasimports.com/ @luciasworldemporium

46 I MAY-AUGUST 2022

Inspire

LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE AND AUTHENTICITY

Connect

By Dr. Kinga Mnich

The past two years have been filled with fear, political plots, and the inability to control a pandemic. If we can be confident about one thing, then it is the massive inability of global leaders to recognize changes in society and be able to adequately lead in light of those changes.

But there is some hope on the horizon. There have been rare but welcome instances of n prime ministers, chancellors, congresswomen, and even a Texas mayor, putting the overall safety of their communities before their own reputations. And, this brings up the question of what does it take for us to perceive a leader as trustworthy and authentic? And doesn’t it seem that women are generally doing a better job at leading?

What is leadership?

There are several definitions floating around for leadership. Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group, or organization to "lead," influence, or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations.

Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things.

They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to "win" as a team or an organization. It is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring.

But, being a leader can also sound scary and sometimes even unattractive because many leaders around the world are neither authentic nor trustworthy, i.e they lack the two essential characteristics of being an effective leader. In many cases, this makes being a leader an undesirable proposition for women.

47 I MAY-AUGUST 2022

The easy abuse of a leadership position frequently, and very sadly, encourages bullies to attack those who are contributing positively to our society. Even more so, it seems as though leadership positions, workplace culture, and the systems we are working within have been designed for men, and thus establish severe challenges for women to thrive in and be effective. What is incredibly upsetting is the fact that it is so difficult for women to speak about this invisible structure that is discriminating against us (I can already hear the echos of some men claiming that must mean that I am just a frustrated woman unable to achieve what I am thriving for and unwilling to own up to my own shortcomings).

Unfortunately, our inability to speak out is not even our biggest problem. Societies are falling short because 50% of the world’s population is not actively taking part in creating a community and culture that benefits the entire world population.

So, how can we form an understanding leadership community that actually encourages women to step up and feel confident enough to show their full potential?

What do we need?

Courage and confidence are certainly two aspects in which we can all support one another. But in order to have a powerful network which enables women to thrive fully, we need to let go of the idea of competition, because it does not come naturally to us women.

As women, we want to learn and become better in what we do, not prove that we are the best. Women feel strong and accomplished when we have a positive effect on our community - not when we are ‘destroying the opposition’. Therefore, it is natural that operating within a surrounding that has been curated for competition (to benefit the men who created it) has made it difficult for women to contribute and lead.

Another reason why so many women don’t have an interest in moving into a leadership position is that our understanding and experience of emotions are far more advanced and complex than men’s.

The experience of rejection has far more profound consequences for many women than for men because they take it more personally.

So what does help?

Understanding your emotions within the cultural context and socialization is one path to taking your power back. It gives you the ability to understand that certain feelings are just an individual interpretation - picked up by you within the context of your immediate society.

Appreciating the confines in which you have been existing and learning how to interpret emotions in a new context will allow you to create your own rules and live by your own standards and not by the standards set for you by your society.

Authentic leadership is needed now more than ever, and we need more women to step up. An authentic leader has integrity, confidence, accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, and vision - all skills which are widely present in women.

Generally, the authentic leader is a positive thinker, is able to delegate, and communicates clearly.

Developing resilience is one of the critical areas for many women to succeed as influential leaders. Another one is delegating; as a leader, you need to be able to communicate and delegate clearly. Unfortunately, while the communication part comes rather naturally to many of us, the delegating part is where some women fall short.

CAN YOU CLEARLY TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 48

One reason for this is that many young women are never taught how to ask for help, as it is still expected that women should simply accept and bear whatever tasks are set for them - they are the ones working in the house and supporting others. Many women put the needs of others first before they actually start working on their own goals and dreams. This natural inclination hinders them from developing a greater understanding of delegation.

And then, when they do master the art of delegation, they are sometimes referred to as being too firm or too assertive: comments which more commonly come from males who do not believe women should be leading anyway!

It takes time to build the courage and grit to push through these uncomfortable situations, especially if you are being confronted by a man who has the outright authority to be in charge but does not necessarily have the best skills as a leader . We have all been in these situations, and I wish I could say right now that I have the magic solution to solve this problem…except that, particularly in today’s employment market, you don’t actually have to put up with an incompetent and unappreciative boss there are plenty of other opportunities out there for you!

