Working Your Way Sandhya Sudhakar

Where has your journey toward authenticity in your career taken you? Justin Grant’s career path has taken him from corporate leadership in retail and merchandising to entrepreneurial success and back again. In this episode, he shares how he balances creativity and data while staying true to himself in the fast-paced fashion merchandising industry. 
Our conversation explores how Justin navigated transitions between companies and going back into corporate life after starting his own company. We dive into how he views career fulfillment today and how that’s changed over time.  Join me as we uncover Justin's insights and how being flexible can help you build a dynamic career.

Resources:
Connect with Justin on LinkedInPsychology Today: Job, Career, Calling: Key to Happiness and Meaning at Work?DisruptHR: Stop Taking Work Personally | Sandhya Sudhakar
Connect with me:
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Produced by NOVA Media

Alma Quiroga is on the hunt for her next big career opportunity, and she’s here to share the wealth of career lessons she's gathered along her journey. In our conversation, we explore how Alma’s career journey is informed by her personal insights and her passion for using storytelling as a tool to make sense of her career path. We'll trace back through her experiences, discussing what she's learned about what works best for her in a work environment and how she's leveraging this knowledge in her search for the next right fit.
If you're currently exploring new career opportunities or simply interested in how to articulate your career story authentically, this episode will offer valuable insights. Join us for a journey through the highs and lows of defining and finding success on your own terms in the workplace. You're sure to leave with a smile—and maybe a new way to tell your own career story.

Resources:
Learn more at almaquiroga.comConnect with Alma on LinkedIn
Connect with me:
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Produced by NOVA Media

Welcome to a fresh episode of "Working Your Way," where today we tackle the complex and often misunderstood topic of personal branding, as part of our Career Questions series. Joining me, your host, Sandhya Sudhakar, is Cat Coffrin, brand strategist and founder of Captivating Consulting. Together, we dive deep into the essence of personal branding—not just as a tool for career success, but as a crucial component for personal well-being at work.
Today's discussion isn't about crafting a facade or a marketable persona. Instead, we explore personal branding as a journey to a clearer and stronger sense of self. We start by addressing the current challenges in the workplace that complicate our ability to truly know ourselves, discussing the external pressures that so many of us internalize along the way.
Cat and I will share our approaches to guiding clients through the internal journey of reconnecting with your sense of self, uncovering insights that aren't always obvious, and determining how to best communicate your unique value. This conversation promises to be rich with strategies and stories that illuminate the path to understanding and articulating who you are in both life and work.
So, whether you're looking to refine your professional image or seeking a deeper connection with your own identity, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools to begin your personal branding journey. Remember to keep a notebook handy—you won't want to miss the reflection prompts and actionable tips we're sharing today. Let's dive in and discover how to transform our self-awareness into a powerful expression of our professional selves.

In this episode, we talk about:
[03:53] The cultural identity crisis people are facing in their careers and lives[25:15] Why personal branding is so essential[29:49] Cat’s career journey and how she applied personal branding to herself[43:36] Taking an internal approach to building a personal brand: What data to use[51:20] Why people resist bringing up their past and how much to share[01:02:55] How to utilize your personal brand[01:17:29] Tools and resources
Resources:
Learn more about Cat’s work at captivatingco.comConnect with Cat on LinkedInRead Cat’s BlogListen to the Working Your Way Enneagram series:20. How do I find my Enneagram type? | Career Questions21. How can I develop my emotional intelligence with the Enneagram? | Career QuestionsReflected Best Self ExerciseCliftonStrengths Online Talent Assessment
Connect with me:
InstagramLinkedInYouTubeselfatwork.com
Produced by NOVA Media

In this episode, I'm thrilled to talk with Jemilly Castro, Vice President of Strategy at Remezcla. Jemilly opens up about the complexities of representing her cultural identity within the predominantly white corporate spaces of the advertising world. Her career journey beautifully illustrates the struggle and empowerment that come from embracing who you are in professional settings.
Jemilly discusses the early challenges of her career, where she often had to mute or exaggerate aspects of herself to fit into the expected mold of a Latina professional. These experiences spurred profound personal growth, leading her to embrace her true self without conforming to external expectations. We also delve into how Jemilly incorporates gratitude into her daily life, balancing her successful career with personal hobbies that range from scuba diving to pottery, enriching her life beyond her professional identity. Join me as we explore how Jemilly has navigated the highs and lows of authenticity in her career and how she is embracing a new, more grounded chapter of her life. 

Resources:
Learn more at jemilly.comFollow Guest on Instagram: @jemillyConnect with Jemilly on LinkedInPodcast: Brené with Emily and Amelia Nagoski on Burnout and How to Complete the Stress CycleCalm: 8 gratitude exercises to cultivate a more grateful mindsetPositive Psychology: The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain
Connect with me:
InstagramLinkedInYouTubeselfatwork.com
Produced by NOVA Media

Welcome to a special edition of "Working Your Way," where authenticity in the workplace is the heart of our conversation. I'm your host, Sandhya Sudhakar. In today’s episode, I dive into my own journey of authenticity, sharing the live talk I delivered for the Chicago chapter of CreativeMornings, a global community that inspires creatives to connect and flourish. This isn't your typical presentation—it’s an informal, intimate glimpse into how I've navigated the complexities of starting and running my own business in alignment with my core values and passions.
The theme of my talk was "Treasure," but not in the conventional sense of final outcomes or achievements. Instead, I explore how true treasure lies in the journey—the trials and triumphs of building a business that not only serves my clients but also stays true to who I am. You'll hear about my experiences of experimenting, failing, succeeding, learning, and unlearning, all of which have shaped the way I operate both personally and professionally.
This episode offers a unique behind-the-scenes look back, to when this podcast was just a concept taking shape in my mind. Join me as I share how embracing every aspect of my entrepreneurial adventure has been my treasure, urging us all to find the value in our own paths. Enjoy this candid reflection on what it means to work your way through creativity, challenges, and the pursuit of authenticity.

Resources:
Find a CreativeMornings event in your city: creativemornings.com
Connect with me:
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Produced by NOVA Media

Today's episode is the continuation of our journey into the Enneagram and its application in our careers and on our teams. If you're joining us now, I recommend starting with episode 20 for a foundational understanding of the Enneagram, an overview of the nine personality types, and guidance on how to accurately identify your type.
Building on that foundation, this episode is dedicated to exploring the practical side of the Enneagram—how to apply the insights from your Enneagram type to your personal and professional development.  In this episode, we dive deeper into the Enneagram's applications, guiding you through how to use this powerful tool to foster authenticity and effectiveness at work. We cover topics like building self-awareness, better understanding others, communicating more effectively, and creating better team dynamics. Join me as we delve into the rich possibilities this tool opens up - for growth and understanding both individually and with others. 

Want to skip around? Here’s what we talk about:
[02:03] Using the Enneagram to develop all aspects of our emotional intelligence[16:10] The Enneagram Centers of Intelligence, how they connect to our type, and how they can be used to create balance in our lives and our actions[20:37] The three most important things you can learn about yourself in your career using your Enneagram type[22:44] Case studies of how to use the Enneagram on teams to build better business results
Resources:
Read: “The Essential Enneagram” by David Daniels and Virginia PriceRead: “The Enneagram for Black Liberation” by Chichi Agorom
Connect with me:
InstagramLinkedInYouTubeselfatwork.com
Produced by NOVA Media