Avsnitt
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In this second minisode of our podcast, co-founders Stefano Faustini and Marina Byezhanova dive deep into the specifics and tactics of personal branding, focusing on one key question: "How vulnerable do I really need to be when building a personal brand?"
They reflect on the inspiring journey of David Shamszad, who shared deeply personal stories as part of his branding process. In David's case, his personal branding journey was an inside-out process requiring him to officially bring his truest, deepest (and darkest) parts of himself to the table in an effort to no longer have "separate" identities (i.e. his identity as a recovering addict struggling with mental illness and his identity as a successful 7-figure CEO). The conversation emphasizes the importance of curating what to share, the balance between personal and professional identity, and why authenticity is necessary (and powerful) in personal branding.
Key Takeaways
- Personal branding requires a level of vulnerability.
- Sharing personal stories can be therapeutic, and curating what to share is essential for authenticity.
- A personal brand is an expression of who you are - and imposter syndrome can hinder personal branding efforts.
- Building a personal brand involves stepping outside comfort zones.
- Humanizing your brand is crucial for connection, but not all personal stories need to be shared publicly.
- Personal branding is not just about business identity.
- The journey of personal branding evolves over time, and it is a journey worth taking.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Personal Branding and Vulnerability
02:52
The Journey of David Shamszad
06:07
Curating Your Personal Brand
09:14
The Essence of Personal Branding
12:02
Conclusion and Key Takeaways -
David Shamszad is a CEO, Entrepreneur, and Author. He is expanding a real estate enterprise and changing the dialogue on mental illness and substance abuse. His story is not one you'll hear anywhere else - and it is entirely worth learning about.
As a respite from early symptoms of depression and trauma at home, David turned to drugs and drinking at the age of 13. In early adulthood, he oscillated between debilitating depression, manic episodes, and week-long binges.
After a severe manic and depressive episode at 23, David was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. A decade-long battle with mental illness and addiction ensued. At the end of it, he was ready to surrender and rebound - a journey which began with vulnerability, acceptance, and courage.
He went to a chemical dependency treatment facility that transformed his life. His dual diagnosis (mental health and substance abuse addiction) was confirmed for the first time.
In some ways, his life now is unrecognizable from its darkest days. David is the CEO of SG Real Estate, an expanding, 8-figure real estate enterprise. Founded in 2012, the company now employs 50+ people and generates $10MM+ in annual revenue. He is also a husband, father, youth mentor, passionate advocate, and the author of a forthcoming book on mental illness, addiction, and recovery called: Coming Up for Air.
Key Takeaways
- Imposter syndrome can be a common experience for individuals with mental health issues.
- The stigma surrounding mental health can prevent individuals from seeking help and being honest about their struggles. Open discussions about mental health are crucial in reducing stigma and promoting understanding.
- Manic energy can lead to destructive behaviors and the need to burn off excess energy.
- Triggers for bipolar episodes can include inconsistent self-care, lack of sleep, and substance abuse.
- Addiction and mental health issues can strain relationships, but recovery can lead to healing and growth.
Sound Bites
"Growing up, there wasn't even a vocabulary for mental illness."
"There is no better life to live than the one where you're totally honest with yourself."
"The only way that this much pain and anguish could end is if I'm not alive."
Chapters
05:24
Discussing Imposter Syndrome
12:22
David's Childhood and Upbringing
19:45
The Impact of Mental Illness and Self-Medication
28:18
Entering the Psychiatric Ward
32:40
Struggles at Work and Seeking Help
33:11
The Destructive Cycle of Manic Energy
35:11
The Danger of Untreated Mental Illness
37:12
The Power of Vulnerability and Support
41:30
The Impact of Mental Illness on Relationships
48:55
Committing to Sobriety and Seeking Help -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this inaugural minisode of our podcast, co-founders Stefano Faustini and Marina Byezhanova dive deep into the specifics and tactics of personal branding, especially for leaders in corporate environments.
They discuss overcoming common barriers like imposter syndrome and the resistance many face when it comes to visibility and self-promotion. The conversation highlights the role personal branding plays in inspiring teams, creating opportunities, and fostering positive influence. The episode also features insights from former COO of the Verizon Consumer Group Krista Bourne, guest from Episode #2 of the Voice of a Leader podcast, who shares her own journey and lessons learned about personal branding.
Key Takeaways
- So many entrepreneurs and leaders resist putting themselves in the spotlight - and imposter syndrome is a common barrier to visibility
- Corporate leaders can build personal brands without ruffling feathers
- Visibility is essential for attracting top talent and being a magnet for hiring - and personal branding is becoming a necessity in corporate culture
- Leaders must inspire their teams to be effective
- Consistency in personal branding is crucial for recognition
- Building a personal brand opens doors to new opportunities
- The future of corporate leadership will include personal branding as a standard practice
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Personal Branding and Leadership
01:57
Overcoming Resistance in Personal Branding
05:57
Navigating Corporate Environments for Personal Branding
11:49
The Importance of Personal Branding for Corporate Leaders
16:47
Inspiring Leadership and the Role of Personal Branding -
Stephan Roche is a CEO, investor, strategic advisor, and venture capital and family office executive.