However, I do know that building your confidence and learning to understand your emotions from a place of guidance and authenticity is a huge start towards you becoming the leader you would really like to be.

www.kingamnich.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkingamnich/

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKAZINE | 49

LIVE BETTER | START NOW

RETREAT

Women | Wellness | Workshops

29 September - 2 October, 2022 MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA Are you ready to get unstuck & dial up any area of your life...

Are you ready to LIVE BETTER? Hosted by

ON AIR WITH ELLA ella@onairella.com | @onairwithella www.onairella.com/events

Now that it is out there, let’s talk about how you can get closer to making it a reality.

2 PART TWO

The second part of the bookazine is for you to explore your

POTENTIAL as a LEADER and the goals you want to achieve on your path.

USING YOUR TALENTS TO BE THE LEADER YOU WANT TO BE

YOU HAVE MORE

Power THAN YOU ARE AWARE. BUILD THE TRUST AND

Step into it!

education

WORKBOOK ADDITION This workbook is designed to walk you through the process of understanding what you should focus on when working on your leadership skills.

DR. KINGA MNICH

LET'S GET STARTED!

By Dr. Kinga Mnich

First, I would like to express my gratitude for sticking around and emerging yourself in this edition of the Ziva Voices Bookazine.

We will explore some questions that will help better understand what you want to focus on as a leader The stories shared with you will hopefully inspire you to step into a leadership position and gain more confidence by expanding your skills.

The women in this magazine and their stories are proof of what can be achieved by taking the necessary steps.

I also hope that the women in this issue inspired you to step into positions that make you feel uncomfortable because, so far, we have been made to believe that there is just one Voices of being a leader.

Staying authentic to your values and beliefs is the core of being an effective leader. Authenticity is what empowers you to inspire and keep people motivated.

And as Susan Jeffers said: There are leaders and there are those who lead. Leaders hold a position of power or influence. Those who lead inspire us.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO INSPIRE OTHERS?

By Dr. Kinga Mnich

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STEP INTO

Vol. 2 May 2022

LEADERSHIP

NEW FRONTIER A 20 page exclusive workbook to start 2022 Revisit your skills and explore what you are good at.

Gain insight about yourself so you can build more effective teams.

ZIVA

|

JANUARY 2022

SUMMARIZING YOUR SKILLS As a leader it is your task to create a space where others feel invited to trust themselves. Where they feel motivated and inspired to do their best work. You'll need a team that is able to collaborate and compliments one another. And this team starts with you. That means that you need to understand which tasks come easy to you, which skills you have and which skills need to be complemented by team members. Once a team grows and you move towards your role as a manager, it will be vital to understand whom from your team you need to move to the next level.

Let's start by listing your own skills: What you are good at? What do you enjoy doing? ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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ZIVA

|

MAY 2022

PRINCIPLES Innovative Thinking Creative Solution-Finding Collaborative Mindset

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What knowledge do you have that can be used to support your team? Think about each individual team member as different knowledge you have can apply. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

What skills do you see in other leaders that you wish you had and what can you do to develop it?

Why did it catch your attention? And why did it work in your opinion? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

THE ZIVA VOICES MAGAZINE | 60

What knowledge can you add to your profile that might expand your potential opportunities to contribute in more meaningful Voicess? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

What are the core strengths, skills and knowledge areas you want to further develop?

Are there any areas that give you a stomach cringe when you think about them? Is there something that you have been curious about before, but didn't have the time to focus on?

1.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

5. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

6 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .

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How will you take time to prioritize continuous personal development on your journey?

Part of personal development is reconnecting with yourself and your family so feel free to include sufficient time to allow that.

1.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

5. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

6 ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .

List people that you think could help you on your journey and help you reach your goals?

The list can be of people outside your organization, business, and family. It might even be someone you don't know yet but you will find through some networking so please describe their qualities and/or skills

1.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

5. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

6 ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .

How can these connections collaborate with your team and other stakeholders? How would you enable your team to leverage these resources and knowledge? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ZIVA VOICES MAGAZINE | 62

Leadership IS ABOUT MAKING OTHERS

Better

AS A RESULT OF YOUR PRESENCE, AND MAKING SURE THAT

Impact

LASTS IN YOUR ABSENCE.

- Sheryl Sandberg

Feeling Free to BEING Confident & Stepping into leadership.

