Entering The Inspiration Zone

What can reflecting on milestones and embracing gratitude teach us about personal and professional growth?Join Juliette Mayers, a highly regarded DEI strategist, Forbes Coaches Council Member, Author and Speaker, in this heartfelt season 3 finale of Entering the Inspiration Zone. Juliette reflects on a year of blessings, celebrating achievements and extending heartfelt gratitude to listeners, guests, and her incredible team, for their invaluable support this season. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care through “strategic pauses” and invites listeners to revisit past episodes while anticipating the exciting return of season 4 in 2025.Whether you're a business professional, entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode delivers encouragement, actionable insights, and a reminder to celebrate your journey.Highlights:01:10 - "It is an absolute joy to hear from you, and it warms my heart when I meet our listeners in person. Some of you have become friends, and others have become clients, and for that, I am grateful."01:23 - "This year has been filled with possibility and numerous blessings. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."01:37 - "From Inspiration Zone selection as the 2024 Supplier of the Year from Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council to selection as a Woman to Watch, an honor I humbly accepted from the Women's Business Group Connect, to the surge of book-related engagements for my book Strategic Networking 2.0, these milestones are reminders that I am on the right path."02:16 - "A huge shout out to Inspiration Zone guests who have shared their stories and elevated our thinking as a community. Every topic brings us closer together, sparking real moments of insight and growth from our episodes on resilience, innovation, deep dives into leadership, empathy, and community building."02:48 - "Special thanks to D'Anna Ibiloye, Inspiration Zone's marketing and communications coordinator, and to the team at Podcast Engineers for your partnership.."03:39 - “I am deliberate and intentional, creating positive connection and professional development. I think of it as a strategic pause to retool and recharge. And yes, I encourage everyone to do this for themselves.04:26 - “Get caught up with the past episodes, practice self care, I look forward to rejoining you here for season 4 in 2025.”Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

Are you ready to end the year with renewed energy and focus? In this episode of Entering the Inspiration Zone, host Juliette Mayers dives into essential strategies for recharging and aligning with your professional and personal goals. Juliette, a highly regarded DEI strategist, Forbes Coaches Council Member, Author and Speaker, shares actionable tips to help entrepreneurs and business professionals find resilience, manage overwhelm, and finish strong.Expect a valuable blend of wellness insights, goal-setting frameworks, and motivational advice aimed at enhancing productivity and well-being as the year wraps up. Tune in now to gain clarity, set priorities, and tackle the final quarter with intention and strength.Let's get energized and inspired to close out the year on a high note!Highlights:02:00 - "What I am talking about is the impact upon me personally...I find the constant demands overwhelming sometimes, especially as an introverted professional."04:11 - "When I talk about resilience, I mean the ability to bounce back and manage through challenges."06:03 - "I thought I'd share my personal experience on how I stay authentic amid external pressures."08:41 - "Each morning, I focus on setting priorities...What is the one thing I need to accomplish today?"11:45 - "Leverage your network, and the people in your ecosystem, to help drive things forward."14:22 - "Go back to your goals...make sure you reset, recharge, and finish strong."16:57 - "Finishing strong is about acknowledging all aspects of ourselves to achieve professional success."Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

How do we create food sustainably without relying on traditional agriculture? In this captivating episode of Entering the Inspiration Zone, Juliette Mayers sits down with Dr. Lisa Dyson, the brilliant mind behind Air Protein. Dr. Dyson is revolutionizing the food industry with her groundbreaking approach to landless agriculture, making it possible to produce nutritious food from air, water, and energy. Dr. Dyson's compelling journey reveals the science behind air-based food production and shows how every small step can help tackle global food challenges.Dr. Dyson shares insights into her journey from physics research to entrepreneurial ventures tackling climate challenges through innovative food solutions. She explains the power of networks in driving change and highlights the importance of resilience for success. This conversation will inspire you to rethink the future of food, business, and climate solutions. Whether you're a business leader, a climate enthusiast, or simply curious about the future, this episode offers valuable insights on how we can all take action to create a more sustainable world.Highlights:01:08 - "Air Protein's transformative land-free process uses only elements of air to yield a carbon-negative protein, resulting in the most sustainable way to grow food."12:36 - "We leverage some of NASA's original ideas to build a technology that allows us to make food in a way that doesn't require arable land. You can make food anywhere using just air, water, and energy."17:22 - "If the way we make food today clears land equivalent to the size of South America and contributes more greenhouse gases than the entire transportation sector, how will we feed 9 or 10 billion people?"15:08 - "We started by focusing on the hardest problem first—can we make something like chicken, with the same texture and flavor, but grown using air?"20:09 - "The main thing consumers can do is vote with their wallet—choose products that are good for both your health and the planet."23:27 - "The way you climb Mount Everest is one step at a time. Even a small piece of a possible solution can make a difference, and you'd be surprised how many people are willing to join you on that journey."Contact Dr. Lisa DysonLinkedInWebsite Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

Are you making the most of your network for career success? In this episode, host Juliette Mayers shares the secrets of smart networking and how to build connections that can advance your career. Juliette: An accomplished Author, Speaker, DEI Strategist, and member of the Forbes Coaches Council, challenges the common notion of "your network is your net worth" and tells you why quality trumps quantity. She also shares real-life examples, and thought-provoking questions to help you rethink your entire networking strategy.Learn how you can begin building relationships that matter both externally and internally. Be sure to apply Juliette's actionable advice, such as nurturing internal relationships, focusing on the quality of your network over quantity, and strategically planning your networking efforts to advance your career. Highlights:01:10 - "Often what is overlooked is your internal network, and really spending the time to cultivate those internal relationships that can help increase your effectiveness and better position you for success."02:45 - "Your network is your net worth; I don't think that's 100% true. You can have a huge network, but what's more important is the quality of your network and how it aligns with what you're trying to accomplish."03:40 - "Strategic networking is networking with a plan. It's deliberate, intentional, and focused on relationships that matter to your goals."06:20 - "When it comes to career advancement, your internal network is extremely important...most people get promoted because they have done their work on the relationship part."09:45 - "I'm an introvert, and for me, networking takes a lot of energy...The reason I focus on strategic networking is because I can be more thoughtful and deliberate about how I use my time and energy."13:30 - "Yes, you do need a written plan for networking. People who write down their plans and revisit them regularly have a higher likelihood of achieving what they want."16:10 - “Who in the organization is a champion of mine? Who are my allies, mentors, sponsors?" Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

How can AI revolutionize your personal and business branding? Tune in as Juliette Mayers welcomes marketing expert David Meerman Scott a globally recognized marketing strategist and author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR.If you're a business professional or entrepreneur, this episode will show you how AI can simplify content creation and enhance audience engagement. You'll discover actionable steps to boost your brand's visibility and credibility using AI. Learn how to save time, effortlessly create high-impact content, and build a standout brand with the power of AI. Discover how AI can drive more engagement on platforms like LinkedIn, help you write compelling headlines, and turn your ideas into attention-grabbing posts. Whether you're looking to elevate your personal brand or grow your business, you'll get practical tips to sharpen your marketing strategy, increase your reach, and connect with your audience meaningfully.Don't wait—tune in now and transform your personal and business branding with AI! Apply the expert insights shared in this episode to stand out, captivate your audience, and thrive in the digital age.Highlights:05:00 - Artificial intelligence is driving so many of the things that we do every single day. Sometimes they're in the background; we don't even see it."11:00 - The more you can create content built around engagement, the more engagement you'll get, the more people will be exposed to your ideas."18:15 - "You can use AI tools to create more and better content, and even repurpose audio into written posts in a fraction of the time."24:00 - "It's still really important from a branding standpoint and an accuracy standpoint to really review whatever AI comes up with."29:20 - "I believe that AI makes marketing more fun, more enjoyable, and intellectually stimulating because we're not doing mundane tasks anymore." Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette Mayers' Book: “Strategic Networking 2.0: Harness the Power of Connection and Inclusion for Business Success” Contact David Meerman ScottLinkedInWebsiteDavid Meerman Scott's Book: “The New Rules of Marketing & PR”

Juliette is joined by Pam Reeve, Chair of the Board, American Tower. Pamela has built her career around the advancement of women and support for technology innovation. In roles starting and running businesses, serving at the helm of public company boards of directors, and leading non-profit organizations and boards, Reeve has left her mark on the region's business landscape while mentoring and in other ways supporting its people.A champion for women's leadership, Reeve serves as the Chair of The Commonwealth Institute, working with women CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to help them grow their businesses and their careers. In this position, her active involvement in Board-Ready Bootcamps, and through her work with the Boston Women's Leadership Network Last Mile Initiative and Women Corporate Directors, she has demonstrated a commitment to increasing the number of qualified women serving on boards of directors.Pamela shares her story of creating her own path. Pamela talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion, and how she found the confidence to forge her own way. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories, so be sure to tune in!Highlights:03:54 - When I look back on the journey, I think it's more about how I wanted to be, what I valued, relationships that meant a lot to me and a lot of connecting dots that otherwise might seem not connected.07:25 - I think that you have to look around on what might be available to help you out and maybe do move if you can.13:18 - I think we all carry in us our history, our upbringing and our history, and then we hope to enrich that or go away from it.18:40 - Have more faith in yourself, use your voice and use your intention. Don't deny yourself and don't prevent yourself from at least trying on something that you're interested in.Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Juliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with PamelaWebsiteThis episode is sponsored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts(AIM). AIM is the largest business association in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To learn more about AIM, visit www.aimnet.org.

