You just heard of a new business. Your colleagues keep talking about an impressive business leader making waves in your community. What do you do?
 
Google.
 
Or… maybe you Facebook stalk. Or check out their Instagram. Half the time, that’s your first Google search result anyway.
 
This is your first impression of that organization or individual. You might think, “Wow! They have a ton of followers,” or “Their Instagram aesthetic is really cool.” Or you could see that they’ve only posted one grainy photo on their profile and they don’t have any contact information on their Facebook page.
 
You don’t get that first impression back. In the age of the internet, you’re telling people who you are before you even meet them. That makes up the core of your “personal brand.”
 
We all have a “personal brand” whether we want one or not. So we might as well build our brand intentionally. What makes YOU employable? What makes YOU someone that an individual would want to become friends with? Or even date? What makes YOU someone that someone else would want to know?
 
How can you build a personal brand that tells your story adequately?

1. Know (and share) your values. What do you want people to know about you? For me, it’s that I love my city (Des Moines is the best!), I’m active in the political scene, and I’m passionate about lifting other women up through transparency, honesty, and support. You will see that most of the content I post on my profiles reflect that. When you check out my Twitter or my Instagram, you will see me talking about the Iowa caucus, women running for office, a business in my community I am supporting, or just me, being honest about who I am.
2. Know (and show up for) your community. Your community can be location-specific (Des Moines, your East Village neighborhood, your hometown). It can be people-specific (your coworkers, your friends). It can also be value-specific (those who also love politics, or cats, or Star Wars). Who do you want to connect to? Figure out who, where, or what your community is, and show up. Support them, online and in person. Share their posts, attend their events, and tell people about them. When finding a community, make sure it’s aligned with your values, who you are as person, and something you are passionate about. That makes it pretty darn easy to show up and support – because you WANT to.
3. Know (and reach for) your goals. You now know who you are, and who you want to surround yourself with. Now it’s time to figure out where you want to go. Do you want to become a Fortune 500 CEO? Do you want to run for school board? Do you want to meet a community leader you admire? Do you want to write a book? Whatever it is, define it and go for it. Put it out there and make it part of who you are (otherwise known as your personal brand). When you define your goals, you can be more intentional about the steps you need to take to get there, and you can use your brand can make it happen!

 
Being intentional about a personal brand starts with just one thing. Intention. Last month’s LEAP session, hosted by Whitney Warne of Brand Launch and Ivory House Photography got my wheels spinning on how I can be intentional about my brand.
 
We all have a personal brand – whether we’ve curated one or not. We might as well make sure our brand tells a story.  

​Imposter Syndrome – The definition provided by Dr. Ruxandra Looft and Dawn Bratsch-Prince is that Imposters often attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.  The speakers also noted that one may experience this when he/she is going through a transition, new experience/environment or faced with a challenge.  I’d argue I suffer from this condition, constant doubting of my skills and abilities, on much more frequent occasions.
 
The 5 types of Imposterism:

1. The Perfectionist – When you can always do better and likely don’t accept mistakes
2. The Super Individual – When you do everything that comes your way, aka ‘Yes woman’, to prove you’re just as capable as your colleagues and you earned your title (this is the type I identify with most)
3. The Natural Genius – When you believe you should know everything, and get it right the first time
4. The Rugged Individualist – When you don’t ask for help because it may reveal you are not capable of the job at hand
5. The Expert – When you never know enough, and this may expose you as inexperienced

 
The 4 Strategies to overcome Imposterism:

1. Name the feeling
2. Know your values
3. Celebrate your successes
4. Understand the growth mindset – “Failure is an opportunity to grow”

 
What did I take away from the July LEAP session and what does this mean to me? 
I need to quit…

• Telling myself ‘I am lucky to be in the role I am in today’ and start believing I earned it (because I did). 
• Taking on more than I (likely any one person) can handle and accept that I can always do more, but what I am doing now is enough for now. In fact, limiting my work in progress will likely increase the quality of the work I do and the relationships I value.  Or better yet, ask for help. 
• Criticizing every decision I make, presentation I deliver or interaction I have with a prospective client and acknowledge that I can learn from that particular experience or just let it go (I could be applying more of Kevin Pokorny’s mindfulness technique in that case) 
• Discounting my accomplishments. Instead recognize the small wins and maybe even the big milestones…(for me, to include earning Partner and helping my organization grow by over 60% in 3 years)
• Justifying my value and start believing I am qualified, capable and worth what I am asking for.  And don’t forget to ask for what you want, no one will give you handouts.

