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Professional Growth

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Professional Growth | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>As far as appearances go, my summer stay at LaPlaya Beach &amp; Golf Resort in Naples, Florida, was nothing out of the ordinary for a vacation along the Gulf of Mexico. That is to say, it was dazzling.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/L5830804_Photo-credit_-Reagan-Rule-1024x659.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-79675" style="width:461px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">LaPlaya Beach &amp; Golf Resort is once again open for business. (Photo by Reagan Rule/Courtesy of LaPlaya Beach &amp; Golf Resort)</figcaption></figure>



<p>With a few minutes left until check-in on the first day of my reservation, I turned onto the street leading to the hotel and immediately spotted the 15-story Gulf Tower, the tallest of the hotel’s <a href="https://www.laplayaresort.com/florida-beach-resort-rooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two beachfront buildings</a>, soaring into the sky. Juxtaposed against milky-gray clouds and skirted by clusters of royal palms vying for their own prestigious place in the sky, I couldn’t help but wonder how such a monumental presence could rest so securely near what felt like the edge of the world, especially when, less than two years earlier, the future of LaPlaya seemed anything but.</p>



<p>On Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian blitzed through this corner of the state, sending the Gulf’s waters surging several miles inland. <a href="https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/images/docs/Hurricane_Ian_Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winds nearing 155 miles per hour</a> uprooted mature trees, ripped roofs and walls off of homes and tossed boats blocks away from their docks. The storm offered no mercy. The area was left largely unrecognizable, with properties near the coast, including LaPlaya, bearing the brunt of the destruction.</p>



<p>“The damage was devastating,” says Linda Menshon, the area director of sales and marketing for LaPlaya, who recalls arriving at the property after the storm to see mattresses from the hotel scattered along the road.</p>



<p>LaPlaya’s unique position between two bodies of water—the Gulf of Mexico and the nearby Vanderbilt Bay—made it the target for a combined monster storm surge. The lower floors suffered extensive flooding and water damage, and the Beach House, the smaller of the two beachfront accommodations, was left with mangled electrical, HVAC and elevator systems. In a tourist-dependent area that saw more than 2.6 million visitors and experienced almost a $3.6 billion economic impact in 2023 alone, having a non-operational hotel was out of the question. So, Menshon rallied her team to prepare for what would become an 18-month recovery effort.</p>



<p>It wasn’t an easy task, but Menshon took several steps—before and during the crisis—to ensure her team was prepared to meet the challenges before them.</p>



<p>Here are four lessons leaders can take to guide their teams when disaster strikes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-maintain-transparency">1. Maintain transparency</h2>



<p>At the time of my interview with Menshon in June, minor repairs were still taking place at LaPlaya.</p>



<p>“What happened was—and why it’s so surprising how long this process was—is that every time the workers or contractors would go in to start repair, they did their discovery work and they discovered more damage,” she explains.</p>



<p>This hazy recovery timeline meant Menshon couldn’t give the public or her employees a firm answer on when hotel operations would return to normal. To prevent this air of uncertainty from frightening away members of her team, some of whom had been with LaPlaya for more than two decades, Menshon encouraged them to come to her with any questions or even just to vent.</p>



<p>“If I don’t have a team that can trust in me, what good is it? That’s very important to me—that they have my trust and my loyalty,” Menshon says. “And I’m a straight shooter.”</p>



<p>Taking a no-holds-barred approach toward <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-communication-skills-that-will-make-you-a-better-leader/">communication as a leader</a> can make all the difference in employee dedication. Transparent communication from the top down, especially in times of crisis, not only enables employees to make the best decisions for themselves but also instills in them a sense of value toward the company or organization, as they’re entrusted with knowledge often historically reserved for those in executive leadership.</p>



<p>Chou-Yu Tsai, an associate professor of entrepreneurship at New York’s Binghamton University, advises leaders navigating a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-lead-in-a-crisis/">work crisis</a> to “keep their teams informed about the situation, potential challenges and the steps being taken to address them.” This last part is essential. Acknowledging next steps indicates a solution-oriented approach that not only relieves some of the worries and anxieties your team may be facing, but also lends an optimistic outlook that the issues left in the wake of the crisis might be resolved.</p>



<p>Alexandria Hurley, the director of PR and influential communications for Paradise Advertising, which partners with LaPlaya, notes that Menshon’s prerogative during the hotel’s rebirth was being fully transparent with employees and guests alike and “keeping everyone up to speed.”</p>



<p>“But none of this could have been possible without that clear communication from the corporate level,” Hurley adds. “And even if there were times… where we [could] have a date that we thought we could open and then we would have to go back [and change it], we would let everyone know.… A lot of hotels aren’t as transparent or honest about that because they’re so worried about the shareholder relations or the corporate angle of everything, that they just go radio silent until they reopen.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-build-or-keep-a-healthy-culture">2. Build (or keep) a healthy culture</h2>



<p>Establishing and maintaining a healthy <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-a-thriving-culture-at-work/">company culture</a> should be a priority in any workplace before a crisis hits. That isn’t to say recovery is a lost cause if your team is rebuilding from a previous season of poor leadership, but it’s certainly easier when the framework is already in place.</p>



<p>“Building a strong company culture from the outset is essential to navigating unforeseen crises successfully,” says Malika Begin, the CEO and founder of Begin Development, which works with organizations like Delta, Skims and Pepperdine University to empower teams to collaborate better together. “Leaders can begin [to do this] by defining clear core values and mission. These values cannot be merely spoken but [need to be] embedded in everyday decisions and actions. Clear mission and values means that leaders can create alignment across the organization, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, no matter the challenge.”</p>



<p>This might require you to go back to the drawing board—with your team—and collectively reimagine your organization’s mission, vision and values. If the current mission statement doesn’t reflect the direction in which you hope to see the company grow or the actions it’ll take to get there, throw it out.</p>



<p>Ask your team where they’d like to see the brand go, where they think it can go, and if you’re all in alignment, make it your team’s North Star. Resetting the company’s mission with your team’s input reinforces their sense of responsibility toward seeing it through—in thick or thin.</p>



<p>One of the values Menshon instituted for her team at LaPlaya is the prioritization of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-habits-that-support-a-work-life-balance/">work-life balance</a>. She regularly releases her team early before holidays and urges them to spend time with their families or indulge in self-care when needed. Her response in the aftermath of the hurricane was no different.</p>



<p>“I always preach family first,” she says. “I mean, time is too short and [the] work will always be here. [So,] take care of you and your family.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-exhibit-compassion">3. Exhibit compassion</h2>



<p>Leaders should adopt an open-door policy that encourages employees to come forward with any worries or concerns. For Menshon, this takes place in her office, a space she fondly dubs “a circle of trust.”</p>



<p>“When I have somebody talk to me, I don’t look at my phone… I’m not online. I totally give them my 100% dedicated attention,” she explains. “I think if you listen and really do a gut check or a deep dive, you know the underlying message [your employee is trying to convey] and you can uncover it and ask the right questions.”</p>



<p>Beyond Menshon’s open-door policy, LaPlaya hosted food drives and fundraisers to bring in necessities, like clothing, for team members impacted by the storm. It’s a gesture that exemplified quiet compassion toward the team’s individual needs and circumstances.</p>



<p>Tsai notes that work crises are difficult enough in that a team member’s normal responsibilities and routines have shifted, but the employee might also feel weighed down by “significant emotional stress” that hinders “their ability to perform effectively.” In cases like this, it’s the leader’s duty to recognize when an employee is struggling to adapt and create the time and space available for them to discuss how they’re feeling without reproach.</p>



<p>“In moments of uncertainty, people need clarity, but they also need to feel heard and understood,” Begin adds. “Acknowledging struggles while showing empathy will create a sense of trust and safety, even when things feel uncertain. This combination of transparency and genuine care can make all the difference in keeping your team committed and engaged through a crisis.”</p>



<p>She suggests engaging employees with questions that invite open-ended responses, such as “How are you feeling about this change?” and “What kind of support would be most helpful for the team at this time?” and being prepared to make necessary changes within reason. This might include adopting flexible work schedules or offering mental health services.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-empower-employees">4. Empower employees</h2>



<p>While some employees might struggle with uncertainty during crises, many desire to be resourceful when troubles arise. Tap into your team’s strengths by allowing them the space to get creative with solutions that aid the company’s recovery.</p>



<p>For instance, some of LaPlaya's staff, who weren’t able to perform their regular duties, were paid their normal wages and <a href="https://www.costar.com/article/423416099/battered-by-pair-of-hurricanes-laplaya-beach-golf-resort-has-had-a-long-road-to-recovery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">helped with</a> cleaning and painting the hotel.</p>



<p>“Know where your people excel, and help them channel those talents to solve problems in the most effective way,” Begin advises.</p>



<p>Tsai agrees. “In this way, everyone in an organization becomes a leader and change agent. By entrusting team members to make decisions and take ownership of tasks, leaders foster a sense of autonomy and responsibility, which can be highly motivating during a crisis.” After all, a true team effort relies on the contributions of all.</p>



<p>It’s been two years now since Hurricane Ian battered the coast of southwest Florida, and though Menshon acknowledges that morale was low at times during the recovery efforts, she believes consistently keeping her team in the know and offering her undivided attention strengthened their belief in her leadership and their commitment to the brand.</p>



<p>“The team I have—we’re lean, but we’re mean, and I know I can rely on them,” she says. “They’re loyal to me, I’m loyal to them. And what goes around comes around, right?”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by Oana Liviu/Shutterstock</em></p>

Discover 4 essential steps leaders can take to lead their teams through crises with transparency, compassion and a strong company culture.

