How to Find a Mentor - Julie Hession

In Chapter 10 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Have You Established Mentors in Your Career and How Have They Helped Most?"  Hession notes how she learns to overcome fear and be more aggressive approaching people she admires.  She finds the more successful a person is, the more willing they are to help you and give back to you.  She tells the story of meeting Sarah Foster, of Foster's Market and cookbook fame, and how the mentoring relationship evolved into a friendship.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How to Find Purpose in Technology Leadership Career - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 8 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers "What Makes Your Work Meaningful?"  Ferrentino enjoys not only doing something that has not been done, but more importantly driving people - teams, partners, consumers - toward that vision.  Ferrentino is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of cloud computing at BMC Software.  Previously, he was Chief Technology Architect (CTA) at Salesforce.com.  Previous to Salesforce.com, Ferrentino worked in mobile and Internet startups and at Goldman Sachs.  He earned a BSEE in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

How Passion Improves Storytelling Prowess - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 13 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers "How Have You Learned to Be a Better Storyteller?"  Ferrentino questions whether storytelling is a learned or innate skill.  He notes how having passion for your story and believing what you are saying helps get points across and energize others.  With this passion as a base, he notes how then dramatic tools can be layered in to increase effectiveness.  Ferrentino is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of cloud computing at BMC Software.  Previously, he was Chief Technology Architect (CTA) at Salesforce.com.  Previous to Salesforce.com, Ferrentino worked in mobile and Internet startups and at Goldman Sachs.  He earned a BSEE in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

Media Training Pros and Cons - Andrew Hutson

In Chapter 7 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Andrew Hutson answers "How Has Media Training Helped You Be a More Effective Communicator?"  Hutson notes the challenge that come with formally learning how to communicate in high profile publicity or public relations settings.  He notes integrity challenges inherent in media training as well as the communication benefits it provides.  Hutson is a senior project manager at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where he advises corporate partners such as Wal-Mart on sustainable supply chain initiatives.  Hutson holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MEM from the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment.  He earned his BA from Michigan State University. 

Nina Godiwalla on How Inclusion Improves Corporate Diversity Programs

In Chapter 11 of 22 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, author Nina Godiwalla answers "Why are Corporate Diversity Programs More Necessary Than Ever in the Workplace?"  Godiwalla notes how workplace culture is far more diverse than ever before and how organizations are able to recruit entry-level and mid-level talen but rarely retain them long-term.  She finds inclusion programs complement diversity hiring programs and pushes to shift the conversation toward inclusion programs and the culture they can create.  Godiwalla is the author of "Suits: A Woman on Wall Street". She is also a public speaker on workplace diversity and founder and CEO of Mindworks, where she teaches mind-based stress reduction techniques to help organizations improve employee wellbeing.  Godiwalla holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, an MA in Creative Writing from Dartmouth University and her BBA from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  Why are corporate diversity programs more necessary than ever in the work place?

Nina Godiwalla:  If you look at something 30 years ago, we might not have had a whole lot of people that were different but now, we’ve even got people in the environment and one of the challenges I think is the part that I would call inclusion.  So you’ve got, there are so many organizations that are able to bring people in.  They typically stay at lower levels, maybe make it to the middle levels and then they’re gone and it’s almost mysterious to companies I feel when they talk about it is, “What happened?  I mean we put so much money behind it.”  And it’s frustrating on the their part of I don’t get it, why are these people not staying and so I think the focus needs to be a little bit more on diversity and inclusion and we’ve heard that term, some of the programs have actually changed their name to diversity and inclusion and the idea is, is it’s not you just bring people in and hope that they survive. 

The reality is when you have an environment that tends to be so closed off to any type of people that are different, thought processes that are different, to values that might be different.  If the culture is that intense and that closed, it becomes hard to keep somebody feeling happy and welcome in that culture and I think there’s more work that needs to be done around inclusion.  I actually don’t think it’s that challenging to bring in somebody.  I think it’s challenging to make it a place where somebody wants to stay.

Nina Godiwalla on Why to Give a TED Talk

In Chapter 16 of 22 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, author Nina Godiwalla answers "What Has You Most Excited About Delivering a TED Talk?"  Godiwalla finds the TED people part of her tribe - willing to speak from the heart, willing to be vulnerable and focused on trying to change the world.  Watch Nina's TED Talk from TEDxHouston 2011 here.  Godiwalla is the author of "Suits: A Woman on Wall Street". She is also a public speaker on workplace diversity and founder and CEO of Mindworks, where she teaches mind-based stress reduction techniques to help organizations improve employee wellbeing.  Godiwalla holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, an MA in Creative Writing from Dartmouth University and her BBA from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  What has you most excited about delivering a TED talk?