 
I have fortunately surrounded myself with very supportive peers and business partners.  And they would likely agree I am more critical of myself than anyone could dare to be.  They have recognized that I am not a fraud, now it’s my turn. 
 
According to statistics, 70% of people have experienced Imposter Syndrome, and it was evident that many of us in the room that Friday afternoon have experienced Imposter Syndrome at some point throughout our careers. Hopefully we can start to acknowledge Imposter Syndrome for what it is, a fleeting feeling of doubt that does not define you.  We can be a part of the statistic, but let’s commit to overcome this pervasive disease. Thanks Dr. Looft and Dawn Bratsch-Prince for the words of encouragement.

​WORK LIFE BALANCE
 
Having a work-life balance is what everyone is after these days. Career. Kids. Networking events. Social calendar. Relationships. Friends. Fitness. How is someone supposed to fit it all in? Here’s my answer: You don’t.
 
A work-life balance isn’t a balance at all. It’s a work-life priority. What’s important to you? What important to you as an employee, friend, wife, mom, and self? Some of us are driven to climb a career ladder so we attend 3 after-hours networking events each week. Some of us have children who are involved in extracurriculars and we want to be their biggest fan. Some of us want to get in a 45-minute run for various purposes. Others want to grab drinks after work with friends. The beauty of it all? You get to choose what you do.
 
Notice I didn’t say we need to climb the career ladder. Or we need to take our kids everywhere. Or we need to run for 45 minutes (or do we?). How you prioritize your calendar and what fits into it is up to you. There is not guilt or shame in prioritizing one over the other. And as a community we need to not exude guilt or shame on others who choose different than us.
 
Maybe some of this work-life prioritization requires us to wake up 30 minutes earlier to read a couple of chapters or have a cup of coffee. Maybe it requires us to simply say no to other invites, or maybe it requires us to have a late-night phone call with a friend each Wednesday. Choose what’s important to you, make it a priority, and know that you don’t need to do it all. Do what’s important for you to be the best you.
 
 
 
 

​Mindfulness
 
Have you heard of the word Mindfulness and thought, this doesn’t apply to me because it seems philosophical or yeah, I’m mindful and then gave no further thought to it? I am here to clue you in; it is not just for philosophical people, looking to expand their horizons. It is for you and me, for her, for him, for them… for everyone!
 
Let’s take a moment and become mindful.
 
First by reviewing the definition of Mindfullness:
1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
2. a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
The first definition is seemingly simply focused on being aware, while the second explains it more in depth. It is up to you how you interpret or proceed with your mindfulness. It is personal and completely your life to become aware of. I will say the more mindful you are of your thoughts and feelings, the more you are likely to be fully present in the moment. Thus, the less likely you are to overact or become overwhelmed in life. 
              Let’s dig a little deeper and discover the benefits, shall we? The key benefits as follows:
1. More Productive- Becoming mindful helps you focus and concentrate. It helps you be in the now and spend time on things that matter in the present moment. You become in control of your scattered thoughts and don’t let distractions run you in multiple directions. This allows you to complete task efficiently, plan effectively and become more productive.
2. Less Stress – Typically stress is imaging scenarios that are never going to happen, that you think may happen in the future. By being present, you learn how  to redirect those thoughts and focus on the here and now. The present is all we have and is all we are guaranteed. Focus on it and reduce your stress levels.
3. More Confidence – Confidence comes from within. Once you become more mindful you start looking within. When you look within you start to understand where your lack of confidence began and understand your thoughts and feelings. You start trusting what you really need, and negative self-talk starts to diminish because you are now aware of it. You can start redirecting your negative self-talk to positive, thus resulting in more self-confidence.  
4. Healthier Self – You are now paying more attention to the present moment. You are now noticing what’s in your mind and how it is effecting your body.  You are now aware of the thoughts you have about food or why you’re not being active. You begin being aware of what you are eating, when and why you are eating. You now make time to exercise because you are aware of how you were spending your time previously.
5. Happier – Being mindful centers you so you are more adaptable to deal with reality. You are not consumed by worry or what-if scenarios, or disctracted by what the moment could become or what you want the moment to be. You understand you can’t control the moment, but that you control how you react to it. You are in charge of your feelings.
              By now I bet your asking yourself, well am I mindful or how do I become more mindful. Great thoughts, because that means you are practicing mindfulness! Mindfulness is an innate characteristic each of us has. There are things we can do to foster it deeper within us. Such activities could include meditation, yoga, exercising, sports, reading, writing, painting etc. It is something to keep you in the moment reflecting only on yourself and your thoughts and feelings. Listen to your thoughts, don’t judge yourself. Just accept them as they come and be conscious of each thought that you have. Each of these activities gives you time to focus just on you, helping you become more self-aware and in control of your life.
 
