Digest

Les, the host of Balanced Black Girl Podcast, welcomes Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder of Colorcom and author of "What Do You Need?" to discuss career advice and navigating workplace dynamics. Lauren shares her personal experience of being fired from her first job and the valuable lessons she learned about workplace politics and the importance of going beyond just doing your job. She emphasizes the need to build relationships with colleagues outside of work and the importance of having a diverse group of mentors. Lauren also provides practical advice on how to approach potential mentors, suggesting starting with a 15-minute phone call and having a specific objective in mind. The conversation then shifts to Lauren's journey as a communications professional and the origin story of Colorcom, a platform that empowers women of color in the communications industry. Lauren explains how she started Colorcom by hosting a lunch for women in the industry and asking the question "What do you need?" This question became the foundation of Colorcom's mission to build community and provide support for women of color in the field. The episode concludes with advice for Gen Z professionals, emphasizing the importance of learning as much as possible, being proactive, and building a portfolio of meaningful experiences. Lauren also discusses the role of side hustles and how to navigate them while maintaining a strong work ethic and prioritizing your full-time job.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Balanced Black Girl Podcast and its host, Les. The podcast focuses on balancing various aspects of life, including wellness, relationships, finances, and careers. Les mentions receiving many questions about career advice and navigating career pivots and climbs. She acknowledges that she is not a career advice expert and introduces her guest, Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder of Colorcom and author of "What Do You Need?".

00:01:31

Lauren Wesley Wilson's Journey and "What Do You Need?"

This Chapter delves into Lauren Wesley Wilson's career journey and the inspiration behind her book "What Do You Need?" Lauren shares her experience of being fired from her first job and the valuable lessons she learned about workplace politics and the importance of going beyond just doing your job. She emphasizes the need to build relationships with colleagues outside of work and the importance of having a diverse group of mentors.

00:18:32

The Origin Story of Colorcom

This Chapter explores the origin story of Colorcom, a platform that empowers women of color in the communications industry. Lauren explains how she started Colorcom by hosting a lunch for women in the industry and asking the question "What do you need?" This question became the foundation of Colorcom's mission to build community and provide support for women of color in the field.

00:22:12

Identifying Your Needs and Activating Your Network

This Chapter focuses on the importance of identifying your needs and activating your network. Lauren emphasizes the need to be clear about your goals and how those goals translate into specific needs. She also provides practical advice on how to approach potential mentors, suggesting starting with a 15-minute phone call and having a specific objective in mind. Lauren also discusses the importance of being involved in organizations, volunteering, and attending conferences to expand your network.

00:32:46

Advice for Gen Z Professionals

This Chapter offers advice for Gen Z professionals, emphasizing the importance of learning as much as possible, being proactive, and building a portfolio of meaningful experiences. Lauren also discusses the role of side hustles and how to navigate them while maintaining a strong work ethic and prioritizing your full-time job.

00:42:07

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

This Chapter concludes the episode with closing remarks and a call to action. Les thanks Lauren for her insights and encourages listeners to purchase her book "What Do You Need?" She also reminds listeners to leave reviews for both the podcast and the book.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some key takeaways from Lauren Wesley Wilson's experience of being fired from her first job?

  Lauren learned that doing good work and going home isn't enough for career advancement. She realized the importance of building relationships with colleagues outside of work and understanding workplace politics. This experience also highlighted the need for mentorship and guidance from those who can provide insights into navigating these dynamics.

• How can you approach a potential mentor effectively?

  Instead of directly asking someone to be your mentor, start by requesting a 15-minute phone call. Have a specific objective in mind for the call, such as seeking advice on a challenge you're facing or gaining insights into a particular career path. Be prepared to offer value to the mentor by showing your interest in their work and demonstrating your willingness to learn.

• What is the significance of the question "What do you need?" in the context of Colorcom?

  This question became the foundation of Colorcom's mission to build community and provide support for women of color in the communications industry. By focusing on the needs of the attendees and members, Colorcom has been able to create a platform that provides resources, networking opportunities, and mentorship to help women of color advance their careers.

• What advice does Lauren Wesley Wilson have for Gen Z professionals?

  Lauren encourages Gen Z professionals to focus on learning as much as possible, being proactive, and building a portfolio of meaningful experiences. She advises against asking for too much too soon and emphasizes the importance of demonstrating your commitment to your career growth before seeking perks or flexibility.

• How can you effectively navigate having a side hustle while maintaining a strong work ethic at your full-time job?

  Be clear about your goals for your side hustle. If it's for extra income, prioritize your full-time job and dedicate weekend hours to your side hustle. If you're aiming to turn it into a full-time gig, be mindful of potential conflicts of interest and ensure your side hustle doesn't negatively impact your performance at work. Communicate with your manager about your side hustle and be transparent about your time commitments.

• What are some ways to activate your network and make the most of your connections?

  Activating your network involves staying involved in organizations, volunteering, attending conferences, and actively engaging with your connections. Check in with your contacts regularly, learn about their projects, and seek opportunities to collaborate or support their work. Be proactive in building relationships and offering value to others.

• What are some common mistakes that early career professionals make?

  Early career professionals often make the mistake of not investing enough in their own development. They may focus solely on completing their tasks and not seek opportunities to learn, grow, and build relationships. They may also be hesitant to ask for help or guidance, which can hinder their progress.

• How can you stand out as an early career professional?

  Stand out by demonstrating your commitment to your career growth. Do good work, make an effort to build relationships, and be respectful and thoughtful in your interactions with colleagues. Be proactive in seeking opportunities to learn and contribute to the team. Remember that everything is a test in the workplace, and people are observing your behavior and performance.

• What are some key considerations when navigating side hustles?

  Be mindful of potential conflicts of interest, especially if your side hustle is in the same industry as your full-time job. Ensure your side hustle doesn't negatively impact your performance at work. Communicate with your manager about your side hustle and be transparent about your time commitments. Prioritize your full-time job and dedicate weekend hours to your side hustle if it's for extra income.

• What is the importance of having a portfolio of meaningful experiences?

  A portfolio of meaningful experiences demonstrates your capabilities, skills, and commitment to your career growth. It showcases your ability to contribute to projects, deliver results, and execute tasks effectively. This portfolio can be valuable for career advancement, as it provides evidence of your skills and experience.

Show Notes