We recently connected with Ebony Travis Tichenor and have shared our conversation below.
Ebony, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My source of resilience stems from different factors: a sense of purpose, a positive outlook, a willingness to adapt to change, and most importantly, the support of my tribe. As they say, your vibe attracts your tribe, and I’ve found that surrounding myself with like-minded individuals has helped me to stay strong in the face of adversity.
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 Ebony Travis Tichenor, a black Hispanic woman married to a wonderful man, Robert, care giver to my mother Paula and a mother to two fur babies Coco and Cinnamon. I live in Dallas Texas, born in Joilet, Illinois. I have been with Boston Scientific for 25 plus years and wouldn’t change a thing. I do so love my job and the people.
My passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Personal Branding as well as Health and Wellbeing, drives a lot of my passion for life, but not as much as much as my family and friends of course. With over 25 years of practical expertise in managing all aspects of workforce development, including outreach, inclusive training, diversity and equity, health and wellbeing, and internal policy and effectiveness and equality, I am dedicated to fostering accountability and awareness around diversity and inclusion. One of my key strengths is leading diversity initiatives and programs that promote awareness, inclusion, and the retention of diverse talent. Simultaneously, I’ve been able to in my personal life and time run health and wellbeing programs that encourage people to live a healthy and fulfilling life, share the importance of personal branding and so much more. As someone who is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, Personal Branding as well as health and wellbeing, I can assure you that these are top priorities in all the work I do on a professional and personal level. I have a wide range of skills and take great pleasure in changing lives, because at the end of the day, it’s all about people. I love staying true to me while ensuring people know they matter. Authenticity is an important trait to have. It means staying true to yourself and not pretending to be someone you’re not. This can be challenging in a world that often values conformity and fitting in. However, being authentic allows me to build genuine relationships with others, based on trust and understanding. At the end of the day, it’s the people in our lives that matter most to me. By being authentic and true to me, I attract those who appreciate me for me.
What is most exciting and special about my work is I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do work that aligns with my values and allows me to make a difference in the world. I have a career and not just a 9-5 job, but I have a true passion for what I do. I feel connected to my work in this way, everything I do personally and professionally feels incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. It’s important to remember that not everyone has the opportunity to do work that aligns with their values, so it’s great that I get to.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Here are three that come to mind:
1, Persistence: One of the most important qualities is persistence. The journey towards success is often long, winding, and bumpy, and it can be easy to get discouraged or give up. However, when I persist through the ups and downs I feel like I am succeeding. So, my advice is to keep going, even when it’s tough.
2. Adaptability: In today’s fast-paced world, being adaptable is crucial. The ability to pivot, change course, and learn new skills is essential for success. So, my advice is to be open-minded and flexible, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.
3. Networking: Finally, networking is another crucial skill to develop. Building relationships with others can open doors, provide new opportunities, and have helped me learn from those who have gone before me. So, my advice is to be intentional about building your network, both online and in person.
In terms of advice for those who are early in their journey, here are a few things to keep in mind:
– Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Failure is often the best teacher, so embrace it as part of the learning process.
-Seek out mentors and role models who can guide you and offer advice.
– Invest in your own learning and development, whether through formal education, online courses, or self-directed study.
Remember, success is a journey, not a destination. Keep learning, growing, and pushing yourself, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. And stay true to YOU.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Managing Overwhelm: How I #WorkItOut
Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I have a go-to technique to help me cope – I simply #workitout. Whether it’s going for a jog, taking a walk, or dancing it out, I find that physical activity helps me shake off the feelings that come with being overwhelmed. You can catch me on LinkedIn, TikTok, or Instagram, busting a move to my favorite tunes. In the words of Taylor Swift, “shake it off,” or as I like to say, “dance it off.” Sometimes, you just need to step away and move your body to clear your mind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebonytravis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Ebony%20Travis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebonytravis01