Holder of a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton and an MBA from Harvard, Stephan served as the CEO of a family office for one of the wealthiest American families. By the end of his tenure as CEO, he had grown the family office from 50 to 500; helped steer the organization through turbulent social and economic circumstances; and built relationships with best-selling authors, world-renown scientists, athletes, and billionaires.
Simultaneously, Stephan also confronted the dark, shadow side of wealth – the impropriety, abuses of power, degradation of ethics and over-importance of wealth as a defining part of one’s identity.
Today, Stephan is the CEO of SemperVirens, a venture capital firm within the Sequoia group. SemperVirens provides advisory, mentorship, and capital to startups poised to make a positive impact in the world, fostering an asymmetric portfolio of investments in women, BIPOC, and diverse founders with grand visions for company growth and outsized impact.
Key Takeaways
- Imposter syndrome can manifest in different ways, including feeling like an imposter due to lack of expertise, feeling out of alignment with external validation, and feeling qualified but not fulfilled in a role.
- Success is multi-dimensional and goes beyond traditional metrics of achievement, encompassing personal relationships, values, and alignment with oneself.
- Parental influence on career choices can impact an individual's sense of fulfillment and alignment with their chosen path.
- Procter & Gamble's approach to feedback and leadership training emphasizes the value of junior team members' input and the importance of learning from others in a collaborative environment.
- In the business world, collaboration and benchmarking are essential for success, while academia often emphasizes individual achievement and originality. Formal education often leaves individuals unprepared for the real-world skills needed for success in business.
- The power of integrity lies in doing the right thing, always, and building trusted relationships.
- Wealth reveals and amplifies a person's values and does not fundamentally change who they are.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction, Childhood and Career Journey
13:14
Discussion on Imposter Syndrome and Success
38:09
Navigating the Gaps in Formal Education
55:56
The Multifaceted Nature of Wealth
01:21:29
Creating Positive Impact: Personal Experiences and Perspectives -
Krista Bourne is a global keynote speaker, advisor, and former Fortune 20 executive.
After an unstable childhood and leaving college after only one semester, her journey took a remarkable turn when she found an opportunity that became a 25-year career at Verizon. Starting in the mailroom in upstate New York, Krista progressed through key roles in Service, Sales, and Operations. In time, she became the Chief Operating Officer for the Verizon Consumer Group, the first Black woman to hold the position. Leading a distributed team of 30,000 employees, she served over 110 million customers, delivered more than $500M in cost optimization and contributed to an annual revenue exceeding $100 billion.
Join us as Krista shares with Lanisa D. Farnsworth how she overcame impostor syndrome, unlocked her leadership potential, and learned to embrace the power of simple choices to achieve the extraordinary.
Key Takeaways
- Imposter syndrome is situational and can be managed by compartmentalizing it as a specific challenge rather than allowing it to define one's entire identity.
- Continuous learning and a learner's mindset are essential for personal and professional growth, especially in the face of emerging trends like AI and entrepreneurship.
- Chasing impact, not titles, is a key to success in one's career, as it allows for a focus on meaningful contributions rather than superficial achievements. Imposter syndrome is situational and can be managed through disciplined approaches.
- Balancing career and family requires effective calendar management, prioritization, and communication.
- Finding purpose in a career involves being part of something bigger than oneself and making positive change.
- Personal and professional branding are both important for career advancement and thought leadership.
- Being authentic and making intentional choices are key to building the life you want.
- Introverts can navigate professional settings by approaching it like a workout, pushing themselves to engage and interact.
- The bravest thing Krista did was taking on a profit and loss role without a financial or business background, demonstrating the power of learning and adaptability.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Continuous Learning
36:40 Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Career-Family Balance
40:55 Purpose, Branding, and Authenticity in Career Development
45:19 The Power of Choices and Intentional Living
53:53 Challenges and Triumphs of an Introverted Professional -
Marina Byezhanova is an entrepreneur, global speaker, and co-founder of Brand of a Leader, the world’s leading personal branding agency for GenX CEOs.
In this inaugural episode, Marina shares the founding history of Brand of a Leader, the company’s true mission, and the impact she aspires to make on the entrepreneurial world through personal branding. The episode explores the essence of impostor syndrome, starting a business during a global pandemic, and how personal branding and being authentic can be a powerful tool to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Sound Bites
"When you have a personal brand, you have an opportunity to inspire people and make an impact at scale."
"When you have a strong recognizability of your name and people are following you for you, they follow along with pivots."
"Being radically authentic is what breeds connection and formulates trust."
"Their positive spin on imposter syndrome."
"Stand out, speak up and be radically authentic."
"You go first, the universe follows."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Mission of Brand of a Leader
03:20 The Importance of Personal Branding
08:53 Working with Gen X CEOs and Navigating Self-Marketing
25:15 Imposter Syndrome and the Power of Belief
29:16 Introduction to Imposter Syndrome
38:25 The Role of Personal Branding
45:13 The Power of Visualization and the Universe