Discover 4 essential steps leaders can take to lead their teams through crises with transparency, compassion and a strong company culture. | SUCCESS

4 Ways to Lead Your Team Well During a Crisis

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4 Key Leadership Strategies for Managing Teams in Crisis | SUCCESS

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Lopez is the digital managing editor for SUCCESS magazine.

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Tess Lopez

Lifestyle

Lifestyle Archives

Elevate your lifestyle for success and happiness

<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jingtheory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jing Gao</a> wants to push you to elevate your meals by expanding your palate. The Sichuan, China-born chef and entrepreneur is on a mission to bring authentic Chinese flavors to your table through her company Fly By Jing, which is sold in Whole Foods Market stores across the nation. The business carries a line of versatile chili sauces and condiments that has earned accolades in <em>Food &amp; Wine</em> and <em>The New York Times</em> and was featured on the popular YouTube show <em>Hot Ones</em>. Gao recently published her new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3YcYLCr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp: Spicy Recipes and Stories From Fly By Jing’s Kitchen</em></a>, in which she shares 85 recipes using Fly By Jing’s savory chili crisp for everything from cocktails to desserts. The end goal for Gao? Bridging cultural differences and sparking conversation through a means everyone can appreciate: flavor.</p>







<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-always-start-my-day-with">I always start my day with…</h3>



<p>a hot cup of tea and a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-meditate/">meditation</a> session.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-professional-experience-that-changed-my-life-was">A professional experience that changed my life was…</h3>



<p>founding Fly By Jing. It bridged the gap between my love for my roots and my entrepreneurial spirit.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-mantra-is">My mantra is…</h3>



<p>“Not traditional but personal.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-biggest-source-of-inspiration">My biggest source of inspiration…</h3>



<p>comes from trips back to China, my team at Fly By Jing and a tight-knit group of young Asian entrepreneurs across different industries.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-favorite-meal-is">My favorite meal is…</h3>



<p>a comforting bowl of mapo tofu. To me, mapo tofu is one of those “final meal” dishes I could eat every day and never get sick of.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-that-s-difficult-for-me-but-that-i-enjoy-is">One thing that’s difficult for me but that I enjoy is…</h3>



<p>navigating the challenges of presenting authentic Chinese flavors to a global audience. It’s certainly tough but incredibly rewarding to be surrounded by people who believe in this same mission.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-handle-negativity-by">I handle negativity by…</h3>



<p>focusing on the bigger picture. I always remind myself that we’re on a journey to evolve culture through taste, and that journey—while rewarding—is not easy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-biggest-risk-i-ever-took-was">The biggest risk I ever took was…</h3>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-you-should-start-a-business-now/">starting my own company</a>, especially in an industry rife with preconceptions about Chinese food.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-i-could-recommend-one-thing-it-would-be">If I could recommend one thing, it would be…</h3>



<p>enhancing any meal with Fly By Jing sauces and staying true to yourself.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-surprising-thing-about-me-is">The most surprising thing about me is…</h3>



<p>that I wasn’t always so confident in my identity and voice. It took time, exploration and self-discovery to truly embrace myself and share it with others.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-i-need-a-jolt-of-energy">When I need a jolt of energy…</h3>



<p>I do breath work. (It’s free.)</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-want-to-be-known-for">I want TO BE KNOWN for…</h3>



<p>changing the narrative around Chinese cuisine and introducing the world to its true depth and diversity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-10-years-i-hope-to">In 10 years, I hope to…</h3>



<p>have Fly By Jing products in every household, as ubiquitous as Heinz ketchup.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-define-success-as">I define success as…</h3>



<p>making a meaningful impact and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-a-great-legacy/">leaving a legacy</a> that goes beyond just me. When our stories and flavors of Sichuan continue to be celebrated, that’s success.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article originally appeared in the</em> <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-september-october-2024-daymond-john.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>September/October</em></a><em> 2024 issue of SUCCESS magazine. Photo courtesy of Jing Gao.</em></p>

Wildly successful chef Jing Gao of Fly By Jing shares her personal approach to life, Chinese food and running a successful business. Learn more.

Wildly successful chef Jing Gao of Fly By Jing shares her personal approach to life, Chinese food and running a successful business. Learn more. | SUCCESS

Entrepreneur and Fly by Jing Founder Jing Gao Shares What Inspires Her

My Way: Jing Gao of Fly By Jing | SUCCESS

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Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

<p>Antonio Sustiel came to the United States in his early 20s with $400 in his pocket and a firm belief in the power of hard work. Not one to ignore potentially lucrative opportunities, the Israeli native dabbled in sales and real estate investments before founding his Miami-based flooring distribution business, <a href="https://www.flooringking.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flooring King</a>.</p>



<p>Now, with several store locations across Florida, appearances on CNBC’s Blue Collar Millionaires, Bloomberg TV’s The American Dream and mentions in media outlets including <em>The Miami Herald</em> and <em>The New York Daily News</em>, it’s clear Sustiel’s approach to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-signs-youve-made-it-as-an-entrepreneur/">entrepreneurship</a> is one to be revered. Here, he shares the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-a-growth-mindset/">mindset</a> and actions that helped pave his path to success.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-way-antonio-sustiel">My way: Antonio Sustiel</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-always-start-my-day-with">I always start my day with…</h3>



<p>two bottles of water and two cups of coffee!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-i-do-every-day-is">One thing I do every day is…</h3>



<p>make sure to walk four miles and do 15 minutes of meditating.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-mantra-is">My mantra is…</h3>



<p>to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-turn-any-challenge-into-a-life-changing-opportunity/">embrace every challenge</a> as an opportunity for growth and to always strive for excellence in everything that I do.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-biggest-source-of-inspiration-is">My biggest source of inspiration is…</h3>



<p>definitely my family—especially my father. I grew up in Israel in a family that immigrated from Greece and Egypt. They outworked everybody, and they never gave up. I have always been inspired by their resilience and their ability to tackle challenges head-on.</p>







<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-that-s-difficult-for-me-but-that-i-enjoy-is">One thing that’s difficult for me but that I enjoy is…</h3>



<p>skateboarding! It requires a lot of balance, coordination and athleticism, and that’s all fine and dandy when you are 13, but when you turn 60 and you’re still doing it, it’s not as easy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-handle-negativity-by">I handle negativity by…</h3>



<p>not paying attention to it and extricating myself from people who have negative energy. I believe we need to have a positive mindset and attitude every day.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-advice-to-budding-entrepreneurs-would-be">My advice to budding entrepreneurs would be…</h3>



<p>never underestimate the power of perseverance. Entrepreneurship is a journey that’s filled with a lot of ups and downs, but if you stay determined and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-ways-to-improve-your-perseverance-skills/">persistent</a>, that can make all the difference. Embrace failures as opportunities to learn and grow. Adapt to changes and keep pushing forward. Success often comes to those who are willing to keep going and persevere when faced with obstacles. I love the saying, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-a-jolt-of-energy">For a jolt of energy…</h3>



<p>I take a short break, or I get some exercise in. I take short walks [or] practice deep breathing. Also, getting good sleep is important, and so is listening to your body and making sure you give yourself time off when you need it to recharge your batteries.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-surprising-thing-about-me-is">The most surprising thing about me is…</h3>



<p>that I’m 60 years old and I’m still skateboarding, traveling a ton, looking into getting fast boats and getting back into surfing after I took a break from the sport 40 years ago!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-biggest-risk-i-ever-took-was">The biggest risk I ever took was…</h3>



<p>moving to the United States with $400 in my pocket and starting a new life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-want-people-to-know-me-for">I want people to know me for…</h3>



<p>the positive impact I make in their lives. I want to inspire others through my actions and my words, and I want to help others achieve their goals. I want to be known as someone who is&nbsp;</p>



<p>dependable, trustworthy and generous.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-10-years-i-hope-to">In 10 years, I hope to…</h3>



<p>have a strong <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-friends-are-important/">support system of friends and family</a> who have been by my side throughout my journey, and I want to continue to have a happy work-life balance.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-define-success-as">I define success as…</h3>



<p>not being solely based on achievements or wealth, but rather about having a healthy work-life balance and being able to find fulfillment in both my personal and professional life. Success means setting goals and working toward them with determination, grit, resilience and integrity.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size">This article originally appeared in the <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-may-june-2024-tony-robbins.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May/June 2024</a> issue of SUCCESS magazine. <em>Photo by Fernando Rivera/Courtesy of Antonio Sustiel</em></p>

Antonio Sustiel came to the U.S. in his 20s with $400 and a firm belief in the power of hard work. Learn how he became Miami’s Flooring King.

