Lifting Up: Lessons from Verizon Women Leaders Verizon / WKI Custom

In this episode of the "Lifting Up" podcast, Christina Gonzalez (Marketing Director) and Adriana Dawson (Director of Community Engagement) discuss their journeys to Verizon and the challenges they faced along the way. Adriana overcame her initial fear and self-doubt by embracing curiosity and giving herself permission to step into a new career path. Christina stepped outside of her comfort zone by taking on a new role in an unfamiliar industry while pursuing her doctorate degree. Both speakers emphasize the importance of challenging oneself, having a growth mindset, and not being afraid to take risks.
 
Quotes
"I muted that voice of uncertainty and really bolstered that, hey, I can do it, I can figure it out." - Adriana Dawson
Just keep swimming. - Christina Gonzales
"Try me, not why me." 
I gave myself permission to just be curious. 
if I'm having a really tough day, but I have something really important. I say to myself, I just need to be great for one hour.
LINKS 
Christina Gonzalez
Instagram: @christina.gonzalez.trojanmami
 
Adriana Dawson
Instagram: @adriana_in_rhody
LinkedIn: .linkedin.com/in/adrianadawson/

Ask people across Verizon who inspires them, leads authentically, and/or has given their career a boost, and you’ll likely hear the names Kelley Kurtzman and Kathy Grillo. These two legendary leaders unite in this episode, and share how connection and seizing the narrative has powered their success and impact - and how the ability to connect and tell your story has never been more important.
On cross-organization connections: “I think when you have someone that's in a very different part of the business, you learn so much from them” On authenticity: “Being authentic, being open, being grateful for the work that other people do is so important” On leadership: “I've always felt like if you treat people right, they're gonna treat you right. And if you show up as a real authentic person, then they're going to feel more comfortable being authentic.” On organizations: “Not just people - organizations have their own dynamic as well” On broad horizons: “That external connection, I think is so important. Making sure you're connecting outside of Verizon in different ways will help you be a better leader will help you be a better person, we'll help you feel like your heart is full, because you've done volunteer work, or you've been able to bring an idea from another company into your business.” On self-knowledge: “I feel like the real path to leading people well is to know yourself very well, first.”
LINKS  Kathy Grillo, S1 E1  - Apple Podcasts | Spotify Donna Epps, S1 E2 (as mentioned by Kathy) - Apple Podcasts | Spotify Kathy Grillo
Instagram: @kathy.grillo LinkedIn: .linkedin.com/in/kathleengrillo/  Kelley Kurtzman
Instagram: @kellyakurtzman LinkedIn: .linkedin.com/in/kelleykurtzman/

Take a hike - on the trails of encouragement, with Pacific Retail Vice President Ana Aguilar, and Mountain Retail Senior Director Monica Pate! Ana and Monica have not just been shining examples to scores of the people they lead - but shine on each other to super (and solar) charge each other. Including when the trails get extremely rocky - and Ana and Monica get real and vulnerable sharing personal struggles they navigated while still climbing, inspiring, and lifting others.
On openness: “if you invite others onto your trail in life, as I say, look where that brings us” 
On the trails of encouragement: “And so the journey, we're still on the trail together in life, its ups and downs, peaks and valleys. Sometimes we're running fast together. And sometimes we're taking it easy on the trail. That is where it began. We're still on that today, as encouragers. And partners may be in a different capacity now, but still there.”
On comparison: “Instead of in that moment feeling like oh, I should be where she is. Or why haven't I made it: clap!”
On connection: “It’s not overcomplicating things. It’s simplifying things for people, whether it's,how was your day, what brings you to work and tell me a little bit about you know, your, your holiday and your weekend.”
On action: “things that were frustrating to see Monica and I decided we're going to stop being frustrated about it, and we're going to do something about it.” 
On lifelong learning: “make sure that your mind is always creating new neurons and new ways to keep your mind healthy is staying a learner”
Ana Aguilar
Instagram: @ana_aguilar_pm 
Linkedin:  linkedin.com/in/ana-aguilar-8b73b625/
Monica Pate
Instagram: @monica_gruenewald_pate
LinkedIn:  .linkedin.com/in/monica-gruenewald-pate-1a114260/
https://www.trailsofencouragement.com/

 

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Season 6!  Introducing new hosts Jacinda Jack from the business, Adriana Dawson from public policy, and Gabrielle (Gaby) Kohlmeier from legal dishing on what brought them together as the new hosts for a new Lifting Up Season, with a new cross-organization focus, and even more guests than ever before sharing stories and uplifting insights - inspiring us all to lift as we climb.

One of the biggest sports fans you’ll ever meet, Market President Leigh Anne Lanier lands gems of wisdom like Steph Curry lands free throws in this elite episode. Bobbing and weaving between the importance of agility, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change, Leigh Anne lays out how to build self-mastery and a winning team - with an emphasis on thinking bigger and playing bigger.  

Weaving together the threads of gumption, going-after-it, grace, and gratitude — Market President Michelle Miller kicks off the expanded and reimagined Season 6 of Lifting Up with her own colorful story (from obtaining a Kinesiology degree, to defying expectations rocketing to the top as a successful leader in the telecommunications industry, and hard-earned lessons along the way) with her amplifying the call to action to share yours!