The Rutledge Perspective Podcast Laurel Rutledge

Today I’m joined by Adrian Villacorta. Adrian is an employment lawyer and the owner of The Villacorta Law Firm, P.C., located right here in Houston, TX. Adrian and I will discuss the fears and concerns that we as business owners and leaders are faced with as it pertains to implementing A.I. into our organizations.
Whether you like it or not, AI is here, and it doesn’t look to be going away anytime for the foreseeable future. The challenge for us leaders is figuring out how to harness AI’s power for good instead of exposing the negatives. Adrian is going to break down how AI can increase productivity and efficiency expeditiously, and how it can help you tremendously with innovation. Most importantly, Adrian will walk us through the legalities surrounding AI, so that we are able to protect not only our data and information but that of our employees as well. 
𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 📝
🔑 The biggest asset that each business has is data and confidential information.
🔑 AI offers the ability to build efficiency at the front end for creation, and then utilize your dollars more effectively for expertise.
🔑 You don’t want to totally avoid AI; you can utilize it as a tool, but you also don’t want to use it as the answer to everything.
ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 📚
If you take nothing else away from this episode, remember to ask yourself these two questions:
If you have employees, what is the confidential information that I have in my organization that is vital to my business how do I protect that in the face of AI?
Do I at least have some type of protocol in place that protects the personal information of my employees?
𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓵 🎧 𝓪𝓷𝓭 📹 𝓪𝓽 🔗 𝓲𝓷 𝓫𝓲𝓸 
Be sure to tune in each week for new episodes! 
Learn more about the host here: https://laurelrutledge.com
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @laurel.k.rutledge
Facebook: Laurel K Rutledge
Linkedin: Laurel K. Rutledge MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Check out The Rutledge Perspective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therutledgeperspective
Thank you for listening! 
Thank you so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. 
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! 
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#therutledgeperspective #hereforapurpose #leadershipfromtheheart #dopeblackpods #blackpodcastersassociation 

Let’s talk about endurance. Endurance is defined as the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. I need you to understand that leadership has a serious endurance component attached to it, you can’t be an exceptional leader if you don’t have some level of endurance, because leadership is hard.
If you are running an organization and you are at the tipping point where you’re trying to get to the next level, you must push past the discomfort of hiring more people and getting processes in place. You may be at the point where you’re looking at what didn’t work, what did work, and you may be having difficult conversations with people who may not be the same folks who can help get you to the next level. Well, today I’m going to help you embrace these difficulties that are necessary to reach your ultimate goals.
𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 📝
🔑 The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire.
🔑 The more that you try to accomplish the more endurance you’re going to need to have.
🔑 Endurance is about keeping going, but it’s not necessarily about never stopping.
ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 📚
Let’s examine your situation.
What kind of conversations are you having with yourself that are honest, open, and forthright about the environment in which you are operating?
If you are in a situation that is unsafe you need to move. If it’s not unsafe, then make a plan.
Understanding your contributions to situations supports your ability to endure a difficult situation because you’re able to get out of emotion and move into facts, experiences, and situations for what they are not for how they feel.
𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓵 🎧 𝓪𝓷𝓭 📹 𝓪𝓽 🔗 𝓲𝓷 𝓫𝓲𝓸 
Be sure to tune in each week for new episodes!
Learn more about the host here: https://laurelrutledge.com
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @laurel.k.rutledge
Facebook: Laurel K Rutledge
Linkedin: Laurel K. Rutledge MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Check out The Rutledge Perspective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therutledgeperspective
Thank you for listening! 
Thank you so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. 
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! 
Subscribe to the podcast. 
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device. 
Leave us a review. 

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on the platforms, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review. 
#therutledgeperspective #hereforapurpose #leadershipfromtheheart #dopeblackpods #blackpodcastersassociation 

We often talk about networking, but we don’t really talk about the depth of friendship and connection that can move from professional to personal and how important that is. If you are in an HR space, a legal space, or a very senior executive, then you know that it is lonely at the top. This creates a need to talk to people about the stuff that’s going on personally and career-wise, how it’s impacting you, and how you should respond to it.
You have to find a way to develop those relationships internally that are your true confidential connections, uplifters, safe spaces, and that offer accountability. The beauty is that if you are discerning and allow these connections to be real, these shared experiences in a professional setting can be the foundation for true, lifelong, heartfelt, personal connections. You can develop an invaluable support system that will become your lifelong friends. Let’s talk about how there are connections that can and do happen around relationships, even in professional settings.
𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 📝
🔑 None of us get through this life alone relationships keep us going and help us function and function well.
🔑 You need a professional village that you can rely on and that you can really connect to, to survive.
🔑 You need that person who’s going to help you be less emotional because when you operate an emotion, you hurt you not them.
ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 📚
Use your discernment to start recognizing the people who have your best interest professionally and personally. Identify the individuals who give and support as much as they need help and support. Start building a village of driven professionals whom you can be vulnerable with, celebrate with, uplift, and propel each other forward.
𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓵 🎧 𝓪𝓷𝓭 📹 𝓪𝓽 🔗 𝓲𝓷 𝓫𝓲𝓸 
Be sure to tune in each week for new episodes!
Learn more about the host here: https://laurelrutledge.com
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @laurel.k.rutledge
Facebook: Laurel K Rutledge
Linkedin: Laurel K. Rutledge MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Check out The Rutledge Perspective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therutledgeperspective
Thank you for listening! 
Thank you so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. 
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! 
Subscribe to the podcast. 
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device. 
Leave us a review. 