Antonio Sustiel came to the U.S. in his 20s with $400 and a firm belief in the power of hard work. Learn how he became Miami’s Flooring King. | SUCCESS

Antonio Sustiel, Miami’s Flooring King, Shares His Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs

Q&A with Antonio Sustiel, Miami’s Flooring King | SUCCESS

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Success

Success Archives

Success | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>Diana Flores moves so quickly you could miss her—but that would be a mistake. Flores is the captain and quarterback of the Mexico National Flag Football team and the sport’s global ambassador in partnership with the NFL, the International Federation of American Football and Under Armour. She’s competed in several national and international tournaments, winning a flurry of awards, including four National Titles since 2017 and the Most Valuable Player Award at the 2022 World Games.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Flores’ passions run the gamut from advocating for flag football to be more widely recognized as a professional sport, to empowering millions of young girls with a desire to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-high-achieving-women-can-break-through-the-glass-ceiling/">defy expectations</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-always-start-my-day-with-nbsp">I always start my day with…&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Music! I like to start my day listening to one of my favorite songs. For example, “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen or “Color Esperanza” by Diego Torres. I also like to start my day with a protein banana shake.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-i-do-every-day-is">One thing I do every day is…</h2>



<p>Say “goodnight” to my family.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-mantra-is">My mantra is…</h2>



<p>“To be successful, you must not lose focus.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-it-comes-to-flag-football-i-wish-more-people-knew-that">When it comes to flag football, I wish more people knew that…</h2>



<p>It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and that it’s more than just “football without contact.” Flag football is a creative and inclusive sport that requires not just athleticism and speed, but also mental toughness.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-biggest-source-of-inspiration">My biggest source of inspiration…</h2>



<p>Is my family and all of the little girls I’ve been able to meet on this journey all around the world! I want to empower them to have a voice and to have opportunities I wish I had when I was a young athlete starting out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-that-s-difficult-for-me-but-that-i-enjoy-is">One thing that’s difficult for me but that I enjoy is…</h2>



<p>Being away from home. I’m blessed that my career allows me to travel the world, but I’m very close with my family and it’s hard to be away from them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-handle-negativity-by">I handle negativity by…</h2>



<p>Focusing on being grateful for what I have and the opportunities life has given me, and being aware that life has a bigger purpose for me as it does for each of us.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-way-i-stay-strong">One way I stay strong…</h2>



<p>Exercising every day, taking supplements to help my body recover, and spending quality time with my loved ones to make sure my mind is as calm and happy as possible.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-m-currently-looking-forward-to-nbsp">I’m currently looking forward to…&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Being a part of the Super Bowl coverage with Univision, playing at the Flag Football World Championship in Finland this year, and representing my country at the Olympic Games in 2028!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-surprising-thing-about-me-is">The most surprising thing about me is…</h2>



<p>I play the piano and I’m really good at it!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-want-people-to-know-me-for">I want people to know me for…</h2>



<p>Being a good person who is passionate and represents women in sports and loves celebrating the greatness of my Latino community worldwide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-10-years-i-hope-to">In 10 years, I hope to…</h2>



<p>Help make flag football a professional sport, and give women all over the world the opportunity to make a living while playing the sport we love so much.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-define-success-as">I define success as…</h2>



<p>“To me, success is making a positive impact on the people around you—and in the world.”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><br><em>This article originally appeared in the March/April 2024 </em><a href="https://woi.success.com/success-magazine/"><em>issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine</em></a><em>. Photo courtesy of Diana Flores.</em></p>

Diana Flores, captain and quarterback of the Mexico National Flag Football team, empowers young women to pursue their dreams.

Diana Flores, captain and quarterback of the Mexico National Flag Football team, empowers young women to pursue their dreams. | SUCCESS

Athlete Diana Flores Empowers Millions of Young Girls Through Flag Football

Q&A With Diana Flores: Empowering Young Women | SUCCESS

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Diana B Allen author of Securing our Future: Embracing the Brilliance and Resilience of Black Women in Cyber

Future of Work

Future of Work Archives

Future of Work | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>Dr. Diana B. Allen is a sought-after global speaker, cybersecurity leader and senior technology program manager at Google, where she leads program management activities for various cloud endeavors. Her drive and commitment to equip the workforce—especially the next generation—with critical tech and leadership knowledge is evident in her support of equality in STEM fields and her role as an adjunct college professor at the College of Southern Maryland and Strayer University. </p>



<p>Amid a rapidly evolving industry, Allen knows how to take it all in stride, carving out time for friends and family, seeking spiritual guidance and, when necessary, going all in with “laser focus.” Her new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3T8zQxa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Securing our Future: Embracing the Brilliance and Resilience of Black Women in Cyber</em></a>, which she co-authored with other members of <a href="https://blkwicc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Black Women in Cyber Collective</a>, hits shelves in January 2024.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-i-try-to-do-every-day-is">One thing I try to do every day is…</h2>



<p>Laugh. The cyber world can be intense, and sometimes a laugh is the perfect remedy to break through a rut in the day and reset.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-feel-most-alive-when">I feel most alive when…</h2>



<p>I’m spending time with my <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-friends-are-important/">close friends</a> and family. Good food, good music, great conversation going—it’s truly priceless.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-professional-experience-that-changed-my-life-was">A professional experience that changed my life was…</h2>



<p>When I got a career sponsor. He came at a pivotal intersection in my career and had no other agenda but to see me excel. He provided sound advice, top cover and gave me room to soar. I am forever grateful to him and consider him a friend to this day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-mantra-is">My mantra is…</h2>



<p>Do unto others as you would like done to someone you love and cherish dearly. Also, it’s nice to be nice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-to-avoid-distractions-i">To avoid distractions, I…</h2>



<p>Grab something to drink, mute my notifications (and turn my phones face down), put on headphones to loudly play my curated “Work” playlist and l lock in—immediate laser focus for me.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-to-stay-prepared-for-anything-that-might-come-my-way">To stay prepared for anything that might come my way…</h2>



<p>I pray. My spiritual connection to God is what guides me through this thing called life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-handle-negativity-by">I handle negativity by…</h2>



<p>Having a brief venting session with a close friend, praying or <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-create-an-exercise-routine-that-doesnt-suck/">exercising</a> with a strong playlist.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-technology-i-can-t-live-without-is">The technology I can’t live without is…</h2>



<p>My smartphone. It is my access point to the world and lifeline to my friends, family and all of my endeavors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-i-need-a-jolt-of-energy">When I need a jolt of energy…</h2>



<p>I watch YouTube.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-surprising-thing-about-me-is">The most surprising thing about me is…</h2>



<p>I can be super shy and introverted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-recent-accomplishment-i-m-really-proud-of-would-have-to-be">A recent accomplishment I’m really proud of would have to be…</h2>



<p>Successfully defending my doctoral dissertation while balancing a growing family and work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-biggest-risk-i-ever-took-was">The biggest risk I ever took was…</h2>



<p>Saying “yes” when my stomach was nervous, knees were shaking and teeth were chattering. I said, and continue to say, “yes.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-want-people-to-know-me-for">I want people to know me for…</h2>



<p>The positive mark that I seek to leave on those who I encounter in the world, whether that be through my children, my job or a personal one-on-one interaction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-10-years-i-hope-to">In 10 years, I hope to…</h2>



<p>Be filled with joy beyond measure. Have amazing memories with my daughters. Be a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-get-into-the-c-suite/">C-suite leader</a> doing impactful things and to have successfully empowered and inspired others along the way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-define-success-as">I define success as…</h2>



<p>Having great health, memories and a legacy that lives beyond you.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article originally appeared in the <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-jan-feb-2024-steve-aoki.html">January/February 2024</a> issue of </em>SUCCESS <em>Magazine. Photo by ©shalashyree/shalashyree.com/Courtesy of Dr. Diana B. Allen</em></p>

Dr. Diana B. Allen, author, cybersecurity leader and program manager at Google, shares how she takes risks and stays motivated.

Dr. Diana B. Allen, author, cybersecurity leader and program manager at Google, shares how she takes risks and stays motivated. | SUCCESS

Cybersecurity Leader and Google Program Manager Dr. Diana B. Allen Talks Taking Risks and Staying Motivated

Q&A with Cybersecurity Leader Dr. Diana B. Allen | SUCCESS

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Monique Billings WNBA star, author of Finding Balance: A Playbook for Wellness, smiling in a white dress holding a white basketball with one hand

Personal Development

Personal Development Archives

Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>Monique Billings is a forward for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. <a href="https://mobillings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Billings</a>, who grew up playing travel basketball, honed her skills on the court during her time at UCLA before being drafted by the WNBA in 2018. Despite her busy schedule, she’s committed to approaching life thoughtfully, taking quiet time to recharge and eliminating distractions that might otherwise inhibit her personal and professional growth. Always hoping to inspire, Billings shares her advice for pursuing optimal balance and self-care in her new book, <a href="https://a.co/d/aWldh52" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Finding Balance: A Playbook for Wellness</em></a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-i-try-to-do-every-day-is">One thing I try to do every day is…</h2>



<p>pray and spend time with myself, whether that’s <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/types-of-journaling/">journaling</a>, doing yoga [or] taking a moment to be still and be silent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-feel-most-alive-when">I feel most alive when…</h2>



<p>I am trying new things out of my comfort zone but enjoying it all at the same time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-professional-experience-that-changed-my-life-was">A professional experience that changed my life was…</h2>



<p>getting drafted into the WNBA. In that moment, everything changed for me. I became a professional athlete… and my whole lifestyle changed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-mantra-is">My mantra is…</h2>



<p>to be better than yesterday, not as good as tomorrow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-to-avoid-distractions-i">To avoid distractions, I…</h2>



<p>try to limit myself from being around them. I live a very disciplined life. I’m trying to always think of what’s good for my future self and how I can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-cultivate-a-growth-mindset/">continue to grow</a> and be the best version of myself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-go-to-workout-is">My go-to workout is…</h2>



<p>strength workouts—a lot of power and Olympic lifting. I also love flow <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-ways-yoga-today-will-make-you-better-tomorrow/">yoga</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-never-leave-home-without">I never leave home without…</h2>



<p>my lip gloss, perfume and a face spray—things that make me feel good when I’m on the go.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-i-need-a-jolt-of-energy-i">When I need a jolt of energy, I…</h2>



<p>will eat some fruit, drink a smoothie and try to just pour into myself in positive ways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-handle-negativity-by">I handle negativity by…</h2>



<p>allowing myself to feel and process all of the emotions that come with that, and understand why I’m letting a situation affect me a certain type of way… and then I try to address it head on.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-surprising-thing-about-me-is">The most surprising thing about me is…</h2>



