We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Harriette Patrick -Barron a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Harriette , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
That is a great question. I have been the only one in the room that looks like me, more times than I can count. At first, it made me very uncomfortable, but as I matured and became comfortable in my own skin, I realized that it is OK to stand out. As long as you are yourself and as long as you are unique, that’s all that you need to be effective and successful, I realized that my life stories, my experience, and my personality are unlike anyone else’s and that makes me effective.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My story is one of triumph, trauma, and self-acceptance. After I was a victim of a kidnapping and sexual assault, I learned how to turn all my pain into power. Some people become bitter after a trauma. Others use that pain and experience to help others. I am one of those who used my experiences to help others. These days, I am focused on assisting others in learning to cope with life’s traumas. I use my writing, motivational speeches, and social media posts to guide their healing journey. I purposely fill my novels with people who experience trauma, but yet find the strength to work through them. I recently released my first journal for trauma survivors. I have so many stories to tell about interesting people places and things. I look forward to telling survivors’ stories and the people who love them. I am working on several projects, screenplays and novels. All these projects are stretching me to reach new levels in my writing and storytelling.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I think the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey was finding the light in the darkness, being willing to show vulnerability, and being willing to start over. I would tell folks to always be ready to listen to others. Even if you follow your own path, be willing to take advice, criticism, and direction. We can always learn something from others. I would encourage those who are just starting in their journey to always look for the light in the darkness. I try to find something positive out of every situation. Never be afraid to start over in life. Every now and then you may not want to change, but you embrace it, if it comes.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My father brought a joy and positive outlook on life. I definitely inherited that positivity from him. He would cook us rainbow birthday cakes, and weird foods, and tell my siblings stories about his childhood. He had a big smile and he loved to travel. My mother was loving, serious, and a hard worker. She always kept her children looking nice, although we had little money. Both of my parents worked as a team to push myself and my siblings to be better and do better than they did. My parents encouraged my storytelling as a child. I would embellish the events of the day and they would laugh. My father knew that I would be a storyteller one day. I hate that he didn’t live to see my become a novelist and screenplay writer. My mother still encourages my imagination to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harriettepatrickbarron.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/harriettebarron77
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harriettepatrickbarronauthor77
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/author/harriettebarron
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