Join Paula as she sits down with Mike Shirey, Chief Operating Officer at Soles4Souls - a nonprofit organization that turns unwanted clothing and shoes into an opportunity for underprivileged children around the world. In this episode, Mike shares his inspiring journey of transitioning from a long career in the corporate shoe industry to making a big change and moving into the nonprofit world.

As the pandemic hit, Mike realized he was ready for a change and to pursue a more meaningful career. He shares how he made the leap and found a new purpose at Soles4Souls.

Tune in to this episode to discover:

• How your skills and experience in one industry can transfer into an entirely different career and lead you to the next phase of your professional life

• The value of listening for perspective and empathy and not just results

• The importance of adjusting to your company's culture while still bringing your unique strengths to the table.

Mike's story is a testament to the power of following your passion and making a difference in the world. Don't miss this episode to hear more about his journey and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Show Notes: reidnco.com/podcast

Time Stamps:

[00:05:40] "I think the first thing to share is that you, you take stock of your, your skill set, take stock of what you're good at. Um, and because you've been in the footwear and apparel and industry, retail, wholesale, or otherwise, It doesn't mean that that's only industry that you could be good at. It doesn't mean that that's the only path that you need to stay in. I think folks get appropriately comfortable and appropriately scared at the same time of what a change could look like. So I think that was the first thing I realized. I was like, I think there's, there's things within running the businesses and running sourcing and running operations that, that you can do that would transfer. And I think that's a really important first step.

[00:13:25] "It was slowing down. You know, you make a great point and it mm-hmm. And not slowing down because of people's aptitude. You slow down because of the culture. You slow down because that it's culture of listening.It's a culture of learning. It's a culture of helping and it, and that requires, Being aware of the fact that you're not just trying to write the next order. You are, you are trying to understand who and where in the world. Mm-hmm. Um, you, you may be helping people, um, including your team, um, who at that time was going through quite an emotional change. The first thing that you really learn is, okay, slow it down, become more receptive to, People's input. and then bring what you bring though, right? You have to be who you are and, mm-hmm. You were brought onto the team for a reason. So it's not only to acclimate to the new culture, it's also to introduce what you have."

[00:26:56] "Well, there's a lot of advice that I would love to have had given to me. Yeah. I think a lot of it goes to what we talked about, which is hearing perspective, listening, um, and having. Having empathy for, for the perspective of where other folks are coming from. Um, and that's, that's something that I wish I had learned long time ago. Um, and I, you know, I think, I don't know, somewhere in my mid thirties, it would've been great to learn that because I think you become a better teacher. I think you become a better leader."

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