We were lucky to catch up with Francis Miranda recently and have shared our conversation below.
Francis, 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?
Where do I even begin? My life’s been quite the globe-trotting adventure! It all kicked off in the sunny Philippines, where I was born and raised. After wrapping up my university years, I landed my first gig in the vibrant heart of Spain. Talk about a dream start, right? But the story doesn’t end there. I found myself back in the Philippines, only to soon pack my bags for Malaysia. It’s a bit of a world tour, you could say. Eventually, I made my way back home before taking the giant leap to the United States, where I now call home.
Being an immigrant, you’re on this never-ending adventure, mixed with a dash of “Whoa, what just happened?” Imagine stepping onto a rug that suddenly slides away – yep, that’s pretty much it. Suddenly, everything you know is flipped upside down—new neighborhood, new tastes, and there you are, flying solo in a brand new country. But you know what? This whole rollercoaster has been my crash course in resilience.
Whenever life throws a curveball, I remember those first steps in a new land. Feeling lost? Check. Stomach doing somersaults? Double check. Clueless about what’s happening around you? Oh, absolutely. But here’s the thing – that initial awkward dance in unfamiliar territory teaches you to find your rhythm. Like countless immigrants before me, I gradually found my footing, discovered paths that felt right, and learned to adapt and thrive. And that, my friend, is the secret sauce to my resilience. Trust me, if you can navigate through the whirlwind of moving continents, you can pretty much tackle anything life throws your way.
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?
In the span of 25 years, I’ve navigated the rich and diverse tapestry of the advertising world with experiences that have taken me from the historic streets of Pamplona and Barcelona to the bustling cities of Manila, Kuala Lumpur, New York, and Boston. Currently, I’m happy to be a partner and CEO of Skills Simplified and Tagline 360, which are based in Boston and New York. These organizations represent my passion for two things: Creatives and Public Speaking.
The beauty of working in advertising, for me, lies in its capacity to connect with varied individuals on a profound level. True advertising excellence stems from a deep understanding of the consumer, an understanding that is rooted in empathy. This philosophy was crystallized for me early in my career when I was handed my first project—a sanitary napkin brand—right out of university. Although initially perplexed, I soon realized the assignment was designed to teach me the importance of empathizing with consumers, a lesson that has guided my professional ethos.
This revelation not only fueled my dedication to advertising but also sparked a passion for public speaking and training. I was inspired to establish Skills Simplified, a company dedicated to transforming public speaking and training into engaging, impactful experiences. My mission has always been to provide training sessions that people enjoy—an antidote to the countless dull seminars I’ve endured over the years. My approach is to ensure that every session is engaging, interactive, and dynamic.
Among my favorite seminars are “Mind Migration” and “Funny Business”. “Mind Migration” draws from my personal experiences to explore how migration serves as a powerful metaphor for embracing change. Meanwhile, “Funny Business” uses improv comedy to foster team building. What’s particularly memorable for me is guiding a group of accountants who doubted their comedic abilities, only to see them stage an incredibly successful comedy show. Witnessing individuals tap into their potential, overcome their apprehensions, and open themselves up to change is profoundly fulfilling. It’s these moments of transformation and growth that truly encapsulate the essence of my work and inspire me every day.
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?
1. Empathy in Action: Empathy, often overlooked, has been a cornerstone of my career growth. It revolves around keen observation, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and identifying others’ challenges to devise fitting solutions. This approach has been instrumental in crafting effective advertising campaigns and developing impactful training programs. For instance, when tasked with conducting a conflict management seminar for a beauty brand, I discovered the team’s keen interest in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. Leveraging this insight, I designed a seminar titled “World Peace: Beautifully handling Conflict at Work,” using the pageant as a creative metaphor. The session was a hit, illustrating how empathy can significantly enhance our work.
2. Seeking Mentorship: Seeking and being a mentor is a nuanced skill that doesn’t get enough spotlight. Early in my career, and still to this day, finding exceptional mentors has been a priority whenever I’ve aimed to learn a new skill. People’s willingness to share their expertise is astounding. Equally important is the ability to mentor others, which not only tests your mastery over a skill but enriches you through the exchange of knowledge and perspectives with those you guide.
3. Comedy: Comedy, a powerful tool for connection, is often mistakenly regarded as an innate talent rather than a learnable skill. My foray into Improv and Stand-Up comedy has been nothing short of transformative, teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the knack for spotting patterns in everyday life. I always advise others to enroll in a comedy class. It’s an enlightening experience that yields unexpected benefits in professional and personal arenas alike.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m on the lookout for organizations eager to inject a sense of adventure and playfulness into their team training programs. It’s all too common for teams to find themselves in a rut, largely because they’ve lost the capacity to explore and be curious. I thrive on partnering with companies that not only have a keen awareness of their challenges but are also bold enough to employ creative strategies for overcoming them. If your business is in search of engaging workshops, transformative learning experiences, and motivational speaking sessions, I’m here to bring those to life for you. For a collaboration that promises to invigorate your team, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: Francis Miranda, or drop me an email at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: www.skills-simplified.com
- Instagram: @francismir
- Facebook: Francis Miranda
- Linkedin: Francis Miranda
