You will be inspired and encouraged to become an entrepreneur after listening to Mei Xuâs odyssey from Tiananmen Square to the United States. Learn how she noticed an undeveloped niche that moved her from being an employee to starting her own company, Pacific Trade International, which includes Chesapeake Candle Company and Blissliving Home, and earns more that $90 million in sales a year. 

Join Sabrina Braham, executive coach, as she discovers the secrets of one of the most amazing women CEOs.
Mei Xu Biography 
Women Leadership, Entrepreneurship for Women Highlights:

	Learn the career development skill of spotting trends before they happen
	Become a woman leader by discovering the value of learning from the bottom up
	Three suggestions to follow when you are starting your business
	The importance of developing yourself for business success
	How business women can thrive and survive in difficult economic times
	The kind of service that sets your company apart
	How learning a second language will change your thinking and improve your ability to spot trends
	Standing out while working for someone else

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Mei Xu Interview: Woman Entrepreneur Reveals How To Build Your Dream Business

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Welcome to the Road to Leadership Success, a resource for people who want effective leadership productivity strategies to learn faster and accomplish more. I'm Sabrina Braham, your Leadership coach.



As your coach, I'm constantly looking for shortcuts to help you succeed in your life and career. If you take 10 minutes to listen to these simple and easy mind hacks, I will share, it could double your productivity.



In this episode, I am going to give you two leadership essential tips:




* How to overcome procrastination, distractions, and interruptions.



* A scientifically proven method to increase your productivity and innovation.









How often do you find yourself procrastinating on tasks or projects?



How do interruptions impact your productivity daily?



Are you feeling swamped by your tasks?



Do you need help to keep up despite your efforts?




Well, you're not alone.



According to new research conducted in the US by Zippia, the average employee is productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes daily. That’s only 31% of the average 8-hour workday. Most employees feel unproductive because they spend the majority of their workday distracted.




* Atlassian has discovered that the average employee is interrupted from work around 56 times a day and spends 2 hours recovering from these distractions.



* How long do you think it takes to recover from a single distraction?



* According to the research, Refocusing after a distraction takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds.




Do you have something you want to do or know you need to do but can’t figure out how to fit it into your schedule or avoid being distracted?



Or Your challenge is that you are procrastinating.



How much more could you get done if you weren't procrastinating, weren't interrupted, and could you stay focused?



 A lot, right? 



Are you ready to move your productivity AND career to the next level?



I've got a proven strategy for you that will enable you to seize opportunities without procrastination, interruptions, or lack of focus.



The good news is that I will give you my “Improved Pomodoro Technique” today. This is a proven method for increasing focus, productivity, and creativity.



Top Tech Leader Struggles With Productivity & Being Overwhelmed




But first, let me tell you a story about Ava, a director in a large company who came to me for executive coaching. She was working long hours and was overwhelmed by all her projects.
She was very talented, and one of her coaching goals was to increase exposure to senior management to build a brand and enhance her career.
Her senior VP had been brainstorming with her to develop a new product. The meetings were exciting and productive.   
Then, they took an unexpected turn. In the last month,  Brad, the director of another department, had begun collaborating with the senior VP on the same project. Now, he was talking to Brad and not to her.
Her question to me was: 
“How can I get the senior VP  to speak and brainstorm with me again?
She wanted to know how.

Effective Leadership Productivity Strategies | WLS 132 – Road to Leadership Success Series


Championing Gender Equality: Insights from Two Women Leaders
In today's competitive business landscape, women, especially women of color, often face unique challenges on their path to develop leadership influence. Drawing from profound discussions, we delve into actionable strategies for breaking through barriers and nurturing influential leadership.
 
Overcoming Biases and Building Leadership Influence
Join us for an insightful continuation of our interview with renowned author Shelmina Abji. Discover how to combat biases in the corporate world and leverage influence and persuasion within your organization to propel your career forward.
 
Shelmina Babai Abji: A Trailblazer in Leadership and Gender Equality
Shelmina Babai Abji, a former IBM VP and esteemed author, is a vocal advocate for gender equality in leadership. Rising from humble beginnings in Tanzania, she shattered barriers to become one of IBM's highest-ranking women of color. With a track record of delivering over $1 billion in annual revenues, she now inspires and mentors women globally while serving on the advisory board of Girl Up. Armed with computer science and mathematics degrees, Shelmina's expertise is sought after worldwide.
 
Shelmina Babai AbjiTEDx speaker | Former IBM Vice President | Angel Investor | Author of Show Your Worth
Overcoming Internal and External Challenges to Develop Leadership Influence (1:42)
Many women face internal barriers from a lack of representation in leadership roles, leading to self-doubt and fear of failure. Additionally, biases from senior leaders can hinder opportunities for advancement. However, recognizing and confronting these challenges is the first step towards overcoming them and learning how to develop leadership influence.
 