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on the platforms, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review. 
#therutledgeperspective #hereforapurpose #leadershipfromtheheart #dopeblackpods #blackpodcastersassociation 

I know that it sounds cliché and I know that you’ve probably heard a motivational speaker ask, “What’s your why,” but what if I told you that getting a good understanding of your why can actually help how you move forward in your business? 
I do what I do because I come from corporations full of hypocrisy that mistreat people to maintain power and support ego as opposed to operating in integrity. I want to help women who have built businesses that are social impact enterprises and are trying to create cultures that honor their employees, support them, and uplift them. I want them to be leaders that continue those values and continue the mission.
That’s what drives me and helps me navigate through the trials and tribulations that come with operating a successful business. Listen as I break down how you can identify your why and how you can use that to make a lasting impact not only in your business but your community as well.
𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 📝
🔑 You teach a man; you uplift a family. You teach a woman, you uplift, a village.
🔑 If you can really sit deep in the why then you can figure out some “hows” that make sense.
🔑 Each of us has talents, and each of us has the ability to make an impact where we are.
ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 📚
Very simple assignment this week.
Ask yourself this: Why do you do what you do? How can you really sit in that and have that inform your actions moving forward?
𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓵 🎧 𝓪𝓷𝓭 📹 𝓪𝓽 🔗 𝓲𝓷 𝓫𝓲𝓸 
Be sure to tune in each week for new episodes!
Learn more about the host here: https://laurelrutledge.com
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @laurel.k.rutledge
Facebook: Laurel K Rutledge
Linkedin: Laurel K. Rutledge MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Check out The Rutledge Perspective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therutledgeperspective
Thank you for listening! 
Thank you so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. 
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! 
Subscribe to the podcast. 
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device. 
Leave us a review. 

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on the platforms, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review. 
#therutledgeperspective #hereforapurpose #leadershipfromtheheart #dopeblackpods #blackpodcastersassociation 

After many years of leading corporations and running my own business, I’ve come to realize that there are leaders that don’t share their own stories and that don’t embrace the stories of others. When you’re leading people, supporting people, and guiding people, whether that be in your own business, or an organization, part of your ability to connect with them, build trust with them, and support them in what they need, is being able to tell some of your stories and encourage them to be able to tell part of theirs.
Leaders must realize that sharing their stories does not make them weak, it makes them relatable, and it can help provide inspiration to people to push them forward. Leaders must also understand that other people have stories as well and their stories did not begin when they started at your company, and it doesn’t end when they leave. We must acknowledge that understanding people’s stories and allowing them to show up as their best & true selves will boost their innovation, productivity, and efficiency.
𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 📝
🔑 Leadership is about behavior and not position.
🔑 We are getting things done with, though, and by other people, and to do that effectively it’s important to understand what they’re bringing to the table. 
🔑 People have a life beyond the 8 to 10 to 12 hours that they spend a day with you.
ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 📚
Sit with this: How are you using your story to push things forward? How do use your story to get someone else into their genius? How are you making your story about them? How are you using that power that sits in you and using it to make a difference?
𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓵 🎧 𝓪𝓷𝓭 📹 𝓪𝓽 🔗 𝓲𝓷 𝓫𝓲𝓸 
Be sure to tune in each week for new episodes!
Learn more about the host here: https://laurelrutledge.com
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @laurel.k.rutledge
Facebook: Laurel K Rutledge
Linkedin: Laurel K. Rutledge MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Check out The Rutledge Perspective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therutledgeperspective
Thank you for listening! 
Thank you so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. 
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! 
Subscribe to the podcast. 
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device. 
Leave us a review. 

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on the platforms, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review. 
#therutledgeperspective #hereforapurpose #leadershipfromtheheart #dopeblackpods #blackpodcastersassociation 

Today’s episode of The Rutledge Perspective is for all my Founders out there, specifically the seven-figure women Founders that are beginning to make that transition from Founder to CEO. This transition is tough as it is, but the waters can really get murky when we turn our passion project into a business and are not aligned with our purpose.
Understanding the difference between passion-led and purpose-led work changes how we run our business as well as how we spend our time, energy, and resources. Today, I’m going to break down the differences between passion & purpose, so that you can get clarity with your vision for your business and be intentional with your next steps towards the life that you’re trying to create. My goal is to get you in your zone of genius that helps solve problems for others and that leaves a lasting impact.
𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 📝
🔑 Sometimes we get distracted by what we are passionate about and not where our passion fits our purpose.
🔑 A true purpose is taking all those gifts, talents, and attributes that you have, and putting them into a solid plan of action that makes a big difference and a big impact.
🔑 Passion may not be transformative to anyone but you but purpose-led work is transformative for others.
ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 📚
Ask yourself these very important questions:
What vision do you have for your business? Your career? Your life?
Is what you’re doing now on the path to that or not?
Are you intentionally doing the work that you’re doing right now, or has it become a habit of just showing up and executing?
Are you taking the time to really get to know who you are and how that aligns with the vision that you have and being intentional about where you’re spending your time, energy, and resources?
𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓵 🎧 𝓪𝓷𝓭 📹 𝓪𝓽 🔗 𝓲𝓷 𝓫𝓲𝓸 
Be sure to tune in each week for new episodes!
Learn more about the host here: https://laurelrutledge.com
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @laurel.k.rutledge
Facebook: Laurel K Rutledge
Linkedin: Laurel K. Rutledge MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Check out The Rutledge Perspective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therutledgeperspective
Thank you for listening! 
Thank you so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. 
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! 
Subscribe to the podcast. 
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device. 
Leave us a review. 

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on the platforms, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review. 
#therutledgeperspective #hereforapurpose #leadershipfromtheheart #dopeblackpods #blackpodcastersassociation