Engineer Your Success

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today, our special guest is Joseph Ruiz. Joe Ruiz is a consultant and instructor in the Business School at VCU, teaching Creativity & Ideation. He served as the School of Business “Creativity Czar” for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 term. Joe is a certified Legos® Serious Play® facilitator and he has an MBA from Northeastern University and a master’s in creative studies from Buffalo State University.   In his business, he specializes in designing and implementing creative problem-solving workshops and programs. He is a thought leader who thrives on the ever-changing nature of helping clients thrive in an uncertain, complex, volatile, and ambiguous environment by helping unlock the creative potential in their organizations. Joe aims to help businesses optimize the customer experience to create raving fans. Raving fans stay longer, buy and use more products and services, and share their experiences. Let’s know more about Joe with no further ado Let’s dive in!   [00:31 - 08:42] Opening  Segment Joe Ruiz is an assistant professor of creativity and ideation at Virginia Commonwealth University and recently discovered his passion for innovation. Joe's journey has been full of challenges, but he has found success by learning to be self-aware and communicating in a different way than his wife.   [08:42 - 17:52] How to Keep Your Engagement High in a Changing World Joe shares how he got certified with Lego Serious Play and how it pushes him to innovate more  Diversity is critical as it improves innovation.  The key to keeping an engine well oiled is having a diversity of styles working together. This creates tension which helps you stay focused and engaged. Creativity and curiosity are important tools for managers when adapting to the constantly changing environment.   [17:53 - 27:30] 7 years of creativity and innovation in business school Doers can become leaders by developing empathy and understanding, listening to others, and challenging them to think creatively. Leadership is about setting a level of trust that allows people to be their best selves. Creativity and innovation can flourish in students when they are able to see their ideas come to fruition in physical space."   [27:30 – 31:05] Closing Segment   Parting Notes Learn more about Joseph Ruiz by following him on LinkedIn Sponsors: Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive. BanowetzMarketing.com/James Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product. If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success! Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions. Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you. You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.   Important Resources to Note:   Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast Tweetable Quotes: “Awareness is the oil that keeps the friction from getting too tight In the engine, as those parts are moving. As that diversity is working, having that level of awareness and curiosity, I would add really helps to keep that engine well oiled so it can keep moving.”   - Dr. James Bryant   “You can be a leader and a manager, but they're not necessarily the same. And setting that level of trust is what creates the engagement, which is where that joy comes from and where you can work together to address these challenges because they're gonna be with us, whether we want them or not.”  - Joseph Ruiz “It really starts with the mindset, it's a mindset before the toolset. And that is absolutely critical because when we're talking about engagement whether you're trying to just do a better job of what you are doing or whether you're trying to keep your folks motivated. We know that there are three keys to keeping people engaged, mastery, autonomy, and purpose.” - Joseph Ruiz

 

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today, our special guest is Joseph Ruiz.

Joe Ruiz is a consultant and instructor in the Business School at VCU, teaching Creativity & Ideation. He served as the School of Business “Creativity Czar” for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 term. Joe is a certified Legos® Serious Play® facilitator and he has an MBA from Northeastern University and a master’s in creative studies from Buffalo State University.

 

In his business, he specializes in designing and implementing creative problem-solving workshops and programs. He is a thought leader who thrives on the ever-changing nature of helping clients thrive in an uncertain, complex, volatile, and ambiguous environment by helping unlock the creative potential in their organizations.

Joe aims to help businesses optimize the customer experience to create raving fans. Raving fans stay longer, buy and use more products and services, and share their experiences.

Let’s know more about Joe with no further ado Let’s dive in!

 

[00:31 - 08:42] Opening  Segment

• Joe Ruiz is an assistant professor of creativity and ideation at Virginia Commonwealth University and recently discovered his passion for innovation.
• Joe's journey has been full of challenges, but he has found success by learning to be self-aware and communicating in a different way than his wife.

