✨ Free Game Friday: Unlock Your Potential with Pro Tips from "Empower Now"✨

Hello, Star Players!

This week, we're sharing some valuable insights from an incredible resource that spotlights the journeys of young minority professionals.

In 2017, I had the honor of being a contributing author to Empower Now," a book by the brilliant Amber Robins, MD, MBA. This fantastic resource shares the success stories of 14 young Black professionals who overcame challenges to achieve their dreams. Filled with practical tips and inspiring lessons from diverse fields, "Empower Now" reminds us that we all have the power to reach our goals. At the time, I was navigating corporate America and shared some of my experiences and lessons learned in Chapter 2. My goal was to provide guidance for the next generation of professionals.

The Big Apple, the Big Pond, and Me

When I first started my career at Viacom Nickelodeon in New York City, I was fresh out of grad school and full of anticipation. It was my first "big girl job," and I was eager to make my mark. However, I quickly realized that the professional world was vastly different from my academic experience. While I had been a "big fish in a little pond" in college and grad school, excelling and leading, I was now a small fish in the vast, fast-paced ocean of corporate America. This was a humbling, yet transformative, experience. Navigating the corporate hierarchy, understanding office dynamics, and learning to communicate effectively were all skills I had to develop on the fly. Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful I learned these lessons so early on, as they saved me from so much potential hardship as my career progressed.

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My Three Foundational Lessons

Through my journey, I discovered three core principles that became my professional foundation. I shared these in **"Empower Now,"** and they remain just as relevant today. They are not just about career advancement; they are about fostering confidence, resilience, and genuine connection.

Interpersonal Relationships Are Key—Be Relatable & Open Up

In a corporate environment, it's easy to get caught up in tasks and deadlines and forget the human element. However, building strong, authentic connections with your colleagues is crucial for both success and well-being. This isn't about office politics; it's about being your genuine self. By sharing a bit about your life and being open to hearing about others, you can transform a sterile work environment into a supportive community. These relationships can provide a vital support system, offer new perspectives, and even open doors to opportunities you might not have found otherwise. People want to work with people they like and trust.

There Will Always Be Edits—Keep Calm and Revise

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was how to handle feedback. Early in my career, receiving edits on my work sometimes felt like a personal critique. But I soon learned to shift my perspective. Feedback is not an attack; it's a gift—an opportunity for growth and improvement. Viewing revisions through a lens of curiosity and positivity instead of defensiveness can transform a daunting task into a manageable and even enjoyable one. Approaching revisions with a calm and open mind allows you to absorb the insights of others and produce higher-quality work.

Age Ain't Nothing But a Number—Respect the Hierarchy at All Times

While the modern workplace is becoming flatter, respect for the hierarchy and for those with more experience is paramount. Early in my career, I was often the youngest person in the room. I quickly realized that while my passion and new ideas were valuable, they needed to be presented with respect for the established order and for the wisdom of my more seasoned colleagues. Navigating this dynamic requires a balance of confidence in your abilities and humility in your approach. Showing respect for everyone, regardless of their position or age, goes a long way in building trust and credibility.

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Your Path to Empowerment

These principles helped me then and remain just as relevant today. They are the cornerstones of a fulfilling and successful career. They taught me how to navigate the professional landscape with grace and confidence. Remember, your journey is your own, but you can always learn from those who have walked a similar path.

We hope these tips help you build confidence on your professional path. Our flagship **CCC Tiny Book of Affirmations** card deck is also a powerful tool for staying grounded and inspired. Pick up your deck today and start affirming your success!

All my best,

-Ariel