How do you develop empathy for the lived experiences of others? It can be difficult, but it's necessary if we want to build a more inclusive society, embrace diversity and develop relationships. Juliette sits down with Bob Rivers, the Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank to talk about his journey and personal story that is truly empowering. Find out how to better understand people as Bob further shares his process in order to develop meaningful relationships and cultivate relationships with different communities and networks. Moreover, get to know how humility plays a huge role in the process.Highlights: 08:55 People, I think, could see that I was not only deeply sincere about addressing these issues, but also very aware that I wasn't well educated, knowledgeable, didn't often know the language or the right words to use or ways to express things. Because of those relationships, people took me aside and would correct things to help me be better.” 13:29 It's one thing to be introduced to someone; it's another thing to operate in a way you're building trust and really being there for that person or those people when they need you. 14:31 If you can't find anyone, it's all a matter of just reaching out and getting involved and really looking.17:29 I like the discomfort 'cause I knew it would cause me to get better and get more comfortable and the only way to do that is repetition. 22:41 You have to find ways to break out into completely different communities and networks and you have to be strategic about it. ContactJulliette MayersLinkedInWebsite Bob RiversLinkedIn

Talent is the lifeblood of any organization. No matter how good your brand name is, you won't be successful without a talented team. Stephanie Browne joins Juliette to discuss why organizations need to earn the right to have top talent.Find out more about why it's not enough just to have a good brand name. You need to create an environment where talented people want to work. Listen as Stephanie and Juliette discuss what organizations can do to cultivate ,attract, and keep top talent!Highlights02:44 I spent over four years working on trying to be the best me and these last twenty seven years, I've been blessed to have a lot of roles that led me to where I am today. 08:26 All of those skills I did outside of my corporate job at the same time keeping my corporate job. That was what really helped me navigate its leadership and the executive suite because of all that learning. 10:18 There was nobody there telling me I was doing it wrong or doing it right. I had to learn it on my own and I was able to take risks that I wasn't really willing to take. 14:36 We also know that diversity brings innovation. What kind of innovation do you need to be thinking about as a company is the first thing you need to think about. You must have a strategy. 22:39 I really do believe that organizations need to earn the right to have the best talent. It's not enough just to have a good brand name. It's not enough just to, you know, I call talk the talk. You gotta walk the walk. ContactsJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpStephanie BrowneWebsite Eastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Join Juliette Mayers in an invigorating episode for leaders and aspiring leaders. Her distinguished guest Rosabeth Moss Kanter, is the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business at Harvard Business School and a prolific author, shares invaluable insights. Her latest bestseller is "Think Outside the Building."As a trailblazer in academia, Rosabeth often stood as the lone woman in her field. She attributes her success to a tireless work ethic and task-orientation. Drawing from her journey, Rosabeth champions solutions that unite, emphasizing the power of action and uplifting others.Tune in to hear Rosabeth urge leaders to embrace a mission that benefits all, providing the flexibility and meaning essential for success. Episode Highlights:14:06 - That doing nothing, being passive is depressing, and it only gets you more tired, less energetic, et cetera. But doing something, anything, taking a step can be so gratifying and rewarding. And if it's the wrong step, you have a chance to correct it and start again, but doing is my solution. Doing and uplifting others, those two things inspire me.16:20 - My goal is, I said earlier, is uniting everybody. It's a world in which people feel included. It's a world in which everyone has opportunity to thrive. And it's great that we're talking about opportunity now and encouraging leaders to think not just about hiring people for jobs, but giving them opportunity.27:41 - If you want to be a leader, if you aspire to be a leader, one thing you have to do is, these days, especially during the pandemic, I wrote a blog that said CEO should stand for Chief Empathy Officer. That is, you had to understand what your people were going through if you wanted their full support. To help keep the company alive, you had to keep them alive.Contact Links Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpRosabeth Moss KanterHarvard Business SchoolTwitter

Author of Strategic Networking 2.0, Juliette shares her insights on keeping professional relationships alive during the summer. Based on her own experiences and her three books on networking, she offers practical tips for business professionals and entrepreneurs on how to use the summer months to build deeper connections and expand their networks.She talks about why summer is the perfect time to get to know colleagues and potential partners beyond the office. Juliette also shares some great stories about how personal interactions can lead to powerful connections.Episode Highlights04:01 - I think that summertime, quite honestly, is a perfect time to deepen the relationships because people are often in a space of, even if they're at work 90% of the time, they are typically in a better place because, one, the sun is out.08:03 - Summer is a perfect time to get to some of those tasks that you may have been putting off and make sure that they are optimized in a way that will help you to be more effective. So one thing that you can do is if you haven't already done it, take the time to make sure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date, that it's professionally done, and it reflects what you do. 14:44 - Be mindful of where people are on their journey and with their energy. And in some cases, the vacation that somebody takes may be the only time they've had all year, and so be respectful of those times. If somebody's on vacation, unless it's truly an emergency, do not tell them it's urgent and you need a response. ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteStrategic Networking 2.0Juliette's Books

In this powerful episode, Juliette Mayers engages in an enlightening conversation with Herby Duverné, President and CEO of Windwalker Group, and co-founder of RISE. Herby shares his remarkable journey to entrepreneurial success, delving into the trials and triumphs that shaped his path. Together, they explore the themes of leadership, responsibility, and the impact of positive workplace culture, offering invaluable insights for business professionals and entrepreneurs.Herby talks candidly about his early days in the US, overcoming language barriers, and seizing every opportunity to learn and grow. His story serves as a testament to resilience and the importance of staying committed to one's goals, no matter the hurdles.He also touches on his passion for closing the economic gap and creating housing opportunities through RISE, emphasizing the significance of giving back to the community. Additionally, Herby discusses his role as Chair of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts and the importance of supporting strong leadership within the organization.Episode Highlights:15:30 - Curiosity, which is a big thing for me, a big word that I would like to talk about,. Curiosity, that's something that's always kind of a part of me, feeling like I want to know more. I want to learn more. 21:45 - Five years ago, a former client of mine, who's my business partner right now, called me and said, "Hey, Herby. What are you doing? Can I come see you in the office?" I said, "Yeah." He came to see my office and he said, "Let's do a business together. I'll do construction because I know construction very well. You can do the development side, and then we call it RISE together," which is he has a RISE Construction part of the business, and I do the RISE Development side of the business. So that's how we come together. Part of it is, one, not just to close the wealth gap, but really to try to create, you know, we have a housing crisis in the state, how we can create more housing and opportunity for people.23:03 - Without that opportunity, I would not be in this position that I'm in right now because I'm really able to get in, because I could not afford to pay the full rent. To be able to go to school, driving a cab, and then really pay as little as I can because I couldn't do that. So that's why development is always a big thing for me.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with Herby DuvernéLinkedInRise BostonWindwalker Group

Welcome to a riveting episode of Entering The Inspiration Zone with your host, Juliette Mayers. In this episode, Juliette sits down with Elzie D. Flenard III, the renowned Mayor of Podcast Town and a beacon of inspiration in the industry. Together, they explore Elzie's incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a podcasting powerhouse, amplifying voices that matter, and empowering entrepreneurs around the word.Listen in as Elzie shares valuable insights on the power of mindset, clarity of purpose, and the importance of self-mastery in achieving success. Discover how Elzie's Podcast Academy is democratizing podcasting and creating a platform for all voices to be heard.Join us as we uncover the keys to enhancing leadership, fostering inclusivity, and making a lasting impact in the world of podcasting with the one and only Elzie Flenard III. Stay tuned for an episode filled with wisdom, inspiration, and a roadmap to entrepreneurial excellence.Episode Highlights:05:04 - Eventually one of my guests said, "You know, Elzie, you're pretty decent at this whole podcast thing. You should help other people do it."07:30 - Transformation, it happens based on 3 things: your level of education times your level of motivation times your level of inspiration, that equals your level of transformation.09:17 - I've found that no matter what you do, how you do it is the thing that matters most.17:16 - The biggest thing that I always like to leave people with is self-mastery on a surface, people will look at it and they say, "Well, that's selfish." But really, there's a reason why when you're on an airplane and they're giving you the safety instructions. They say if, the Lord forbid, the oxygen masks come down, put yours on first. Because if you don't and you can't breathe, then you're no good to anyone else.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with ElzieLinkedInEmail