 

[08:42 - 17:52] How to Keep Your Engagement High in a Changing World

• Joe shares how he got certified with Lego Serious Play and how it pushes him to innovate more 
• Diversity is critical as it improves innovation. 
• The key to keeping an engine well oiled is having a diversity of styles working together. This creates tension which helps you stay focused and engaged.
• Creativity and curiosity are important tools for managers when adapting to the constantly changing environment.

 

[17:53 - 27:30] 7 years of creativity and innovation in business school

• Doers can become leaders by developing empathy and understanding, listening to others, and challenging them to think creatively.
• Leadership is about setting a level of trust that allows people to be their best selves.
• Creativity and innovation can flourish in students when they are able to see their ideas come to fruition in physical space."

 

[27:30 – 31:05] Closing Segment

 

• Parting Notes

Learn more about Joseph Ruiz by following him on LinkedIn

Sponsors:

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

 

Important Resources to Note:

 

• Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast

Tweetable Quotes:

“Awareness is the oil that keeps the friction from getting too tight In the engine, as those parts are moving. As that diversity is working, having that level of awareness and curiosity, I would add really helps to keep that engine well oiled so it can keep moving.”   - Dr. James Bryant

 

“You can be a leader and a manager, but they're not necessarily the same. And setting that level of trust is what creates the engagement, which is where that joy comes from and where you can work together to address these challenges because they're gonna be with us, whether we want them or not.”  - Joseph Ruiz

“It really starts with the mindset, it's a mindset before the toolset. And that is absolutely critical because when we're talking about engagement whether you're trying to just do a better job of what you are doing or whether you're trying to keep your folks motivated. We know that there are three keys to keeping people engaged, mastery, autonomy, and purpose.” - Joseph Ruiz

 

Welcome to Engineer Your Success Podcast with Dr. James Bryant. A quick reminder, the next series of the Success on Ramp will be scheduled for august the 16th from 6:00 Pm to 7:00 pm Eastern Time. The session will focus on building your vision. It is an important area of topic. for most of us, to conquer and master because vision gives imagination and permission as we are often limited by what we can see. If you’re interested in expanding your capacity to dream and you do not want to mix the next three Ramp sessions. These are small group meetings and limited to 12 participants so make sure to use the links below to save your spot.

In today’s episode is in response to the following question I received and it’s “Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome?” let’s dive in and know what imposter syndrome is about and how it affects our growth as an individual with no further ado let’s jump in!

 

 

[00:01 – 06:08] What is Impostor Syndrome

25 to 30% of high achievers may suffer from imposter syndrome

some adults may experience imposter syndrome at least one time in their life

imposter syndrome includes the inability to realistically assess your competence and skills, attributing success to external factors, fear of overachieving, and finding self-doubt and settling for challenging goals.

 

[06:08 – 15:26] Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

How imposter syndrome can be a problem and how to overcome it.

it would be highly recommended to start with mirror moments, where you look at yourself objectively and see your accomplishments.

Keeping track of your accomplishments can also help overcome imposter syndrome.

you start to overachieve

tendencies that you work or study more because you think you needed to be better than everyone else because you are not as competent as everyone else. 

it fuels and pushes you to do great things and it’s better to take hold of that story

and use it for your benefit.

Always remember to never let anyone craft a story for you that tells you, you do not belong because you do.

[15:26 – 17:12] Closing Segment

Parting Notes

 

Sponsors:

 

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

Important Resources to Note:

Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast

Tweetable Quotes:

“You belong in the room, you belong at the table, you belong in the place to create your own room and table. Never, ever let anyone craft a story for you that tells you that you do not belong because you do.” – Dr. James Bryant

Welcome to Engineer Your Success Podcast with Dr. James Bryant. A quick reminder, the next series of the Success on Ramp will be scheduled for august the 16th from 6:00 Pm to 7:00 pm Eastern Time. The session will focus on building your vision. It is an important area of topic. for most of us, to conquer and master because vision gives imagination and permission as we are often limited by what we can see. If you’re interested in expanding your capacity to dream and you do not want to mix the next three Ramp sessions. These are small group meetings and limited to 12 participants so make sure to use the links below to save your spot.