Proactive Relationship Building: Nurturing Connections for Leadership Growth (3:16)
Waiting for recognition isn't enough. You must proactively engage with supervisors and stakeholders, showcase your value, and initiate conversations about your achievements. Taking the lead in these interactions ensures that your contributions are acknowledged and valued, nurturing connections for leadership growth and influence.
 
Advocating for Yourself: Asserting Your Value in the Workplace (4:57)
Acknowledging your accomplishments isn't boasting; it's necessary for career advancement. During performance reviews, confidently share your achievements to ensure they're recognized and appreciated. Don't hesitate to advocate for yourself and your contributions; this is vital in asserting your value and fostering leadership growth and influence.
 
Embracing Growth and Learning: Steppingstones to Leadership Development (7:00)
Failure isn't the end; it's an opportunity for growth. Stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on challenges, even if you encounter setbacks, contributes to your long-term development. Embrace these experiences as valuable learning opportunities to enhance your leadership development influence, skills and impact
 
Tools for Impact: Strategies for Leadership Development Influence (8:23)
Adopting an adventurous mindset in tackling challenges is crucial for growth. Stepping outside your comfort zone builds competence and confidence, essential qualities for effective leadership. Explore intentional growth strategies and embrace opportunities for learning and development to foster leadership growth and influence.
 
Personal Testimony and Empowerment: Inspiring Others to Lead (10:45)
Personal stories of resilience and perseverance are potent reminders of our potential for growth and success. By sharing our experiences and insights,

Develop Leadership Influence: Overcoming Barriers and Cultivating Impact | Women’s Leadership 131


How did a woman of color who grew up in poverty in Tanzania overcome leadership self-doubt and go on to become a tech leader and Vice President at IBM, even though she was a single mother and battled imposter syndrome?



She changed her mindset and found her voice.



When Shelmina Abji started her career, she struggled with negative mental chatter and fear of speaking up due to self-doubt. She learned to recognize this as the "voice of fear" and to amplify her "voice of courage.”



This gave her empowering reasons to overcome leadership self-doubt and take action.



If you want to build your skills and competencies to advance your leadership and career, but you have negative mental chatter, fear of speaking up, and want to overcome leadership self-doubt. You will love this compelling interview.



Join me and Shelmina today in one of my most important and impactful interviews. You will get actionable tips for any leader to advance, especially if you are in tech, are a person of color, or have negative self-talk. 







Shelmina Babai Abji
 TEDx speaker | Former IBM Vice President | Angel Investor | Author of Show Your Worth




Shelmina Babai Abji: A Journey of Empowerment



Shelmina is a renowned speaker, author, and former IBM VP who has dedicated her life to fostering gender equality in leadership. From humble beginnings in Tanzania, she embarked on a journey to break barriers and create opportunities for herself and others.



Starting her career as an underrepresented woman in the male-dominated tech industry, Shelmina rose through the ranks, becoming one of the highest-ranking women of color at IBM. Her leadership transformed teams and businesses, delivering over $1 billion in annual revenues and fostering high client satisfaction and team morale.



Driven by her passion for gender equality, Shelmina now speaks at global platforms, including TEDx, and mentors women to achieve their full potential. She serves on the advisory board of Girl Up, a global initiative empowering girls to lead the charge for gender equality.



With computer science and mathematics degrees, Shelmina is a product of extensive leadership training at IBM and Harvard, positioning her as a sought-after expert in leadership and empowerment.











Women’s Leadership Success #130 Summary: How to Overcome Leadership Self-Doubt




* Overcoming poverty and pursuing education.12:07

* Shelmina shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Tanzania to becoming a successful author and leader.



* Determined to lift her family from poverty, she led them to pursue higher education in India and the US despite financial challenges.





* Overcome leadership self-doubt and fear of speaking up in the workplace.16:42

* Shelmina shares her story of overcoming mental chatter and imposter syndrome to pursue a career in...

Overcome Leadership Self Doubt: A Tech Engineers Story to Inspire Inclusion


Are you ready to embark on a journey of personal and professional growth? Welcome to "ROAD TO Leadership SUCCESS," a transformative podcast series curated by Women's Leadership Success and presented by the seasoned coach and mentor, Sabrina Braham MA MFT PCC. 



In this special episode, we're diving deep into the essence of executive leadership confidence development, delivering bite-sized episodes packed with actionable tips and insights to propel your career and life forward.




What to Expect:



In each power-packed episode, Sabrina draws upon over 30 years of executive coaching, research, and psychology expertise. With a commitment to lifelong learning and a wealth of knowledge gleaned from fifteen years of podcast interviews with thought leaders, Sabrina distills key leadership principles into digestible nuggets of wisdom. Whether you're a junior manager or a seasoned CEO, these episodes are tailored to empower leaders at every stage of their journey.