Nina Godiwalla:  I’m very excited about the TED talk because I consider the TED people part of my tribe, part of the people I connect with, like there’s certain people that I’m just so excited to be around with this – it's that open-minded group, people that are willing to speak from their heart, willing to be vulnerable, they want to change the world and to me, those are my people. 

So when I was invited to do it, I was just I’m ecstatic because these are the people that are going to make the changes in the world.  These are the people that they want to learn. They’re curious and so for me, it’s interesting.  It’s been a little daunting at the same time because it’s so important to me.  I’m fascinated with them.  I love the people as part of TED and I just want it to be kind of that perfect, you know, what is it? 

You get that one chance to do that message and I’m actually ecstatic about it and I – you know I’ve gone through so many, “Well, I could talk about this.  I could talk about this.”  And you get that 18 minutes. For me it’s diversity.  I do want it to be about diversity.  I had, you know, I had a couple of ideas going back and forth but in the end like that is the core of what I want to speak about.  So I will have it focused on diversity and I’m just ecstatic about doing it.  I just feel like I’m going to be up there and I’m going to be on fire because this is where I want to be.

Matt Ruby on Finding Inspiration by Interviewing Peers

In Chapter 10 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, standup comedian Matt Ruby answers "Where Have You Found Inspiration Interviewing Others on Your Podcast?"  By interviewing comedians offstage on his "Sandpaper Suit" podcast, Ruby connects with artists in a more personal way.  These experiences motivate him to take a more direct and personal approach to his standup comedy work. 

Matt Ruby is a standup comedian based in New York City.  He co-produces the weekly show "Hot Soup", co-hosts the monthly show "We're All Friends Here", and manages a comedy blog "Sandpaper Suit".  Ruby graduated from Northwestern University. 

How Feedback Focuses Fashion Stylist Career - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 10 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "Where and When Has Feedback Been Helpful in Shaping Your Career?"  Chen notes the positive impact she feels when receiving feedback from mentors and clients.  She also shares how more feedback would be helpful, including when not being chosen for jobs when the reason is unclear.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How to Develop Trust When Building Relationships - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 14 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "How Do You Establish Trust When Building Relationships?" Hallen notes trust develops in different ways. First, trust develops over escalating and repeating interactions. Second, trust can develop via signals where you have a reason to believer another person is credible. Third, trust can be transferred via a third party. Fourth, Hallen shares how sincerity and transparency can create trust. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

How to Make Your Community Service More Impactful - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 12 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Can One Make His or Her Community Service More Impactful?" He starts by aiming to make the situation better than you find it. Curtis creates this impact by being an active contributor actually doing community service. For example, Curtis suggests volunteers not only help deliver Meals on Wheels but actually get inside and meet the people receiving the services. Curtis believes making this impact will also create a participatory culture focused more on taking action on potential instead of pointing out problems. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

Fabian Pfortmüller on How to Build Trusting Relationships

In Chapter 15 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, community builder and entrepreneur Fabian Pfortmüller notes why being genuine and realistic are two cornerstones of buliding trusting relationships.  He tries to live by "say what you mean and mean what you say" in daily interactions and continues to learn about his limitations on what he can do to fulfill promises.  Pfortmüller is co-founder of Sandbox Network (www.sandbox-network.com).  He also co-founded an innovation think tank, Incubaker (www.incubaker.com), and is part of the group's first spin-off, Holstee (www.holstee.com), an apparel brand for people who would like to wear their passion.  Pfortmüller graduated from Columbia University and its School of General Studies. 

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen: How do you establish trust when building relationships?

Fabian Pfortmüller: For me it has a lot to do with being genuine, I believe building trust in a relationship has a lot to do with just being genuine of who you are and what you want to do and what drives you and most people can relate to other people if they realize they are honest. I try to live by ‘Say what you mean and mean what you say’ in daily interactions with people and being – not promising something I can’t fulfill, I used to have the tendency of always wanting to help someone even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to fulfill it, and that has been one of my big learnings is also that even though that is a good thing, right?

You want to help someone and you want to really be… be helpful and do things for that person that is only helpful if you can actually fulfill it. If you don’t it hurts that relationship more that it does otherwise, and so I try to learn now to be very realistic but at the same time also very – trying to be helpful whenever you can and I think on of the beautiful things of running something Sandbox is always trying to help other people with the community of people you have around you.