In today’s episode is in response to the following question I received and it’s “Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome?” let’s dive in and know what imposter syndrome is about and how it affects our growth as an individual with no further ado let’s jump in!

 

 

[00:01 - 06:08] What is Impostor Syndrome

• 25 to 30% of high achievers may suffer from imposter syndrome
• some adults may experience imposter syndrome at least one time in their life
• imposter syndrome includes the inability to realistically assess your competence and skills, attributing success to external factors, fear of overachieving, and finding self-doubt and settling for challenging goals.

 

[06:08 - 15:26] Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

• How imposter syndrome can be a problem and how to overcome it.
• it would be highly recommended to start with mirror moments, where you look at yourself objectively and see your accomplishments.
• Keeping track of your accomplishments can also help overcome imposter syndrome.
• you start to overachieve
• tendencies that you work or study more because you think you needed to be better than everyone else because you are not as competent as everyone else. 
• it fuels and pushes you to do great things and it’s better to take hold of that story

and use it for your benefit.

• Always remember to never let anyone craft a story for you that tells you, you do not belong because you do.

[15:26 – 17:12] Closing Segment

• Parting Notes

 

Sponsors:

 

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

Important Resources to Note:

• Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast

Tweetable Quotes:

“You belong in the room, you belong at the table, you belong in the place to create your own room and table. Never, ever let anyone craft a story for you that tells you that you do not belong because you do.” - Dr. James Bryant

 

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today is an exceptional episode. It's going to be a solo episode. I wanted to have another solo episode so that we could connect and I could provide updates as that has been going on in my world. with no further ado Let’s dive in!

 

[00:32 – 05:57] How to Focus on the Right Things to Achieve Success

Last July 19, We produced our 52nd podcast episode which also means we reach our first Pod Adversary

Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone: 

My family, my wife Melba, my Son JT, and Nathaniel.  

Who has been here with me giving suggestions for improvement

Jerome Myers who been there every step of the way.

Longtime Sponsor: Banowetz Marketing

Streamlined podcast

And you! my dear listeners!

We restarted the blog and social media series: Ask James Anything

The growth of Engineer your Success on LinkedIn

 

[05:57 – 11:27] The Power of Personal Accountability

Are you focused on the right things?

Achieve the goal and that can get in the way of your execution.

So when you're too focused on the end goal, you may lose sight of the daily habits or activities that you need to do actually to help you achieve that result.

it's learning to celebrate the lead measures, not just the lag measures.

For example, most people focus on the weight loss lag measure and that is the weight. What does the scale say by the time that they take their weight measurement, there's little or nothing that they can do to influence that result.

but the things that influence that results were the actions that you took weeks and days before those are the lead measures

Don’t fall into the trap of only celebrating the result learn to celebrate doing the work that’s required to produce that end result.

 

[11:27 – 17:10] Ways to Achieve Personal Accountability

Are you willing to pay the price for your success?

Success requires hard work and sacrifice, and successful people don't allow failure to control their narrative.

there are no shortcuts to success

Personal accountability is key to success, and finding ways to keep yourself accountable is important.

Creating a vision board can help you stay focused on your goals

 

[17:10 – 18:39] Closing Segment

Parting Notes

 

 

Sponsors:

 

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

 

Important Resources to Note:

 

Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“There are no rooms for excuses in accountability. You learn how to take control, how to take agency over your life and over your decisions, understanding that is the thing that is going to make the difference in your success.” – Dr. James Bryant

 

“Don’t fall into the trap of only celebrating the end result learn to celebrate doing the work that’s required to produce that end result.” Dr. James Bryant

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today is an exceptional episode. It's going to be a solo episode. I wanted to have another solo episode so that we could connect and I could provide updates as that has been going on in my world. with no further ado Let’s dive in!

