Hi! I'm Cynthia Pong, JD, Forbes contributor, LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search & Career, and Anthem Award winning executive coach. It's my mission to get all women of color––and people of color––the money, power, and respect that we deserve in the workplace. I'm fiercely committed to sharing knowledge and career strategies (including around leadership, negotiation, career change, and entrepreneurship) that are normally gate-kept to hold us back in our careers. Join our community today to give your career the boost it needs!
Confidence Is the X-Factor for Women of Color
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(Prefer to receive every-other-week newsletters? Click here.) Scroll all the way down to grab your ticket to our very first virtual WOC HH!🥂🎉 Hiya Reader, Whenever I survey the brilliant women of color in the EC community about what's holding them back from crushing their career goals, one issue always rises to the top: Lack of Self-Confidence It's a theme I've seen play out again and again with my clients––whether they're individual contributors, middle managers, or C-Suite leaders. We have more than enough skills, experience, and raw talent to be wildly successful (I have always, always said––just ask our Leadership Accelerator alumnae––that it's not a "skills gap" that's holding us back). What we could use more of is the self-belief to boldly go after what we want and deserve. As WOC, we face a potent cocktail of challenges in the workplace that can eat away at our confidence over time:
It's no wonder so many of us struggle with crippling self-doubt, despite our consistently impressive accomplishments. But here's the hard truth: until you build up your self-confidence, you'll stay stuck. You'll aim too low with your goals to play it safe. You'll fail to negotiate what you're worth. You'll self-reject and stay trapped in roles and environments that do not serve––or deserve––your highest potential. Releasing self-doubt is the first and most critical step to building up your self-confidence and unlocking the career success you crave. Then, and only then, can you fully own your power as a leader.That's why at Embrace Change our coaching methodology and our POC coaches make it a top priority to help you:
When you develop true, unshakable confidence in yourself and your vision, that's when the real magic happens. You start taking bigger risks. You speak up more boldly. You advocate for yourself more fiercely. And opportunities will open up for you in ways you never could have imagined. I see it happen all the time with our clients––those who fully embrace their self-confidence transform their careers in ways that blow my––and their––mind. If you crave that kind of profound shift but struggle with self-doubt, coaching could be the game-changing move that unlocks the entire puzzle for you. My team deeply understand the unique confidence challenges that we face as women of color, and we have the tailored tools to help you obliterate those limits once and for all. The first step is simply deciding you're ready to bet on yourself. From there, we'll walk with you on the journey to become the unstoppable force you're destined to be. Your career confidence is waiting for you. Are you ready to claim it? With pride and sisterhood, Your Move:If confidence has been the missing piece holding you back from realizing your biggest career dreams, I want you to know: You don't have to go it alone* any longer. The EC team and I are standing by, ready to be your fiercest champions and expert guides as you shore up your self-belief and courage. We've coached countless women of color just like you to blast through their own inner concrete ceilings. I felt like my confidence was feeling low prior to career coaching, both in my current role and in my job search efforts. I was feeling stuck on how to move into my next career steps which include a transition into a more senior title and increased salary, and more widely mapping out my career transition out of the [] industry. I have been talking about 'figuring out my next steps' in terms of my career and continuing education but haven't really made the commitment or had the accountability to put forth a plan toward what to do next until I met the Embrace Change team. WOW! I did not know what to expect in terms of learning in this coaching experience with Brandon! I have noticed my confidence increase ten fold since working with him. I feel more secure in my communications with colleagues and leadership in terms of expressing the value I uniquely bring to my team. The biggest impact coaching has had on me and my life so far is the noticeable confidence in my ability to pursue goals and long-time dreams I've thought about time and time again. If it wasn't for working with Brandon and the Embrace Change team, I don't think I would have applied for and recently landed the [] position I have with an organization I'm passionate about. – Nina A. Don't wait:
And listen, if you've been on the fence about coaching, I'd love to know why. Hit reply and LMK what's on your mind. I read every single response (it's just that sometimes it may take me a minute 🤪). Investing in your self-confidence is one of the most powerful things you can do for your career. When you truly believe in yourself, there's no limit to what you can achieve. Don't let self-doubt sabotage your most ambitious goals and career success. I know each of us was born for greatness. *A bit of vintage EC trivia to reward those who've read this far😉 Did you know that the first iteration of our transformative Comprehensive Coaching program that all EC coaches now use to coach our clients to massive wins was called... Wait for it... Don't Go It Alone?? Yes, I'm totally serious! If you actually remember that, HMU, I'd love to take a trip down memory lane with the OGs to the early days of Embrace Change 🤓 Our very first virtual WOC HH!!Y'all already know, 2024 so far has been beyond tough for so many of us. And there aren't enough social spaces where we can drop the masks and code-switching, be our real selves, and connect with other WOC who know what it's like to be in our shoes! So join us for a virtual HH of fun, laughter, and good vibes! No career advice, "homework," or to-do's––this online event is all about celebrating and connecting with our wonderful community of WOC. Let's vent, share stories, and restore ourselves in a relaxed and chill atmosphere. WOC Happy Hour!🥂🎉 As we transition into Spring, this is the perfect opportunity to mingle, make new friends, and enjoy some quality time together. You deserve it!We'll bring the fun and entertainment––you bring yourself and a mocktail or drink of choice. So plan what drink you're gonna bring and get ready to get comfy, get real, and have a fantastic time! Get your tickets now and save! Regular tickets are $15, but if you purchase your ticket by April 24th, you can take advantage of our early bird special and get your tickets for only $10! Don't miss out on the savings!😉 See you there!
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The Trajectory: Career and Negotiation Advice for Women of Color, by Cynthia Pong, JD
Hi! I'm Cynthia Pong, JD, Forbes contributor, LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search & Career, and Anthem Award winning executive coach. It's my mission to get all women of color––and people of color––the money, power, and respect that we deserve in the workplace. I'm fiercely committed to sharing knowledge and career strategies (including around leadership, negotiation, career change, and entrepreneurship) that are normally gate-kept to hold us back in our careers. Join our community today to give your career the boost it needs!
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