We recently connected with Tracie Simon and have shared our conversation below.
Tracie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
It took some time to learn how to be effective when I was the only one in the room. There was some trial and error of often wanting to be louder so I could simply be heard. As I grew in my career and my confidence I learned to listen better and I learned to come prepared. When you are the only one in the room that looks like you, others tend to try and challenge you more than they might if you weren’t the only one. But when you show up with facts and data to support your ideas the rest of the room will begin to listen. You also have to be patient yet persistent and never be afraid to speak up or follow up. It might feel frustrating at times, however learning the art of how you deliver your message will ultimately overcome your frustrations, as everyone in the room will begin to look and listen to you. Although it might not seem fair to have to go through these situations, I believe they have taught me incredible lessons and have helped shaped the career woman that I am today.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I like to say that I’m an Event Planner, Mother, and Spaghetti Enthusiast — in no particular order. I am a firm believer that sharing meals and breaking bread with others is the key to a happy life, so I dedicated mine to helping others do just that. I’ve spent two decades working in hospitality and have a lifelong love of entertaining. I’ve taken that passion that drives my personal life and taken it to my work. I have a variety of clients that all share the common goal of wanting to bring people together either to do good or to feel good. Many of my clients are in the nonprofit space and those that are not specifically a nonprofit are often connected to many organizations that give back to their community. It is important to me to know that my work is helping others.
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?
Positivity, determination and public speaking/stage presence.
I’ve always been a pretty positive person, I assume my experiences as a child may have shaped that but I do believe that has helped me throughout my career. It has allowed me to not hold on to the bad times. You are going to have bad days, maybe even bad weeks but to be able to wake up, let it go and embrace the day ahead has been incredibly helpful.
Being determined is also a trait that I imagine is learned in your younger years but there is no reason you can’t become more determined or positive if those are not typical traits. In my younger years school was not my favorite place to be but once I found my path in college and in my work my determination peaked. It became a trait I truly embraced and put to work.
The last skill would be public speaking/stage presence. As a child and into my college years I spent a lot go time on stage as a trained dancer. I did not always want to be front and center but pushed myself to be comfortable in the spotlight. As a communications major in college I had to take classes on public speaking, and as comfortable as I had become on stage dancing, speaking was another area I had to overcome. If this is not your comfort zone I strongly encourage classes or environments that will get you more comfortable. This skill has allowed me not to be afraid to speak up, especially when I have been the “only one in the room.”
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Danny Meyer’s Setting The Table left a lasting impression on me and recently Will Guidara who began his career under Danny wrote a book called Unreasonable Hospitality. Both of these individuals are very influential in the hospitality space however both of their books can resonate to any career or individual looking to grow. Both books teach you how to go the extra mile and think through the unique ways to leave lasting impressions on others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lefeast.com
- Instagram: @le.feast