Juliette Mayers is joined by Leverett Wing, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Seminar, a trailblazing advocate for marginalized communities. Leverett's extensive experience in public service, including being the first Asian American staff member at the Massachusetts State House, and his numerous awards make him the perfect guest to delve into empowering communities of color. Leverett discusses the historical power dynamics that have pitted minority communities against each other, highlighting the model minority myth, immigration policies, and the need for diverse education. Tune in to learn about the importance of solidarity among people of color, the work of the Commonwealth Seminar, self-education about one's history, and taking control of your narrative through thought leadership. Don't miss this chance to learn how to shape your community's future through civic engagement.Get inspired and get involved to be a part of positive change! Episode Highlights:06:48 - Our 20th anniversary kickoff celebration is called, "In the room and at the table," and because that's where our communities need to be. It's not good enough to just be in the room. You have to be actually at the table when decisions are made, so you can voice your opinion. You can give your perspective. You can influence decision-makers.12:52 - The reason I do all this writing and the reason I do a lot of these podcasts is because we need to share our stories. Because the traditional media, the traditional outlets don't often cover or want to cover, or just traditionally don't cover these types of stories. And so, we as communities need to tell our stories jointly. And we need to tell stories of solidarity. We need to tell stories of collaboration.14:20 - It starts with the youth. It starts with educating young people, whether it's high school or college, but most importantly, at the elementary school level, so that they know that we've been, from a very young age, that we've all been working together.Contact Links Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpLeverett WingEmail-Leverett WingEmail-Commonwealth SeminarCommonwealth Seminar website

Juliette engages with the visionary Shellee Mendes to uncover the secrets of resilience and success in this episode. From humble beginnings to owning two esteemed salons on Newbury Street, Shellee shares her inspiring journey of overcoming adversities and making remarkable strides in the business and beauty industry.They explore Shellee's transformative decisions, from venturing into cosmetology to handling the unique challenges faced during economic downturns like the 9/11 aftermath and the pandemic. With an unmatched passion for networking and community involvement, Shellee also delves into the pivotal role these elements have played in her sustained success and influence.Episode Highlights:06:08 - The pandemic slowed us down business wise. I actually started my business after 9/11, but I did work on Newbury Street for 9/11, and things like that really slowed down business.10:05 - When someone comes to my salon, it's not just the style. I examine their hair, their scalp. Probably after 10 years of being here, I really became intrigued with the scalp, the follicles, and the bulb that the hair grows out of. And I realized sulfate shampoos that we are washing our hair with are not just damaging our hair. They're damaging our hair from the root, the follicles.10:59 - My vision for the future is to instill a little bit more education into hair and cosmetology schools. I feel that's important. I learned it after cosmetology school, but it's the reason why so many women, men, and especially women of color are losing their hair. So, I would love to see a stronger education in cosmetology schools.12:31 - I really feel that mentoring is extremely important. Sometimes we can be selfish and not want other people to get ahead, but, honestly, it comes from my heart. And what I do, I do it from my heart. And half the things I do, I don't even remember when people tell me. I'm like, "Oh, wow. Yeah. Okay." But when you do it from the heart, you're not counting how many people you've helped in the past.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with ShelleeWebsite Salon Monét InstagramContact Salon Monét

Juliette talks with visionary leader, Eneida Roman, about the transformative power of Amplify Latinx in fostering Latino economic empowerment. Eneida shares insight into the organization's mission to propel the visibility of Latino leaders and the growth of Latino-owned businesses, emphasizing community involvement and public policy advocacy. Eneida also discusses Amplify Latinx's strategic initiatives designed to uplift an entire community by amplifying less visible leaders and supporting micro businesses. Episode Highlights: 07:36 - Expanding Outreach in the Latino Community: "Because we understood that the Latino community is the fastest growing population in the nation. And if we're only looking at women, we're missing out on half of that significant growth." 09:46 - Leadership and Economic Empowerment: "We really have honed in on supporting Latino-owned businesses, helping them obtain access to procurement opportunities and access to capital." 14:40 - Empowering Growth: "Because at the end of the day, Latino prosperity is American prosperity because when a community does well, everybody does well. 17:59 - Impact of Recent Supreme Court Ruling on DEI: "And now there's been a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that limits that progress somewhat and that has given pause to many leaders about what to do next." 18:36 - Promoting progress for the American economy is about giving equal opportunity, then let's do that. Right? Let's make sure that we are looking at what our country looks like and making sure that we're not giving preference to anybody. We're just looking at what the landscape is like and what we need to do as leaders, as business leaders, to ensure that the next generations do well.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with EneidaWebsite Email: Info@amplifylatinx.com

Juliette talks with diversity powerhouse Colette Phillips about the untold narratives of white male allies in the movement for equity. Colette details the seven traits of culturally savvy anti racist leaders from her book, The Includers, as they delve deep into the uncharted territory of inclusion while challenging the status quo.Colette brings her unique blend of cultural intelligence and heartfelt anecdotes from her own experiences as a trailblazer in the field. Episode Highlights:10:10 - I believe very strongly that one your network is your net worth and number two that people do business with people they know, people they like, and people they feel add value.10:53 - Get Konnected was born out of a necessity to see diversity reflected in every room, at every event. Face-to-face networking, to me, is the backbone of creating lasting, valuable relationships – it's where opportunities are seized and solidified.19:24 - If we are going to move the dial on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, in this country we cannot do so and exclude white men from the conversation or from the table, it just does not make sense.22:32 - Eric and Bob's work behind the scenes illustrates the silent yet impactful role of allyship. Their efforts epitomize the courage and commitment needed to facilitate real change in our society.29:00 - The concept of the '7 C's of Inclusion'. Building bridges requires certain foundational qualities. It all starts with character — without it, you can't hope to genuinely promote diversity.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with ColetteColette Phillips Communications, Inc WebsiteLink to More Information on Colette Phillips

Juliette sits down with Lesli Suggs, President and CEO of The Home For Little Wanderers. Lesli shares her inspirational journey of advocating for at-risk children and families for over 35 years.Lesli's commitment to community service and the power of relationship-building shines through as she shares her leadership lessons and offers practical advice for leveraging networks and building authentic connections.Episode Highlights06:34 - Education is the great equalizer and we'll never have equal access to education if we continue to fund education through property taxes.08:49 - We've come to understand and know that child welfare does not do a good job of raising children. It's there to provide a critical service for children who need it, children who experienced abuse and neglect.16:24 - To have influence, people have to be able to want to listen to me, be able to listen to me, which means I need to be in a relationship and have connection. And the power of relationships having being authentically interested in other people's journeys and what they have to say and their own perspectives, which may be similar to mine or different.19:08 - Mentoring is sort of a strange word, I think, actually, because it implies that somebody's mentoring the other person. I always find that relationships that are connected in that way are so reciprocal. I learned everyone learn where I still have folks that I reach out to all the time who mentor me.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect With Lesli SuggsLinkedIn

In this episode, the spotlight is on the remarkable Tonie Leatherberry as she shares her insights on the journey from transition to transformation. Join Juliette and Tonie as they explore the power of strategic networking and the importance of investing early and often in yourself. Tonie's personal framework for navigating transitions and transformations offers valuable guidance for professionals and leaders. Tune in as they discuss the significance of rebranding and crafting a new value proposition, especially in the current evolving landscape. Episode Highlights10:07 - Setting Goals During Challenging Times: "I start with a time frame or a date in mind. And so if you were to think about it on a piece of paper, it's a vertical line that says, by this date, I want to be here. I wanna be at this destination in my journey."14:56 - The Lifelong Learning Journey: "Well, becoming a student again after 30 years, just even knowing with what some of the tools were and how to do plagiarism checks, and and we might laugh about that today, but now we realize how important being on top of some of that stuff really is."18:59 - Reflections on Career Transition: "And there's a little bit of fear of the unknown, right, around that. And so I had to just be faithful, I guess, is the basic way of saying it to say I'm financially secure. So what are the fears? What are the fears? Are the fears, you know, sort of a lack of identity because this has been my identity for 30 years? Are the fears a lack of, again, continuing for me to grow and to learn and to experience? Are the fears related to just sort of, you know, as, as particularly as women of a certain vintage or becoming women of a certain vintage, thinking about I'm closing a certain chapter and, you know, I'm going on to the next chapter. But then I just said, let it flow for me. I didn't over think it. I just let it flow."25:59 - Leadership Through Strategic Networking: "strategic networking is about investing in. It's not about showing up at some gala or some conference and meeting people. But it is that is a leadership opportunity. How can you lead? How can you be on their board? How can you create a certain program within that not for profit organization that is investing in?"ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect With Dr Tonie LeatherberryLinkedIn

In this captivating episode, Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, opens up about the interconnectedness of oral health and overall wellness and shines a light on the communities often overlooked in the healthcare system. Join us as we unravel the complexities of oral health and the important connection to overall health. Delve into the significance of equity in healthcare, and explore actionable steps towards a more inclusive future. Myechia also talks about the important work of The New Commonwealth Fund. Tune in to learn more. Episode Highlights: 07:57 - The Missing Connection: It's more than just a smile. Our oral health is intricately linked to our overall well-being. Addressing oral health is among the initial steps in achieving holistic healthcare for all. 10:58 - Breaking the Stigma: Engaging in open conversations and acknowledging the barriers to oral healthcare is essential in paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. 18:11 - Shaping the Future: By amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, we can create a system that truly serves everyone. Let's bridge the gap and revolutionize healthcare together. Contact show host and guest: Connect with Juliette LinkedIn Website Juliette's Books Inspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up Connect With Myechia LinkedIn CareQuest Institute for Oral HealthThe New Commonwealth Fund

