How to Corporate

This episode of How to Corporate with host Fela Abioye and guest Dr. Jackie C. Thomas Jr. explores The Power of Feedback and its critical role in career growth. Dr. Thomas, an Executive Coach and seasoned professional in higher education and, shares his journey and insights on navigating feedback effectively to achieve success. The discussion begins with an overview of career paths in higher educa...

It’s been a while and I missed you! Thank you for continuing to rock with me, but it’s good to be back. We’ve been working on some exciting projects that will be announced soon so remain the lookout through our social media pages. We’re switching it up this time in this episode. My guest, Whitney White, a Senior Culture & DEI Consultant interviews me as I share the what, how, and why I started...

Have you ever thought of your career as one big science experiment? In this episode, my guest, Carla Fowler, MD, PhD, a former scientist introduces us to the concept of career experimentation through the lens of performance science. Running a “test and reaching new conclusions” allows an opportunity to make mistakes, learn, and grow. As an Executive Coach to leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives,...

If you were offered a new role in another city or your current employer asked you to relocate would you make a move? There is a lot of contemplate. What are all the risks? How would a move benefit my career? What support would I have in a city? How long is the commitment? My guest, Shaun Mayo, Chief People Officer for the Arizona Cardinals, faced this challenge head-on relocating a number of times...

Navigating Corporate America can be quite the challenge for anyone, but this is especially true for parents with young families at home. Our careers can be demanding. And if you add in the unique demands of single parenthood… that’s when things really get interesting. My guest, Crystal Smith, is Financial Literacy and Career Coach that focuses on single parents. She herself is a single parent and...

Bring your “whole self” to work is a well-known phrase and movement in Corporate America which was inspired by a book of the same name written by Mike Robbins. The COVID years propelled this concept when the lines between work & personal were blurred even further. The idea is that being your authentic self at work could unlock untapped potential, creativity, and performance. Sounds refreshing...

The negotiation process between employer and employee can be intimidating for many employees or future employees, especially when making a counteroffer. In this episode, Dr. Rochelle Parks-Yancy, a business professor, career coach, & author, explains how and why you should always counter! Yes, you should always counter! Employers have a responsibility to manage their costs effectively i.e. emp...

What is the difference between visible and invisible work? A concept that seems simple to understand, but difficult to manage in our careers. In this episode, my guest Helen Appleby, an executive coach and advocate for women shares her perspective on the subject. We all want credit and recognition for the hard work we put in, so it’s vital that we not only understand what is “invisible” work but a...

Unexpected career changes can be nerve-racking but are inevitable so how you prepare and react will determine your outcome. But how do you deal with an ever-changing work environment and stay ahead? Les Brown says it’s better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared. My guest, Elois Joseph, co-founder of Greenwood Project embodies the spiri...

No one should tell YOUR story better than you do. Why do we keep quiet and let other people control OUR narrative?? When you don’t: -build extending relationships, -find ways to gain supporters, -make your voice be heard… you’re actually limiting your options for the future. You’re also leaving room for anyone with influence to “fill in the blanks”— which could be to your benefit OR detriment. Tha...

Your behavior & intentionality can manifest OPPORTUNITY. But often we spend time going through the motions of what we "think" we're supposed to do and later ask ourselves why we don't get the results we want?! The decisions you make every day create a snowball effect. This is why being deliberate is so vital to your career progression. In this episode, I talk to Ashtyn Duncan – Readiness &...

What characteristics come to mind when you hear the phrase “model employee”? Someone that: · Keeps to themselves? · Observes without speaking? · Works independently? Or are they more likely to: · Be the center of attention? · Think out loud? · Prefer group assignments? While any of these points could describe a great team member, many organizations encourage people to emulate extroverted qualities...

Imposter Syndrome manifests in many ways that we don’t always recognize and can be debilitating to your career. With this in mind, we kick off Season 2 with my guest Qiara Suggs, Senior Vice President, and Chief Human Resources Officer to discuss this important topic so we spend this episode first clearly defining what Imposter Syndrome really is. Qiara shares her unique experiences in human resou...

