Octavia Goredema

https://lnkd.in/gBcMj2Sk #dei #representation It is so sad to me that companies are falling under political pressure to eliminate or "rebrand" their DEI policies. This is again another tone def consequence of the Trump Supreme Court and a bunch of old out of touch folks that have no idea whats going on in the real world especially youth culture. As a strategist I have worked on DEI initiatives and strategies for over a decade and they are critical for business. There is data that proves that multicultural teams outperform homogenous ones. Working in the culture space, where trends are born and trailblazing is happening, a company has to be at the forefront of cultural innovation to connect. Our global consumer spans all cultures and communities now, and if we aren't reaching them in an authentic way, a brand can't engage. Representation across age, socio economic upbringing and culture is not only the right thing to do, but great business. Let's send the right message. Diversity and expansion is cool= pass it on.

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In the month of March, I moderated an AI panel on "AI-Proofing Your Career" for Chief, a senior women executives' networking group, with Karina DuQuesne Yvonne Li Maribeth Martorana, CFA in which we discussed the importance of women in AI careers, tips on educating yourself and staying at pace with developments in AI, and how to get started integrating AI into your daily workflow and enable your workforce with AI. Check out the summary of our panel discussion.

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Getting to Yes is foundational for San Diego Angel Conference, yet for 98% of founders in the competition, the answer was no, at least for funding, at the moment. There are other many other Yesses to take away: *Say Yes to all you learned *Say Yes to the feedback received *Say Yes to nurturing the relationships started with founders and investors (it often leads to follow on investment) *Say Yes to receiving feedback and making changes *Say Yes to what’s next What an impressive cohort it was. Founders filled with purpose and commitment to make a positive impact, and the grit to see it through. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gG5Hf6Z3 #startups #angelinvesting #entrepreneurship #resilience #leadership

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Can a solid content strategy supercharge your lead generation efforts? I got to interview content creator and podcaster Todd Schlosser. We discuss strategies for creating content, how a DIY mindset brought about during the MySpace era of music has affected marketing, and cost-effective tools that artists, bands, and managers can use to expand their digital footprint. #content #contentstrategy #digitalmarketing #musicindustry #marketing https://lnkd.in/ebrynDfH

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Join me in wishing Joanna Bloor the happiest of birthdays! What better present than being featured in the Wall Street Journal for her trendsetting style – "Executive Women are Wearing Sequins to Work." Joanna, a career futurist, adventurer, and aspiring fairy godmother, continues to inspire us all. Cheers to you on your special day! 🎉🎂 See the article below in the comments!

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I had a great time presenting 3 Powerful Interview Storytelling Strategies yesterday at the Portland HR Management Association (PHRMA) Special Interest Group. I covered: ✨✨How to identify the RIGHT stories to tell in your interview (which aren't necessarily the same every time)--using the job description as your guide. ✨✨How to make your stories ROBUST by fleshing them out ahead of time using a framework like SOAR (Situation Opportunity/Obstacle Action Result), and using the words "FOR EXAMPLE" liberally--especially when you're asked a more straightforward question OR if you have a chatty interviewer when it's tough to get a word in edgewise. ✨✨How to make your stories RIVETING by using positive (and strategic) body language, gesturing, using voice inflection, and quotes (your own and others you've worked with who have said great things about you). The bottom line: Have a portfolio of stories to draw from. Take the time to create your best-of career moments that RELATE to the job so you can answer those questions with confidence. #jobsearch #jobinterviews #interviewtips

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I recently returned from an inspiring trip to the California State Capitol, where I had the privilege to engage with powerhouse female leaders from various sectors, including elected officials and industry executives. Amidst our discussions, four essential career advancement strategies emerged, reiterated by each remarkable leader: 1- Know Your Mission: Ground yourself in purpose and let it steer your decisions. Understanding your mission provides clarity and direction in every endeavor. 2- Build a Robust Network: Cultivate and nurture relationships, particularly with sponsors who can champion your growth. A strong network not only opens doors but also provides invaluable support and opportunities. 3- Self-Care Is Key: Avoid burnout by prioritizing self-care. Nurturing your well-being ensures sustained success and resilience in the face of challenges. 4- Embrace Fearlessness: Be bold and take action. Fearlessness propels you forward, allowing you to seize opportunities and conquer obstacles with confidence. (This one is my fav ;) Don't be fooled by the simplicity of these principles - they're nuanced, powerful and highly impactful. #leadership #careeradvancement #leadershipimpact #mission #networking #leadershipcalifornia

