I am a big quote person and recently heard this one from Verne Harnish,

“I am either winning or I am learning.” 

It really resonated with me when I heard it. One of the biggest lessons I have learned on this entrepreneurial journey is the power of community and a team. 

About two years ago, I was frustrated with the lack of Black faces within my professional networks. I had recently removed myself from working and professional environments which expected me to tolerate micro-aggressions especially from white males. Things such as: being yelled at, insulted, and falsely accused when the perpetrator was upset about not getting their way, refusing to be accountable for incorrect decision making, and attempting to create themselves as a victim… I was hungry to place myself within an empowered community of African-Americans professionals to offset what I was enduring. On a whim, I attended a business conference by the name of TSP Game Plan in Atlanta, GA, and I found my people. Upon hearing about it, I joined the mastermind group. The TSP Mastermind has exponentially expanded my perspective about business and creating opportunities for myself and others.

Still, I live in a world with people who perpetrate microaggressions towards people who look like me because many accept it as normative in the US. It’s especially disappointing to see these behaviors come from people who represent other marginalized demographics, such as the Asian Parking Control Officer who harassed me days ago. Because of what I do as a leadership and performance coach, and the creator of A Safe Space to Talk About Race (SafeSTTAR™) Worksop I know this interaction happened for me to learn something to make me better.

Here’s the lesson from my perspective as a leadership coach:

People with a plan for themselves and the direction for their lives tend to mind their own business and leave people to themselves. I have learned this by watching how the more successful entrepreneurs in my network and mastermind operate. Words and behavior begins with thoughts. When people are thinking about what they are creating, rarely do they focus on what is wrong with other people or have anything to say about it.

If you may find yourself focused on what another person is doing, having critical ideas about what they should or should not do - it’s likely that there is a plan which is calling to be created by you. This is something that I have noticed within myself and for others: 

The complaint one has is signaling a commitment to create.

The complaint I had was: that I was unfairly treated by a public servant. What I am creating is a way to be empowered from the interaction. I created a plan to share content with my network and communities from this as a learning experience - this is what I have learned being a member of the mastermind. Another win for me!

If you would like to learn more about the way I create plans join the Mid-Year Jump Off Session 

happening virtually Saturday, Jun 15, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST. Let’s transform the rest of your 2024!!