The Power in Vulnerability

Today's podcast guest is Denise Lee Yohn - a go-to expert on brand-building for national media outlets, an in-demand speaker and consultant, and an influential writer.

Denise is the author of the bestselling book What Great Brands Do: The Seven Brand-Building Principles that Separate the Best from the Rest (Jossey-Bass) and the e-book Extraordinary Experiences: What Great Retail and Restaurant Brands Do .

Click the image above to hear her discuss the power of vulnerability.

SHOW NOTES


How Denise uses tech:

Yes, Denise is a PC user. She describes herself as a mid to late adopter of new technology.

Although she may be skeptical to try the latest tech trend, that doesn’t mean she’s not connected (only when she’s asleep and at the gym, those are no phone zones). But during the rest of her waking hours, she’s in front of her trusty PC or android doing research for her clients and speaking engagements.

What she wishes she’d learned earlier:

This is when Denise goes deep into that vulnerable territory.

The number one lesson that she wishes she’d learned was to be authentic and to be real in her work life.

Early in her career, Denise felt that she had to maintain an image of being older and more experienced. But after twenty years in her field, she realized how detrimental trying to be something you’re not was to her relationships.

After she decided to lean into her natural strengths and to share more about herself, she has been more effective, happier, and less stressed.

So there you have it. Once again “being yourself” is the takeaway lesson. But, hey, if being yourself reduces stress, we can all get on board with that, right?

What she thinks you should go do today:

Be more intentional about how you cultivate relationships. Dig deeper than the surface level conversation and really find out what people’s goals and passions are.

Apps in her Dock:
Waze, Handheld Contact, Evernote, Pocket

One app she can’t live without:
Outlook

Last Social Media left standing:
Twitter

One book you should read:
Eating the Big Fish by Adam Morgan

Desired Superpower:
To see the future