 

[00:32 - 05:57] How to Focus on the Right Things to Achieve Success

• Last July 19, We produced our 52nd podcast episode which also means we reach our first Pod Adversary
• Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone: 
• My family, my wife Melba, my Son JT, and Nathaniel.  
• Who has been here with me giving suggestions for improvement
• Jerome Myers who been there every step of the way.
• Longtime Sponsor: Banowetz Marketing
• Streamlined podcast
• And you! my dear listeners!
• We restarted the blog and social media series: Ask James Anything
• The growth of Engineer your Success on LinkedIn

 

[05:57 - 11:27] The Power of Personal Accountability

• Are you focused on the right things?
• Achieve the goal and that can get in the way of your execution.
• So when you're too focused on the end goal, you may lose sight of the daily habits or activities that you need to do actually to help you achieve that result.
• it's learning to celebrate the lead measures, not just the lag measures.
• For example, most people focus on the weight loss lag measure and that is the weight. What does the scale say by the time that they take their weight measurement, there's little or nothing that they can do to influence that result.
• but the things that influence that results were the actions that you took weeks and days before those are the lead measures
• Don’t fall into the trap of only celebrating the result learn to celebrate doing the work that’s required to produce that end result.

 

[11:27 - 17:10] Ways to Achieve Personal Accountability

• Are you willing to pay the price for your success?
• Success requires hard work and sacrifice, and successful people don't allow failure to control their narrative.
• there are no shortcuts to success
• Personal accountability is key to success, and finding ways to keep yourself accountable is important.
• Creating a vision board can help you stay focused on your goals

 

[17:10 – 18:39] Closing Segment

• Parting Notes

 

 

Sponsors:

 

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

 

Important Resources to Note:

 

• Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“There are no rooms for excuses in accountability. You learn how to take control, how to take agency over your life and over your decisions, understanding that is the thing that is going to make the difference in your success.” - Dr. James Bryant

 

“Don’t fall into the trap of only celebrating the end result learn to celebrate doing the work that’s required to produce that end result.” Dr. James Bryant

 

 

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today, our special guest Dr. Malika Grayson.

Dr. Malika is a Program Manager where she leads technology investment and long-term strategic value creation to help enable teams to achieve above-plan growth through their projects. Over the past few years, Grayson has had industry experiences in systems engineering, software development, R&D portfolio management, IT management, and strategy. Grayson earned her Batchelor’s in Physics from Adelphi University and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.

 

Grayson also founded STEMinist Empowered LLC, which focuses on empowering Women of Color who pursue graduate degrees through application consultancy and graduate program mentorship. A global speaker and bestselling author, Grayson has given dozens of workshops and keynotes and is the recipient of many honors including the Zellman Warhaft Commitment to Diversity Award, National Society of Black Engineers – Mike Shin Award for Distinguished Member of the Year, Adelphi University’s Top 10 Alumni Under 10 and BEYA STEM’s Modern Day Technology Leader.

 

She was named one of Trinidad and Tobago’s 40 Under 40 Youth Influencers by the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs based on her work in STEM. She also authored the best-selling book Hooded: A Black Girl's Guide to the Ph.D. and has been featured in several publications. Grayson’s keynotes and workshops are based on her experiences in academia and industry, with titles such as Networking for Mentoring, Canceling Imposter Syndrome, Navigating the Impossible, and Success through Resilience – ABCs to STEM Success.

 

Grayson’s passion for increasing the number of women through the STEM pipeline motivated her to create ASPIRE STEM, which provides financial assistance to young women from high school and secondary school who aspire to pursue STEM at the university level. She also belongs to external organizations including the DiscoverE Board of Directors, the STEMNoire Planning Council, and Cornell University’s Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations.

 

Let’s know more about Dr. Malika with no further ado Let’s dive in!

 

[00:31 – 09:23] Opening Segment

Who is Dr. Malika Grayson?

She  is a Physicist by trade and a Mechanical Engineer

She is also a Managing Software Engineer, a Program Manager by day, and an Author by night.

She's originally from Trinidad and Tobago and is a Trinity girl at heart.

She went to the US to pursue her physics degree at Del University and then went on to get her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with a focus on wind energy at Ithaca University.

Now she's a manager of software engineering at Northrop Gring Corporation, where 

she's focused on managing a portfolio of projects that help the company move forward.