In this thought-provoking episode, Juliette Mayers delves into the compelling theme of prioritizing yourself. Drawing from her extensive experience as an accomplished author, speaker, and DEI strategist, Juliette unpacks the importance of having a big dream and integrating self-care into the pursuit of that dream.Juliette shares insights from her own journey as a DEI strategist, emphasizing the need for professionals to prioritize their wellness and mental health. She reflects on the struggles faced by individuals, particularly amidst the challenges of work-life balance, burnout, and the endless to-do list. Through her own experiences and interactions with business owners, Juliette highlights the frustration many face in finding time to pursue their goals while juggling personal and professional responsibilities.Tune in to this empowering episode as Juliette Mayers sheds light on the importance of prioritizing oneself, setting boundaries, and honoring individual values in the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.Episode Highlights:03:05 - Prioritizing Professional Development: "The journey that we've been on and the way in which we have been approaching things is to acknowledge that those challenges are really not new. And so how do we make sure that we just modify our strategies and so forth to go forward?"08:17 - Struggles of Finding Balance: "The struggle to find balance. And therefore, there's a sense that there's simply no time to pursue aspirational goals or passions, whether that's personal or professional."10:08 - "How are you going to hold yourself accountable? How are you going to monitor and measure your effectiveness or your success? So some people were candid in saying, you know what? That all sounds really, really exhausting, and we're already tired."16:44 - "When you are clear about what is expected, your are training others to change their behaviors."17:18 - "We have to train people to prioritize us and we first, have to prioritize ourselves."Contact LinksJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up

In this episode, Juliette talks to Lee Pelton, the President and CEO of The Boston Foundation, about his experience with double consciousness as a Black man. He shared how equity is now central to everything done by The Boston Foundation in order to close the racial wealth gap. He highlights that closing this gap would benefit everyone economically and offer security and well-being for all regardless of race or ethnicity.Growing up in a working class Black enclave located in the middle of a predominantly White neighborhood, Lee became interested in making the invisible visible for young people, so they could see all of the opportunities and connections that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Lee believes that equity is about closing opportunity gaps between students instead of providing equal inputs as equality does, while acknowledging there are still narratives around zero-sum games which can lead to hate rooted from fear and ignorance.Listen to hear Lee explain some examples such as Black homeowners facing appraisal levels 38% lower than their White counterparts due to historical challenges preventing people of color from creating wealth through home ownership, credit scores not taking into account rental history when assessing credit worthiness, banks experimenting with no down payments on mortgages, and cultural education around different cultures' views on debt being necessary for lenders understanding alternative methods for evaluating creditworthiness without disadvantaging potential borrowers.Episode Highlights08:17 - It's really an opportunity gap and so, equity is about closing the opportunity gap. That's the difference between equality and equity is opportunity. And equality is about inputs. Equity is about outputs.20:42 - This is part of a trend. It's not anything new that equity sits in the center of everything that we do. I should say one of our most significant projects is an effort to close a racial wealth gap. 33:13 - I often quote James Baldwin who said that not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it's faced, and that's truth telling. And so, none of the issues that we have discussed today happened by accident. I would encourage us, ourselves and others, to understand how we got here. There's a history here that we need to understand, and understanding it will help us resolve those issues.Contact Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with LeeLinkedInEmail

In this power-packed episode, Juliette sits down with Kip Hollister, the dynamic Founder & CEO of the Hollister Group. Kip shares her unconventional journey into entrepreneurship, her approach to risk-taking, and her resilience through adversity. They delve into the importance of vulnerability in leadership and the key role of values-driven decisions. Listen in as Kip discusses her perspective on the emergent need for relationships and humility in the pandemic era and shares practical advice for leaders to enhance self-awareness and authenticity. Juliette adds her insights on fostering an inclusive, value-centric culture. Lastly, don't miss out as Kip reveals her passionate commitment to community engagement. Tune in for these highlights and much more as we explore the formula for leadership that leaves a lasting impact.Episode Highlights:08:30 - We have to kind of discern, as leaders and as a company, how we're going to move through this time and preserve what we have and be in integrity and hold people capable and accountable at the same time. 11:21 - Conversations define our life and being real is our acronym in the Cultures Division, but it's being able to be authentic, be relatable with your people, be vulnerable with your people and be in the learning together while leading. 18:53 - Get the Cultures Group involved. It really does begin though with seeking to understand one's own self, because without understanding yourself and understanding your own blind spots and self -awareness, which I think is the number one greatest attribute to amazing leaders, you can't model, so it's modeling.Contact Links Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpKip HollisterWebsiteEmailLinkedIn

In this enlightening episode, Jeff Fuhrer, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Foundation Fellow at the Eastern Bank Foundation & Author of "The Myth That Made Us, How False Beliefs About Racism and Meritocracy Broke Our Economy (and how to fix it)", dives into the underbelly of the US economy, exposing the deeply entrenched false narratives about poverty and race. Through insights from his latest book, he takes a hard look at how these myths fundamentally break our economy and perpetuate wealth inequality. Jeff delves into the historical government policies and how their ripple effects are still felt today. What can be done to fix these systemic issues? How critical are genuine relationships and trust-building in this process? Tune in as we explore these compelling themes, the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, and discuss ways to challenge and change these societal narratives. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation that subtly addresses the power of voting, acknowledging history, and speaking truth to power in order to begin mending the wealth gap. Remember, change begins with understanding.Episode Highlights:13:02 - It's a bootstrap, but it's also broken. It's usually a loop that you can put your finger in. And so it's a broken bootstrap, which is just a stylized way of saying pulling yourself up by bootstraps does not work. But it is a myth that is definitely out there. And that's another way of saying the meritocracy thing, "Well, work hard, pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Individual achievement is what we're all about."13:58 - I want that to create an impact. I want people to feel like, "Wow. All this is going on today, despite our being one of the most wealthy countries in the world, by most measures, the most wealthy country in the world." So what do we do to fix it?23:28 - I think it's important not to be naive about the political environment in which we are living. Everybody knows and understands it's fractured and fragmented and fractious.Contact LinksJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpJeff FuhrerWebsiteLinkedInThe Myth that Made Us, How False Beliefs About Racism and Meritocracy Broke Our Economy (and how to fix it)

It's natural to aspire to accomplish a lot in life. People that are most successful at making it happen, on the other hand, usually have defined goals and an action plan for accomplishing them. In this episode, Juliette talks about goal setting so you can be ready for 2024. She explains how and why planning is a key part of what she does as a business executive who specializes in DEI strategy, brand management, and thought leadership.Juliette offers some insight into the success framework she uses – Dream, Plan, Create, Achieve while also providing excellent questions to ask oneself in order to facilitate productive goal planning. Find out how you can be SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time bound) when setting goals. Tune in to learn how to build and manage your network more efficiently, commit to constant learning, measure progress, and continue to grow.Highlights02:45 When I think about goal setting and why people keep asking me questions about it, I think it's because they look at all that I do. And usually I'll get comments like, "How on earth do you achieve so much? How can you possibly do all of these things?" Do you not sleep is one of the common questions. And to be quite candid, there are times every now and then, I may get a little overwhelmed. And I pause and I take a look at my goals. And I get back on track.05:32 When we talk about Dream, it's really about creating what is that personal vision -- your grand vision. You've heard me say that before. What is it that you want to achieve? And I say personal very intentionally, because some of you may be thinking, "Well, my goals may be business goals that I'm focused on right now." And you also need to apply how does that apply to you from a personal standpoint.07:17 So, the second component of that Dream, Plan, Create, Achieve is Plan. And as it relates to goal setting, it really is about creating a roadmap for yourself and making sure that that roadmap is constructed with goals and specific initiatives or tactics that support your grand vision.09:57 The third component is Create. Right? Dream, Plan, Create, Achieve. And as it relates to goal setting, this is really about developing and effectively managing your network, your tribe, your village, whatever it is that you think you need to support. So, it's the people part of your objective.12:16 Achieving is the attainment of your personal, professional, or business goals. It's not a destination. But it's a process of continuously monitoring and cultivating the networks that you have and the relationships that you have to be able to support and sustain whatever it is that you've achieved.ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

In this riveting conversation, Juliette Mayers talks to Dani Monroe, Founder of the Martha's Vineyard Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) Summit, who hails from a multicultural and economically diverse upbringing. Dani shares intriguing perspectives from her life's journey to a DEI executive and thought leader. Experience how a pivotal realization sparked the inception of the Martha's Vineyard Chief Diversity Officer Summit, now a haven for CDOs to learn, grow, and exhale. Dive into some of the tantalizing topics discussed at the Summit, spanning from the legal intricacies of affirmative action to skillful communication around sensitive socio-political issues. Discover the transformative role of CDOs in today's business landscape and organizational strategy. Dani, in her candid style, sheds light on the importance of embracing curiosity for inclusive leadership and the courage to step into the unknown. Listen to this episode for these insights and much, much more!Episode Highlights:11:47 - So, chief diversity officers, the role itself probably has only been in existence since the very late 90s, maybe early 2000s. And their role really is to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies across the organization. So, it originally started by focusing on human capital issues, hiring, recruitment, development of diverse people. It now has become a business imperative for an organization in that diversity, equity and inclusion runs through almost every function of an organization.16:08 - One of the most significant pieces of the summit is certainly where it's held on Martha's Vineyard. And if you know anything about Martha's Vineyard, historically, it has been a place where brilliant minds come together to share some of the latest thinking.16:57 - The summit is designed for chief diversity officers. And one of the things I learned from the experience of the cultural competence program is how do you design to a profession. And so, it's not generic programming. We really spent a lot of time thinking about what did chief diversity officers need at that point in time in their development.Contact Links Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpDani MonroeLinkedInEmailWebsite

