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Finding Agency with Melanie A. Valdés Olmos
About Our Guest:
Melanie is a seasoned professional boasting a dynamic career across various disciplines. As a researcher, product designer, entrepreneur, and certified professional coach, Melanie brings over 14 years of rich experience to the table. Her notable tenure at Facebook involved leading cross-functional teams and enhancing the platform's content moderation tools, as well as streamlining community operations for better compliance with regulations. Currently, Melanie channels her expertise into executive and leadership coaching, helping leaders at all levels cultivate resilience and achieve their maximum potential.
In this candid episode of "You Can Sit With Us" featuring the multi-talented Melanie, listeners are invited into a thought-provoking discussion on personal agency within corporate spaces. Melanie brings forth her wealth of experience, discussing the delicate balance between personal and career development against the backdrop of a fast-paced and often demanding tech industry.
The conversation begins with an exploration of Melanie's rich cultural heritage and her journey from being the daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants in the US. to establishing herself as an immigrant in the Netherlands. This unique perspective adds depth to the discussion on navigating agency within corporate structures. Melanie and Lexi B delve into the essence of making intentional choices in one's career, acknowledging both the privilege and the power that comes with the ability to choose.
As the episode unfolds, Melanie shares her insights on motherhood and its transformative effects on one's professional path. She stresses the importance of self-reflection, understanding one's values, and crafting a long-term vision that aligns personal growth with career objectives. The exchange delves into confronting inner critics, recognizing one's worth, and breaking free from self-imposed limitations to step into a more purposeful and impactful role, both professionally and personally.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the Intersection of Personal Identity and Career Paths: Melanie discusses her own experiences as a Cape Verdean American and an immigrant, highlighting how these facets influence her professional agency.
The Significance of Intentional Career Choices: Insights on how becoming self-aware and making choices that align with one's values can shape career trajectories and mitigate the impact of external criticisms.
Shifting Perspectives Post-Motherhood: A candid look at how motherhood has required Melanie to reassess and prioritize her career goals in relation to raising a family.
Transformative Power of Coaching: Melanie emphasizes the role coaching plays in helping professionals navigate their inner dialogues and cultivate their paths to success.
Agency as a Privilege and Choice: A nuanced discussion acknowledging the privilege behind the ability to make choices and how even in constrained circumstances, agency can still play a crucial role.
Quotes
"Most of the time, it has a lot to do with listening to my inner voice and my intuition, specifically what's my passion?"
"I think the first thing that comes to mind was my time at what was then called Facebook back then, so meta."
"Something amazing actually happens. I blossom and grow in a way that I wasn't expecting, and I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't act on that."
"This is how your nine-to-five funds, your VC funds, your future dreams."
"Life is to be lived."
Important Links
Melanie Linkedin
Transcriptions
View all episodes
By Lexi B
5
33 ratings
About Our Guest:
Melanie is a seasoned professional boasting a dynamic career across various disciplines. As a researcher, product designer, entrepreneur, and certified professional coach, Melanie brings over 14 years of rich experience to the table. Her notable tenure at Facebook involved leading cross-functional teams and enhancing the platform's content moderation tools, as well as streamlining community operations for better compliance with regulations. Currently, Melanie channels her expertise into executive and leadership coaching, helping leaders at all levels cultivate resilience and achieve their maximum potential.
In this candid episode of "You Can Sit With Us" featuring the multi-talented Melanie, listeners are invited into a thought-provoking discussion on personal agency within corporate spaces. Melanie brings forth her wealth of experience, discussing the delicate balance between personal and career development against the backdrop of a fast-paced and often demanding tech industry.
The conversation begins with an exploration of Melanie's rich cultural heritage and her journey from being the daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants in the US. to establishing herself as an immigrant in the Netherlands. This unique perspective adds depth to the discussion on navigating agency within corporate structures. Melanie and Lexi B delve into the essence of making intentional choices in one's career, acknowledging both the privilege and the power that comes with the ability to choose.
As the episode unfolds, Melanie shares her insights on motherhood and its transformative effects on one's professional path. She stresses the importance of self-reflection, understanding one's values, and crafting a long-term vision that aligns personal growth with career objectives. The exchange delves into confronting inner critics, recognizing one's worth, and breaking free from self-imposed limitations to step into a more purposeful and impactful role, both professionally and personally.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the Intersection of Personal Identity and Career Paths: Melanie discusses her own experiences as a Cape Verdean American and an immigrant, highlighting how these facets influence her professional agency.
The Significance of Intentional Career Choices: Insights on how becoming self-aware and making choices that align with one's values can shape career trajectories and mitigate the impact of external criticisms.
Shifting Perspectives Post-Motherhood: A candid look at how motherhood has required Melanie to reassess and prioritize her career goals in relation to raising a family.
Transformative Power of Coaching: Melanie emphasizes the role coaching plays in helping professionals navigate their inner dialogues and cultivate their paths to success.
Agency as a Privilege and Choice: A nuanced discussion acknowledging the privilege behind the ability to make choices and how even in constrained circumstances, agency can still play a crucial role.
Quotes
"Most of the time, it has a lot to do with listening to my inner voice and my intuition, specifically what's my passion?"
"I think the first thing that comes to mind was my time at what was then called Facebook back then, so meta."
"Something amazing actually happens. I blossom and grow in a way that I wasn't expecting, and I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't act on that."
"This is how your nine-to-five funds, your VC funds, your future dreams."
"Life is to be lived."
Important Links
Melanie Linkedin
Transcriptions
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