Dr. Malika shares her experience in transitioning from being a Physicist to becoming a Program Manager.

She shared that being an engineer it is natural for her to take a look at every detail, but as a project manager its way harder to join in every single technical meeting

Given her situation, she adds, that it's important to build an effective team that you can trust. 

As a manager, she learns to step back, trust her team's process, and focus on solutions to help her team progress.

 

[09:24 – 16:37 ] Working in your Field, Achieving goals, and Still Being Authentic 

Dr. Malika shares that to maintain her career whether it’s a passion project or in the industry, she learned that you really need to be authentic. 

She started writing and started a blog for Black Girls Guide to Grad School.

When she was starting she realized she was leading a double life.

A person that focuses on getting the job done.

but also a person that wants to impact the world by sharing her story. 

Her manager called her and was interested in her blogs

Her manager connected her to a person with an HBCU initiative.

Dr. Malika adds that most people that start in all careers are so afraid that they don’t want to lose their job that they stop doing what they love doing outside work, Whereas In reality, there are managers who work to help you build your bio.

 

[16:38 – 24:03] Working in your Field, Achieving goals, and Still Being Authentic

The industry has changed during the pandemic, some people don’t want to be in the office. 

But also some find the office as their escape from home.

Give your people options in a hybrid approach that makes everybody happy. 

 

[26:04 – 34:19] Black Women in STEM Pursue Success

The industry is facing challenges due to the post-pandemic workforce.

A lot of people are trying to use their old playbooks during the pandemic, which is not going to work.

Companies are having to find a new way to manage their teams, which is difficult.

There is a need for more black women in STEM fields.

The road to success is not easy, but it is possible with resilience and flexibility.

[34:20 – 35:48] Closing Segment

 

Parting Notes

Learn more about Dr. Malika Grayson by following him on LinkedIn

Sponsors:

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

 

Important Resources to Note:

Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Show up as yourself, have courage and show up authentically it will pay off in the end because you won't be fighting against yourself  – Dr. James Bryant

“ When you're not being your full self, it's hard for you to be 100% in any part of your life when you're trying to be somebody else in different parts of your life.”  – Dr. Malika Grayson

 

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today, our special guest
Dr. Malika Grayson.

Dr. Malika is a Program Manager where she leads technology investment and long-term strategic value creation to help enable teams to achieve above-plan growth through their projects. Over the past few years, Grayson has had industry experiences in systems engineering, software development, R&D portfolio management, IT management, and strategy. Grayson earned her Batchelor’s in Physics from Adelphi University and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.

 

Grayson also founded STEMinist Empowered LLC, which focuses on empowering Women of Color who pursue graduate degrees through application consultancy and graduate program mentorship. A global speaker and bestselling author, Grayson has given dozens of workshops and keynotes and is the recipient of many honors including the Zellman Warhaft Commitment to Diversity Award, National Society of Black Engineers – Mike Shin Award for Distinguished Member of the Year, Adelphi University’s Top 10 Alumni Under 10 and BEYA STEM’s Modern Day Technology Leader.

 

She was named one of Trinidad and Tobago’s 40 Under 40 Youth Influencers by the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs based on her work in STEM. She also authored the best-selling book Hooded: A Black Girl's Guide to the Ph.D. and has been featured in several publications. Grayson’s keynotes and workshops are based on her experiences in academia and industry, with titles such as Networking for Mentoring, Canceling Imposter Syndrome, Navigating the Impossible, and Success through Resilience – ABCs to STEM Success.

 

Grayson’s passion for increasing the number of women through the STEM pipeline motivated her to create ASPIRE STEM, which provides financial assistance to young women from high school and secondary school who aspire to pursue STEM at the university level. She also belongs to external organizations including the DiscoverE Board of Directors, the STEMNoire Planning Council, and Cornell University’s Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations.

 

Let’s know more about Dr. Malika with no further ado Let’s dive in!