Fabian Pfortmüller on How to Apply Sustainable Design to Build an Ecofriendly Brand

In Chapter 13 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, community builder and entrepreneur Fabian Pfortmüller shares how his company Holstee applies sustainable design to build ecofriendly products.  He prioritizes values and sincerity to create positive impact across people, planet, and product.  He contrasts traditional definitions of "green business" with the Holstee focus on sustainable design, including products created by India-based NGO companies.  Pfortmüller is co-founder of Sandbox Network (www.sandbox-network.com).  He also co-founded an innovation think tank, Incubaker (www.incubaker.com), and is part of the group's first spin-off, Holstee (www.holstee.com), an apparel brand for people who would like to wear their passion.  Pfortmüller graduated from Columbia University and its School of General Studies. 

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen: Given what you do at Holstee running a marketplace for sustainable products, what does it mean to be green?

Fabian Pfortmüller: We think about that a lot and we actually don’t call ourselves a green company because it’s a very fuzzy term, what does it really mean to be green? Nowadays every single big company has something on it’s logo that says ‘We’re green’ or ‘We care about the environment’. I believe to be truly green or to be sustainable is to be genuine and to really - you as a brand not just say like ‘Oh, we going to recycle some stuff’ but to be really caring about those values.

The way we treat it in Holstee is that we say whatever we do needs to have a positive impact on all stake holders involved and we summarized it in people, planet, product: the people who work on it, the planet that kind of gets the resource and the product itself needs to be something that’s not going to fall apart after five days or so, that needs to be sustainable as well and… in terms of is that green or not, we have a lot of products which are not recycle material, so they’re not green in the classical sense but they were done with an NGO that hires some of the poorest women in India and gives them like jobs and treats them well and gives them fair wages, we think that’s just as important.

Why to Tell Stories People Can Identify as Their Own - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 9 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, storyteller and entrepreneur Michael Margolis shares why successful stories are sincere and worth telling.  Ultimately, it is about telling a story others can believe in and identify as their own.  Margolis is the founder and president of Get Storied (http://www.getstoried.com), an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative.  As a consultant, educator and writer he uses storytelling to create more effective branding, innovation and culture change.  Margolis earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University. 

How Peer Support Makes Internet Writing Career More Fulfilling - Mark Graham

In Chapter 12 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham details how peer Internet writer support has helped him develop professionally. Peer support provides Graham initial confidence to leave a marketing job at General Motors for a blogging role at VH1. Over time, the online writing and blogging community provides the encouragement, counsel, and feedback to help Graham improve and develop as a writer and, now, an editor. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How to Mentor Young Internet Writers - Mark Graham

In Chapter 11 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares what he has learned about mentoring young Internet writers in his own senior editor role. First, he sits down with writers and reviews past work, given a draft review philosophy is often difficult in the deadline driven environment. Open and honest communication is critical and grounded by building trust. That time invested helps Graham differentiate where a young writer may need counseling and where they need encouragement. He finds some writers are better developing ideas and stories, whereas others need support finishing ideas. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Heidegger Philosophy Influences Professional Ambition - Alan McNab

In Chapter 9 of 17 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, customer advocacy marketing executive Alan McNab reflects on the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and his 1928 work "Being and Time." McNab learns to apply Heidegger's perspective on existence - I am therefore I think - to the context of service-oriented business. McNab holds a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He has worked in various technology marketing roles at Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Motorola, and is now Vice President, Customer Advocacy at NCR based in Dublin.

How to Assess Trust and Establish Trustworthiness - Alan McNab

In Chapter 8 of 17 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, customer advocacy marketing executive Alan McNab shares how to assess trust and establish trustworthiness in business relationships. He highlights four key areas of assessing trust using four types of action: reliability, expertise, presence, and sincerity. He provides an example of how this framework operates by drawing on his experience working at Cisco. McNab holds a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He has worked in various technology marketing roles at Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Motorola, and is now Vice President, Customer Advocacy at NCR based in Dublin.

How to Help Others Be More Emotionally Expressive - Garren Katz

In Chapter 10 of 13 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, executive and private life coach Garren Katz shares how he applies his emotional experiences to help others be more expressive. Being inquisitive, curious, and focused helps Katz create emotional connections with clients, friends, and family. Once he establishes comfort, Katz then can advise on issues of emotion. Garren is a graduate of Western Michigan University and coaches clients on areas such as entrepreneurship, relationships, and personal finances. Learn more about Garren at http://about.me/garrenkatz .