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“Excellent job. Your voice was very engaging from the very beginning. Almost animated. Loved the power of your voice.” Feedback from the judges from last month’s National Speakers Association/Northern California Chapter storytelling competition, where I won 2nd place! 🥈 Here’s my 5-minute story in its entirety, “Gremlin Intervention,” which is a story-within-a-story, about how comparison and self-criticism can damage our creativity… …and what we can do to overcome that and unleash our full creative potential.  Now my question for you: What would YOU title this story? – When you’re ready to help your team or organization blast through creative roadblocks, book your complimentary Influence & Impact Assessment Call and let’s chat about how I can help  👉 https://bit.ly/Influence45 #creativity #storytelling #selfcompassion #perfectionism

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*for those local to Irvine, CA* I'm hosting an in-person emotional tapping workshop with the wonderful Alison Keiper! Master Your Stress, Master Your Work: Daily Practices for Professional Women Daily workplace annoyances? Manageable. The accumulating weight of unresolved stress? That's what transforms your workday from manageable to overwhelming. It's a common misconception that starting each day with yesterday's stress is just part of the job. We're here to challenge that notion and offer you a solution. Introducing our Emotional Tapping Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll dive deep into somatic, mind-body techniques designed to not just manage, but master workplace stress. Why You Can't Miss This: - Learn Emotional Tapping techniques. - Experience real-time stress relief through somatic exercises. - Connect with like-minded professionals seeking growth. - Leave with practical tools to navigate stress with confidence. 📅 Date: June 20th 🕒 Time: 6:30 PM 🌐 Location: Irvine, CA This isn't just another workshop. It's the opportunity to transform your workday stress and solve burnout. ✨ Spots are limited to ensure a personalized experience. Secure your place now. 🔄 Feel this could benefit your network? Share this post and let's spread the power of transformation together! #StressManagement #PersonalDevelopment #EmotionalTapping #MindBodyConnection #ProfessionalGrowth

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While I was in Los Angeles last week, something magical happened—I finally met a LinkedIn connection in person! Al Dea and I took our virtual chats into the vibes of LA. Al, a mastermind in talent development and leadership via The Edge of Work, shares my passion for building human-centric workplaces that truly value their people. We also share similar backgrounds in tech at Deloitte Consulting, driving transformation with digital and organizational innovation. #DeloitteAlumni Our individual careers led us through an evolution towards the bigger mission to empower leaders and cultivate dynamic cultures which sparked some lively discussion about our careers but also about our personal journeys. Connecting in person has added a whole new dimension to our collaboration. We're all busy, but if you have virtual connections you value, I encourage you to try meeting them in real life. You might just find a kindred spirit who will join you in challenging perceptions and the status quo. To all leaders out there: Let's keep pushing the boundaries of what it means to lead and develop talent in today's rapidly evolving workplace. And remember, the best connections aren’t just made online; they’re forged in the real world too! #AAPI #Leadership #DEI #Inclusion #CultureChampion #Networking #Connecting #HR

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PLANNING A CONFERENCE? One of my bureau clients, Barbara Christenson with Speak Well Being, did a beautiful write up about using my program as a theme for a women's conference. If you plan conferences, you definitely want to take a look at our idea to really raise the level of your next event. Read her piece below!

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Getting ready to dive into this week's retreat for members of Ragan's Communications Leadership Council! 🌊🌊🌊 Santa Barbara, Calif., is where smart minds are gathering to tackle what it means to lead communications at the frontier of change. #internalcomms #externalcomms #communications #leadership #strategy #mixternal #PR #reputations #brands

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Here's tonight's post to honor Earth Day week. Or Earth Week. Or just Earth, since I'm a week late, anyway! I'm revisiting podcast episodes about environmental leadership. This one has another unusual perspective: How going green is a defense of capitalism! Listen to the podcast with Mike Gerbis. He focuses on the business case for addressing global issues, including climate change -- and how much it already costs businesses to deal with climate change's effects. In short, going green is just plain good business. To me, that feels like environmentalism and capitalism are complementary when you remove the political rhetoric. Give it a listen, and let me know what you think! https://lnkd.in/eYB4Shev

