The Network Hour

In the episode I highlight why saying and learning to say NO can offer you growth in your business and professional career.

Takeaways:

1. Why boundaries are essential to sustainable growth

2. The 4 types of boundaries every professional needs:

TERV - Time, Energy, Relationship and Value

3. How to say NO without burning bridges: Framework: Compliment, Decline, Redirect

4. Why NO is one of the most powerful leadership tools in your toolbox.

Here’s my challenge to you this week:

👉 Identify one area where you need to say no. Maybe it’s an obligation, a client, a task, or even a mindset.

Say no — kindly, clearly, and confidently — and notice what saying yes to yourself makes possible.

And if this episode resonated, share it with a fellow entrepreneur or professional who could use a boundary breakthrough. You never know who needs this permission today.

Thanks for listening, and until next time — protect your YES by honoring your NO.

In this episode I explore, "The Art of Giving Feedback" and why it is important to know what feedback is.

Areas covered:

1. What feedback really is

2. The Art of Giving Feedback

3. How to Receive Feedback like a PRO

4. Feedback vs Commentary

5. When Criticism pretends to be Feedback

6. Personal Stories

7. Closing Challenge

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend, a colleague, or someone who could use a little feedback. And if you haven't already subscribe, leave a review, and keep coming back for m ore real talk that helps you lead and live with intention.

In this episode, we’re diving into the power of a well-crafted elevator pitch with career coach, resume writer, and job search strategist Jasmine-Briggs Rogers. Whether you're networking, interviewing, or pitching yourself for new opportunities, how you introduce yourself can make all the difference. Jasmine shares expert insights on crafting a pitch that is clear, compelling, and designed to get results.

Tune in to learn:

✅ The key elements of a winning elevator pitch

✅ How to tailor your pitch for different audiences

✅ Common mistakes to avoid when selling yourself

✅ Strategies to boost confidence and make a lasting impression

If you’ve ever struggled to articulate your value in 30 seconds or less, this episode is for you! 🚀

Listen now and start pitching yourself like a pro!

Welcome to today's episode discussing the topic of First Impression with my special guest Claudia Martell.

Today we address a crucial topic that can sometimes be overlooked, however whether your in business, walking to a meeting, attending a networking event or connective virtually the way you present yourself can set the tone for success or hold you back.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. Please download and share and subscribe.

We had a great time on Saturday, October 12th at LIU Brooklyn, networking and talking about the Topic: "A Seat at the Table". This was the beginning of our Standing In the Gap, fire side chat series and it was transformational. We gained so many insights and was empowered to take up our seat at the table, pull up a chair or even build your own table.

Some of the key takeaways:

1. You do not have to be in the room to have a seat at the table.

2. Elevate your voice. Your voice is powerful.

3. Safeguard your table by having the right people around you and legally guarding your intellectual properties.

4. Are you seated at a particular table for too long and blocking your blessing from an even bigger table?

5. How are you creating change and influencing others to pull up a chair?6. Are you preparing the other person to take your seat when you move on.

A special thank you to professor @joan Pierre for securing the space for the event, for hosting and for her continued support.

Thanks to our amazing speakers, ⁠Shauna-Kaye Brown LEC, LLB.⁠ Daphnee Sanon and ⁠Josephine McFarlane, LMSW⁠ for such great insights.

Thanks to the We Women Elevate team: ⁠Molly Creese, MBA⁠ ⁠Tynesha N. Frazier, MBA⁠ Nadia K. Raphael, MBA

In this episode we talk about how we are living in a society where everything seems to be microwaved or expected to be.

Engaging in professional networking with the intention to get results fast can be counterproductive and can lead to disappointment.

Here is why you should avoid using a microwave approach to networking:

1. Relationships takes time and are more valuable when you take time to get to know the person and build rapport. Quick transactional interactions fail to establish the trust and people can sense when you are fake.

2. Insincerity - People can smell bull a mile away. They appreciate the genuine interest and value in connections. A rushed approach shows your interest in self serving endeavours.

3. Missed Opportunities for True Collaboration - Relationship that are build on trust, authenticity and good rapport leads to valuable opportunities such as mentorship, collaboration and long-term partnerships. Your microwave approach will surely hinder these opportunities.

4. Do you want to be know as the selfish networker? Reputation is everything. No one will want to engage with you if your only purpose is for numero uno

5. Limited Network Growth: Quick approach might lead to a lot of networkers added to your network in the beginning but these connections are less likely to be maintained or grow over time. Deep relationship naturally expand your network as trust and mutual support develops.

To foster effective professional networking, focus on building genuine relationships by showing interest in others, offering help, and maintaining regular, meaningful interactions. Remember you have to invest the time and effort to get your ROI. If looking for a job make sure to do your research, develop your brand, and adopt a networking strategy that is well thought out and not engaging in quick superficial tactics.

In today's episode we discuss some stories written by Reddit users asking for career advice. I found the story about the exit interview particularly interesting because it was relatable and something that I know a lot of people have experienced or are experiencing currently. Navigating a toxic work environment can be difficult. It's important to know when to leave and how to leave. I hope that my advice in this episode will help someone who is struggling in their approach.

Happy Listening!

Please share and download the episode.

For career advice book a consultation with me on my website at https://wenetworkservices.com

Why is developing a Career Plan important? Well A career plan list your short term and long term goals and the steps you take to achieve those goals. A career plan can help to give you clarity, uniformity and organization in planning your goals and developing strategies to meet them.

In this episode I share 8 effective steps to take when developing your career plan.

1. Identify Your Career Options

2. Prioritize

3. Make Comparisons

4. Consider Other Factors

5. Make a Choice

6. Set SMART Goals

7. Create Your Career Action Plan

8. Meet with a Career Advisor/Coach

For more information on what I share in this episode you can visit: cap.mit.edu/resources/make-a-career-plan/

And for more resources and coaching please visit www.wenetworkservices.com and book a consultation.

Please share and download this episode for your reference.

Todays episode is based on a LinkedIn News article talking about career breaks. Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Moms First spoke about how to navigate and talk about their career break.

See link to the article: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7168991768435183616/?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A(ugcPost%3A7168991571017711617%2C7168999518267514881)&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A(7168999518267514881%2Curn%3Ali%3AugcPost%3A7168991571017711617)

In this episode, I expound not that article and give my own perspective and thoughts on taking a career break or even explaining a gap on your resume and career.

I hope you enjoy the episode. Feel free to share your own experience on this topic.

Download and share this episode with a friend and have the conversation.

In this episode we outline the meaning of value and worth and how sometimes they are used together and also at times used to mean the same thing. We also, discuss how both words have two different meanings, however knowing one helps you to know the other.

What do you think about both words? How do you use them in your everyday talk? Let's discuss

Please download and share this episode and have the discussion with your colleagues and friends.