Meet Raelene S. Weaver

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Raelene S. Weaver. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Raelene S. below.

Raelene S. , thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.

I was blessed to have a dad who led his life with an open heart and an open mind. He made everyone feel welcome who came into our home. He had that same welcoming spirit at Linda Vista Market, the grocery store he managed. Dad literally got to see customer’s kids grow up over the years.

When a friend or family member was in distress, dad would say, “I’ll keep a kind thought.” It was just his lovely way of saying “I’ll say a prayer for you.”

It was my dad’s generosity of spirit that helped shape my view of the world, and brought out my own desire to help people help themselves.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Since raising emotionally healthy boys has been my passion for the past 20 years, detailed in my TEDx talk and book, Let Boys Be Kids First, I find it exciting to follow the news and current events that cover healthy masculinity, gender equality, positive parenting, emotional intelligence and authenticity.

I post timely, thought provoking and actionable articles and events every day on my Facebook Group and Page Silicon Valley Men’s Center. I like to keep boy’s and men’s issues in front of my readers on a consistent basis to keep advocacy and action within reach.

My friend and personal brand strategist, Susan E. Schwartz told me that you have to decide if you’re supporting your book, or the book is supporting you. In one case, the book is your business card. In the second the book is your business. Brilliant!

For me, I’m supporting my book Let Boys Be Kids First. It’s always been a labor of love for me. My book is not a money making business, per se. It is definitely my business card, as it explains a lot about who I am, and what I stand for.

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?

I’m not sure if these are skills per se, or innate qualities, but the following traits have served me well during my lifetime:

*Curiosity

*Wanting to help people to help themselves

*Staying on top of things, and not getting too behind or too overwhelmed

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

In Amy Cuddy’s book Presence, she talks about “the power of pause.” That made a big impression on me.

Ironically, I did not interpret it as “fake it until you make it.” For me, I took it to mean “slow down, do not react immediately, and don’t let someone make you feel pressured to do something, especially if you don’t want to.”

This helped me learn that you don’t always have to respond to someone’s request. In some cases, you can choose to not respond at all. For me, this was such a bold bit of wisdom. This allows you to preserve your energy and gives you a sense of empowerment.

In Susan Cain’s TED talk, The Power of Introverts, she beautifully makes the case that people who are quiet and thoughtful have just as much to offer society as those who are loud and extroverted. Susan’s work makes me feel seen and heard, and helped me to find my voice to express my life’s work without feeling like a salesperson or stage grabber.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://letboysbekidsfirst.com/ https://siliconvalleymenscenter.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/svmenscenter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raelene-s-weaver-11082020/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHXtw0DiFzf2S6Uf8gM-KaQ