In this episode, Michelle talks to Milton Little, Jr., President & CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. Milton strives to create a positive impact in the world by improving the lives of children and families across Greater Atlanta. He believes social issues are best addressed if we come together, leveraging our collective skills and experiences, instead of solely relying on fundraising efforts.

Milton provides invaluable insights into how to excel as a trailblazer, leading the way for others to follow. Through his advice, listeners can gain vital knowledge on overcoming challenges and conquering perceptions when becoming the first of their kind in senior leadership roles.

Milton became United Way of Greater Atlanta's first African-American president and CEO in July 2007. Previously, he served as president of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

Milton joins a strong legacy of fundraising and collaborative leaders who bring together supportive partners in the for-profit, nonprofit, philanthropic, and government sectors to identify challenges facing individuals and families and offer solutions. He has helped raise more than a billion dollars for local community needs and priorities during his career.

Before joining United Way, he served as the Chief Operating Officer, interim President, and CEO of the National Urban League. Prior to joining the League, he had a career in corporate philanthropy at AT&T and Lucent Technologies and served as the President of Field Operations for MDRC.

Episode Highlights:

06:00 - Friend raising is really about this invitation to people that if you want to do big things in the community and make big things happen on behalf of children and families.

07:42 - Whatever you decide to do in your career, make sure you're also trying to help somebody.

17:14 - Sometimes you get in a space and you just have to listen to a voice, and decide whether or not it's calling you to stay where you are or move in a different direction.

23:07 - You got to be able to separate who you are from what you do and if your identity is caught up in your profession, if something happens in your profession, then your identity suffers. You got to be able to have these two things separate.

32:47 - You need to find a job and a career that aligns with your purpose. I subscribe to a school of thought that says you need to bring your purpose to whatever it is you do because the reality is most people work so that they can put a roof over their heads and put food in their stomachs, and take care of their families. That's why people work. That's why they call it work. But it's how do you bring a sense of purpose to that.

Episode Takeaways:

- The importance of understanding your company’s values and aligning them with your personal values. Is there alignment, or is there a disconnect?

- How can you apply the “Friend Raising” concept to what you do in your career?

- The importance of looking back to see the path forward.

- Purpose & Prosperity, you can have both. You must determine the sacrifices you’re willing to make to achieve them and have a solid foundation for both to stand.

- Learn how to change your Life of Success to a Life of Significance.

- Being the first minority to take a senior-level role can offer many challenges in overcoming perceptions and expectations, whether high or low. Listen to the advice Milton provides to how to deal with the challenges of being the first black CEO of an organization.

#purposedriven😊

Connect with Michelle

In this episode, Michelle talks to Stephanie Cantillo, who highlights key transferable skills that are helpful for those wanting to get into HR: communication, people skills, being open to learning new things, and being organized. Stephanie shares how she transitioned from the field of hospitality into Human Resources and speaks of her love for people, which has always been a grounding factor in her success. She also talks about the importance of networking and building relationships within your community. She explains why she decided to pivot into leadership development and how it has allowed her to use her skills and experience to support others on their professional journey.

Over the past seven years, Stephanie has served in various volunteer leadership roles for SHRM-Atlanta including EVP of Special Programs, New Member Orientation, and North Perimeter RDC Chair. She loves the SHRM-Atlanta community and received the chapter’s Exemplary Volunteer Award in 2018, 2020, and 2021. Stephanie is a collaborative and solutions-focused HR leader with 16 years of experience in Hospitality, Education, and the Non-Profit sector.

With a strong background in Operational Excellence, she is recognized for her ability to streamline and improve processes while driving positive organizational change. In her most recent role as CHRO at Pace Academy, she provided leadership in developing and executing a human resources strategy that supported a progressive K-12 independent school with approximately 300 full and part-time employees. She spent much of her time focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues within her school communities. In early July, Stephanie started a new role as a consultant working with a firm that focuses on compensation and helping organizations with total rewards.

Episode Highlights:

11:27 - The willingness to try something new, even if you don't have all the answers, it's okay. HR is so huge and broad. You will never know everything. So, I think some of those key transferable skills are just a desire to be around people, a desire to help, willingness to learn.