<p>I am very introverted. I’m an <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-genius-of-opposites-3-reasons-extroverts-and-introverts-should-join-forces/">introverted extrovert</a>. A lot of people who see me probably think I’m a very outward person, which I am. But I also love my space. I have to recharge in my space. And I like taking time [to hold] space for myself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-biggest-risk-i-ever-took-was">The biggest risk I ever took was…</h2>



<p>moving to different countries for basketball, playing in these countries and living in these countries for extended periods of time. A lot of times, I don’t do research on where I’m gonna live. I just showed up, and it always worked out so smoothly and beautifully.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-want-people-to-know-me-for">I want people to know me for…</h2>



<p>being a light—being positive, inspiring and a truly genuine, pure soul.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-10-years-i-hope-to">In 10 years, I hope to…</h2>



<p>have a family. I want to have kids, a husband… [I] love that family life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-define-success-as">I define success as…</h2>



<p>continuing to become the best version of myself. Committing to something, making a plan to stick with it, executing and following through.&nbsp;</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em><em>This article originally appeared in the&nbsp;</em><a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-nov-dec-2023-tamron-hall.html"><em>November/December 2023 issue</em></a><em>&nbsp;of&nbsp;</em></em>SUCCESS<em>&nbsp;<em>magazine.</em></em> <em>Photo by ©CREATE WHAT’S TRUE/courtesy of Monique Billings.</em></p>

Monique Billings, WNBA star and author of the new book, "Finding Balance: A Playbook for Wellness," shares her advice for pursuing balance.

Monique Billings, WNBA star and author of the new book, "Finding Balance: A Playbook for Wellness," shares her advice for pursuing balance. | SUCCESS

WNBA Star Monique Billings on Staying Disciplined and Finding Balance

WNBA Star Monique Billings Shares How She Stays Disciplined | SUCCESS

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lewis howes shares the power of vulnerability in life

<p>The five-star accolades for Lewis Howes’ <a href="https://lewishowes.com/sogpodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>School of Greatness</em></a> podcast are numerous, though two themes among reviewers’ praises stand out:</p>



<p>“I’m so grateful; the content saves me hundreds of years of trying to figure out things by myself,” and, “I’m so thankful for Lewis’s curiosity and the authenticity he brings to every conversation.”</p>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/new-thought-leader-lewis-howes/">Being a curious facilitator</a> of life-changing information is exactly what Howes was aiming for when he launched the podcast in 2013, though the path to get there wasn’t exactly that of a conventional, starry-eyed entrepreneur. Instead, it took a career-ending injury and a broken dream to inspire Howes to start on his own path to greatness.</p>



<p>The dream in question was professional football. It’s the dream for a lot of young boys, particularly those who, like Howes, recognized their prowess on the field and quickly wrapped their identity within the game.</p>



<p>The small-town Ohio native’s drive catapulted him to two-sport All-American status in college, followed by a season playing professionally in the Arena Football League. Then, Howes suffered a wrist injury that shut and locked the door on his dream. In recovery and without any prospects, he crashed on his sister’s couch for the next year and a half.</p>



<p>“I had all my ability tied to sports,” Howes recalls now, almost 15 years later. “When that was gone, it was like my identity was gone.”</p>



<h2 id="h-putting-on-the-mask-of-masculinity">Putting on ‘The Mask of Masculinity’</h2>



<p>Howes’ connection to sports took root after a particularly hurtful fourth-grade dodgeball game: Two captains, selected by the teacher, began selecting students to be on their teams. With height and innate athletic ability on his side, Howes awaited his turn. But one by one, every student in the class was called before him, leaving him the last one to be chosen.</p>



<p>In his book <a href="https://amzn.to/3x6nYiW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Mask of Masculinity</em></a>, Howes recalls the horror and embarrassment of being selected dead last.</p>



<p>“In that moment, I decided that I would never be picked last in sports again. In response to their snub, I set out to ‘prove’ those boys wrong and show them how good I actually was,” Howes writes.</p>



<p>“I returned the humiliation they gave me by dominating them, not only in that inconsequential game of dodgeball but in every game I ever played from that point forward, physically reminding them of their mistakes. I dedicated my life after school to becoming the biggest, fastest, strongest athlete I could become… Winning and succeeding at sports made me feel the opposite of how I felt as a vulnerable, picked-on kid.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/lewis-howes-sitting.jpg" alt="Lewis Howes on the power of vulnerability" class="wp-image-69085" width="609" height="800"/></figure>



<h2>Discovering the power of vulnerability</h2>



<p>As a successful athlete, confidence came easy to Howes—until the wrist injury. The end of his football career stripped him of his mask—and, therefore, his ability to cope with his circumstances.</p>



<p>“When you play football every day, you have an outlet to get all your emotions out,” Howes explains. “But you take that away from someone, and the person doesn’t have the tools to communicate with their emotions in a healthy way.”</p>



<p>Howes realized he’d been leaning on football to harness the limited range of emotions he learned to express as a young man: stoicism or anger. Vulnerability wasn’t an option.</p>



<p>“That’s just the way I think a lot of young boys were taught, in America specifically,” Howes says, referring to notions of masculinity where crying is a sign of weakness and expressing emotions is discouraged. In <em>The Mask of Masculinity</em>, Howes explains that some men who subscribe to this traditional and limited view of masculinity often shadow their vulnerability through excessive pride, by flaunting wealth and by using humor as a crutch in uncomfortable situations—all essentially a disguise, or mask, to their authentic self.</p>



<p>In a bid to remove his own “mask of masculinity,” Howes attended an emotional intelligence workshop with a group of about 50. It was here that he opened up about his childhood sexual abuse for the first time.</p>



<p>“I thought my life was over,” he recalls. “I was like, ‘Man, these people know about this. Now they’re all gonna laugh at me.’ And it was the opposite. All the men in the event came up to me afterwards, one by one, and shared their story. Probably like a third of them had been sexually abused too and never talked about it.”</p>



<h3 id="h-a-mission-to-help-others-embrace-vulnerability">A mission to help others embrace vulnerability</h3>



<p>Now, Howes is on a mission to help other men remove their masks. He encourages vulnerability in his books, podcast and interactions with others to change the narrative around what it means to be a man.</p>



<p>He likens his approach to a Trojan horse. “I try to bring men into my sphere and show them you can build a big personal brand and be successful in business and be athletic and all these traditionally ‘masculine’ things,” he explains. “But, then, while you listen to me, you gotta hear me talk about these things.”</p>



<p>Howes has just finished a book—his fourth—titled <a href="https://amzn.to/3I6WEHR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Greatness Mindset</em></a>. It’s a blend of his two missions: helping people achieve greatness and encouraging men to embrace vulnerability. As Howes puts it, working toward a greatness mindset can’t begin without the process of healing.</p>



<p>“People really have three main fears in adulthood: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-mel-robbins-guide-to-screwing-up/">the fear of failure</a>, the fear of success and the fear of judgment. And other people’s opinions are at the center of each one of these fears,” he explains. “When we learn to say, ‘I am enough, and I want to improve from here and accept where I’m at…,’ then we can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-get-over-your-fears-and-get-on-with-your-life/">start to eliminate these fears</a> or work with the fears in taking action.”</p>



<p>Perhaps one of the best role models is Howes himself, an open advocate for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/virtual-therapy-is-revolutionizing-mental-health-care/">the benefits of therapy</a> and authentic conversations.</p>



<p>“It’s very scary to drop the masks,” he says. “It’s very hard to do at first. But once you do it consistently, you feel free to be yourself all the time.”</p>



<h2 id="h-learning-from-others-success-stories">Learning from others' success stories</h2>



<p>Howes says he lives mask-free now, comfortable in both his shortcomings and his newfound skills in marketing and communication, which he didn’t tap into until after his wrist injury. While living with his sister during his recovery period, Howes began scrolling Craigslist and LinkedIn for job opportunities and questioning what value he could offer others in his next venture.</p>



<p>“I started reading a lot of information online, watching as much content as I could about what successful people did,” he explains. Along the way, he began connecting with others on LinkedIn, specifically business owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs with impressive resumes.</p>



<p>In an effort to better understand how they got there—and perhaps adopt some of those same strategies—Howes needed the whole story.</p>



<p>He spent hours a day for several months <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it/">connecting with people on LinkedIn</a> and quickly learned that the best way to guarantee a response was not by asking for advice but rather by asking people to share their success stories.</p>



<p>What he didn’t expect was a steady stream of very vulnerable, human exchanges peppered with business acumen. Very rarely did prodigious talent or marketing savvy play a role in these tales of success. Instead, these stories detailed a shift in mindset, lessons learned from money management mishaps and the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-tips-for-letting-go-of-past-failures-and-embracing-the-future/">willingness to move beyond failure</a>.</p>



<h3 id="h-a-career-built-on-the-power-of-vulnerability">A career built on the power of vulnerability</h3>



<p>Impressed by his persistence and approach, several of Howes’ contacts began asking him for tips on how to leverage their own LinkedIn profiles. Howes created a webinar, which quickly turned into his first online course. The popularity of this course bloomed into a business planning networking events and helping professionals and budding entrepreneurs through a series of marketing courses. After five years, Howes earned enough money to move to Los Angeles.</p>



<p>But even with a prosperous business, he still felt unfulfilled. Reflecting on his situation, Howes asked himself, “If I could do anything, what would I want to do?” He thought back to earlier days of listening to people’s success stories and realized that these weren’t just business stories but life tools that could <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-tips-for-overcoming-setbacks-from-9-resilient-entrepreneurs/">help others overcome challenges</a>. The answer was immediately apparent: “I just want to interview great minds,” Howes recalls. “That’s when the podcast started—kind of from a need to help more people.”</p>