Just like that, Season 1 is a wrap! In one year we produced and released 21 episodes so cheers to our 1 year anniversary! Reflection is important at all levels to truly be successful so that’s what the ReCap episode is focused on. There have been an endless amount of learnings this year that required so many changes along the way. This episode covers How to Corporate’s geniuses and how the show ha...

Your career is a MARATHON. Meaning that at times you will pace ahead of the goals you set for yourself, while at other times you may fall behind. When it comes to running YOUR race, it starts with a positive mindset and good energy. That’s what PROPELS you forward, especially during challenging times. In this episode, my guest, Dr. George Okpamen, shares his story of how maintaining good energy he...

If I were to ask, what skills do you possess what would you say? You’d likely make reference to the skills you’ve built from your current job title or career. Is that it though? What if you decide to switch careers? How about seeking a promotion? Do you qualify for these opportunities if you don’t have the skills? Or maybe you DO but you just don’t know it. Think about all your LIFE experiences an...

A lot of emphases is placed on mentorship throughout our careers, but what about sponsorship? In this episode, my guest, Irlande Audenier, a Vice President in insurance, dissects what sponsorship is, how you can recognize it, and why it's vital to your career growth. Irlande explains how a Sponsor is someone: · that knows you · that can advocate for you · that is willing to put their reputation on...

Do you go to work fantasizing over an idea that you wish you could bring to life? Do you have a side business that you wish could be your “main business”? Do you love the idea of working for yourself and creating? What’s stopping you? Who’s stopping you? Are you YOUR biggest obstacle? In episode 17 my guest, Travis Smith, had to figure out his WHY when deciding to take the leap from Corporate Amer...

I'm BACK!!! Did you miss me?? I know it's been a while. What I thought was a short break turned into a sabbatical! Sometimes we all need to take a hiatus to reflect and reset but I'm happy to report that I'm back in action. Going forward, I'll be releasing episodes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. First come-back episode will release Wednesday, July 6th. My mission is to empower working...

We don’t always get the opportunity or role we want on the first try so what happens if you don’t get it? Do you stop trying and convince yourself you weren’t a fit? Do you settle back into your existing role? Does anything change? Your career is a long and winding road but far too many times we quit at the first sign of failure.   In Episode 16, my guest Will Womble, MBA , Sales Leader in Bi...

The road less traveled is not easy. We all want to be successful but ask yourself what challenges are you really willing to go through to get there? My guest, Mia Lorick, is an award-winning attorney but don’t let the accolades fool you! She’s seen her fair share of hardships and setbacks surviving a gauntlet of difficult career crossroads from microaggressions to inappropriate and hurtful racial...

In Part 2, we continue our conversation around the ins and outs of pursuing career growth while working abroad and living in London as an expat. Keeping an open mind and intentionally exploring all the unknowns allowed him to maximize his stint in the UK. Your opportunities are not limited to states and zip codes, so stop thinking about it and start doing! The expat page referenced in this episode...

Why pick between your career vs traveling abroad when you can combine the two? My guest, Brandon Cheatam, recently lived in London for 4 years traveling to 25+ countries. Working in Oil & Gas, Brandon spent much of this day job traveling back and forth between Milan Italy, Shanghai China, Frankfurt Germany, New Delhi India, and Atyrau Kazakhstan. There are so many elements to consider when pur...

Producing is not limited to sales! Are you expected to produce results at work or in your business? Then yep, you’re a “producer” but in order to maximize your professional goals, we have to be consistent while evolving. In episode 12, Darius Reid, a Senior Director of Sales & Strategy breaks down the producer mindset and what it takes to consistently achieve results. The books referenced in t...

In Episode 11 we continue our Real Estate conversation with Junious Williams IV, Land Development Manager, Real Estate Investor, & Adjunct Real Estate Professor. We discuss real estate tax advantages, depreciation, investing in bigger project, benefits and downside of investing on your own vs with a larger real estate group, and more. Check out the initial conversation in Part 1 of How to Inve...