17:12 - I would say the same thing for networking. Try different events. Try one that's maybe women in technology. Try one that's focused on marketing professionals. Even if that's not your area or an area you're in currently, that doesn't mean you can't show up and meet some great people.

25:12 - I was able to support the employees with what they were struggling with or what challenges were coming up in their families. In HR, you learn a lot of things about what's happening for folks that aren't always exposed in the workplace. And so, building that trust, building those relationships, really turning around the opinion and perception of HR and what HR could be.

Episode Takeaways:

- Understanding your transferable skills is critical when looking to pivot. Knowing your skills and abilities and how you can leverage them in your next opportunity is important.

- Build your community based on your desired next role/function/industry. Here are tips on what you can do- Join organizations, network with other professionals, and do your research to enhance your expertise in your new career opportunity.

- Shift your mindset from networking as a transaction to building a community as a strategic goal.

- Find your Career Anchors. Your anchors will be the common thread in each new opportunity you pursue.

- Struggling with Self-Doubt? Ask people around you for feedback. Sometimes it is hard to see the greatness that is within you. Ask people in your tribe to remind you of your accomplishments, skills, and talents. Use that feedback when it’s time to update your resume, interview for a role, and apply for the next opportunity....

Do you know what it takes to be a thought leader in your field?

There is a distinct difference between being an SME vs. a Thought Leader.

A Subject Matter Expert has a deep knowledge and understanding of an area and is considered a technical expert. However, a Thought Leader takes their expertise and applies it to current trends and uses that to predict to future direction of the field. Thought Leaders develop content and create their voice in the space.

In this episode, Michelle is joined by Dr. Shelton Goode, President & CEO of Icarus Consulting. Dr. Goode talks about how being an expert in your field takes years of training, education, and experience. But once you've reached that level of expertise, it's important to learn how to share your knowledge with others.

Dr. Shelton Goode is the president and chief executive officer of Icarus Consulting. This veteran-owned consulting firm specializes in helping organizations create a culture that leverages diversity and inclusion for competitive advantage. Icarus Consulting accomplishes this by developing strategies that enable their clients to attract, develop, and retain highly skilled talent from an emerging diverse workforce and, at the same time, enhance the engagement, knowledge, and skill of current employees. Forbes has recognized Dr. Goode as one of the “Top 10 D&I Trailblazers” in the country.

Dr. Goode is a graduate of the prestigious Diversity Leadership Academy. He was certified as a senior diversity practitioner by the American Institute for Managing Diversity. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and his master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Troy University. He obtained his Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Alabama. Dr. Shelton Goode lives and works in the Atlanta area.

Highlights:

07:40 - I wish I could say that I was enlightened enough to know that's what I wanted to do (becoming a D&I leader), but I really came to the space because I've been the beneficiary of minority programs.

10:00 - Regardless of what people perceive it (diversity) to be or aspire for it to be. I know what it is and how it can be used to advance and accelerate the performance of an organization.

14:22 - Roll up your sleeves, do the work, get the results, help other people along the way and then celebrate and then, let everybody celebrate.

17:47 - I make it easy for people to give me feedback, and I make it easier for me to receive it because this (feedback method) is actionable.

22:06 - You made a mistake, learn from it. And let's not make the same mistake again, and then, let's move on. Let's move on. And, oh, by the way, those people that are still going to remind you about the mistake, let them go.

Episode Takeaways:

- What sets you apart from the competition? Own your space. Become an expert in your field. Be an avid learner, researcher, and thought leader, and people will look for you when opportunities arise.

- Your journey is never about you. God has blessed you with gifts and talents to be shared with others. Whom have you blessed on your journey?

- Do the work- Focus on results and then celebrate.

- Learn the 3-2-1 to feedback. Dr. Goode shares his proven approach that makes sharing feedback easier for the Giver and Receiver.

- Resilience. Replenish. Restore. Give yourself the grace to make a mistake and move on.

- Build your tribe. You are not meant to be on this journey alone. Seek individuals who can help, support, and coach you along the way.

#defygravity

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