Tune in to our next episode with Paula Price, an independent board director and strategic advisor. In this episode, "Building Inclusive Boards: Strategies from an Experienced Leader," Paula shares her thoughts on how organizations can achieve true diversity in the boardroom.Paula recounts her insightful journey and unveils game-changing strategies, emphasizing the pivotal role of mentorship in breaking down barriers. She pulls back the curtain to reveal key metrics that go beyond mere numbers, measuring progress towards board diversity.We'll delve into the nitty-gritty of the challenges faced by aspiring board members, providing valuable insights for those aiming to implement strategic networking and showcase their unique value. Paula makes a compelling case for why board diversity is not just a buzzword but an essential business imperative.Episode Highlights:08:53 - By the time you get onto a board, you are senior enough. There's no excuse to use your voice, to use your capital, to support people who you know are well-qualified for roles, whether it's executive roles or board roles. You know that they're well qualified and everyone should know that they're well qualified, but they may not have someone in the room to speak up on their behalf.11:44 - Those of us that have been in this diversity, equity and inclusion discussion and battle for so long, we knew that we had to put in place systems during that time that allowed us to look at regiments every single quarter. And I won't say that they weren't in place in some places because they were, but in places where they weren't, we set up goals and we made it a routine process to look at our progress towards those goals.14:04 - When top leaders actively support and champion diversity, this sets the right tone for everyone else to follow. Holding boards and leadership accountable for diversity, walking the talk, sets the expectation that diversity is not just some ideal, but it is something that should be integrated into all aspects of leadership and also employee resource groups, mentorship programs, flexible work arrangements. These all contribute to diversity in leadership roles being embraced.Contact LinksJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpPaula PriceLinkedIn

Ever wondered how art can connect diverse communities and cultivate empathy? In this captivating episode, join Juliette as she delves into the inspiring world of David Howse. As the accomplished Executive Director of ArtsEmerson, David utilizes the power of art to break down walls and foster inclusivity.David's journey, from growing up in Tennessee to pursuing his passion at New England Conservatory of Music, fuels his belief that "we are more alike than unalike." He champions service as our rent to the Earth, embodying Maya Angelou's profound wisdom. Discover how he tackles the challenge of promoting diversity and inclusion in the arts, emphasizing the importance of imagination. Through curatorial listening, leaders can better understand the needs of vulnerable populations.Tune in to learn about the impactful Gaining Ground Fund, supporting artists reflecting the African Diasporic experience. David's advocacy for cultural exchange and increased funding is a call to action for a more inclusive and understanding world. Listen now and be part of the movement to bridge communities through art! Episode Highlights:09:45 - I thought, "Well, what if we reimagine that? What if we provided resources for artists to believe and dream and develop projects in their full voice? With all the intentions." And I said, "Can we do that?" And, you know, so we developed what we call the Gaining Ground Fund.15:55 - There are international stories that actually can help us understand who we are as Americans, as Bostonians. And so, this notion of cultural exchange, which used to be a pretty significant part of cultural diplomacy from the state house and from the government, but that has sort of pulled back in time. And we are committed, me and ArtsEmerson I should say, and many of our colleagues across the country and being able to do what we call international presenting.19:57 - I'm very inspired by healthcare. When they think about prescribing arts as a way of healing, as a way of mindfulness. So, I'm often interested in developers, commercial real estate developers, who are thinking about architects, landscape designers, artists to think about how we make our spaces more welcoming, a sense of belonging for more people.Contact LinksJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpDavid HowseLinkedInWebsiteArtsEmersonMuseum of Fine Arts BostonBoston Symphony OrchestraNorman Rockwell Museum

Juliette Mayers is joined by Leverett Wing, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Seminar, a trailblazing advocate for marginalized communities. Leverett's extensive experience in public service, including being the first Asian American staff member at the Massachusetts State House, and his numerous awards make him the perfect guest to delve into empowering communities of color. Leverett discusses the historical power dynamics that have pitted minority communities against each other, highlighting the model minority myth, immigration policies, and the need for diverse education. Tune in to learn about the importance of solidarity among people of color, the work of the Commonwealth Seminar, self-education about one's history, and taking control of your narrative through thought leadership. Don't miss this chance to learn how to shape your community's future through civic engagement.Get inspired and get involved to be a part of positive change! Episode Highlights:06:48 - Our 20th anniversary kickoff celebration is called, "In the room and at the table," and because that's where our communities need to be. It's not good enough to just be in the room. You have to be actually at the table when decisions are made, so you can voice your opinion. You can give your perspective. You can influence decision-makers.12:52 - The reason I do all this writing and the reason I do a lot of these podcasts is because we need to share our stories. Because the traditional media, the traditional outlets don't often cover or want to cover, or just traditionally don't cover these types of stories. And so, we as communities need to tell our stories jointly. And we need to tell stories of solidarity. We need to tell stories of collaboration.14:20 - It starts with the youth. It starts with educating young people, whether it's high school or college, but most importantly, at the elementary school level, so that they know that we've been, from a very young age, that we've all been working together.Contact LinksJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up Leverett WingEmail-Leverett WingEmail-Commonwealth SeminarCommonwealth Seminar website

Join Juliette Mayers in an invigorating episode for leaders and aspiring leaders. Her distinguished guest Rosabeth Moss Kanter, is the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business at Harvard Business School and a prolific author, shares invaluable insights. Her latest bestseller is "Think Outside the Building." As a trailblazer in academia, Rosabeth often stood as the lone woman in her field. She attributes her success to a tireless work ethic and task-orientation. Drawing from her journey, Rosabeth champions solutions that unite, emphasizing the power of action and uplifting others. Tune in to hear Rosabeth urge leaders to embrace a mission that benefits all, providing the flexibility and meaning essential for success. Episode Highlights:14:06 - That doing nothing, being passive is depressing, and it only gets you more tired, less energetic, et cetera. But doing something, anything, taking a step can be so gratifying and rewarding. And if it's the wrong step, you have a chance to correct it and start again, but doing is my solution. Doing and uplifting others, those two things inspire me.16:20 - My goal is, I said earlier, is uniting everybody. It's a world in which people feel included. It's a world in which everyone has opportunity to thrive. And it's great that we're talking about opportunity now and encouraging leaders to think not just about hiring people for jobs, but giving them opportunity. 27:41 - If you want to be a leader, if you aspire to be a leader, one thing you have to do is, these days, especially during the pandemic, I wrote a blog that said CEO should stand for Chief Empathy Officer. That is, you had to understand what your people were going through if you wanted their full support. To help keep the company alive, you had to keep them alive.Contact Links Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpRosabeth Moss KanterHarvard Business SchoolTwitter

Juliette welcomes a very special guest, Alberto Vasallo, III, the dynamic President and CEO of El Mundo Boston. This episode promises a riveting conversation filled with inspiration, resilience, and the power of positivity. Alberto's story is a testament to perseverance, embodying the quintessential entrepreneurial journey with a rich tapestry of experiences. Get a glimpse into the life of Alberto, a multifaceted individual with deep ties to Boston's Latino community. Trace the journey of El Mundo Boston, a Latino media company with a legacy of success. Gain insights into Alberto's unique upbringing and its influence on his entrepreneurial spirit. Understand the significance of carrying a positive attitude even in the face of adversity.Tune in to learn about the elements that have played a crucial role in shaping Alberto's successful career. Delve into his philosophy of not judging others, focusing on passion, and seeking better life alternatives. Uncover his passion for mentorship and community involvement. Discover the transformative power of positivity and gratitude in everyday life. Listen to this episode to get a sneak peek into Alberto's advocacy for exposing young people from humble backgrounds to successful individuals of color.Episode Highlights:08:58 - The thing I love doing the most in life is keeping things positive, whether from the family to the business. I want everyone who works for El Mundo to have a great time. I want all my friends to have a good time. And obviously in a family environment, I love having family around and friends. 14:53 - There's a line in a great movie, the Shawshank Redemption. Morgan Freeman, he says, "Get busy dying or get busy living." We don't have many choices in life. Meaning are you going to do things that you don't like? Are you going to be in a state of mind that doesn't make you happy? Or are you going to try to look for the alternative? And I always say if everybody just tried to kind of do things they enjoyed most, appreciate the things that they have more, that will help your inner kind of whatever it is, soul or being, be happy and positive. 17:43 - I think the number one thing by far is looking for those mentors or teachers, or examples because we don't realize it until we're later, when you look back and say, "Wow, so-and-so had such an effect, such an impact!" I get that all the time from my interns.ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with Alberto Vasallo, IIILinkedInWebsiteEmailInstagramFacebook

