Meet Brittany Honor – Forbes

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brittany Honor – Forbes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience has been woven into my story from the very beginning. Growing up as a military child, I was constantly adapting to new places, new schools, and new faces. Change wasn’t an option—it was a way of life. I remember telling myself that once I became an adult, I would plant roots, stay in one place, and never have to move again. But life had other plans.

Straight out of college, I took a job that required me to relocate every few years. Each move came with a new set of challenges—building new relationships, proving myself in unfamiliar environments, and learning how to start over again and again. And while formal education had prepared me in subjects like math and reading, it hadn’t quite prepared me for the realities of corporate America.

Entering the corporate world as a young Black woman in the South, I quickly learned that success wasn’t just about hard work—it was about advocating for myself, building the right relationships, and navigating spaces that weren’t always welcoming. The learning curve was steep. I faced obstacles that I never saw coming, moments that made me question my abilities and an environment that often made me feel like I had to work twice as hard to be seen. But through it all, I refused to shrink. I surrounded myself with the right people, learned to use my voice, and built a foundation of self-advocacy and perseverance.

Later in my career, I faced a different kind of change—one that wasn’t by choice. Roles were eliminated, teams were reorganized, and I found myself impacted by decisions beyond my control. Each time, I had to decide: crumble under the pressure or rise above it. And time and time again, I chose to thrive.

Through every peak and valley, I’ve learned one thing: trouble doesn’t last always. Those highs—the moments of joy, success, and accomplishment—are what I hold onto when I find myself in the lows. Because no matter how tough things get, I remind myself that I’ve been here before. And if I could make it through then, I can make it through now.

Resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about learning, growing, and coming out stronger. And that’s exactly what I’ve done, every single time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I have over 12 years of experience in the medical device and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries, where I’ve built my career at the intersection of sales, leadership, strategy, and professional development. I recently graduated with my MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and am a Certified Professional Coach, as well as a Jon Gordon Certified Trainer and DiSC Certified Facilitator. My expertise lies in unlocking business capabilities, developing talent, and helping individuals and teams perform at their highest potential.

Currently, I work in the medical device industry as a Commercial Enablement Manager, where I focus on equipping our salesforce with the tools, strategies, and insights they need to drive success. My role is all about empowering people with knowledge and resources, ensuring that they have everything necessary to excel in a competitive, fast-paced environment.

Beyond my corporate role, I’m the founder of Honor Development & Consulting, a platform dedicated to helping professionals navigate career transitions, master interview strategies, and build the skills needed to thrive in corporate spaces. Through my Quick Tip Tuesday series, I provide practical, actionable advice on interviewing, leadership, and corporate survival skills, helping professionals stand out and confidently take control of their careers.

Most recently, I launched my podcast, “Chess, Not Checkers,” where I interview game changers across industries to discuss the moves, mindset, and strategies that lead to success. This podcast is about more than career advice—it’s about teaching people to think strategically, take ownership of their path, and redefine what success looks like on their own terms.

What excites me most about my work—both in corporate and through my brand—is the real impact it creates. Whether it’s helping sales professionals elevate their performance or coaching someone through a career transition, my mission remains the same: to empower people to step into their full potential, navigate challenges with confidence, and take control of their success.

Right now, the goal both professionally and personally is to continue providing actionable strategies that help professionals not just play the game, but change it.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three key qualities and skills had the biggest impact on my journey:

1. Resilience – Learning to Adapt and Keep Going
From growing up as a military child to navigating the ups and downs of corporate America, resilience has been a defining factor in my success. I’ve faced voluntary and involuntary career shifts, role eliminations, and challenges as a young woman trying to carve out my place in leadership. Each time, I had two choices: crumble or rise. I chose to rise.

Advice: Throughout your journey, embrace the fact that setbacks are inevitable. Instead of fearing them, use them as learning moments. Seek out mentors, surround yourself with people who uplift you, and develop the mindset that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving despite obstacles.

2. Self-Advocacy – Owning Your Career and Speaking Up
Early in my career, I watched others seemingly move ahead with ease while I struggled to be seen. It took time to learn that success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about knowing your value, communicating it, and positioning yourself for opportunities.

Advice: If you’re early in your career, start advocating for yourself now. Speak up in meetings, build relationships with decision-makers, and don’t wait for someone to hand you a seat at the table—pull up your own chair, and if there isn’t space at that table, build your own table!. Confidence comes from preparation, so take the time to learn how to articulate your strengths and contributions. Also, if you have more tenure in your career, THE TIME IS NOW! It is never too late to start advocating for yourself. Once you do, YOU FEEL FREE!

3. Strategic Thinking – Playing Chess, Not Checkers
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that corporate success isn’t just about working hard—it’s also about working smart. Early on, I found myself feeling stuck, applying for roles I didn’t get, or taking jobs just for a title or a raise. It wasn’t until I had an honest conversation with a mentor that I realized: “This corporate world is a game. You either play the game, or you get played.” That shift in mindset changed everything.

Advice: Take a step back and think about the bigger picture of your career. Where do you want to go? Who do you want to be? Who do you need to learn from? What skills will get you there? Don’t just chase the next job—build a long-term strategy for your career. Invest in learning beyond your day job—whether it’s through books, courses, or mentors—and always be intentional about your next move.

At the end of the day, resilience, self-advocacy, and strategic thinking have been the cornerstones of my career. For anyone in their journey, my advice is simple: stay adaptable, own your voice, and always think a few moves ahead. Because success isn’t about just playing the game—it’s about changing it.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

Success is never a solo journey, and there have been many people that have helped me along the way. Although, I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be where I am today without three incredible mentors: Paula Hopkins, Greg Merthie, and Chad Pigford.

Early in my career, I was struggling to acclimate to corporate America—failing miserably, if I’m being honest. I was trying to figure it all out on my own, unsure of how to navigate the unspoken rules of the corporate world. But at pivotal moments in my journey, Paula, Greg, and Chad wrapped their arms around me, saw potential in me that I couldn’t even see in myself, and showed me the ropes.

They didn’t just teach me how to be successful in business; they taught me what it truly means to be a leader. In corporate spaces, it’s easy to forget that behind every name badge is a real person, with real challenges and aspirations. They modeled leadership rooted in respect, kindness, and—most importantly—love. They showed me that being a great leader isn’t just about driving results; it’s about seeing people, valuing them, and lifting them up.

If it weren’t for their guidance, I don’t know where my career would have led. Their belief in me gave me the confidence to find my own voice, step into leadership, and eventually, pay it forward by mentoring and coaching others. Because of them, I’ve made it my mission to not just play the game—but to change it for the next generation of leaders.

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Image Credits

Shay Walker, Orlando Brand Photographer

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