Meet Dr. Jennifer Bryant

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Jennifer Bryant. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Jennifer, 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 lean into knowing when I am invited into a room, it is because I add value and knowledge through influence and impact.

These are effective ways I embrace owning your “voice” in a room:

1. Confidence and Self-Belief: Develop a strong sense of self-belief and confidence in your abilities. Remind yourself of your qualifications, skills, and unique perspectives that you bring to the table. Recognize that diversity can be an asset, and focus on your strengths.

2. Embrace Your Uniqueness: Embrace your individuality and the value it brings to the room. Understand that diversity leads to better decision-making, innovation, and creative problem-solving. Finding ways to embrace and express your identity can positively impact your confidence and allow others to appreciate your authenticity.

3. Seek Supportive Networks: Surround yourself with supportive networks and communities. Seek out mentors, colleagues, or professional groups who can provide guidance, share experiences, and offer advice when facing challenging situations. These support systems can also help you find solidarity and offer a safe space to discuss shared experiences.

4. Build Relationships: Foster relationships and connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Networking can help you create alliances, gain allies, and find mentors to advocate for your professional growth. Building strong relationships can also help break down barriers and stereotypes over time.

5. Education and Awareness: Educate yourself about unconscious bias, stereotypes, and other issues related to diversity and inclusion. Understanding these dynamics can help you develop strategies to combat them effectively. Share your knowledge with others through open conversations, workshops, or presentations to promote awareness and foster inclusivity.

6. Be Resilient: Recognize that even with your best efforts, you may face challenges or encounter bias. Develop resilience to persevere and learn from these experiences. Focus on your long-term goals and continue to work towards them despite setbacks.

7. Be Willing to Educate Others: When appropriate, educate others about your experiences and perspectives. Encourage open discussions and foster a culture of inclusivity. You can raise awareness and promote understanding by sharing your stories, challenges, and achievements.

Everyone’s experiences are unique, and these suggestions may not apply to all situations. It’s essential to find approaches that work best for you and maintain an authentic sense of self throughout your professional journey.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Dr. Jennifer Jones Bryant’s passion is to help mid-level Corporate Women find and grow their inner strength to accelerate to the next level in their careers. She focuses on the key messages of reaching within yourself, making a difference, and being true to your core values and beliefs. Dr. Bryant is a Fortune 100 Senior Leader of Associate Experience and Engagement, where she focuses on leading the continuous improvement of associate engagement, culture, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and overall organizational effectiveness through 4 key areas: enablement, inclusion, engagement, and people leadership. She also leads one of the largest women empowerment Business Resource Groups with over 21,000 members. Prior to her working at a Fortune 100 Company, Dr. Bryant retired from the federal government with 31 years of service. From clerk-typist to Executive Director, her 31-year career with the federal government spanned many functional areas, including leading teams in business management services, process improvements, and employee engagement. She received various awards in different areas, such as leadership, customer service, innovation, civil rights, and diversity initiatives. Dr. Bryant’s formal education includes a Master’s of Science Degree in International Affairs, a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate, a Women’s Entrepreneurship Certificate from Cornell University, an executive leadership certificate from American University, and two honorary Doctorate awards in leadership and philosophy, a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

As an international bestseller author and speaker, she regularly receives speaking invitations from federal agencies, academia, and community organizations. She was featured in Essence Magazine, Brainz Magazine, VIP Global Magazine, Speakers Magazine, Faith Heart, Glam CEO, Power 20, Women of Dignity, VoyATL, ShoutOut Atlanta, One Tribe, and UpWord global magazines, Making Headlines News, Radio One, WTOP, and WUSA Great Day Washington.

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?


Three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge are often considered impactful in one’s professional journey:

1. Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks, adapting to new challenges, and maintaining a positive mindset are crucial in any professional journey. Resilience helps individuals navigate obstacles, learn from failures, and stay motivated despite the ups and downs they might face.

2. Continuous Learning: A commitment to lifelong learning is invaluable. Embracing a growth mindset and being open to acquiring new skills, knowledge, and perspectives allows individuals to stay relevant, adapt to changes in their industry, and seize opportunities for personal and professional development.

3. Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence encompasses self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills. Developing emotional intelligence allows individuals to navigate workplace dynamics, build strong relationships, and understand and manage their emotions and those of others. It is critical in fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and creating a positive work environment.

These three qualities can have a significant impact on a professional journey. It’s important to note that the specific qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that are most impactful may vary depending on individual circumstances, industries, and personal goals.