<p>That was 2013. As of November 2022, Howes has aired more than 1,300 podcast episodes, sharing the mic with guests such as Esther Perel, Dr. David Perlmutter, Dwyane Wade, Mel Robbins and Jay Shetty. No topic is off-limits. The show, which was picked up for distribution by broadcasting giant SiriusXM in September 2022, covers everything from brain health and breaking up to building confidence and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-complete-guide-to-money-how-to-create-wealth/">finding financial success</a>. Howes says it’s everything he wished he’d learned in school.</p>



<p>“I was a bad student in school,” he admits. “I would watch all the smart kids and just try to observe people because I never felt confident speaking up or asking questions in class.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/lewis-homes-orange-sweater-1024x682.jpg" alt="Lewis Howes on living a life of authenticity" class="wp-image-69086"/></figure>



<h2 id="h-seeing-the-value-in-others-vulnerability">Seeing the value in others’ vulnerability</h2>



<p>It’s this knack for analysis—and perhaps his perceived incompatibility with others—that made Howes such a shrewd observer.</p>



<p>Take, for example, Howes’ interactions during the photo shoot for this story. While kicked back in a brown leather lounge chair in a home tucked high in the hills of Los Angeles’ Glassell Park neighborhood, Howes takes turns chatting with the videographer and me, asking where we’re from and how long we’re visiting. I offer a cheesy disclaimer that it’s my first time in California and how (embarrassingly) thrilled I was to see the Hollywood sign on our drive out to the shoot.</p>



<p>Later in our interview, while illustrating how much can be inferred about someone based on the power of a keen eye and genuine inquiries, Howes teases out details of my life.</p>



<p>“Seeing the Hollywood sign… you’re lit up about it!” he says. “So it tells me a few things about you: One, it’s exciting for you to see new places. [Yet,] you probably haven’t traveled a lot of places.”</p>



<p>Bingo.</p>



<p>He continues rattling off minor details I told him in passing, capping each of them neatly with a brief character summary.</p>



<p>“So, you don’t have to have every skill in the world to add value to people,” he concludes. “You can see people, you can listen, you can appreciate, and that might be more valuable than giving them money.”</p>



<p>Case in point: Howes makes a point of ending every podcast interview by homing in on his guest’s contributions or accomplishments. “I want to acknowledge you for…” he begins, highlighting the positive impact of their vulnerability or how they pioneered a new way of thinking in their field.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-freedom-of-vulnerability-and-being-yourself">The freedom of vulnerability and being yourself</h2>



<p>Sarah Livingstone, Howes’ chief of staff, says this is just one of his strong suits.</p>



<p>“Relationships are his superpower,” she tells me. It’s later in the afternoon, and we’re sitting in the sun-drenched living room with Matt Cesaratto, Howes’ head of operations and friend since college, while Howes preps for photos. They’ve been on staff at Greatness Media for 10 and eight years, respectively.</p>



<p>“He’s an empowering leader, and he trusts,” Cesaratto adds. “That’s one thing a lot of leaders you see don’t do: They micromanage because they can’t let go of that trust. [Howes] trusts.”</p>



<p>He and Livingstone are smiling as they reflect on Howes’ optimism and energy, and Cesaratto explains that he’s been that way as long as they’ve known each other.</p>



<p>“I literally remember the moment he kind of came into my life,” Cesaratto says. “He had an energy that was different than most.” When asked to describe that energy, Cesaratto paused thoughtfully and responded, “I would call it childlike joy.”</p>



<p>It’s easy to see how graciously Howes embraces life with this sense of innocence. If he was nervous or restless that day, you couldn’t see it.</p>



<p>When we move onto the deck outside to capture some photos of Howes in a striking maroon suit, he pauses on the stairs and stoops over with his hand held out toward a giant grasshopper, a gentle invitation and simultaneous sign of respect. And in between shutter clicks, he steps, sways and swirls to the rhythm of salsa music playing softly in the background.</p>



<p>He exudes an air of lightness and wonder—and, more than anything else, freedom.&nbsp;</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article originally appeared in the March/April 2023 </em><a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-mar-apr-2023-lewis-howes.html"><em>issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine</em></a><em>. Photos by Nick Onken.</em></p>

Podcaster, author, and entrepreneur Lewis Howes shares how vulnerability and authenticity changed his life—and it can change yours too.

Podcaster, author, and entrepreneur Lewis Howes shares how vulnerability and authenticity changed his life—and it can change yours too. | SUCCESS

Lifestyle Entrepreneur Lewis Howes on the Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity

Lewis Howes on the Power of Vulnerability in Life | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/lewis-howes.jpg

<p>If a silver lining can be found in the fallout of the pandemic, it’s that many of us (maybe finally) have started to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/take-control-of-your-relationships/">prioritize our health and relationships</a> over our jobs. The possibility of contracting COVID-19 was enough for the world to reconfigure how it spent each moment. That meant <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/too-busy-for-relationships/">devoting more time</a> to family and friends and cutting out anything that detracted from our pursuit of happiness and purpose.</p>



<p>The common denominator working against those goals? Work. Or, more specifically, work that doesn’t make those allowances for employees.</p>



<p>As the pandemic has waned, rather than returning to work, people have left it. Dubbed the “great resignation,” this trend saw record numbers of people quitting their jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 4.5 million American workers <a href="https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2022/number-of-quits-at-all-time-high-in-november-2021.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">handed in their notice</a> in November 2021—the highest level recorded in one month since the data was first collected in 2000.</p>



<p>Juicy salaries and 401(k) matches no longer cut it; <a href="https://www.realestatewitch.com/great-resignation-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to a study</a> by Clever Real Estate, participants in the “great resignation” took an average pay cut of $8,000. In a <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4009451" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2021 Gartner survey</a>, 65% of respondents said the pandemic made them rethink work’s place in their lives.</p>



<p>The resulting new wave of job seekers is searching for an employment deal that generally ticks three boxes: flexibility, well-being and purpose-driven work. Here’s a look at how these three priorities are impacting the job market.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-flexibility">1. Flexibility</h2>



<p>As employees migrated from conference rooms to Zoom, a greater appreciation for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-working-from-home-can-make-you-more-productive/">the work-from-home life</a> emerged. Employees were better able to coordinate doctors’ appointments and childcare or finish laundry and start the Crockpot for dinner before the workday began. Eliminating commutes <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/one-way-travel-time-to-work-rises.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">freed up an average</a> of 53 minutes per day for spending time with family or catching up on sleep. This made the return to a strict 40-hour, 9-to-5, five-days-a-week schedule grossly unappealing.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.careerbuilder.com/advice/survey-job-seekers-and-employees-value-remote-work" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A recent CareerBuilder survey</a> found that more than 61% of employed American adults agree that they work better remotely than they do in the office. Additionally, 77% of job seekers who are already employed believe the option to work remotely is important in a job posting. “Employers who include a work-from-home or remote option are currently attracting seven times more applicants,” writes Susan Arthur, CEO of CareerBuilder.</p>



<p>Take Drift as an example: When the sales and marketing software company launched in 2015, the co-founders were deliberate about establishing a strictly in-office work culture.</p>



<p>“In the course of maturing and the organization getting larger, we added a bit of flexibility, but we tracked it,” says Dena Upton, Drift’s chief people officer. “We used to give people 10 working days from home. And it was hard to attract people with that kind of rigor around office life.”</p>



<p>Once the pandemic hit and employees started working from home, the philosophy around flexibility changed. “We originally thought this was only going to be a one-month, two-month thing,” Upton explains. “And what we realized is we’ve kind of gone through a one-way door. We couldn’t go back through, and the future of work had changed.”</p>



<p>The company issued a survey to its employees asking whether they’d prefer to work in the office, remote or hybrid. The preferences were evenly split, although an entirely different and unexpected perspective emerged from the results.</p>



<p>“What was important in the data that we got back from the team was they all wanted an equitable experience. We [don’t] believe hybrid will always be an equitable experience,” Upton explains, highlighting the fact that those in the office would end up feeling more connected and involved in company decisions than those working remotely.</p>



<p>In January 2021, the company announced they were going digital-first. Meetings now take place on Zoom and are recorded for those who can’t attend. Orientations and training are completed through video content and virtual assessments. Offices—in Boston; San Francisco; Tampa, Florida; London; Guadalajara, Mexico; and Australia—were converted to what Upton calls “conversation spaces,” where local team members can gather in a more casual, relaxed setting to collaborate. But even then, “you put your Zoom call on,” Upton says.</p>



<p>“It’s about career advancement for our team. It’s access to advancement, regardless of your background or where you live,” she explains. “And so that idea around equality and an equal playing field are the pillars to why we went this way.”</p>



<p>Even the company’s pared-down use of its various real estate investments doesn’t faze its leadership team. If a certain working schedule and location benefits employee output, customer satisfaction and the company’s overall mission, Drift considers that a win.</p>



<p>“You can be productive at different hours of the day, and your family is as important as your job—and you don’t have to compartmentalize those things,” Upton says.</p>



<p><strong>The takeaway for employers:</strong> When it comes to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-handle-employee-resignation/">staving off an influx of resignation letters</a>, employers should consider letting their team work in a way that’s most efficient for them. Some people work best in two- or three-hour stints, while others may not fully tap into their creativity until late at night. Forcing employees to log the same number of hours at the same time in the same place every day doesn’t guarantee that their best work is being done. Measure output, not input.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Well-Being</h2>



