Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

Sometimes you slip up and don’t show up in the way you want. Consistently showing up in excellence is a bedrock of my personal brand and one of the things I pride myself on. But when a new leader arrived within an organization I was collaborating with, for a variety of reasons, my behavior didn’t show my brand in the best light. After reflecting on what happened, I want to share some key takeaways...

Have you ever had to deal with a petty leader in your organization? I’ve discussed brand boosters and bruisers on the show before, and pettiness definitely falls into the bruiser category. However, reflecting on an encounter I had years ago has inspired me to branch off the topic of petty branding into a three-part mini-pod series to help you build a stronger, more impactful brand. In this first e...

A single word can carry a lot of weight. In an increasingly diverse world, we need experts like Dr. Suzanne Wertheim who know how to navigate inclusive language in ways that can promote connections and get past resistance.  Suzanne is a linguistic anthropologist and author of The Inclusive Language Field Guide, which outlines six principles to help you avoid painful and sometimes costly communicat...

The world does not evolve without innovation, yet often innovative ideas and solutions are blocked due to individual, institutional, and structural barriers. To move in a more equitable direction, it takes figuring out how to use whatever the blocks are and turn them into catalysts. Squire Servance understands this when it comes to capitalism and is drawing resources together to support his vision...

The field of diversity, equity, and inclusion has many respected practitioners. But my guest this week is the OG (in both impact and brand), and someone I’ve admired for a long time. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have her on the podcast! Vernā Myers is a renowned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) pioneer with profound perspectives on the challenges and opportunities present in the fie...

Independence Day is on the horizon, and what better way to celebrate the spirit of freedom and new beginnings than revisiting a conversation with a true pioneer!  Michele Coleman Mays redefined leadership and advocacy during her distinguished career. She has served as the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for The New York Public Library and had key roles at Allstate Insurance Company...

The fight to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion has deep historical roots, marked by significant milestones and challenges, from the Civil Rights era to present-day initiatives, including the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Robert J. Grey Jr., President of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and former President of the American Bar Association, has witnessed...

We don’t know the faces or names of many enslaved Black people in American history. Some left a small mark of their existence in the very bricks of the buildings their hands built, yet they remain voiceless because their story has been hidden away. Historians like Annette Gordon-Reed know that through sharing the stories of enslaved people, we remember their humanity and preserve historical truth...

From the military to the music world, Paula Boggs has made her mark by bravely navigating new spaces and pioneering career paths for herself. After serving at the Pentagon and in the White House as an army officer, she spent a decade at Starbucks as its Chief Legal Officer before leaving to write and perform music with the Paula Boggs Band. As you listen to our conversation, you’ll be inspired and...

There’s something magical about anyone who not only understands their magic but taps into it, risks and all. Janinah Burnett has always been led to stand in her power with the gift God gave her, regardless of anyone else’s reservations. She’s an internationally renowned Broadway and Metropolitan opera soprano who has played the role of Carlotta Giudicelli in Phantom of the Opera and Mimi in Baz Lu...

In a world where personal branding and negotiation are essential skills, Damali Peterman stands out as a trailblazer. With her diverse background as a lawyer, mediator, and CEO of Breakthrough ADR, Damali brings a unique perspective to the table.  Her new book, Negotiating While Black: Be Who You Are to Get What You Want , delves into the intricacies of negotiating with authenticity and confidence...

With the right communication skills, you can bring who you truly are with you wherever you go. But if you’re not a natural conversationalist (or even if you are), you need the appropriate tools and strategies to help you feel seen, heard, and valued by those around you. That’s where Dr. Amber L. Wright comes in. She’s a communications expert, a speaker, and an executive life coach. Amber’s also a...

Get in line. Stay in your lane. Don’t color outside the lines. My guest Olga Mack developed an aversion to lines that has shaped not just her as a person but her career journey as a tech lawyer as well. She’s joined me on the podcast to talk about how her determination to find other entry points away from standard lines has helped her level up and move through life. In this episode of the Branding...

You deserve the opportunities you want, and others can provide the keys to get you there. But if you don’t talk about yourself and your successes, how will they know to open the door and let you in? Too many people have a hangup about self-promotion. For some, it feels like boasting, which gives off an “icky” feeling. So they tend to shy away when someone, like my guest Lisa Bragg, advocates for b...

You’ve probably heard the stereotypes of different generations in the workplace, including millennials just wanting trophies and more seasoned workers being averse to technology. These are the signs of some of the generational friction that exists in (and out) of the workplace. These challenges can be mitigated through a better understanding of the narrative identity each generation has of work (a...

Ben Wilson is truly, truly the definition of a trailblazer, and if you joined us for part one, you've already experienced a glimpse of his incredible journey .  Ben’s dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion, environmental advocacy, coupled with his strategic vision for leadership offer so many invaluable lessons for all of us. I hope that his stories and the strategies he shares inspi...

A. P. Tureaud. Donald Hollowell. Constance Baker Motley. Those are just some of the Black men and women who have helped forge important change through the legal system in the U.S. Many people, however, aren’t aware of these pioneers and the impactful reach of their work to this day. That’s why my guest Ben Wilson often makes a point to "say their name" so that history doesn’t forget them...

Regardless of recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), moving forward is an inevitability. Organizations that want to thrive are going to have to get on board or get left behind. And they could use the help of someone like my friend Kori Carew. Kori is a former litigator turned speaker, writer, and consultant who advocates for (among other things) diversity, equity, inclusion, and...

Allyship is an ongoing journey, not a destination. There are best practices that’ll help you build your brand and reputation as an inclusive leader and true ally (and some not-so-best practices you’ll want to avoid). My guest David Sarnoff has so many stories about experiences and lessons that have forged an awareness of the importance of inclusive connections. He’s taken what he’s learned--from h...

Feeling like an outsider and attempting to conform to societal norms can lead to a loss of self-identity and a longing for true belonging. Ritu Bhasin, a child of immigrants, has navigated her own journey of self-acceptance and emerged as a leading voice in equity, empowerment, and belonging. She’s also a passionate advocate for authenticity and helps others stand in their power in high-conformity...

You should authentically embody your personal brand, regardless of who you interact with. Your personal brand should also reflect your values and evolve based on your experiences.     Your brand should show up in your advocacy.  This is why I invited Aliza Shatzman to be on the podcast. Her personal experiences in clerkship drive her authentic advocacy. Now, as the founder and president of The Leg...

Many of us have had the boss from hell at some point--that person calling the shots who was absolutely horrible to work for. And while many in this situation just quit, walking away from the job isn’t your only course of action. You can practice the art of managing up instead. As the author of Managing Up , Mary Abbajay literally wrote the book on it. So, if you want to move up, win at work, and s...

Having a child impacts you not just personally but professionally. As an expecting or new parent, you have access to plenty of information about planning for and taking care of your child. And you’ve probably heard that you’re not the same person after their arrival. But there’s still something that gets left out of the conversation too often. After having two sons, Lori Mihalich-Levin knew there...

Sometimes, the best career and life advice you receive comes from your family. My guest can certainly relate since she has received pivotal advice from her Dad that has helped her throughout her career! From Zabrina’s upbringing to her love for sports and spontaneity, we explore how her personal interests and family values have shaped her approach to leadership and personal branding. Zabrina’s fun...

Are you dissatisfied, ready to move on, or to pivot in your career? Perhaps you have a dream career or business in mind or don’t really know what you want to do. You just want to make a change, and as smoothly as possible. And while a strong personal brand helps make that transition more seamless, building one doesn’t just start when you decide to pivot. Michelle Ifill made the kind of career pivo...