The Counter Offer

Embracing Confidence and Warmth in Your Career with Cynthia Barnes

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When someone compliments you, don't downplay it—own it and say thank you. It will empower you and affirm your worth.

In this episode, Susanna sits down with Cynthia Barnes, a top LinkedIn voice, keynote speaker, and trailblazer in sales and diversity. Cynthia is known for her powerful presence and inspirational messages on equality and personal growth.

They dive deep into the essence of owning one's achievements and how to overcome societal expectations and embrace authenticity. She emphasizes the importance of diversity in the workplace and how unconscious biases can hinder growth. Cynthia also addresses women's challenges in male-dominated industries and offers practical advice for those facing imposter syndrome. Cynthia's wisdom and experience provide a roadmap for personal and professional empowerment, making this a must-listen for recruiters and professionals striving for excellence!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

  • Embracing Compliments: Cynthia emphasizes the importance of accepting compliments graciously. Owning and acknowledging your achievements can significantly boost your confidence and affirm your self-worth.
  • Overcoming Societal Expectations: Cynthia shares her journey of navigating and overcoming societal expectations, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and reject limiting beliefs.
  • Confidence vs. Warmth: She discusses the delicate balance between confidence and warmth, especially for women in leadership roles. Striking this balance can enhance your effectiveness as a leader while maintaining approachability.
  • Diversity in the Workplace: Cynthia underscores the importance of diversity and how unconscious biases can hinder organizational growth. She advocates for actively addressing these biases to create a more inclusive environment.
  • Supportive Networks for Women: She highlights the challenges women face in male-dominated industries and the critical need for supportive networks that foster growth and encourage women to thrive.


    • About Cynthia Barnes

    Cynthia Barnes is a transformative leader renowned for igniting confidence and driving results in both the sales and nonprofit sectors. As the founder of the "Own Your Awesome" program, she has empowered sales professionals to overcome self-doubt and achieve impressive performance increases of 30-100%.

    Currently serving as Director of Development at the Home Furnishing Association, Barnes applies her expertise to build meaningful donor relationships and enhance fundraising success. Her background includes work with major companies such as Google Cloud, Salesforce, Bridgestone, and Toyota, and she is celebrated for significantly increasing female sales hires by 64%.

    A dynamic speaker and thought leader, Barnes is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice and a 4X Salesforce Top Sales Influencer. With two books and a TEDx talk to her name, she is dedicated to inspiring and equipping others to reach their full potential.


    Connect with Cynthia Barnes:

    • Website
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • Facebook


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        The Counter OfferBy Susanna Gray-Jones