Advancing women into leadership platforms is critical to evolving the workplace. When women are given the chance to lead, they bring new perspectives and ideas to the table that can help businesses grow and evolve. Lisa Prior believes that the key to being a successful leader is understanding your values and having the courage to stand by them. Lisa, who is currently the President of The Boston Club, speaks with Juliette about the organization's commitment to elevating women in leadership roles and establishing an inclusive atmosphere for all members. Listen to her narrate her journey in leadership at a young age and how she has continued to learn and grow throughout her career, including what she hopes to achieve with The Boston Club's vision. Find out how Lisa used Juliette's book, The Guide to Strategic Networking: Dream. Plan. Create. Achieve. as a success framework and how she beautifully executed it. Highlights08:38 I've been doing this work a very long time. These early experiences shaped who I am, what I cared about and of course, looking back now, I can see how they shaped my working career choices. 12:45 I can't really pinpoint all the meaningful moments but in the two decades of Prior Consulting, I've really come to appreciate the importance and power of women's economic empowerment as a path to empathy, equity, and understanding justice. 16:19 We can't look at where we're going forward without sort of understanding how the nature of work has changed so much. 19:52 Understanding, being clear-eyed about your values, having those values serve as a north star, to me, that is the art of evolution for yourself as well as for your business. 23:27 It's important that leaders step up and make sure they're living the values of being inclusive and how they lead. Contact Juliette MayersLinkedIn Website Juliette's Books Inspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up Lisa Prior LinkedIn Eastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Talent is the lifeblood of any organization. No matter how good your brand name is, you won't be successful without a talented team. Stephanie Browne joins Juliette to discuss why organizations need to earn the right to have top talent.Find out more about why it's not enough just to have a good brand name. You need to create an environment where talented people want to work. Listen as Stephanie and Juliette discuss what organizations can do to cultivate ,attract, and keep top talent! Highlights02:44 I spent over four years working on trying to be the best me and these last twenty seven years, I've been blessed to have a lot of roles that led me to where I am today. 08:26 All of those skills I did outside of my corporate job at the same time keeping my corporate job. That was what really helped me navigate its leadership and the executive suite because of all that learning. 10:18 There was nobody there telling me I was doing it wrong or doing it right. I had to learn it on my own and I was able to take risks that I wasn't really willing to take. 14:36 We also know that diversity brings innovation. What kind of innovation do you need to be thinking about as a company is the first thing you need to think about. You must have a strategy. 22:39 I really do believe that organizations need to earn the right to have the best talent. It's not enough just to have a good brand name. It's not enough just to, you know, I call talk the talk. You gotta walk the walk. ContactsJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up Stephanie BrowneWebsite Eastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

How do you develop empathy for the lived experiences of others? It can be difficult, but it's necessary if we want to build a more inclusive society, embrace diversity and develop relationships. Juliette sits down with Bob Rivers, the Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank to talk about his journey and personal story that is truly empowering. Find out how to better understand people as Bob further shares his process in order to develop meaningful relationships and cultivate relationships with different communities and networks. Moreover, get to know how humility plays a huge role in the process.Highlights: 08:55 People, I think, could see that I was not only deeply sincere about addressing these issues, but also very aware that I wasn't well educated, knowledgeable, didn't often know the language or the right words to use or ways to express things. Because of those relationships, people took me aside and would correct things to help me be better.” 13:29 It's one thing to be introduced to someone; it's another thing to operate in a way you're building trust and really being there for that person or those people when they need you. 14:31 If you can't find anyone, it's all a matter of just reaching out and getting involved and really looking.17:29 I like the discomfort 'cause I knew it would cause me to get better and get more comfortable and the only way to do that is repetition. 22:41 You have to find ways to break out into completely different communities and networks and you have to be strategic about it. ContactJulliette MayersLinkedInWebsite Bob RiversLinkedInRise Together Real Estate Development GroupWebsite

Juliette is joined by Pam Reeve, Chair of the Board, American Tower. Pamela has built her career around the advancement of women and support for technology innovation. In roles starting and running businesses, serving at the helm of public company boards of directors, and leading non-profit organizations and boards, Reeve has left her mark on the region's business landscape while mentoring and in other ways supporting its people.A champion for women's leadership, Reeve serves as the Chair of The Commonwealth Institute, working with women CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to help them grow their businesses and their careers. In this position, her active involvement in Board-Ready Bootcamps, and through her work with the Boston Women's Leadership Network Last Mile Initiative and Women Corporate Directors, she has demonstrated a commitment to increasing the number of qualified women serving on boards of directorsPamela shares her story of creating her own path. Pamela talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion, and how she found the confidence to forge her own way. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories, so be sure to tune in!Highlights:03:54 - When I look back on the journey, I think it's more about how I wanted to be, what I valued, relationships that meant a lot to me and a lot of connecting dots that otherwise might seem not connected.07:25 - I think that you have to look around on what might be available to help you out and maybe do move if you can.13:18 - I think we all carry in us our history, our upbringing and our history, and then we hope to enrich that or go away from it.18:40 - Have more faith in yourself, use your voice and use your intention. Don't deny yourself and don't prevent yourself from at least trying on something that you're interested in.Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Juliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with PamelaWebsiteThis episode is sponsored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts(AIM). AIM is the largest business association in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To learn more about AIM, visit www.aimnet.org.

Juliette is joined by David Meerman Scott, and they focus on discussing the New Rules of Marketing and PR based on David's best-selling book. Find out how the principles they talk about are applicable to other professionals or just everyday people, not only marketers. Listen as they talk more about effective, modern marketing and PR best practices, as well as what you can do to communicate with and reach out to customers and buyers directly in order to maximize marketing and PR. Highlights05:54 - So many organizations are only focused on talking about their own products and services rather than understanding the needs of existing and potential customers. 07:53 - Understand deeply the people you're trying to reach. 09:12 - Today, we don't have to spend money on advertising. We can reach people directly by creating interesting information and publishing it ourselves. 10:34 - You can choose to become a change agent in your organization, you can stand up to the bosses and say, “Hey, this is wrong. We're gonna do this in a different way. This is not right. This is not appropriate.” 14:01 - You can quietly achieve results by doing something different and doing it in a way that you're not gonna completely screw up what is already going on in the organization. ContactLinkedInWebsite This episode is sponsored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts(AIM). AIM is the largest business association in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To learn more about AIM, visit www.aimnet.org.

Juliette is joined by Donna Latson Gittens, Founder and CEO of MORE Advertising. Her company has designed more than 300 campaigns to influence attitudes and change behaviors on topics such as smoking, substance abuse, HIV prevention and diversity in the workplace. Gittens launched the company following a ground-breaking, 20-year career as a corporate executive at WCVB-TV (Boston's ABC affiliate).Donna talks about how branding has been helpful for her in her career. She also shares her journey on how she became successful in her career. Tune in to this episode and hear more tips and actionable things that you can do to enhance your career.Highlights05:13 – You have to make sure that you can multitask in your career that doesn't just focus on one thing. Make sure that you`re open to new opportunities when they present themselves.06:36 – What do you stand for? What`s your personal narrative and how do you present it to people? I`d like to think that my brand is open, straight forward, exploratory. It's the essence of who I am.11:20 – Number one is to know who you are. If you stand for everything, you`ll fall for anything. You have to know who you are and what you love to do.17:50 – Be nice. I know that sounds simple but it's really important. You can`t be mean to people. You can`t gossip and be dishonest with people. 18:24 – Never take no from a person who can't say yes.Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Connect with DonnaLinkedinWebsiteThis episode is sponsored by DRB Facility Services. DRB provides a full range of facilities services for both corporate and government clients. To learn more about DRB Facility Services, visit www.drbfacilityservices.com.

Juliette is joined by John Regan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM). John has deep experience in both the private and public sectors. Prior to his tenure at AIM, he served as Chief Operations Officer for MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development agency, overseeing real estate development and community revitalization projects including the transformation of the former Fort Devens.John shares his story about how he achieved success in his life. He also talks about how important relationships are in his success. Tune in to this episode and learn more about how to build a strong mindset for your goals. Highlights13:50 – I think the key to success is not to build a group of relationships or a group of trusted advisors and then stop, it should continue through every phase of your career.16:28 – I truly believe that it's the private sector that has the power to create a better world and a better community and we really have to bear down on that and despite all the challenges we have to try to make that dream a reality because I think that is the only path to success.22:12 – A really good entrepreneur is somebody with a passion for whatever the business is, whatever the product is, whatever the service is. You want to make it as great as you can make it, you want to make it as widely known as you can make it and you want to connect to as many people.Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Connect with JohnLinkedInWebsiteThis episode is sponsored by DRB Facility Services. DRB provides a full range of facilities services for both corporate and government clients. To learn more about DRB Facility Services, visit www.drbfacilityservices.com.

