In This Episode

When we share our stories, we empower others to find their voice. This was the experience that today’s guest, Dr. Waajida L. Small, talks about overcoming this episode.

Dr. Waajida L. Small is the founder and CEO of Capital Conscious U LLC; a leadership development firm focused on helping career and entrepreneur women of color find and align their purpose with their careers and business. Using platforms such as her blog and her podcast Dr. Small provides insight into women of color’s real-life experiences in the workforce and coaches and teaches strategies and best practices to position women of color for success.

Let’s dive right into this episode and learn from Dr. Waajida about the right mindset of leadership and self-advocacy.

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

[00:01 – 08:58] Opening Segment

• I introduce and welcome my friend, Dr. Waajida L. Small
• Who is Dr. Small?
  • A woman of many roles
  • HR executive in NYC
  • Helps women of color thrive in every space that they enter by various platforms 
• Dr. Waajida talks about her book 
  • Currently for pre-order
  • Focuses on women of color and leadership
  • The foundation of her book is her doctoral research (Our Leadership Journey shares stories and lessons of women of color)

[08:59 – 15:09] Women in Leadership, Cultures, and Roles

• Dr. Waajida talks about the perks of writing and turning stories into books
  • Sharing a part of herself
  • Sharing stories about women of color in leadership
  • Cultures and roles in ourselves 
• When you are given a gift, you are supposed to share it, not hoard it
• I talk about women supporting each other
  • Group dynamics
• Culturally we are a community and when we are out of the community, it is survival mode
• The mentality of “I can not help you if I can’t help myself.”
  • Invest in yourself first so you can give to others
  • Not taking from yourself
  • Know that you are as important as others too
• The collective power lessens the burden

[15:10 – 20:09] The Right Leadership Mindset 

• We are not made to be everything for everyone 
  • This cycle is killing us
• Being a leader does not mean you have to be everything
  • As a leader, you are still learning from the people that you lead 
  • Leadership is about exchange and meeting people where we are 

[20:10 – 40:09] Know The Power of Our Voice and Speak Up

• Dr. Waajida shares her experience of being silenced at school and in the workplace
  • Silenced for 13 years
  • Started in 7th grade and changed who she was
  • Being disrespected and discriminated racially 
  • You need to use your voice and speak up
• Speaking when you have something valuable to say, not so that you can hear yourself talk
• I talk about the power of our voice
  • One little thing can make a significant impact on your life 
• We have to be aware of the power of our voice.
  • People looking to us as a leader
• Dr. Waajida talks about her turning point
  • Being the advocate for the people that have not found their voice yet
  • When we share our stories, we empower others to find their voice 

[40:10 – 50:44] The Significance of Self-Advocacy 

• I talk about building the courage to use our voice and speak up for ourselves
  • Do not only be the advocate to others
  • How stigma and stereotypes impact Black women in the workplace
  • How we often don’t speak up
• Acknowledge that we make significant effort to get here
• Dr. Waajida talks about the importance of Self-Advocacy
  • We are not beneath anyone
  • Putting boundaries in place
• Elevate yourself and reach the goals that you set for yourself
• Dr. Waajida talks about Purpose and self-fulfillment 
  • Being able to do what makes you happy
  • Being happy unapologetically, free and at peace
• I talk about being unbothered 

[50:45 – 59:13] Closing Segment

• What advice would you give to some people that feel like they can not speak up for themselves?
  • “I’m a strong proponent of self-reflection, engage, and exercise.”
  • Do the root cause analysis, “Why you do not think that you can advocate for yourself. “
  • Work through that healing.
• How to connect with Dr. Waajida 
  • See Links Below
• Dr. Waajida talks about her Podcast. 
  • Leading with Purpose Podcast
  • Focuses on women of color and leadership
  • A lot of learning component and practical information
• Final words from Dr. Waajida
• Closing 

Tweetable Quotes:

“You need to use your voice and speak up.” – Dr. Waajida L. Small

“When we share our stories, we empower others to find their voice.” – Dr. Waajida L. Small

“Speak when you have something valuable to say, not so that you can hear yourself talk.” – Dr. Waajida L. Small

“Being a leader does not mean you have to be everything, and as a leader, you are still learning from the people that you lead.” – Dr. Waajida L. Small.

ABOUT DR. WAAJIDA L. SMALL

Dr. Waajida L. Small is the founder and CEO of Capital Conscious U LLC, a leadership development firm focused on helping career and entrepreneur women find and align their purpose with their careers and business. Dr. Small is Certified Purpose Leader (CPL), Certified Human Capital Strategist (HCS) and certified professional coach (CPC) with specialties in career, executive, and spiritual coaching. She also holds a doctorate in Human Capital Management with a research emphasis on women of color and leadership.

A career human resources executive, Dr. Small has helped international organizations design and implement strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent. She is passionate about helping women thrive in the workplace, in their businesses, and the world and has held various service roles in organizations such as IMPACT Leadership 21 Emerging Global Leaders Circle Mentorship, Black Women of Influence, The Black Girl Project, and the International Association of Women.

Using platforms such as her blog Living, Learning, Leading and her podcast Leading with Purpose, Dr. Small provides insight into the real-life experiences of women of color in the workforce and coaches and teaches strategies and best practices to position women of color for success. Dr. Small is the author of “Our Leadership Journey: Shared Stories, Lessons and Advice for Women of Color”, a book for women of color on the rise into positions of leadership and influence., which is currently available on preorder.

You can connect with Dr. Waajida on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or visit her website at https://www.waajidasmall.com/. Check out her book, available for sale at https://www.waajidasmall.com/book, and to listen to her podcast (Leading with Purpose Podcast on all platforms)

If you’d like to continue the conversation, check out the Find Your Voice Course or visit https://www.keishashields.com/. You will now be able to see videos if you check out the Keisha Shields YouTube Channel where I will begin putting up more content for you to see. 

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