P.S. You did great at mindfulness today just by reading this blog! It gave you the opportunity to explore the definition, become self-aware and reflect on ways you’ve been mindful or how you can become more mindful. I challenge you to give yourself at least 15 minutes a day to do an activity that helps you to be fully present in the moment to help you stay mindful.
 
Written by Breanna Peters, a creative soul helping humans become mindful, serving on the board for LEAP while encouraging love and equality. Please visit her and her husband’s website below and make a purchase to help spread awareness, love and equality:  https://awearnessbystarseed.com/
 

As we grow professionally, it is beneficial to pursue both informal and formal mentor/mentee relationships, The world is changing rapidly, and how we grow, respond, evolve, succeed and thrive will continue to change. Having trusting relationships with others in order to discuss key issues, exchange ideas, challenge thought processes and just be ourselves is critical to forward momentum in our careers and the success of the organizations where we work and lead. 
Ask 10 different people what the definition of a mentor is, and you will likely get 10 different answers. However, positive mentoring relationships all have one common component: a trusting relationship between the mentor and the mentee. 
Unfortunately, mentoring is becoming more challenging in today’s world. A recent survey done by the Business Record (3.29.2019) indicated 81% of the respondents believe men are less likely to mentor a woman since #MeToo.  While I fully support the increased awareness and transparency that is happening due to #MeToo and other similar movements, we have to be vigilant that opportunities for mentoring relationships do not diminish because of concerns raised about trust. 
Not only can men and women collaborate to create workplace environments where we have equality in all aspects, we can also work to ensure we have mentoring relationships that foster the development of all employees, both men and women.  
So what steps can we take to ensure mentoring relationships are positive experiences in today’s world? Consider these simple tips to increase the professionalism (and trustworthiness) of any current or future mentoring relationship. 
1. Always have a recommendation from someone you trust before meeting with a potential mentor. Ask that person to perform a virtual introduction between you and the potential mentor, whether it is for one meeting or an ongoing relationship.
2. When you connect, plan to meet in public or in an office or conference room with a window or glass door.
3. Personal contact such as hugs, a hand on the arm, or other seemingly casual gestures should be rare. Everyone has a different opinion on this, but if in doubt, don’t do it. If this naturally evolves over time, it would be with the trusting agreement of both parties.
4. If you are uncomfortable meeting one on one, consider setting up a mentoring small group, allowing one or more mentors to work with one or more mentees on a variety of topics.

​Mentoring can and should continue to be a part of one’s professional development plan. It is up to all of us to ensure those opportunities continue to exist for men and women alike. We truly are better together.  

Moving Beyond Mixers: Making Mentorship Meaningful
So, you’ve signed up to be a mentor(ee)! What’s next? Typically, mentor(ee) introductions get a jump-start with an arranged ‘networking event’ at some hip location where all the other mentor(ees) in the program also meet. For some, like me, networking events—even those designed for one on one interaction with a mentor(ee)—can prove to be a daunting task that is riddled with anxiety and the questions: “What value am I bringing to the table? What value will I get out of being here?” This article addresses an idea of facilitated networking and mentorship.  It’s an idea that there are narrowly-tailored action points that can help you not only obtain a mentor(ee) but to maintain a valuable relationship with them.
So, You’re a Mentor!

1. Clearly Communicate Your Assets.

Whether it’s physical connections or professional expertise, you signed up as a mentor because you have some skills and/or relationships you want to share.  In order to ensure that your particular skill set is well matched with your mentee, clearly communicate what you do, what you like to do, and the ever important why you do what you do. A mentee can only tap into your resources if you’ve clearly identified what they are for them. Oh, and don’t just share your strengths—share your weaknesses too. Be open and forthcoming about mistakes that you have made so that your mentee may learn, digest, and reflect on actions they may take.