 

[00:31 - 09:23] Opening Segment

• Who is Dr. Malika Grayson?
  • She  is a Physicist by trade and a Mechanical Engineer
  • She is also a Managing Software Engineer, a Program Manager by day, and an Author by night.
  • She's originally from Trinidad and Tobago and is a Trinity girl at heart.
  • She went to the US to pursue her physics degree at Del University and then went on to get her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with a focus on wind energy at Ithaca University.
  • Now she's a manager of software engineering at Northrop Gring Corporation, where 
  • she's focused on managing a portfolio of projects that help the company move forward.
• Dr. Malika shares her experience in transitioning from being a Physicist to becoming a Program Manager.
  • She shared that being an engineer it is natural for her to take a look at every detail, but as a project manager its way harder to join in every single technical meeting
  • Given her situation, she adds, that it's important to build an effective team that you can trust. 
• As a manager, she learns to step back, trust her team's process, and focus on solutions to help her team progress.

 

[09:24 - 16:37 ] Working in your Field, Achieving goals, and Still Being Authentic 

• Dr. Malika shares that to maintain her career whether it’s a passion project or in the industry, she learned that you really need to be authentic. 
• She started writing and started a blog for Black Girls Guide to Grad School.
• When she was starting she realized she was leading a double life.
  • A person that focuses on getting the job done.
  • but also a person that wants to impact the world by sharing her story. 
• Her manager called her and was interested in her blogs
  • Her manager connected her to a person with an HBCU initiative.
• Dr. Malika adds that most people that start in all careers are so afraid that they don’t want to lose their job that they stop doing what they love doing outside work, Whereas In reality, there are managers who work to help you build your bio.

 

[16:38 - 24:03] Working in your Field, Achieving goals, and Still Being Authentic

• The industry has changed during the pandemic, some people don’t want to be in the office. 
• But also some find the office as their escape from home.
• Give your people options in a hybrid approach that makes everybody happy. 

 

[26:04 - 34:19] Black Women in STEM Pursue Success

• The industry is facing challenges due to the post-pandemic workforce.
• A lot of people are trying to use their old playbooks during the pandemic, which is not going to work.
• Companies are having to find a new way to manage their teams, which is difficult.
• There is a need for more black women in STEM fields.
• The road to success is not easy, but it is possible with resilience and flexibility.

[34:20 – 35:48] Closing Segment

 

• Parting Notes

Learn more about Dr. Malika Grayson by following him on LinkedIn

Sponsors:

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

 

Important Resources to Note:

Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Show up as yourself, have courage and show up authentically it will pay off in the end because you won't be fighting against yourself  - Dr. James Bryant

“ When you're not being your full self, it's hard for you to be 100% in any part of your life when you're trying to be somebody else in different parts of your life.”  - Dr. Malika Grayson

 

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today, our special guest

Jeniffer Todd

 

Jennifer is a 15-year woman in the construction industry veteran. She was the youngest Black woman to acquire California’s CSLB General Engineering (A) license. Today, she is the President of LMS General Contractors. Jennifer Todd is the Founder of A Greener Tomorrow, a 501c3 nonprofit geared toward creating skill trade awareness for minorities. 

Jennifer Todd is a public speaker who is committed to the advancement of women in construction and minority inclusivity in the skilled trades workforce.

Todd serves on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Industry Leaders Council and the National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC) Education Committee. 

 

 

Let’s dive in!

 

[00:31 – 06:52] Opening Segment

Jennifer Todd is an engineer and business owner with a law background and a speaker.

She is from Chicago and has been in the construction industry for 15 years.

Jennifer discusses the trends she's seeing in the industry, including a labor shortage and the need for diversity in hiring and decision-making.

Jennifer shares her success principles, which include knowing who you are and what you're willing to put up with.

 

[06:52 – 13:27] NON PROFIT: There is Really Not a Lot of Competition Out There

There is a lot of power in knowing who you are and investing in yourself.

Staying on your own course is key to not being in competition with other people.

Every individual has a different path and trajectory.

The work that the nonprofit does is helping low-income individuals get started in careers.

Most of them are not competing with each other but instead inspiring one another

Jennifer discusses that self-discipline is shown both at work and at home.