Sabrina Braham MA MFT PCC




Why Tune In:Are you yearning to overcome self-doubt and unlock your full potential? "ROAD TO Leadership SUCCESS" is dedicated to helping you shatter limiting beliefs and adopt proven strategies that have propelled countless leaders to success. With Sabrina as your guide, you'll discover how to navigate the challenges of leadership with confidence, resilience, and clarity.



When to Listen:Twice a month, carve out 10-15 minutes from your schedule to tune in to our bite-sized episodes. These episodes complement our regular in-depth interviews with top thought leaders and authors, providing a holistic approach to executive leadership confidence development.



In This Episode:In our inaugural episode, Sabrina shares three transformative tips to cultivate and advance your confidence as a leader. But before we delve into those, let's meet Melinda, a director at a Fortune 500 company who grappled with self-doubt despite her professional success.







Melinda's Story:Melinda was well-liked by her team and management, but beneath her poised exterior, she battled a relentless lack of confidence. Despite her accomplishments, she felt she wasn't living up to her potential, both personally and professionally. Sleepless nights and a sense of overwhelm plagued her as she struggled to balance work and family life. It wasn't until she sought guidance from Sabrina that she realized the root cause of her self-doubt: an internal critic echoing the voice of her past. Through Sabrina's coaching, Melinda learned to distinguish between her inner critic and her inner coach, paving the way for newfound confidence and clarity.



3 Key Takeaways from Melinda's Journey:




* Recognize and silence your inner critic. Quiet the critical voice in your head and take control of the narrative you tell yourself. Replace self-doubt with self-confidence by visualizing yourself succeeding and thriving in various scenarios. Explore how adopting a confident mindset changes your actions and interactions with others.



* Embrace a growth mindset to navigate setbacks with resilience. Adopt a growth mindset, recognizing that failure is not personal or terminal. Instead, view setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement. Challenge the fixed mindset narrative of "I am a loser" or "I am a failure" with the belief that you can grow,...

Executive Leadership Confidence Development | Unlock Your Potential with ROAD TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS Podcast Series with Sabrina Braham MA MFT PCC | WLS 129


Leadership career negotiation skills are essential for a thriving leadership career. Welcome to the Women's Leadership Success podcast #128, your go-to resource for learning crucial negotiation skills. In part one of this special two-part series, we explored the foundational tools of a master negotiator.



In part two, we will guide you on applying these skills to navigate negotiations between departments, advance your career, a salary raise, or even land a better job in a new company.



Mark Rafffan: Leadership Career Negotiation Skills











 



Women's Leadership Success Podcast 128 Key Points



Negotiation Skills  for Leadership & Career Development



Negotiating Between Departments for a Successful Leadership Career:

* Mark emphasizes that negotiation isn't just external; it's equally crucial internally. Learn how to strategically position your department strategically, showcasing the unique value it brings compared to others. Gain insights into preparing for internal negotiations and gaining a competitive edge, laying the foundation for a successful leadership career.

Building Influence and Credibility in Leadership Career Negotiations:

* Uncover the secrets to enhancing your influence within the organization. Mark delves into the difference between positional power and absolute power, emphasizing the importance of understanding who holds influence and how to leverage it effectively for a thriving leadership career.

Persuasion vs. Manipulation in Leadership Career Negotiations: 

* Mark distinguishes between persuasion and manipulation, underlining the importance of positive intent in negotiation. Gain insights into how influence plays a crucial role in projecting persuasion publicly, ensuring authenticity in your leadership career negotiations.

Steps to Persuade a Counterparty in Leadership Career Negotiations:

* Explore the three essential steps to persuade a counterparty successfully. Mark highlights the significance of emotional appeal, credibility, and ethical considerations in negotiation, crucial elements for a successful leadership career.

Negotiating Salary for Leadership Career Advancement:

* For those navigating salary negotiations, Mark provides valuable advice. Understand the importance of clarity in your asks, realistic expectations relative to the market, and the art of asking for more while remaining grounded—a crucial aspect of advancing your leadership career.

The Power of Taking Time in Leadership Career Negotiations:

* Learn the effectiveness of saying, "Can I get back to you?" in negotiations. Mark highlights how taking time to think through decisions can lead to more favorable outcomes, a powerful strategy for advancing your leadership career.

Leadership & Career Negotiation Skills - Action for Traction
Be sure to listen to part I on Executive Leadership Negotiation Skills with Mark Raffan and me for a better foundation for these negotiation strategies. Elevate your negotiation skills and empower your leadership and career impact today!



Book Your Complimentary Leadership & Career Advancement Session with Sabrina Braham MA MFT PCC

Sabrina Braham MA MFT PCC Executive Leadership Coach

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership and negotiation skills, supercharge your career,

Mei Xu Interview: Woman Entrepreneur Reveals How To Build Your Dream Business

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