<p>It’s no surprise that well-being dropped during the pandemic. With grim news reports, isolation and a complete 180-degree turn in how we carried out our day-to-day life, mental health plummeted. <a href="https://www.kff.org/report-section/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use-issue-brief/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">According to the Kaiser Family Foundation</a>, the number of U.S. adults who reported symptoms of depression and anxiety disorder in 2021 was up 30% from just two years earlier.</p>



<p>This led to an increased demand for businesses and organizations to prioritize employees’ mental health; it also became a major incentive for those on a job hunt. <a href="https://www.paychex.com/newsroom/news-releases/employees-indicate-well-being-top-priority" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In a 2021 survey</a> issued by Paychex and Future Workplace, 62% of respondents agreed that “employee well-being support and benefits are a top priority when applying for or considering their next job.”</p>



<p>Overwork and a feeling of being underappreciated by her peers led Florida-based Elisabeth Lopez to leave her role as a high school biology teacher.</p>



<p>“My first day as a teacher, I was told I would not only be teaching biology but four other subjects that I did not even major in,” she says. She often stayed late after school to sponsor clubs—which she wasn’t paid for—and spent time creating lesson plans and grading after her normal hours. “I often brought work home and was constantly stressed,” she explains. “I am lucky that I was already seeing a therapist.”</p>



<p>A connection on LinkedIn recommended that Lopez apply for a job as an instructional designer for a wine and spirits distributor. She snagged the position and now works remotely, citing flexible hours, great communication, team support, a salary bump and better work-life balance as a few of the perks in her new role.</p>



<p>“My life now has changed: I do not feel guilty about enjoying my weekends and not working,” Lopez says. “I can close my computer once I have worked my eight hours and not feel like I am not doing enough.”</p>



<p>Under the umbrella of well-being at work, the area of mental and emotional well-being—which encompasses perks such as wellness coaching and flexible scheduling—ranked as a top need, according to the Paychex survey. Employees also cited a desire for better mental health benefits and insurance. <a href="https://journals.lww.com/joem/Fulltext/2021/12000/Organizational_Best_Practices_Supporting_Mental.26.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A 2021 article</a> in the <em>Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine</em> (JOEM) noted that offering a robust health care plan with “access to a large pool of mental health providers… and eliminating unreasonable service limits such as the number of outpatient sessions covered” is necessary.</p>



<p><strong>The takeaway for employers:</strong> Don’t discount opportunities to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/corporate-wellness-programs-need-an-overhaul-starting-with-these-3-components/">create a holistic work environment</a> for current and prospective employees. A quiet room for workers to recharge mentally, nutritional foods in the staff cafeterias, fitness club memberships and work-free weekends are all examples of ways to contribute to a “positive mood, less fatigue and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-prevent-burnout/">a decrease in employee burnout</a>,” according to the JOEM article. They also help create a magnet for qualified, committed workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Purpose</h2>



<p>Now more than ever, job seekers are craving positions that mean something to them. Work can no longer be a soulless routine—it has to offer value and fulfillment. Millennials and Generation Z, who together make up almost half of the current workforce, are especially motivated to ensure that the time they’re allocating toward a job counts, whether by doing good or allowing them to carry out their own goals.</p>



<p>Naina Dhingra, a partner with McKinsey &amp; Company, likens <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-my-purpose-in-life/">the concept of one’s purpose</a> to a North Star: “[It’s] this idea of having a sense of direction, intention and understanding that the contribution you’re making is going somewhere.”</p>



<p><strong>The takeaway for employers:</strong> One way that a CEO, owner or board member can get on board with this trend is to take the time to ensure that the company or brand’s mission truly reflects what they want the business to stand for. Once that mission is clarified and refined, it needs to be baked into every decision and every job title. Job seekers are searching for roles at companies whose mission closely aligns with their own values. By making that mission apparent, you’re attracting candidates who are already inclined to put more effort into their work, because they believe it’s important. According to <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/help-your-employees-find-purpose-or-watch-them-leave" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2021 McKinsey research</a>, approximately 70% of Americans still define their sense of purpose through the work they do.</p>



<p>In an episode of <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-search-for-purpose-at-work" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The McKinsey Podcast</em></a>, senior partner Bill Schaninger puts it this way: “When someone is looking for the time they spend at work to have purpose and needs alignment between the organization’s purpose and their own, it’s a multiple win in terms of good outcomes, of employees wanting to stay and feeling like it’s a good place to work and for their intention to stay and strive.”&nbsp;</p>



<p><br><em>This article originally appeared in the January/February 2023 Issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine. </em></p>

Job seekers are looking for flexibility, well-being and purpose-driven work. Here’s a look at how these three priorities are impacting the job market.

Here’s a look at how these three priorities are impacting the job market. | SUCCESS

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Should I Stay or Should I Go? | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/negotiating-benefits.jpg

<p>There’s an episode of <em>That ’70s show</em> where Red Forman, a gruff husband and father, is searching for a new job after the auto parts plant where he worked closed.</p>



<p>While suited up and on his way out the door to a job interview, he boasts to his family, “I don’t need an edge. I’m Red Forman. I’m experienced, loyal, hardworking.” His daughter, Laurie, chimes in, “That’s the trifecta of employability!”</p>



<p>At least, it used to be. The notion of showing up to work, punching in, completing a designated series of tasks, punching out and returning to repeat that pattern every day for the span of one’s career has effectively expired. As the context around work and personal life has changed, so has the balance between them.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-great-reset">The Great Reset</h2>



<p>The pandemic accelerated an already existing desire among the employee population to get something more out of work—whether an aligned purpose, an opportunity to grow or the ability to contribute to a higher cause. Many workers began to demand their worth by refusing to settle for anything less than fair wages and employers’ trust.</p>



<p>Because of this “great reset,” employers must be equipped with processes and behaviors centered on employee investment. Company goals are no longer just about meeting revenue targets. They’re about intrapreneurship: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-put-your-employees-well-being-first/">feeding into employee strengths</a> and creating a culture where everyone, regardless of role, feels the personal satisfaction of growth and achievement.</p>



<p>Heather E. McGowan, a thought leader, researcher and future-of-work strategist, notes the shift in employee contributions over the past half-century.</p>



<p>“A recalculation of the S&amp;P 500 in 1975 [shows] 87% of [shareholder] value came from tangible things, property, plant equipment—because we made stuff,” she explains. “Now, 90% of the value is intangible. That’s ideas and patents, etc. It’s human activity. So people are starting to realize that humans are the most important asset in an organization, and that’s why we’re shifting to humans as an asset to develop rather than a cost to contain.”</p>



<h2>The Face of Intrapreneurship</h2>



<p>In some cases, traditional work meant completing a list of tasks with little room for employee innovation or improvement. It stifled creativity, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/are-you-stressed-or-are-you-experiencing-burnout-with-paula-davis/">led to employee burnout</a> and, although still netting profits, limited the possibility of brand expansion. Operations this strict and stagnant may have been a fit for manufacturing work, but in an age where enterprising ventures reign supreme, it “doesn’t really make any sense in terms of how creativity works or how knowledge works or how explorations work,” McGowan says.</p>



<p>So what does intrapreneurship look like? Think of entrepreneurship—unlimited creativity, trial and error, supportive friends—within the parameters of an organization. It could mean giving employees room to problem-solve, improve efficiencies or even develop additional revenue streams. In other words, employees should be encouraged to keep an open mind and freely explore the ways certain systems are working—or not working. Those in leadership positions should do the same. It takes a conscious effort to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/changing-the-world-why-true-innovators-need-upheaval-with-roger-martin/">break the status quo</a>, but an employer must always think of the potential: A single, out-of-the-box idea can shift the entire trajectory of a business.</p>



<h2>The Benefits</h2>



<p>Years ago, Google implemented the 20% rule for its employees, an idea that workers should spend at least 20% of their time exploring new ideas and projects that could potentially reap massive benefits. In a <a href="https://abc.xyz/investor/founders-letters/2004-ipo-letter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">letter to would-be shareholders</a> in 2004, the co-founders noted that the habit “empowers [employees] to be more creative and innovative,” and that many significant advances happened during that allocated time. Those advances include AdSense, Google News and Gmail.</p>



<p>Company growth and an increase in revenue are the most evident rewards for nurturing creativity. Business and branding expert Charlene Walters observed that “when your employees function with an entrepreneurial mindset, they make decisions based on profitability and the bottom line. They won’t pitch projects or ideas just because they sound cool or interesting; they will pitch ideas because they show profit potential.”</p>



<p>Of course, those ideas may still be cool or interesting, although most are devised with an intent to streamline a process or workload or generate mass appeal.</p>



<p>A less direct but equally important upside of fostering an intrapreneurial spirit is retention. When employees feel free to entertain their creative side at work, their engagement soars. This is a win-win; the company has every opportunity to excel with a team of committed employees driving growth.</p>



<p>McGowan is quick to add a caveat here: Intrapreneurship shouldn’t be touted as an employee benefit; creativity and problem-solving are an intrinsic part of being human, and strengthening those is just good company policy. “If humans are the most important asset in your organization, keeping them compensated well, rested, refreshed with good physical and mental health is a way of taking care of the most important asset in my organization. It’s not cost cutting,” she adds, to withhold these things.</p>



<h2>How Leadership Can Encourage and Promote Intrapreneurship</h2>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/should-you-encourage-your-team-to-pursue-side-hustles/">Intrapreneurship in an organization</a> depends on leadership. The first step to enabling an entrepreneurial mindset in employees is through connection, McGowan says. Find out what employees are interested in, what they’re curious about and what lights their fire. Take the time to listen, pinpoint their source of creativity and allow them to work out of that space. McGowan puts it simply: “If you don’t listen to them, you’re gonna lose them.”</p>