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For individuals who are early in their professional journey and want to develop or improve the qualities and skills mentioned (resilience, continuous learning, and emotional intelligence), here is some advice:

1. Resilience:
– Embrace challenges: Rather than avoiding obstacles, view them as opportunities for growth. Embrace a growth mindset and see setbacks as valuable learning experiences.
– Seek support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, colleagues, or friends who can provide guidance and encouragement during difficult times.
– Practice self-care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being to build resilience. Prioritize activities that promote self-care, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

2. Continuous Learning:
– Set learning goals: Identify areas where you want to develop or acquire new skills and set specific, achievable goals. Break them down into smaller tasks to make progress manageable.
– Seek out resources: Utilize online courses, books, podcasts, industry events, and workshops to enhance your knowledge and skills. Leverage both formal and informal learning opportunities to gain expertise.
– Embrace feedback: Be open to constructive criticism and feedback from mentors, supervisors, and peers. Use feedback as a tool for growth and improvement.

 

3. Emotional Intelligence:
– Cultivate self-awareness: Reflect on your emotions, reactions, and behaviors. Gain a deep understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement. Regular introspection and mindfulness exercises can help develop self-awareness.
– Practice active listening: Focus on genuinely understanding others by giving them your full attention, maintaining eye contact, and practicing empathy. Develop active listening skills by paraphrasing and clarifying what others say.
– Seek diverse perspectives: Engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds and cultures to broaden your perspective and cultivate empathy. Actively seek to understand viewpoints that differ from your own.

Overall, remember that personal development is a journey, and progress takes time. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small achievements along the way. Continuously seek opportunities to apply and refine these qualities and skills in your daily life and professional interactions.

 

How would you describe your ideal client?
I give voice and visibility to mid-level Corporate and Federal Government female clients to reach within to embrace their leadership journey to accelerate to the next level in their careers. Services offered are leadership coaching, mentoring, resume review and updates, interviewing preparation, and goal setting. An ideal client for my company, Reaching Within, An Empowerment Journey LLC includes the following:

1. Ambition and Aspiration: An ideal client should possess a strong desire to grow and develop their leadership skills, showing ambition to take on higher responsibilities and achieve their career goals.

2. Self-awareness: A client with self-awareness is open to recognizing their strengths, weaknesses, habits, and behavior patterns. This self-awareness allows them to be receptive to feedback and more willing to make necessary changes.

3. Commitment to Growth: Committing to personal and professional growth is crucial. An ideal client acknowledges that ongoing development is essential for becoming an effective leader and is willing to invest the time, energy, and resources required.

4. Accountability: An ideal client acknowledges their role and responsibility in their growth journey. They are willing to take ownership of their actions, accept feedback, and be accountable for implementing changes and following through with commitments made during coaching.

5. Open-Mindedness: Having an open and curious mindset helps explore new perspectives, embrace different approaches, and challenge existing beliefs and assumptions. An open-minded client is more likely to benefit from the guidance provided by a coach.

6. Readiness for Change: Ideal clients recognize that change is often uncomfortable but necessary for growth. They are prepared and motivated to move out of their comfort zone and proactively embrace change, even if it involves taking risks or confronting challenges.

7. Strong Work Ethic: A client with determination, discipline, and a strong work ethic will likely derive maximum value from coaching. They are willing to dedicate time and effort to reflect, practice new skills, and apply feedback in their daily work.

8. Trust and Confidentiality: Building a trusting relationship between the coach and client is vital. An ideal client is willing to share honestly and openly, maintaining confidentiality and trusting the coach’s expertise and guidance.

9. Proactive Communication: Effective communication is essential for successful coaching. An ideal client should proactively share updates, progress, challenges, or relevant information with their coach, facilitating a more supportive and collaborative coaching journey.

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Upcoming Event Invitation:

I am inviting aspiring and experienced leaders in early December 2023 to the Step Into Leadership Greatness Summit that will propel you into the next level of your leadership journey. It will be held on December 9, 2023 from 1pm-4pm ET. Join us at our 2023 #StepIntoLeadershipGreatness Summit designed to shape and impact future industries. You will walk away equipped to strategize innovative solutions and redefine what it means to lead beyond the organization. Register and sponsor a leader today!

SILG Summit Registration Link: https://bit.ly/SILGSUMMIT

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Lindria Dockett ( pic with me sitting in the chair with a laptop) Photo Credit: Jackie Hicks (pics with me in a blue and white dress, pink blouse, and black blazer and white blouse)

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