THE 4 LEVELS

OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Relationship management

Social-awareness Selfmanagement Selfawareness

SELF-AWARENESS Start by getting to know yourself better and understand your feelings.

It gives you the ability to self-assess by understanding your strengths and weaknesses and their effects accurately.

And it builds self-confidence, having trust in yourself and being willing to be yourself.

You are able to set boundaries while treating others with respect You understand how your surrounding is impacting you.

You know how to use your emotions to your benefit.

You know what you are feeling.

SELF-MANAGEMENT Emotional Self-Control is an essential part of emotional maturity.

Guiding your feelings and/or appropriately expressing them is a crucial skill.

Being goal-oriented and being able to work toward your goals.

Initiative, being self-motivated and having the ability to keep working despite setbacks.

SOCIAL-AWARENESS RELATIONSHIP-MANAGEMENT

Empathy is one of the core pillars of emotional intelligence because it helps you to understand and acknowledge others’ emotions.

Organizational Awareness, meaning having the ability to explain yourself well and be aware of how you are being understood.

Creating space for others to process information and listening to others.

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Inspirational Leadership: being a good mentor, role model, and inspirational figure.

Influence in a positive & effective matter Improve relationships, negotiate, and lead. Have the ability to settle disputes, differences of opinion, and misunderstandings.

Be Change Catalyst!

It is often easier to keep on going without stopping: It's like running a marathon or doing a 100 miles bike ride. It feels good the moment you stop, but it can be challenging to get going again because you know how painful the rest will be. Once you arrive at your destination, your reap the rewards, and it feels incredible—every time.

Developing self-awareness is like hiking across the Alps but stopping for several days along the path. The beauty in front of your eyes is mesmerizing, the sounds of nature calming, and the silence stops the time. But then you have to return to reality and take your wisdom with you. Selfawareness is the moment you stop and observe yourself.

SELF

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH SELFAWARNESS

AWARENESS

SOMETIMES YOU ONLY NEED ONE MOMENT You start understanding your reactions and emotions.

In that moment, you are able to just be. And time stops.

When time stops, there is no pressure anymore. No stress, nothing that is pushing you to do something. You are able to be yourself.

Getting up and moving back into the world around you is when it gets more complicated. This is when you need to test the knowledge you acquired; Test if you can keep calm and steady. Self-awareness is the greatest gift that you can give yourself. It helps you understand your inner child and navigate through difficult emotions with ease. It gives you the freedom to become the person you want to be by understanding what you need to let go of.

ZIVA VOICES BOOKANZINE | 66

SELF MANAGEMENT Especially when you are in crucial conversations, emotions can quickly take over. That is when self-awareness and selfmanagement come into play. Knowing what triggers you helps you understand what to look out for and internally calm yourself down. Self-management means that you know and understand what you are feeling during a difficult situation, allowing you to focus on the end goal.

This enables you to sustain integrity, remain achievement-driven, creative, and solutionoriented. The best part about selfmanagement is that it helps you calm down your fear-or-flight system.

REMEMBERING THE END-GOAL

SOCIAL AWARENESS Social awareness is your ability to accurately identify the emotions of people around you and understand what is going on within them.

You can give them the benefit of the doubt when you trust that they are doing the best they can at that moment with the knowledge they have at hand.

Especially leaders need to carve out the time to observe their environment and learn about the people in their teams. Social awareness also means that you practice active listening and create a space for trust. It helps you stop the monologue in your head before and during an interaction. That also means that you should stop anticipating someone’s answer before they speak. Instead, allow pauses within conversations. It is ok to think before you speak.

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Conversations are not about winning or losing. Instead, they are about gaining perspective and growing. Together we can resolve the global scarcity mindset and start supporting one another.

Relationship management means that you are aware of your own emotions and those of the people around you.

But beyond that, you need to manage your emotions in interactions successfully.

Relationships need patience, effort, ability to listen and find common ground. People usually have more in common than they disagree about. Unfortunately, this can be easily forgotten, especially during difficult conversations.

Stress often prevents you from seeing the complete picture. Emotional awareness allows you to utilize the strategies learned in improving emotional management and communication.

RELATIONSHIP

THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS LIES IN THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE BUILT!