      2. Prepare with an Agenda, Goals, and Expectations.

The foundation of a successful mentorship is your ability to interact with other professionals who have similar goals. Come to the first meeting ready to lead with your goals and expectations.  Be mindful of your time commitment. A good mentor dedicates their time and energy to someone else’s needs and should be honest with themselves and their mentee about how much time they can invest. Have goals for your mentee that extend beyond mixers. For example, see if you can invite your mentee to shadow you for a day or if in the same company, invite them to upper-level meetings to understand what goes into executive decision-making. Accompany your mentee to business networking events to relieve some of that pressure of being a lesser-established professional. Seek out classes or projects related to skills your mentee wants to develop. This last example can be as simple as emailing your mentee a link to an event or learning opportunity that may interest them.

   3. Ask Questions & Provide Constructive Feedback.

Information is power in mentorship relationships. Don’t assume anything about your mentee—ask. Preparing questions for your mentee will help you get a feel for their goals and current position. Then follow up those questions with feedback and further questions.  While it is important to be open and honest with your mentee by providing constructive feedback, also keep in mind that your mentee’s decisions and career path are theirs alone.  No two paths are alike and take this opportunity to learn from someone with different experience and perspective.

    4. Go to Give

Most events and/or mentorship relationships are mixing bowls for professionals who are there for different reasons, whether it be signing up a new client, meeting prospective employers, creating awareness for their business, or connecting with someone in the hopes of developing a mutually beneficial relationship. Whatever your reasons, remember that you are there to commit your time to and share your value with helping someone have a beneficial mentorship experience. Be positive, optimistic and be generous. Take an interest in and get to know your mentee as a person. Celebrate their achievements. Go to give.

    5. Take the Lead and Follow Up

Effective mentoring requires regular interaction between the mentor and mentee. But after the initial few meetings, it can be easy for both parties to let the mentoring relationship slide. People get busy. As workloads rise and deadlines loom, mentoring relationships can get pushed to the back burner. Instead, thread your mentoring meetings/projects/calls/events into your calendar and treat them with the same urgency and necessity as any of your business commitments.
 
So, You’re a Mentee!

1. Reflect on Your Goals & Communicate Your Needs

 
Just like the mentor, come to your meetings with prepared questions, goals, and actionable plans how to complete them. Having these goals and needs set forth right at the beginning will help ensure that you and your mentor are on the same path to your desired target. Manageable actionable pieces are key—nothing feels better than crossing off a to-do item! Also, ask questions that only your mentor can answer about their careers and experiences at work. Remember that it’s also encouraged to disagree with your mentor at times. Constructive disagreement will lead to a beneficial discussion about your perspectives that is much more valuable than merely agreeing with your mentor all the time.

        2. Go Programless  

Established mentorship programs take a lot of the guesswork out of pairing with a mentor.  However, creating your goals will help you identify which individuals you are going to reach out to mentor you if they are not matched to you through a program. Do not be afraid to send a C-suite professional an email asking for a moment of their time. Be sure not to sell anything other than yourself, your drive to perform well, and a desire to gain valuable knowledge from them. Send them three dates and times to choose from as your action piece.

        3. Reverse Mentor
 
Mentoring is not simply limited to established executives mentoring younger professionals! Reverse mentoring can be empowering for a less-established professional because it allows you to share your fresh insights, social media savvy and more. You do not have to limit yourself only to being a mentee, you can do both because you have assets to share as well. Serving as a mentor gives you the opportunity to refine your soft skills such as communication and helps you develop your leadership capabilities.

      4. Respect Your Mentor’s Time  

Remember that your mentor is a volunteer. Your mentor isn’t there to do the work for you, they’re there to help you do your work better. Show up to your meetings and show up on time. Establish some ground rules around contact so that you know how much time they’re willing to give you. Put the new skills you’ve worked on with them to use in your everyday work. Also, remember that political capital is not infinite—if they’ve opened doors for you, make sure you walk through them. Be sure to receive criticism well and be open minded to coaching. A mentor who only tells you the positives of your choices is not as valuable as one who engages in meaningful discussion about why you are where you are and where you want to be.

    5. Don’t Limit Yourself

​ You can have various mentors for various purposes: peer mentorship, career mentorship, and even life mentorship.  That said, be sure to be mindful of each mentor’s time and your ability to commit to each one. Seek out a variety of mentors throughout their careers who can offer guidance and fill gaps in their knowledge and experience in different ways. Reaching out to Young Professional groups to find other go-getters, to C-Suite executives, or to community leaders will help broaden your connections, help you solidify your interests, and open your mentorship circle up to new and fun opportunities.
 

Register for the LEAP Series 2019 here