Empowered Presence™ Podcast

Finding Your Voice as a Woman of Color in Corporate America | Podcast Episode with Leadership Coach, Lisa Anderson, CHRO

ABOUT THE EPISODE

In this episode of the Empowered Presence™ podcast, Melanie engages with Lisa Anderson, a seasoned HR leader and career coach, in a candid conversation about the challenges of maintaining one's voice in corporate leadership.

Lisa recounts her personal struggle with imposter syndrome upon her promotion to VP, and how reconnecting with her purpose helped her regain her confidence. They explore the critical role of personal values and culture fit in the workplace, and the detrimental effects of toxic work environments.

Lisa underscores the necessity of an exit strategy for those trapped in such cultures. Additionally, Lisa discusses her book and YouTube series aimed at guiding professionals to influential leadership roles.

ABOUT LISA ANDERSON

Lisa Anderson is a Chief HR Officer (CHRO) for a technology company and the President of Positively in Pursuit, LLC. She is a Leadership/Career Coach who also has over 25 years of HR experience. Her coaching business focuses on women in leadership to assist them in finding their leadership voice, building their leadership courage, and increasing their leadership (executive) presence. She uses her HR and Coaching experience to help women propel to the next level in their careers.

Lisa holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University and a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) degree from James Madison University. She holds several senior-level HR certifications. She is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC), certified in Energy Leadership (ELI-MP), and a member of the John Maxwell Team of speakers and trainers.

Visit Lisa’s website: www.positivelyinpursuit.com
Order Lisa’s Book, Invisible Professional to Influential Leader: https://bit.ly/IPILbook
Watch Lisa’s exit strategy series on YouTube: - https://bit.ly/LAUTubeChannel
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-anderson-sphr-shrm-scp-cpc/

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INSIDE THE EPISODE:

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Anderson, a seasoned HR executive and leadership coach, to discuss the trials and triumphs of corporate leadership, the quest for authenticity, and the strategies for thriving in—and escaping from—toxic work environments.

The Struggle to Stay Vocal in the Corporate Arena

Lisa's story is both inspiring and cautionary. As she climbed the corporate ladder, reaching the coveted vice president level, she encountered a challenge that many of us fear—losing her voice in meetings. Despite her wealth of experience and the value she could add, Lisa found herself silenced by the daunting specter of imposter syndrome. It's a phenomenon that can strike even the most accomplished professionals, leading to self-doubt and a loss of confidence.

Reclaiming the Seat at the Table

The turning point for Lisa came when she reconnected with her "why" and her purpose. It's a lesson that resonates deeply with me and one that I hope you'll take to heart. When you anchor yourself in your mission, your contributions gain clarity and strength. Lisa's transformation was palpable; she went from feeling invisible to taking charge and advocating for her team. It's a powerful reminder that understanding our core motivations can reignite our passion and our voice.

The Power of Values and Culture Fit

Our conversation delved into the importance of personal values and finding a workplace culture that aligns with them. Lisa's top value, connection, wasn't being met, which contributed to her discomfort in meetings. Once she identified this misalignment, she could seek out environments that fostered the connection she craved. This is a critical insight for anyone navigating their career path: clarity on your values can guide you to the right culture and prevent the unease that comes from a poor fit.

The Importance of a Planned Exit Strategy

One of the most poignant parts of our discussion centered on toxic work environments. Lisa and I are unapologetically aligned on this—no job is worth sacrificing your mental health. Lisa has coached many women through these situations, and her advice is unequivocal: have an exit strategy. It's not a sign of weakness to leave a harmful environment; it's an act of self-preservation and empowerment.

Building Credibility and Relationships: Keys to the C-Suite

Lisa's ascent to the C-suite was not just about hard work; it was about building credibility and relationships. These are the cornerstones of professional growth and success. Through her book, "Invisible Professional to Influential Leader," and her YouTube series, "Pulling Back the Curtain," Lisa extends her expertise to others, offering guidance on how to transition into influential leadership roles and navigate workplace challenges.