<p>Take that a step further by getting comfortable with relinquishing some control over how the business operates—and, most importantly, losing any trace of the “what I say, goes” mentality. Trust—which McGowan notes is “the only human performance-enhancing drug”—is a tenet of effective leadership.</p>



<p>Trust means more than allowing your employees to work from home without being monitored. Building real trust requires leaders to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-key-insights-on-treating-employees-with-love-from-leadership-experts-three-and-jackie-carpenter/">cultivate an environment that’s supportive</a> and suitable for the free exchange of ideas. Timothy R. Clark, the founder and CEO of leadership consulting agency LeaderFactor, writes about this in <a href="https://amzn.to/3tNUchf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety</em></a>. In it, he describes four stages of safety with results that range from feelings of acceptance to the freedom to ask questions. Together, these four stages nurture a foundation in which intrapreneurship can thrive.</p>



<p>To arrive at this place means throwing out the top-down leadership model and accepting that you are no longer the sole expert in your organization. Max Heineman, the CEO and co-founder of video production company Toldright, adopted that mentality for his organization. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-advantage-of-growth-mindset-in-entrepreneurship-with-max-heineman/">In an episode</a> of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-details-with-karen-allen/id1623234449" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>In the Details with Karen Allen</em></a> (part of the SUCCESS Podcast Network), he explained that Toldright has taken extra measures to be flexible, foster creativity, give people time off and establish feedback opportunities for all employees in an effort to build this type of trust.</p>



<h2>Take the Plunge</h2>



<p>Intrapreneurship naturally implies risk. Everything from adjusting an in-house procedure to launching a new product involves treading carefully through uncharted territory. But taking a chance on an employee’s idea can also result in a long-awaited breakthrough.</p>



<p>McGowan illustrates this with Apple’s eradication of the Sony Walkman. “It took 40 years for [the Walkman] to reach 400 million units. The iPod did that in 13 years. And the only thing that stopped it was the iPhone—which did it in about three and a half. So Apple came up with a product that completely killed its most prominent product before then. And that’s what organizations need to be willing to do. If the next frontier means cannibalizing your existing products or services, you just have to be willing to do it.”</p>



<p>You also have to be willing to optimize your employees’ creativity and skill sets to achieve that chance of success.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-jan-feb-2023-naveen-jain.html"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Naveen-Jain-Cover.jpeg" alt="Naveen Jain " class="wp-image-67697" width="188" height="256"/></a></figure>



<p><em>This article originally appeared in the <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-jan-feb-2023-naveen-jain.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January/February 2023</a> issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine. Photos by</em>&nbsp;<em>Shutterstock</em></p>

The traditional career is dead. Is it time for employers to promote intrapreneurship within their organization?

As the context around work and personal life has changed, so has the balance between them. | SUCCESS

The Magic of Intrapreneurship Within Organizations

The Magic of Intrapreneurship Within Organizations | SUCCESS

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<p>In December 2021, tiktok.com became the world’s <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johanmoreno/2021/12/29/tiktok-surpasses-google-facebook-as-worlds-most-popular-web-destination/?sh=36e68daf43ef" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most popular web domain</a>, bumping Google—and its entire suite of services—down to the No. 2 spot.</p>



<p>If the world’s <a href="https://www.searchenginejournal.com/seo-guide/meet-search-engines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most popular search engine</a> was succeeded by a social media app, it may indicate a new era for the platforms that were once used solely for entertainment.</p>



<p>TikTok has quickly evolved past the 15-second dance routines and other short-form videos that ushered it into popularity. Now, the platform is a resource for life advice and how-to content. It’s even made headlines for the sheer number of people who log into the app to pick up career advice from professionals and various job consulting agencies, with many acing interviews and landing their dream jobs.</p>



<p>There’s a lot to be said for just how impactful social media can be, not only for regular users, but for business owners and entrepreneurs looking to get an edge in a generation that spends a majority of its time online. A <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pew Research Center study</a> found that 84% of adults ages 18 to 29 use social media. This data is especially important when considering that <a href="https://d-great.org/buying-decisions-influenced-by-social-networks/#:~:text=A%20study%20of%20ODM%20Group,far%20as%20purchasing%20decisions%20go." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">74% of all consumers</a> rely on social media for purchasing decisions, and nearly half use the platforms to <a href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/data/social-media-future-of-business-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discover new brands</a>.</p>



<p>The next generation and incoming workforce—a bulk of your potential hires and customer base—already spend a considerable amount of time on social media apps. Now may be a good time to evaluate whether they know about you and your business.</p>



<p>Take Tessa White, a career coach and founder of The Job Doctor. White’s work as a corporate speaker and on-site trainer for companies slowed to a halt when the pandemic started. While reimagining a new career that focused on more intimate job coaching, her 28-year-old daughter suggested she join TikTok to share the short videos she’d made about her services.</p>



<p>“In 72 hours, I had 10,000 followers,” White says. “It just clicked, and I understood that Gen Z and millennials were learning differently.... At the company I left to pursue this, [the younger employees] didn’t do traditional learning. They did learning snacks, short snippets.”</p>



<p>White’s TikTok videos cover everything from tips to boost a resume to insider advice she gleaned from 20-plus years as an HR professional. She realized that people now prefer to consume knowledge quickly, which made her videos a quick hit. She’s received calls from the <em>Washington Post</em>, appeared on <em>Good Morning America</em> and secured a book deal with HarperCollins.</p>



<p>“I don’t ask for business and yet I’m beyond full,” White explains. “I’m usually two to three weeks booked out. And that’s not really a testament to how good of a marketer I am, because I’m not marketing; it’s just a testament to what people need and how effective these platforms can be.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-social-business"><strong>A Social Business</strong></h2>



<p>Before dismissing sites such as TikTok or Instagram, entrepreneurs and business owners should consider the opportunities social media can present to their companies and organizations.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Exposure</strong></h3>



<p>Nearly half of consumers use social media to discover new brands. Instagram and TikTok, for example, have pages full of recommended content that users can scroll (the Explore page and the For You and Discover pages, respectively). So what distinguishes these pages from a collage of randomized ads? Data collection. Media conglomerates keep track of content that users like, search or post. They then build personas from this data that pushes content relevant to specific users to the top of their feeds.</p>



<p>For businesses, this means your products or services are targeted to those who may have a vested interest in what you offer. Once a post catches their attention, they’re just one tap away from your business profile and contact information. With smaller or family-owned businesses, it’s an easy—and free—way to advertise to customers and clients beyond the scope of your reach.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Humanization</strong></h3>



<p>Social media has always been about connection—B2C interactions included. Gone are the days when business was strictly business. Consumers now care more about the presence of authenticity, culture and ethics in the brands they shop with, and social media leaves plenty of room for companies to be transparent.</p>



<p>It’s an opportunity to share a glimpse of the CEO and staff, how a product is made or a behind-the-scenes clip of a day on the job. Seeing the faces behind a business humanizes it and fosters a deeper connection with your audience.</p>



<p>Not every moment is meant for the internet, but the ones that capture the essence of your brand and your <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-makes-good-customer-service/">dedication to employee and customer interests</a> are ideal for showing that your company is more than a label. The consumers that <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-your-brands-reputation-on-social-media/">build a connection with your brand</a> will trust it, and that’s a strong recipe for driving new business and repeat transactions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cost</strong></h3>



<p>Social media is mostly free to join and use, with some costs associated with marketing and paid advertising, which gives you the freedom to control how—and how often—you share your business. Plus, it’s common for posts that offer value in the form of insightful, funny, uplifting or informational content to gain traction. Users who love or benefit from your content can share it with friends or on their own pages, which increases brand exposure and can open the door to a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-secrets-to-selling-with-social-media/">previously untapped consumer market</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bringing your Business to Social Media</strong></h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Find Your Platform</strong></h3>



<p>According to Sarah Best, the CEO and chief strategist of Sarah Best Strategy, a digital marketing agency headquartered in Wisconsin, there are certain social media platforms that work best for certain industries. “If you’re a consumer-facing company, then the biggest platform size in terms of reach are Facebook and YouTube,” she says. “Instagram is great for fashion and retail, travel and tourism—anything that’s very highly visual in nature.” TikTok tends to be more playful and may not be a great fit for more formal companies. But if your audience skews younger, Best suggests experimenting with the app and working with influencers “who are closely aligned with your business priorities.”</p>



<p>One platform she recommends companies cut back on is Twitter. It tends not to have as much engagement for businesses and requires a consistently high volume of content. “For people who have limited time, they might not get the biggest return. But... it’s great for customer service and for live media.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Learn the Mechanics</strong></h3>



<p>As with anything else in life, the best way to learn something is to practice. If your knowledge of social media is lacking, start familiarizing yourself with the platforms that fit your business or organization. Whether on a business or personal account, play around with the functions and features and observe what tactics are working for other accounts in your same industry. One way to do this is to visit different platforms’ case studies pages to get examples and analytics for marketing campaigns that landed. (An internet search for the platform name and “success stories” should take you to the correct link.)</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Create Content</strong></h3>



<p>“What are you hoping people do as a result of seeing your social media post?” Best poses. “That’s going to help guide some of the content and activities you do on those platforms.” With these goals in mind, she advises businesses to create a content bucket list, or a checklist of regular talking points within your company, to map out on a calendar. “Having a checklist to work off of for planning content is a lot easier than just trying to come up with something in the moment,” she explains. If you have a seasonal business, such as accounting during tax prep, plug any relevant events or announcements into your calendar too.</p>



<p>It also helps to listen to your audience. “As companies, we feel a lot of pressure to promote our services and products,” says Best. “But if you understand what the fit is like, what the customer is looking for, you’ll be way more effective.” White often produces content based on client conversations and felt needs that are expressed among her TikTok audience. “If you wait too long to talk about a topic that’s on everybody’s mind, you’ve missed the boat,” she says.</p>



<p>When it comes to the type of post, both videos and photos work as long as they’re easy for your audience to understand. Although creating videos can be intimidating, Best reiterates the value of authentic content that’s created using a good quality smartphone and natural lighting.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Engage</strong></h3>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/build-relationships-first-how-to-sell-on-social-media/">Cultivating a relationship</a> with your audience is a two-way street. Best recommends liking user comments, promptly answering their questions and sharing photos they’ve taken that relate to your business (with their permission). <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/customer-love-how-to-take-your-business-from-good-to-great/">Engaging with customers and clients</a> reinforces their inherent value to your company and encourages them to champion your brand. Says Best: “The beauty of social media is when people become excited about the work you’re doing and start to share it online themselves.”</p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>This article originally appeared in the May/June 2022 Issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine. Photo by&nbsp;MaaHoo Studio/Stocksy United.</em></p>

TikTok is the most popular website in the world. Is your company ready to capitalize on the next evolution of social media?