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In today's fast-paced world, empathy can be a rare commodity. But taking the time to understand another's #perspective can #transform #communication. This week, let's practice active listening and #empathetic communication. Let's build bridges, not walls! #empathy #communication #connection #ProTip: Strong communication skills build empathy and strong teams. Learn how to create relatable presentations that resonate with your audience! https://lnkd.in/gibkZQbn

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I love Pride because of its roots in protest, intersectionality, and collective liberation. Marsha P Johnson said ‘no pride for some of us, without liberation for all of us.’ Stonewall was 55 years ago and the challenges our community was facing were very different but the approach remains the same. We must continue to fight for equity and justice for all, recognizing that our struggles are interconnected. In June 2024, that means: 〰 Fighting against the wave of anti-trans bills being introduced across the US, which seek to strip trans people of their rights. 〰 Standing in solidarity with trans and non-binary individuals, particularly those who are disproportionately affected by violence and discrimination. In 2024, racialized trans women continue to face alarming rates of violence, with over 50 reported murders in the first half of the year alone. You can take action by supporting organizations that provide resources and protection for trans people, advocating for stronger legal protections and hate crime legislation, amplifying the voices and stories of trans individuals, and challenging transphobia in your community. 〰 Challenging corporate pinkwashing and ensuring that Pride remains a protest for liberation rather than a commercialized event. 〰 Creating a culture of inclusion and protection in all spaces, from workplaces to schools, where every LGBTQ+ person can peacefully exist without fear of discrimination or violence. 〰 Working against all forms of oppression and injustice, not just towards Q+ people but everyone. That includes supporting queer and trans, Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Jews, and other SWANA folks by fighting for a liberated Palestine. That includes speaking out against what’s happening in Congo and Sudan. That includes fighting systemic racism, police brutality,  and advocating for the dismantling of oppressive systems that disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities. It means standing in solidarity with Indigenous peoples' rights and struggles for sovereignty and justice. It involves challenging xenophobia and supporting immigrants and refugees. And so much more. Queerness means resisting binaries and rigid identity groups and embracing intersectionality, community and collective action. Liberation for all!

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🧠 When I say that Public Facing Impact is the new PR, what I mean is, audiences drive perceptions of brands today (Hello brilliant social media leaders, HR leaders navigating new expectations from employees, Sales and Marketing teams competing harder than ever + CEO’s setting the bar). I just read that Chief Communications Officers are the new best thing - I agree and then, be sure to listen when they share how decisions will land. Chaenara OBrien is literally the best of the best - and challenged my mind to dig deep and find clarity in what I innately know, but is new to others. #innovation #entrepreneurship #CommMom #techindustry (Link to podcast in comments)

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When Leslie Nydick and I spoke about gaslighting in the workplace recently, we were shocked at how much the topic resonated with so many in attendance. Studies show that over 50% of people have experienced gaslighting in the workplace, and our unscientific but real life conversation indicates it is likely higher. This sound bite offers some best practices for what to do when you are experiencing gaslighting at work. But the real question remains, why is this such a prevalent issue? Some of the potential causes: 🔵 Power Dynamics: Individuals in positions of power may use gaslighting as a tool to maintain control, manipulate subordinates, or protect their status. 🔵 Toxic Work Environments: Organizations with toxic cultures, where bullying, harassment, and manipulation are tolerated or overlooked, can be breeding grounds for gaslighting. Such environments may lack effective mechanisms for reporting and addressing abusive behaviors. 🔵 Stress and Competition: High-pressure environments and competitive workplaces can exacerbate aggressive behaviors such as gaslighting. 🔵 Lack of Awareness and Training: Many organizations lack adequate training on recognizing and dealing with psychological manipulation. Without proper awareness, employees may not recognize gaslighting behaviors, and managers may simply not know how to address them. 🔵 Remote Work Challenges: Unfortunately, the lack of in person interaction can make it easier for gaslighters to manipulate information and perceptions without immediate oversight. Addressing gaslighting in the workplace requires a multi-faceted approach, including creating supportive work environments, proper training, and implementing reporting and intervention mechanisms. Above else, it requires fostering a culture of accountability and respect.

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