Authenticity and Code-Switching: Being True to Yourself

We also touched on the concept of code-switching—the practice of shifting how we express ourselves in different contexts. Lisa's stance is clear: authenticity is paramount. It's a sentiment I share wholeheartedly. Being true to oneself is not just about personal integrity; it's about bringing your full potential to your professional life.

Empowerment Through Authenticity

The journey to an empowered presence is unique for each of us, but the common thread is the pursuit of authenticity and the courage to stand up for our values. Whether you're navigating corporate leadership, seeking a culture fit, or planning an exit from a toxic environment, remember that your voice matters. Stay true to yourself, and let that authenticity guide you to success.

Thank you for reading, and if you found this episode insightful, don't forget to Subscribe to the Empowered Presence™ podcast for more updates and resources on personal branding.

TIMESTAMPS:

The journey to the VP level (00:02:51)

Lisa shares her experience climbing the corporate ladder and losing her voice in meetings after a promotion.

Imposter syndrome and self-doubt (00:04:22)

Lisa discusses how imposter syndrome and self-doubt led her to lose confidence and her voice in meetings.

Reconnecting with purpose (00:08:12)

A wake-up call prompts Lisa to reconnect with her why and take charge in meetings, leading to a transformation in her approach.

Values and connection (00:12:47)

Lisa emphasizes the importance of understanding personal values, particularly the value of connection, in navigating professional challenges.

The journey and self-identity (00:16:27)

The conversation delves into the impact of prioritizing career goals over self-identity and the potential for losing oneself in the process.

Understanding workplace culture (00:21:14)

Lisa highlights the importance of understanding one's preferred workplace culture and the need for an exit strategy from toxic work environments.

The importance of company culture and leadership (00:25:59)

Discussion on toxic work environments, finding a company that embraces you, and the significance of having the right leader.

Rebuilding personal brand and establishing relationships (00:27:23)

The impact of feeling invisible in meetings, rebuilding personal brand, and the importance of establishing a relationship with the direct person you'll be working with.

Advocating for yourself in the workplace (00:28:36)

Empowering oneself to advocate for meeting the person you'll be working for, taking control of one's career, and recognizing red flags in the hiring process.

Lisa's book and starting a coaching business (00:30:44)

Lisa's book, "Invisible Professional to Influential Leader," and her journey of starting a coaching business after a peer coach's impactful question.

Lisa's decision to start a coaching business (00:31:56)

Lisa's career reflection and decision to pursue coaching, driven by her passion for helping others develop and her fear of failure.

Overcoming fear of failure and starting a business (00:33:19)

The pivotal question from a peer coach, overcoming fear of failure, and taking steps to start a coaching business.

Building a coaching business and supporting women leaders (00:35:40)

Lisa's coaching business, Positively In Pursuit, and her mission to support women leaders based on her own experiences.

Reflecting on career choices (00:39:25)

Lisa's boldness in pursuing diverse career experiences and the impact on her current career path.

Job hopping and earning potential (00:40:42)

The benefits and drawbacks of job hopping, the importance of diverse experiences, and the impact on earning potential.

Authenticity and code-switching in the workplace (00:44:53)

The discussion on authenticity, code-switching, and the impact of leadership and work culture on the need to code-switch.

Advocating for authenticity in the workplace (00:49:05)

The desire to challenge the need for code-switching and the importance of researching and advocating for authenticity in the workplace.

Building credibility and relationships (00:50:11)

Lisa discusses the importance of building relationships and credibility in her career journey.

Clarity on personal values and culture fit (00:51:22)

Lisa emphasizes the importance of understanding personal values and culture fit in pursuing career opportunities.

Connecting and resources (00:52:34)

Lisa shares how to connect with her, access her book, and mentions her YouTube series on exit strategies.

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