TikTok is the most popular website in the world. Is your company ready to capitalize on the next evolution of social media? | SUCCESS

TikTok Is Here to Stay—Is Your Brand Ready?

TikTok Is Here to Stay—Is Your Brand Ready? | SUCCESS

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<p>Several minutes into seeing the same refresh button over and over again on our Facebook and Instagram feeds, we all began to learn what was happening: A social media blackout.</p>



<p>On Oct. 4, 2021, three of Meta’s platforms—Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp—were down for more than five hours due to a disruption in the networking conglomerate’s infrastructure, which monitors traffic between its data centers.</p>



<p>Those who felt uncomfortable with the silence scrambled to sites like Twitter and Reddit to air their grievances and satisfy their itch for digital connection. In a culture that thrives on instant communication and a flurry of memes to pass the time, the outage was nearly apocalyptic.</p>



<p>It made me think of a lecture I’d listened to a week earlier while attending a virtual social media conference. Alex Lieberman, the co-founder of the <em>Morning Brew</em> e-newsletter, was detailing how his brand evolved from an idea into a global media company with 3.5 million subscribers in just six years. One point he made really stuck with me: <em>Newsletters are one way to truly own your audience</em>, versus only fleetingly grabbing their attention.</p>



<p>He hinted at the trajectory of newsletters becoming the way of the future for current and burgeoning entrepreneurs. They offer exceptional value, and you’ll want to leverage your knowledge and content so that if social media ever crumbles, your audience will still be there.</p>



<p id="h-what-makes-newsletters-so-valuable">What makes newsletters so valuable?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-they-have-higher-activity-and-roi-nbsp">1. They have higher activity and ROI.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Emails give social media a run for its money—literally. Even though social media is user-friendly and easy to get swept up in—in 2020, for example, the average person spent two hours and 25 minutes on social media every day—the time people spent checking their email more than doubled that, with the average person clocking 5.6 hours a day monitoring activity in both their work and personal inboxes. Plus, the return on investment is currently at $36 for every dollar you spend in email marketing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-they-attract-niche-audiences-nbsp">2. They attract niche audiences.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Unlike social media, newsletters attract committed audiences that typically share the same niche interests. According to Lieberman,&nbsp; “There are generally two types of content that really build passionate audiences: It’s content that solves a problem or content that serves a passion.”</p>



<p>Google searches and certain social media posts might yield these results, but newsletters offer consistency and a single location akin to an encyclopedic hub. They’re more personal, which lowers the wall and strengthens the connection between you and your readership. And, by building a subscriber base that revolves around a specific subject, it establishes you as an industry leader.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-they-re-customizable">3. They’re customizable.</h2>



<p>It’s harder to scale a broad newsletter audience immediately because it lacks the virality that social media is known for. Earning subscribers can be an arduous process, but there’s one powerful perk: You have a greater understanding of those relationships and can cultivate your content to reflect that. “I have the control over when my audience sees my content, how they see my content, where they see my content, and I own those emails,” Lieberman says.</p>



<p>A little research into your audience’s current needs or interests is incredibly useful. Track what people in your niche or subscriber base are discussing. If you already have a newsletter started, pay attention to the analytics and see what type of content or subject matter receive the most clicks. That often serves as an opening to a bigger conversation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Mailchimp, for example, recently launched a content optimizer that evaluates your email performance against industry benchmarks and provides feedback on components like images and word count. According to Deana Thornton, Mailchimp’s director of commerce marketing, this offers valuable insight into what content draws your target audience, so you can personalize it to their interests. “That is definitely critical in order for you to cut through all the noise, as we all get so many emails in our inbox on a daily basis,” she says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-social-media-is-fleeting">4. Social Media Is Fleeting</h2>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/time-is-your-most-valuable-resource-dont-waste-it/">Humans have fluid attention spans</a>, so we don’t typically focus on something for too long before we feel an urge to check in with our environments. Case in point: It’s not unusual to see thumbs flying across screens, mindlessly scrolling through social media.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Compounded with the fact that we’re also highly visual, long captions or written content tend to have less impact when accompanied by pictures, videos or other visual aids.&nbsp;</p>



<p>That’s why segmented groups, such as Facebook groups, are increasingly recommended for brands to improve their reach. Ignite Social Media led a study that found only 5% of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-tips-to-set-up-your-social-media-for-success-in-2022/">social media audiences</a> will see a creator’s organic post. Algorithms play a big role in this, and unless you’re paying for exposure, your content is likely crowded out by the masses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“You have to effectively promote your content in order to have 100% of your audience,” Lieberman says. “Deliverability is way higher [with a mailing list] than a social platform.” You’ll need to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-steps-to-craft-an-effective-message-for-your-business/">optimize your content</a> strategy, and one of the best ways to do that is to launch a newsletter.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/email-vs-newsletter-WEB-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63014" style="width:768px;height:512px"/></figure>



<p>How to create a powerful newsletter</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-what-s-the-goal">1. What’s the goal?</h2>



<p>According to Lieberman, the viability of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-solopreneurs-guide-to-email-marketing/">starting a newsletter</a> depends on factors like whether you hope to quickly monetize your brand, and where your intended audience consumes content. “The first question I would always ask myself is, ‘What’s the goal of the newsletter?’” he says. Entrepreneurs need to think about where their newsletter fits in their target audience’s routine. Is what you’re offering different from what’s already out there? Evaluate yourself honestly, and if your responses check all the boxes, then you’re ready to decide whether your content solves a problem or serves a passion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-create-quality-content">2. Create quality content.</h2>



<p>It seems like a no-brainer, but newsletters wouldn’t have traction if the content was poor. What you’re publishing should share new and insightful information, offer something different from other mailing lists in your niche, and provide immediate value. It’s great to include information about your products, but you only want to dip your toes so far into the sales pool.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It’s really important when you’re investing in your newsletters that you’re taking the time to tell your customers about yourself, your business, getting behind the scenes and also being very transparent about some of your challenges,” Thornton says. “It adds that human element.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-don-t-forget-the-design">3. Don’t forget the design.</h2>



<p>Content is the name of the game, but don’t neglect the design of your newsletter. From subject line to sign-off, the appeal and readability of your email lies in its display. Keep the layout clean and don’t inundate your subscribers with excessive text or imagery. Instead, find a balance that teases them to scroll through to the end. Newsletters are a great place to reinforce your brand colors. In the same way we think of McDonald’s when we see a golden arch, your subscribers will recognize you across channels when you’re consistent with branding.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-find-the-right-subscribers-and-keep-them">4. Find the right subscribers...and keep them.</h2>



<p>Even with substantive content, it can take time to build an audience. But there are a couple simple practices to move the needle forward.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bolster your content with industry-laden SEO. Whatever your brand or business, pepper those keywords into your newsletter, social media posts and website. Wherever you have a presence, make your niche known. Once those people land on your platforms, direct them to an email sign-up page.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Run a contest or giveaway where readers can exchange their emails for a chance to win a branded prize. Morning Brew runs a referral program where subscribers earn merchandise for every converted referral. It’s a small incentive for dedicated readers that pays off as a worthwhile growth strategy.</p>



<p>When it comes to keeping subscribers engaged, Lieberman recommends aiming for “a balance of consistency with novelty.” Subscribers signed up for your newsletters with expectations for what lands in their inbox, so keep some elements familiar as you begin introducing fresh content.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You also don’t want to eliminate the connection between you and your audience as you grow, so opt for a temperature check from time to time. Include surveys that poll for current likes, dislikes and opportunities for improvement, but position the survey in terms of how they’ll benefit from providing their feedback.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Your subscribers are ultimately the foundation of your business or brand, and newsletters are the vehicle for keeping it intact. Says Thornton: “When you take the time to<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-examples-of-good-customer-service-to-build-customer-loyalty/"> build the relationships</a>, then it’s not just about the product or service that you provide—it’s about the business owner that’s behind it. You create more loyalty that way.”</p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 Issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine. Photo by MEM Studio/Stocksy United.</em></p>

'Newsletters are one way to truly own your audience, versus only fleetingly grabbing their attention.'

'Newsletters are one way to truly own your audience, versus only fleetingly grabbing their attention.' | SUCCESS

Social Media Blackouts Prove the Lasting Importance of Newsletter Marketing—Here's How to Build a Strategy Worth Opening

Social Media Blackouts Prove the Lasting Importance of Newsletter Marketing—Here&#8217;s How to Build a Strategy Worth Opening

Newsletter Marketing Strategy: Building an Engaging Campaign

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