Welcome to this week's episode of Entering the Inspiration Zone, where we're taking a pause from our regular podcast episodes to launch something special. This week, we're excited to announce the upcoming spring release of my third book, Strategic Networking 2.0: Harness the Power of Connection and Inclusion for Business Success. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we invite you to listen to some of our most popular podcast episodes from the past year. At Inspiration Zone, LLC, our mission is to connect people and inspire great things. Therefore, if you've been considering starting your own podcast or writing a book of your own, but fear has been holding you back – it's time to take a leap and make your dreams come true! So, if you want inspiration on taking a leap into living out your biggest dreams and ambitions, visit our website and don't forget to register for our newsletter so that you can stay up-to-date on every phase of what is happening with the podcast, book releases, and more. We look forward to talking with you in Season 3!Episode Highlight03:30 - "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

In this episode, Juliette talks to Lee Pelton, the President and CEO of The Boston Foundation, about his experience with double consciousness as a Black man. He shared how equity is now central to everything done by The Boston Foundation in order to close the racial wealth gap. He highlights that closing this gap would benefit everyone economically and offer security and well-being for all regardless of race or ethnicity.Growing up in a working class Black enclave located in the middle of a predominantly White neighborhood, Lee became interested in making the invisible visible for young people, so they could see all of the opportunities and connections that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Lee believes that equity is about closing opportunity gaps between students instead of providing equal inputs as equality does, while acknowledging there are still narratives around zero-sum games which can lead to hate rooted from fear and ignorance.Listen to hear Lee explain some examples such as Black homeowners facing appraisal levels 38% lower than their White counterparts due to historical challenges preventing people of color from creating wealth through home ownership, credit scores not taking into account rental history when assessing credit worthiness, banks experimenting with no down payments on mortgages, and cultural education around different cultures' views on debt being necessary for lenders understanding alternative methods for evaluating creditworthiness without disadvantaging potential borrowers.Episode Highlights08:17 - It's really an opportunity gap and so, equity is about closing the opportunity gap. That's the difference between equality and equity is opportunity. And equality is about inputs. Equity is about outputs.20:42 - This is part of a trend. It's not anything new that equity sits in the center of everything that we do. I should say one of our most significant projects is an effort to close a racial wealth gap. 33:13 - I often quote James Baldwin who said that not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it's faced, and that's truth telling. And so, none of the issues that we have discussed today happened by accident. I would encourage us, ourselves and others, to understand how we got here. There's a history here that we need to understand, and understanding it will help us resolve those issues. Contact Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with LeeLinkedInEmailEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

In this episode, Juliette talks to Martha R.A. Fields, who is the Founder and CEO of OKI ME, LLC & Fields Associates. She is an internationally renowned consultant and author of eight books. She talks about her upbringing in Okinawa and how it has influenced her life's work. Her focus is on helping people worldwide find their purpose, work, and well-being success.Martha talks about her experience growing up in Okinawa and how it has informed her work around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and where she learned about different cultures while growing up on an Air Force base. They discuss the importance of work-life balance and finding one's purpose in life.Listen to Martha outline four questions that can help someone find their "ikigai" or reason for being. Learn about the importance of revisiting one's dreams, as they change over time. Discover the eight principles of healthy aging and how they can be applied to American society and find out where the locations of the "Blue Zones" are in the world.Episode Highlights11:37 - I feel that one of the things that makes people successful, and having that purpose, work, and well-being success, is to be able to take a failure and really learn from it. What did you learn as a result of that? 17:03 - You have to ask yourself, "What do I love to do? What am I good at doing? What does the world need that I love to do that I'm good at doing?" And then the final question that you have to ask–and when I heard what this final question was, I started laughing–but finally, how am I going to get paid to do that? 26:53 - Find what your purpose is, what your "ikigai," then dream your dream daily. Just live your dreams. Stop just dreaming. 8 Healthy Longevity Principles You Are What You Eat and DrinkEat 80% Between Famine & Feast (Hara Hachi Bu) Go Fish, Green, Bean & Lean Destress from Stress Imbibe & Unwind with Wine at 5Shake off Stress Get in the Groove & Move LB2: Love Be Loved,& Belong 6. Family & Friends First 7. Choose the Community & Company You KeepLet YOUR Little Light Shine Higher 8. Find YOUR IKIGAI (Reason for Being!) Then, Live YOUR Dreams Daily Contact Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up Connect with MarthaLinkedInWebsiteThe Okinawa in Me Book Eastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Juliette is joined by Michael Curry, Esq. He is the CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, which represents 52 health centers serving over 1 million patients out of over 314 practice sites throughout Massachusetts. Michael also serves on the National NAACP Board of Directors.Tune in to this episode to hear Juliette and Michael talk about how important it is to take care of your physical and mental health. They share tips for wellness and much more. Highlights:04:27 - So when I say a road less traveled and when I think about my career, I think about a whole bunch of people along the way who handed me off to the next person, to the next advisor.08:58 - They seem to forget there's a cause for every element and it may be in their power to remove it. 17:09 - I think we have to start thinking that way, that we have to get beyond these taxes that people put on us and that we put on ourselves and say “no.” I wanted to live healthy and I wanted to live a long life.28:31 - If you're mentally well, then you can operate and navigate things in a much better way.Contact Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Juliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with MichaelLinkedInWebsiteEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

In this episode, Juliette speaks with Jackie Glenn, who is the Founder and CEO of Glenn Diversity Inclusion & HR Solutions, a woman-owned, minority-owned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting practice that helps empower individuals, leaders, and corporations to foster equitable and inclusive spaces for all. Jackie has worked in various industries and has helped countless people through her groundbreaking work.Jackie's book, Lift As I Climb: An Immigrant Girl's Journey Through Corporate America, details her journey from Jamaica and how she employed her ten self-created "gems" to guide her journey from a nanny all the way to Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at Dell/EMC, author, and CEO.Listen as they discuss the importance of authenticity in networking, and how it can be misinterpreted as anger for black women. Jackie also advises that people should show up authentically, meet others where they are, and approach everything with empathy. Find out why leaders need to be authentic themselves and create an environment where employees feel safe being their authentic selves.Episode Highlights17:35 - Don't mistake authenticity for having an attitude of being rude or not being respectful. That is not authenticity.20:20 - Another piece that I would say to you is to pick your battles wisely and I'll add it because there are times when someone might say something that you find to be off -color or a little bit of microaggressions sprinkled in. I always like to wait and again, Juliette, it goes back to your remarks on cancel culture. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles and wait.24:25 - You can't just sit there and say, "Jackie, I'm here for you. I'm your ally," but you're doing nothing. So, when I come in, listening is doing something, keeping an open mind. and being authentic.ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpJackie GlennLinkedInWebsiteEmailEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Juliette talks to Betty Francisco, who is a business executive, impact investor, and community leader. Betty is also known as a powerful convener and changemaker, unapologetic about creating visibility for Latinx and POC leaders. They explore their similar backgrounds and Betty's efforts to reduce the racial wealth gap through her work with Boston Impact Initiative Fund.They dive deep into what makes the social impact fund unique and the importance of allyship in achieving goals. Betty defines allyship as those with privilege and influence using their power to support those who don't have it. This can be done through personal relationships or by advocating for policy change within systems. As a person of color, Betty occupies an important role in the capital access stack and works towards creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable economy. Listen to learn the importance of networking and leveraging one's intersecting identities to achieve success. Highlights 12:50 - The focus is on investing in entrepreneurs of color, entrepreneurs that support communities of color, in order to close the racial wealth divide. What makes BII unique is that we use the whole spectrum of capital. So, we call that integrated capital. 18:52 - I started getting involved in a lot of coalition work to advocate for funding or policy change that could directly support more businesses owned by people of color that weren't getting access to the COVID relief as an example. What I saw was this tremendous outpouring of support. 20:09 - I would say that allyship doesn't always have to come from people in privilege, but it can also come from organizations that are in deep alignment on our values and goals. So, it's that shared purpose around building economic power, political power in our commonwealth, that also brought us together as allies. 24:26 - One of the things that I think is important to highlight, especially when we talk about influence and leaving a legacy, is one of the things that I'm doing now, transitioning from being a lawyer to now a fund manager. It's really important for our youth to see that there are career paths that are non-traditional. Like we always hear lawyer, doctor, the traditional positions that our immigrant parents said those are the ones you must go into, but they never quite say you should go be a fund manager. ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up Betty FranciscoLinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebook Eastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