MANAGEMENT

REMEMBER THAT SUCCESS IS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU HAVE BUILT. Through self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness, you will successfully develop your relationship management skills. Calmness lies in the subtleties of understanding the difference between the physical experience of your emotions and how you are interpreting these emotions into feelings. The more you know about what you have learned in the past, the more you know what you need to let go of and how others are impacted by their past experiences. Kindness and patience are the surprising side-effects of emotional intelligence and key factors in managing relationships.

THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKANZINE | 68

Action Priority Matrix Creating a strategy starts by creating time and space to focus on what is essential on your patch in reaching your goals as a leader.

NOT URGENT

DO IT RIGHT AVoices

PLAN TO DO ASAP

DELEGATE

DUMP OR POSTPONE

TNATROPMI

URGENT

TNATROPMI TON THE ZIVA VOICES BOOKANZINE | 69

BEHIND THE SCENES!

Thank you so much for working your way through this workbook. I hope that you enjoyed it and gained some clarity. Before you move on, I would like to give you a look behind the scene at how I work with my clients.

Becoming your best version is a continuous process. The more we learn, the more we know what we don't know. But this is what keeps you and me going. At times the journey can get complex. However, building a base that allows you to stay focused and confident ensures your long-term success. The Ziva Way Philosophy encompasses that process and creates the structure for navigating through the obstacles that come your way. The following pages give you an insight into what you could expect when working with me.

Transparency is a key element of my work.

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Z I V A

V O I C E S

LEADERS SMART SUCCESSFUL SUPPORTED

01/22

3 PART THREE

Insight into the Ziva Way System Example one-on-one work

C ON T A I N S T H R E E P A G E S

SHAPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

BEHIND ZIVA The phrase ZIVA has roots in more than one language. My understanding comes from Shona, the language of one of my close friends and sister. It means to be conscious and perceive genuinely, to understand or comprehend clearly and thoroughly. ZIVA also has a beautiful significance and meaning in other languages, such as radiance, brilliance, and light.

The Ziva Way philosophy is a fusion between your mindset and your emotions, leading you to clear actions, providing a direction for everyone on the journey of change and impact. And enabling you to create more clarity in your life and career.

It is based on science – an evidencebased, step-by-step approach that will help you uncover your full potential and step into your power with confidence. You will connect your values, your work, and the impact you want to create through effective exercises.

By doing this, you start focusing on the essential parts of your life, set boundaries and develop the skill you need to create success based on your own terms, developing a deepseated feeling of satisfaction that brings joy back into your work and life.

In a nutshell, The Ziva Way philosophy and technique helps you to develop your emotional intelligence by disconnecting from what you know about emotions and feelings and reconnect based on how you want to experience your emotions. The Ziva Way technique uses positive psychology & neuroscience for building the necessary mindset, meditation to calm down the nervous system, storytelling to recognize past trauma and social-psychology tools to help you let go of them. It empowers you to become comfortable with feeling fear and stepping out of your comfort – simply put: I help people like you to thrive in life and business by being who you want to be: Impactful Change-maker.

Above Photocredit: Ayna Lorenzo

THE GREATEST GIFT THAT YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF IS TO LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF & YOUR EMOTIONAL WORLD SO YOU CAN REFLECT ON WHAT NAVIGATES YOU. AND CREATE FREEDOM FOR YOURSELF.

ZIVA VOICES BOOKANZINE | 73

THE ZIVA WAY

Fear arises from an intersection made by the discrepancy between collective and personal beliefs — the disparity between our own stories and the stories that we have been told.

Letting go of the stories that we inherited, that have been forced upon us through cultural and social beliefs, by parents, neighbors, teachers, and society is the actual work that needs to be done by us in order to understand that there is very little that we need to be afraid of in this world. Because our life is our life, and we can make a decision that helps us create the outcome that we have been dreaming of.

On the next few pages you get the chance to explore where you are at the moment, and what is holding you back.

"CREATE A LIFE BASED ON YOUR OWN TERMS" 74 I MAY-AUGUST 2022 - BEHIND THE SCENE SECTION I THE ZIVA WAY BOOKAZINE

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

EXAMPLE OUTLINE OF INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS In our fast-paced world we live in, we often forget to remember our dreams & desires. Instead, we are focusing on what society has taught us to believe is success. But one day we will wake up feeling unfulfilled and often stressed.

