We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris Zander. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.
Chris, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I often reflect over various experiences throughout my life. I am grateful to say I have and will ALWAYS remain myself in any setting I am in or choose to place myself around. Growing up from 7th-12th grade I was one of very few African Americans who attended my Junior High/ High School. Throughout my career, I have experienced being the youngest person in the room in a television and film setting. As a model, I have experienced being the only male and or the only black male at a casting call or onset of a project. I am the youngest and only African- American male serving as a professor in my department.
I state all of this to say, it has always been important for me to know the true essence of who I am at my core. I choose not to allow someone’s influence or opinion of who and what they think I am to affect who I TRULY am. Being the “only person” has created numerous challenges at times. However, each experience has allowed me to rise to the occasion and elevate beyond the limits people try or wish to place upon me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a producer and host of, “In the Zone with Chris Zander” which is a podcast focused on Lifestyle, Entrepreneurship, and Self-Care. I love to help motivate individuals to connect to their authentic selves. I do this by helping people find their purpose and execute whatever vision they may have for themselves. The goal of my podcast is to continue to build esteem and help individuals comprehend we as people are all more alike than we choose to accept or believe we are.
I choose to illustrate on my podcast that someone who has more or less from a materialistic or monetary standpoint does not make them more or less valuable than the next person. I feel we as people can learn from one another’s life experiences if we choose to see others similarly to the way we truly see ourselves.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Persistency, Remaining Classic, and Authenticity.
Persistency consists of knowing it’s your personal journey and only you know what it takes on your specific journey. No one can tell you how to be or do you. Why…!? Because they are NOT you! Therefore, be very selective with whom you connect with. There are few who genuinely want to see you win and many who pray for your downfall.
Always remain classic! There is an appropriate time and place for every category in your life. There is a such thing as etiquette and decorum and never feel bad for challenging someone to rise to the occasion on your behalf. The most important thing to remember from this is people do to you what you allow them to do to you. Therefore, never be afraid to set the bar.
It’s easier to pretend to be someone else, when you do not take the time to learn the true essence of your being. The journey to learning “self” is even worse when you entertain individuals who choose to not put in the work for themselves either. It’s just way easier to learn yourself and be authentic in the process.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
I have learned the power of cutting off things and individuals that no longer serve me. The most important thing I have learned is to step out of my own way and to not block my blessings. There were numerous things I allowed to hold me back from attaining the things I wanted out of life. My career consists of me being and having a “go getter” mindset and attitude. Therefore, I have learned to stay diligent and to not let my own insecurities become my reality.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_zander/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChrisZander/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chriszander3920/featured
Image Credits
Donzaleigh Powell, Ben Delametter, Chris Zander
