What's Next For Me....

My new meaning to DEIB

First, wow what a journey these last few years have been. I wanted to take a moment to share with you what's next for me and realizing the power within that can transform your path to walking in your purpose. My new meaning to DEIB is Diversifying my own professional Experiences for greater Impact and Breadth to align to my purpose.

For folks who know me, you know I am a storyteller at heart, which means there is a chance for a scenic route to this journey. I am also hopeful that through the vulnerability in this piece of work, you will also be inspired to take action for your own purpose path - whatever that might look like.

To keep it short - here is the key point for you to know, my next job title will be: Founder & CEO, ONEDER Co.

Listening Is Everything.

With that being said, there is so much more to this new journey than a new title or typical career move. When I was laid off at the end of 2022, there were so many thoughts that rush through my mind as I took the time to process - not to necessarily process what is job I needed to apply to next, but more so what could be. I found myself looking within and doing some heart + soul searching (and giving my mental health some attention). You see, the reality was 5/6 months earlier I just took a career job after leaving my dream job at Spotify as their Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. I am forever grateful for the people and the work that I learned so much from. When I made my initial decision to leave to pursue another opportunity, in one of my conversations with one of my senior leaders and she made a comment that has stuck with me to til this day (paraphrasing):

I will always support you. I want you to make sure you are running to something rather than running from something

I think about this often, not as a regret or question, but we all must ask ourselves the question about 'are we walking in the true path of purpose' and what is the correct vehicle to use to accomplish this life mission journey. My truth was that for the last roughly ten years, I've been torn with getting to do the best work of my life with global, multi-billion-dollar, influential brands, that actually has a huge impact on folks lives -- and, knowing that I've been called to show up in this world beyond the role as a corporate employee. That entrepreneurial hunger for different avenues of impact always was in the back of mind. That being said, over the last five years, I've had the grace and ability to build something beyond outside my working hours, which has blossomed into opportunities for me to be an advisor, coach, board member, impact investor, real estate developer and a speaker carrying the message of equity & belonging in many corners across the world. None of that wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for senior leaders I reported into believing in my conviction to make a difference in this world.

Timing Is Everything.

As I look back, I am amazed and in constant awe of the opportunities throughout my corporate career. From where it all started with The Federal Reserve and W Hotels, to the formative years of what a pursuit of excellence looks like when I was at J.P. Morgan, to the life changing experiences as an leader at Universal Music Group, Spotify and most recently Airtable. While I could not have carved out this path for myself even if I tried fifteen years ago, I know I would not be where I am today without these global brands that have transformed me to the person I am today. Through all the successes, legacy programs and initiatives, it would not mean anything if I didn't have the mistakes, failures, and gaps in expectations to teach me something about myself or how to do it differently.

So, now is the time. Moving the secondary to the primary. I will be full-time with the company and teams I am building.

I recently had a conversation with one of my faith-leaders and they said something that has stuck with me - Risk Creates Clarity! When given the opportunity, take the leap of faith, and follow the next step built for you - take the chance on yourself. We all take this assessment every time we take a new job offer or make the career move. We take a risk on an employer to meet your needs, and you to meet theirs. The reality is, sometimes we expect our employer to be our sole life supply chain fulfillment center. For me, I found solace in the security, validation, and comfort in the infrastructure of the institution without having to deal with the fear of betting fully on myself or what I felt was part of my purpose.

YOU are Everything You Need.

So, when given the opportunity, even when expected like a reduction in force for your employer, I felt the a since of clarity of what could be at its greatest heights than ever before. A few years ago I did a talk at HR theRealDeal in Stockholm, and the title of my talk was "Belonging Starts Within". I was on a discovery process with myself on asking the question - 'who is responsible for belonging?' Is it the role of a workplace culture to meet the need of belonging, or is it begin with you knowing "you are worthy of love and belonging" as Brené Brown talks about in her research. Correct answer is both. Yes, we need to ensure the workplace that people experience through their jobs are inclusive, equitable and cultivates a space for community and do great work. However, each of us has to come to the table with a clear belief in ourselves that no company should/could/would/will be able to replace.

In a recent Spotify HR Blog Post, Katarina Berg wrote something that really hit home for me that resonated with me majorly from an individual perspective. She says:

I have a mantra that has served me quite well over the years: “challenge your chosen truth” – meaning it’s hard and scary but rewarding to break free from old ways of thinking and embrace the charge of change.

But change isn’t always easy, and it’s important to stay grounded by communicating your “why” and managing expectations as you move forward. Focus on what truly matters, and don’t be afraid to let go of your darlings and make bold decisions. - Katarina Berg

I needed to be reminded of this, and that the journey many times is not linear -- it has many rhythms, ebbs and flows. The reality is, when you walk boldly in your purpose, you are everything you need to effectively conquer the next step.

One Step Closer To Awe.

So, in closing, that leads us to ONEDER. Last year, I began to absorb some compelling discussions related to the intersection of curiosity and leadership. Having the opportunity to experience the brilliance of Jessica Amortegui and work alongside side her team with developing content on this, it led me to a some further reflection on Awe & Wonder. As I began to do my own findings and research on the definitions and how others think about wonder & awe, It came a time where I was looking for it within myself. Asking the question of "how does awe & wonder" show up in my life, and 'what does it mean for my life purpose?'. What I realized through most information out there, they always start with Awe then Wonder. I think of it differently - I believe wonder comes first and is the the process that gets us to awe. It is power and beauty in the curiosity, openness and growth mindsets that allow for us to innovate, create and visualize a new goal/dream/vision for the future. As business leaders, we have to demonstrate conscious inclusion and cultivate team environments that perpetuate the psychological safety where folks feel belonging and the ability to do good work. In their work Curiosity Powers Allyship to Create Change, the authors Brussel & Travis talk about the benefits of this as leaders. It is proven that curiosity drives innovation. I also believe at core of curiosity is discovery and the covering of that is what I define as wonder.

Wonder is the process, Awe is the outcome. In addition, it is the work within oneself and the one step an individual or institution takes in wonder to start the process to get to awe. We want to help you get you from wonder to awe. This is what birth our name as ONEDER | One Step Closer To Awe.

So, the next question is how does that translate to the services we offer. Over the years, I have been inspired by the work of Bing Chen and Gold House , and the recent launch of AU Holdings . What inspires me about their work is the concept of house of brands that are aligned to a purpose and different verticals relevant to business impact.

ONEDER Co. (pronounced 'won-der') is a multi-hyphenate company purpose-driven company focusing on helping individuals and institutions reach the awe in their goals, through our process of discovery and wonder. With a passion to seeing this work impact historically marginalized, underrepresented and/or multicultural communities across the globe, our team can be strategic partners to curating solutions. Our mission for our passion communities are to see greater:

1. Access To Opportunity
2. Development + Growth
3. Generational Wealth 

As we launch, we will begin with these three services to accomplish this mission:

1. ONEDER Coaching - providing 1:1 career, professional and executive coaching solutions for individuals, from our network of advisors.
2. ONEDER Consulting - providing organizational culture, DEIB, and/or multicultural audience & talent engagement solutions for institutions/brands.
3. ONEDER Real Estate - providing impact investing partnerships and real estate services (buying, selling, leasing), brokered by Keller Williams Beverly Hills (Travis L. Robinson - CA DRE# 02202667).

As my team embarks on this new journey, I hope you join me in believe that we all can take one step closer to awe through the power of #FindingONEDER. Stay tuned to www.findingoneder.com for our new website to come in the near future with ways for you to work with us.

~With Love~

-T