 

[13:27 – 18:15] Closing Segment

the importance of access to opportunity, as well as understanding the pathway to that opportunity.

It is also important to have a playbook for navigating opportunities, which is something that Jennifer’s Company was able to provide its employees.

Jennifer shares that Many of the employees who worked with them have no background and were able to gain experience from them, After getting certifications these employees were able to achieve success after working with the company.

 

[18:27 – 24:15] Closing Segment

Parting Notes

Learn more about Jennifer Todd by following her on LinkedIn

 

Sponsors:

 

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

 

Important Resources to Note:

 

Your Success On-Ramp:https://link.betteryou4u.com/unwebinar

 

Annual Goal Setting Workbook:https://link.betteryou4u.com/goalsettingworkbook

 

Schedule a complimentary Introductory Coaching Session

 

Don’t forget to sign-up for email updates! https://betteryou4u.com/eys-email-update/

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Having access to the opportunity, knowing about the opportunity is one thing, understanding in general, that there's a path to that opportunity is another thing.” – Dr. James Bryant

 

“ Who you are at home is who you are at work and vice versa, the discipline doesn't cut off and on. Whatever those traits are and, things that you have in your life, it goes across both ways”

  – Jennifer Todd

Welcome again to another episode of Engineer Your Success! Today, our special guest

Jeniffer Todd

 

Jennifer is a 15-year woman in the construction industry veteran. She was the youngest Black woman to acquire California’s CSLB General Engineering (A) license. Today, she is the President of LMS General Contractors. Jennifer Todd is the Founder of A Greener Tomorrow, a 501c3 nonprofit geared toward creating skill trade awareness for minorities. 

Jennifer Todd is a public speaker who is committed to the advancement of women in construction and minority inclusivity in the skilled trades workforce.

Todd serves on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Industry Leaders Council and the National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC) Education Committee. 

 

 

Let’s dive in!

 

[00:31 - 06:52] Opening Segment

• Jennifer Todd is an engineer and business owner with a law background and a speaker.
• She is from Chicago and has been in the construction industry for 15 years.
• Jennifer discusses the trends she's seeing in the industry, including a labor shortage and the need for diversity in hiring and decision-making.
• Jennifer shares her success principles, which include knowing who you are and what you're willing to put up with.

 

[06:52 - 13:27] NON PROFIT: There is Really Not a Lot of Competition Out There

• There is a lot of power in knowing who you are and investing in yourself.
• Staying on your own course is key to not being in competition with other people.
• Every individual has a different path and trajectory.
• The work that the nonprofit does is helping low-income individuals get started in careers.
• Most of them are not competing with each other but instead inspiring one another
• Jennifer discusses that self-discipline is shown both at work and at home.

 

[13:27 – 18:15] Closing Segment

• the importance of access to opportunity, as well as understanding the pathway to that opportunity.
• It is also important to have a playbook for navigating opportunities, which is something that Jennifer’s Company was able to provide its employees.
• Jennifer shares that Many of the employees who worked with them have no background and were able to gain experience from them, After getting certifications these employees were able to achieve success after working with the company.

 

[18:27 – 24:15] Closing Segment

• Parting Notes
• Learn more about Jennifer Todd by following her on LinkedIn

 

Sponsors:

 

Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive.

BanowetzMarketing.com/James

Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.

If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success!

Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.

Let’s connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.

 

Important Resources to Note:

 

• Your Success On-Ramp:https://link.betteryou4u.com/unwebinar

 

• Annual Goal Setting Workbook:https://link.betteryou4u.com/goalsettingworkbook

 

• Schedule a complimentary Introductory Coaching Session

 

• Don’t forget to sign-up for email updates! https://betteryou4u.com/eys-email-update/

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Having access to the opportunity, knowing about the opportunity is one thing, understanding in general, that there's a path to that opportunity is another thing.” - Dr. James Bryant

 

“ Who you are at home is who you are at work and vice versa, the discipline doesn't cut off and on. Whatever those traits are and, things that you have in your life, it goes across both ways”

  - Jennifer Todd