In today's episode, Juliette offers tips on how the simple act of pausing can contribute positively to changing the dynamic of making people feel more engaged, more heard, and more understood in both team and individual settings.She emphasizes how pausing allows for employees to feel seen, valued, and cared for while also giving leaders an opportunity to take a step back and assess if what they're about to say or do will help or hurt the situation.Listen to Juliette give advice on pausing before responding and discover how you can apply this, especially in one-on-one situations where you may not have had a positive interaction or feel like you're not being heard and feelings are running high. Highlights01:44 - What I've learned in my 30+ years of leadership experience is that we are all worthy. People want to be appreciated, we want to be understood. We want to be celebrated and we want to be valued for our contribution. 03:47 - We, as leaders, have an opportunity every single day to affect that engagement, to affect how people feel about their jobs and how we influence outcomes. 07:14 - In the face of the agenda, which may have lots of problems to be solved, by simply pausing and allowing people space and time to be seen and heard makes a huge, huge, huge difference. What it signals is, number one, you see me, you value me, or my contribution, preferably both, and you care. By simply doing this, you're saying you see me, you care, and you value my contribution.13:33 - So, this whole technique of pausing is also about respect. It's about acknowledging each other. And it's about trying to put our conversations on a different trajectory than they otherwise may be if we allow ourselves to get into that space of sticking to our guns or having to prove that our education, our knowledge, our idea is better than the other. ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Advancing women into leadership platforms is critical to evolving the workplace. When women are given the chance to lead, they bring new perspectives and ideas to the table that can help businesses grow and evolve. Lisa Prior believes that the key to being a successful leader is understanding your values and having the courage to stand by them. Lisa, who is currently the President of The Boston Club, speaks with Juliette about the organization's commitment to elevating women in leadership roles and establishing an inclusive atmosphere for all members. Listen to her narrate her journey in leadership at a young age and how she has continued to learn and grow throughout her career, including what she hopes to achieve with The Boston Club's vision. Find out how Lisa used Juliette's book, The Guide to Strategic Networking: Dream. Plan. Create. Achieve. as a success framework and how she beautifully executed it.Highlights08:38 I've been doing this work a very long time. These early experiences shaped who I am, what I cared about and of course, looking back now, I can see how they shaped my working career choices. 12:45 I can't really pinpoint all the meaningful moments but in the two decades of Prior Consulting, I've really come to appreciate the importance and power of women's economic empowerment as a path to empathy, equity, and understanding justice.16:19 We can't look at where we're going forward without sort of understanding how the nature of work has changed so much.19:52 Understanding, being clear-eyed about your values, having those values serve as a north star, to me, that is the art of evolution for yourself as well as for your business. 23:27 It's important that leaders step up and make sure they're living the values of being inclusive and how they lead.ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpLisa Prior LinkedInEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

It's natural to aspire to accomplish a lot in life. People that are most successful at making it happen, on the other hand, usually have defined goals and an action plan for accomplishing them. In this episode, Juliette talks about goal setting so you can be ready for 2023. She explains how and why planning is a key part of what she does as a business executive who specializes in DEI strategy, brand management, and thought leadership.Juliette offers some insight into the success framework she uses – Dream, Plan, Create, Achieve while also providing excellent questions to ask oneself in order to facilitate productive goal planning. Find out how you can be SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time bound) when setting goals. Tune in to learn how to build and manage your network more efficiently, commit to constant learning, measure progress, and continue to grow.Highlights02:45 When I think about goal setting and why people keep asking me questions about it, I think it's because they look at all that I do. And usually I'll get comments like, "How on earth do you achieve so much? How can you possibly do all of these things?" Do you not sleep is one of the common questions. And to be quite candid, there are times every now and then, I may get a little overwhelmed. And I pause and I take a look at my goals. And I get back on track.05:32 When we talk about Dream, it's really about creating what is that personal vision -- your grand vision. You've heard me say that before. What is it that you want to achieve? And I say personal very intentionally, because some of you may be thinking, "Well, my goals may be business goals that I'm focused on right now." And you also need to apply how does that apply to you from a personal standpoint.07:17 So, the second component of that Dream, Plan, Create, Achieve is Plan. And as it relates to goal setting, it really is about creating a roadmap for yourself and making sure that that roadmap is constructed with goals and specific initiatives or tactics that support your grand vision.09:57 The third component is Create. Right? Dream, Plan, Create, Achieve. And as it relates to goal setting, this is really about developing and effectively managing your network, your tribe, your village, whatever it is that you think you need to support. So, it's the people part of your objective.12:16 Achieving is the attainment of your personal, professional, or business goals. It's not a destination. But it's a process of continuously monitoring and cultivating the networks that you have and the relationships that you have to be able to support and sustain whatever it is that you've achieved.ContactJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Talent is the lifeblood of any organization. No matter how good your brand name is, you won't be successful without a talented team. Stephanie Browne joins Juliette to discuss why organizations need to earn the right to have top talent.Find out more about why it's not enough just to have a good brand name. You need to create an environment where talented people want to work. Listen as Stephanie and Juliette discuss what organizations can do to cultivate ,attract, and keep top talent!Highlights02:44 I spent over four years working on trying to be the best me and these last twenty seven years, I've been blessed to have a lot of roles that led me to where I am today. 08:26 All of those skills I did outside of my corporate job at the same time keeping my corporate job. That was what really helped me navigate its leadership and the executive suite because of all that learning. 10:18 There was nobody there telling me I was doing it wrong or doing it right. I had to learn it on my own and I was able to take risks that I wasn't really willing to take. 14:36 We also know that diversity brings innovation. What kind of innovation do you need to be thinking about as a company is the first thing you need to think about. You must have a strategy. 22:39 I really do believe that organizations need to earn the right to have the best talent. It's not enough just to have a good brand name. It's not enough just to, you know, I call talk the talk. You gotta walk the walk. ContactsJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpStephanie BrowneWebsite Eastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Branding is so much more than design and colors. It's the heart and soul of a company, and it needs to be personal. In today's episode, Juliette talks about personal branding and repositioning your brand. She discusses the importance of understanding what your personal brand is and how it can be used to reposition your business. She also provides some tips on how to get started with personal branding and outlines the benefits of doing so. Finally, she offers some advice on how to maintain a consistent personal brand identity across different platforms. Personal branding is an important tool for businesses of all sizes, and Juliette's episode is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about it.Episode Highlights:01:57 - Your personal brand is the embodiment of who and what you represent in the minds of others. It is the essence of your emotional, physical, interpersonal and professional attributes that shape your reputation and how others view you.04:05 - The people who have surrounded you to this point may not be the same people who support you on the next leg of your journey.11:41 - It's all about the relationship and if you're building and cultivating those networks, you know that.18:53 - Whatever the situation is, it's always a good idea to have a plan and these are skills we want to develop regardless of whatever tier we're in.Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MAWebsite

How do you develop empathy for the lived experiences of others? It can be difficult, but it's necessary if we want to build a more inclusive society, embrace diversity and develop relationships. Juliette sits down with Bob Rivers, the Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank to talk about his journey and personal story that is truly empowering. Find out how to better understand people as Bob further shares his process in order to develop meaningful relationships and cultivate relationships with different communities and networks. Moreover, get to know how humility plays a huge role in the process.Highlights: 08:55 People, I think, could see that I was not only deeply sincere about addressing these issues, but also very aware that I wasn't well educated, knowledgeable, didn't often know the language or the right words to use or ways to express things. Because of those relationships, people took me aside and would correct things to help me be better.” 13:29 It's one thing to be introduced to someone; it's another thing to operate in a way you're building trust and really being there for that person or those people when they need you. 14:31 If you can't find anyone, it's all a matter of just reaching out and getting involved and really looking.17:29 I like the discomfort 'cause I knew it would cause me to get better and get more comfortable and the only way to do that is repetition. 22:41 You have to find ways to break out into completely different communities and networks and you have to be strategic about it. ContactJulliette MayersLinkedInWebsite Bob RiversLinkedInRise Together Real Estate Development GroupWebsite

Juliette is joined by Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University and best-selling author of Arrive and Thrive. Find out how the principles they talk about are applicable to other professionals or just everyday people, not only entrepreneurs. Listen as they talk more about some tips for overcoming adversity and achieving success despite setbacks as well as the seven principles in Arrive and Thrive. Highlights: 03:12 Good leadership, like many of you learned in the workplace, but I also learned it from my mother and my husband and my children. The communities that I've lived in have influenced my life. 05:17 I had written about resiliency for more than a decade, but to live it as a leader in my personal and professional life was a different thing. 9:23 Part of the vision is that you do have to think visually and you have to create it. 10:38 To be your authentic self you have to know what drives you and energizes you and your values.11:43 If you want to go far, you need your village.You need support networks. Contact Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Connect with LynnLinkedInWebsiteThis episode is sponsored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts(AIM). AIM is the largest business association in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To learn more about AIM, visit www.aimnet.org.

Juliette is joined by Pam Reeve, Chair of the Board, American Tower. Pamela has built her career around the advancement of women and support for technology innovation. In roles starting and running businesses, serving at the helm of public company boards of directors, and leading non-profit organizations and boards, Reeve has left her mark on the region's business landscape while mentoring and in other ways supporting its people.A champion for women's leadership, Reeve serves as the Chair of The Commonwealth Institute, working with women CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to help them grow their businesses and their careers. In this position, her active involvement in Board-Ready Bootcamps, and through her work with the Boston Women's Leadership Network Last Mile Initiative and Women Corporate Directors, she has demonstrated a commitment to increasing the number of qualified women serving on boards of directorsPamela shares her story of creating her own path. Pamela talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion, and how she found the confidence to forge her own way. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories, so be sure to tune in!Highlights:03:54 - When I look back on the journey, I think it's more about how I wanted to be, what I valued, relationships that meant a lot to me and a lot of connecting dots that otherwise might seem not connected.07:25 - I think that you have to look around on what might be available to help you out and maybe do move if you can.13:18 - I think we all carry in us our history, our upbringing and our history, and then we hope to enrich that or go away from it.18:40 - Have more faith in yourself, use your voice and use your intention. Don't deny yourself and don't prevent yourself from at least trying on something that you're interested in.Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Juliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with PamelaWebsiteThis episode is sponsored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts(AIM). AIM is the largest business association in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To learn more about AIM, visit www.aimnet.org.