The Ziva Way Philosophy supports you in going back to basics and bringing more joy and positivity into your life.

by Dr. Kinga Mnich

1

START WITH CLARIFYING GOALS FOR THE SESSIONS Identifying how you would like to feel.

What is currently missing in your life What is holding you back?

Which beliefs do you need to let go of?

2

EXPLORE YOUR DREAMS, GOALS & INDIVIDUAL NEEDS Understanding your individual needs is the base to realize what habits are hindering you from feeling fulfilled We will explore in several sessions how you picture your ideal everyday life & how you want your life to look like in a couple of years This step helps you to establish internal motivation for the upcoming weeks

3

CLARIFY YOUR VALUES & NORMS Learn to become comfortable with setting new boundaries Express your needs & feelings Disconnect from your current understanding of your emotions Connect with your emotions based on your belief system Creates the base to shift the perspective positively.

Every person is different; therefore, every program is structured based on individual needs and goals, which we will set in the first 2hour session. This document is an example guideline for you to get a better understanding of your mindset development journey.

4

FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY. What are you afraid of?

How to tackle anxiety?

How do you handle fear?

How is fear holding you back?

How can you conquer your fear?

5

MINDSET THE KEY TO OPTIMISM & CONFIDENCE Redefine what success means to you Map our different realities to support your brain in understanding different perspectives of every situation Find cornerstone to help you recalibrate when you find yourself in difficult situations

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Dr. Kinga Mnich www.kingamnich.com

https://dropinceo.com/

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Kim Normand Dobrin www.freethemindco.com

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Teresa Hendricks https://www.luciasimports.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/liudmilaschafer-md-facp-861962193/

Deborah A. Coviello

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Liudmila Schafer, MD

Chengetai Chikadaya https://conceptafrika.com/ Rachel Dorsey www.boneandgold.com Susanne Puerschel https://risemedia.group/

Kristy Cooper https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristysjcooper/

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Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, LMSW

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Vera Futorjanski

Deidre A. Jefferies https://www.espionatelier.com/

hello@theziva.com

https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/

https://veritasventures.co/

Our Staff.

Editor in Chief Dr. Kinga Mnich Deputy Editor Hannah Sword Senior Editors Ivana Madzarevic Executive Art Director Amanda Harper Contributors Kristy Cooper, Deidre A. Jefferies, Liudmila Schafer, MD, Chengetai Chikadaya, Rachel Dorsey, Susanne Puerschel, Deborah A. Coviello, Kim Normand Dobrin, Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, LMSW, Vera Futorjanski, Teresa Hendricks Chief Photography Editor Dr. Kinga Mnich Photographer Janneke Nooij, Karen Santos, Eryn Shea, Create With Gusto, Kinga Mnich, Ayna Lorenzo, Girlsquad Media, Jennifer Chang Associate Art Director Amanda Harper Associate Editor Carla Patricia Caguioa Photography Editor Amanda Harper Associate Photography Editor Janaya Combs

Permanent contributors Chengetai Chikadaya Connie Milligan MSW Kim Normand Dobrin EDITORIAL OFFICES 624 Andover Village PL , Lexington, KY 40509 +1-8648148810 / hello@zivavoices

SUBSCRIPTIONS hello@zivavoices.com

The bookazine is published by The Ziva Way, LLC. & Ziva Project Incorporated 501c3 Kingamnich.com and www.zivavoices.com

Ziva Voices.

Mind I Leadership I Community I Entrepreneurship

HerStory in the Making.

THANK YOU Feel free to reach out with suggestions, comments, questions and inquiries: hello@zivavoices.com Instagram: @ZivaVoices @Dr.KingaMnich LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kingamonikamnich/

DR. KINGA MNICH

Ziva Voices bookazine.

HerStory in the Making.

Mind I Leadership I Community I Entrepreneurship Digest

More women are building successful communities and businesses everyday. They are shifting their mindset, using their leadership skills, mobilizing communities and turning a small business into an empire.

In the Ziva Voices, we bring forth stories of experience and inspiration to highlight ways in which you can learn how to shift your mindset, change your habits, learn new skills, build your confidence, and learn to speak up.

When we hear the stories of other women - overcoming the pain, social obstacles and self-doubt - it can become easier to understand that you have all it takes to make the next move, be the person that creates change, and feel connected and empowered.