Today, I interview Mary Simon, who at age 11 was in Austria with her Mother and older sister. Her Austrian mother had spent many years in America but returned to Austria after divorcing their father. The country had drastically changed, and she was unable to re-assimilate or fit in anywhere. 

Destitute, the girls and their mother went to the US Embassy on Friday and were to be returned to America on Monday. Little Mary, however, had a sudden urgency to stay in Austria. She saw that war had changed the world, and she watched her mother lose herself. She had nothing and no voice, and Mary was determined not to follow that same path. She didn't want to return to the U.S., so when her sister and mother went back to the hotel to await their departure, Mary stayed behind and made a brave plan to negotiate a way to stay in Austria. 

She adamantly plead her case to one of the officers, who eventually took her on with his own family. She was later forced to return to the U.S. because her father didn't like a diplomat caring for his daughter, but Mary immediately put the pieces together and made her way back to Austria. 

This was the first sign that Mary was to become an expert negotiator. She continued to form compelling arguments for other moves in her education, living situation, and overall life. She knew what she wanted and she was going to find her own way to make it happen. 

After several relocations and exhaustive studies, Mary eventually completed a degree in neuroscience. She had a curiosity to learn the biological factors that are at play in relation to life's circumstances. She wanted to understand how her life had affected her neurologically, and how if affected other people. In her work as a now professional negotiator, Mary studies both the things that hold people back and the things that motivate them. When there is misalignment, she helps to advocate for them so that they can find their voice and become the best version of themselves.

 __________ 

Mary Brunelle Simon is a Senior Executive Coach with 20+ years of international experience. Expertise in building and capturing professional legacy is the cornerstone of her business career. She has served as faculty/staff for The Wharton School MBA program, authored a book about negotiation strategies, and advised senior leaders in 15 industries. 

Find Mary here: 
https://marybsimon.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybsimon/ 
https://www.facebook.com/mary.simon.758

___________

I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. 

Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.  

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.