Your success, my mission | 3x founder & CEO | Former CIO $4B company | DEIB ally | Sharing 24 years of hard-earned leadership & self-mastery wisdom

My purpose is to inspire and empower individuals to unleash their potential and create a positive impact in the world.

I believe success is a byproduct of helping others, and the best leaders create other leaders.

When you:
set a clear vision,
lead by example, and
empower your people,
they give you their best
and you all win together.

🔭 Former Corporate Exec | 🌱 Entrepreneur | 💡 Founder | 📚 Lifelong Learner

After 22 years of corporate life and reaching the pinnacle, I stepped off the high-wire to begin a new chapter.

Trading the executive suite of a $4B global powerhouse for the excitement of entrepreneurship, I'm now spreading knowledge, innovation, and transformation.

Through 5 major career transitions, I evolved from a VP of Marketing & Sales to Division President, and ultimately, CIO.

But behind every business transaction, there's a face. I firmly believe that people are the heart and soul of any endeavor. I owe my success to the great teams I've been a part of and the wise mentors who guided me. My advice for aspiring leaders:

Be bold.
Be curious.
Be authentic.
Be respectful.
Be transparent.
Be growth-minded.
And success will follow.

Today, as an entrepreneur, I've swapped corporate structure for startup passion, partnering with my wife as co-owners of a holding company, founding multiple business ventures, crafting 3 new brands, consulting growing companies, and extending my love of mentoring into coaching.

In between, you’ll find me nurturing my four personal passions: learning, writing, traveling, and gardening. They keep me rooted and help me grow. After all, isn't life one big, beautiful garden? Here’s to growing together! 🌱

Justin Wright

I've seen "leaders" throw their team under the bus.

In front of coworkers.
In front of clients.
Without hesitation.

It made me realize something powerful:

If you don't defend your people,
you don't belong in leadership.

Period.

True leaders know:

➟ Your team's success is your success
➟ Their growth and achievements are your legacy
➟ Their trust is what makes you a leader, not your title

What does it mean to defend your team?

It's not about making excuses
or lowering your standards.

It's about:

✅ Fighting for their growth
✅ Protecting them from burnout
✅ Shielding them from toxic politics
✅ Offering support without micromanaging
✅ Being their voice when they're not in the room

The best leader I ever had taught me this.

When our team made mistakes, she'd say:
"That's on me. We'll fix it."

When we succeeded?
"My team did all the work. I just cleared the path."

She held us to high standards.
Gave tough feedback when needed.
But always had our backs.

Know what happened?

We gave everything for that team.
Grew faster than ever.
Achieved things we never thought possible.

Because we knew she'd be there.
Supporting. Defending. Believing.

Remember:

Anyone can manage tasks.
Real leaders develop people.
And you can't develop what you don't defend.

So choose wisely.
Your team is watching.
And they'll never forget.

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Your success, my mission | People-first leadership + Emotional intelligence + Self-mastery | CEO @ Polished Carbon | Former CIO $4B company | DEIB ally

Most people think they’re great listeners.
But they’re stuck at level 2.

They nod.
They make eye contact.
They wait for their turn to speak.

But they’re not really hearing you.

The difference between good leaders and great ones?

They’ve mastered the art of real listening.

Because if you can’t listen, you can’t lead.

You miss what your team isn’t saying.
You miss what your clients really need.
You miss the chance to build trust (before you need it).

Great listening isn’t passive.
It’s not about being quiet.
It’s a skill.

And most people are at the bottom of the scale.

Here are the 5 levels of listening:

1/ Waiting to talk

You’re quiet, but only because you’re thinking about what to say next.

2/ Hearing the words

You catch some of it, but your attention drifts.

3/ Understanding the message

You’re focused. You listen to understand, not just to reply.

4/ Recognizing emotions

You show empathy. You sense how they feel, not just what they say.

5/ Hearing what’s unsaid

You're fully present. You pick up on tone, hesitation, and the hidden needs beneath the words.

Leaders who reach level 5?

They build trust faster.
They strengthen relationships.
They make people feel seen and safe.
They diffuse tension before it explodes.

You don’t need to talk more to lead better.

You need to listen deeper.

Which level are you leading from?

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Even loyal people have breaking points.

They don't quit in a day.

They leave after being pushed too far, too often.

Loyalty isn't endless. It's earned daily.

Watch for warning signs like these:

The once-vocal team member who stops speaking up
The advocate who no longer defends the company
The eager volunteer who stops raising their hand
The team player who suddenly works alone

By the time they hand in their notice,
they checked out long ago.

The real problem?

Too many bosses take loyalty for granted.

🚫 They push too hard
🚫 They ignore good work
🚫 They promote toxic "performers"

What they don't realize:

✅ Each ignored concern weakens relationships
✅ Each broken promise chips away at loyalty
✅ Each missed "thank you" damages trust

The most dangerous words in leadership:

"They'll never leave. They're too loyal."

Remember this truth:

Everyone has a tipping point where 
self-respect outweighs loyalty.

And once they stop caring, no money
or title will win them back.

Treat loyal people like the gems they are.

Before they decide you don't deserve them.

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I used to think top performers had some secret talent.

Now I know it's the simple things.

Anyone can do these.
No degree or title required.
Just choices you make every day.

12 things that require 0 talent:

1. Getting shit done
2. Having integrity
3. Keeping your word
4. Showing up on time
5. Bringing solutions, not problems
6. Bringing good energy
7. Being coachable
8. Cheering for others' wins
9. Making others feel heard
10. Asking how you can help
11. Finishing what you start
12. Staying humble

No special skills needed.
No expensive training.
Just decisions.

The person who shows up on time every day?
They show respect and build trust.

The person who finishes what they start?
They're someone you know you can count on.

Success isn't complicated.

It's doing the simple things most people won't.

P.S. What would you add to the list?

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The quietest person on my team changed everything.

She never spoke first. Or second. Or third.

But when she did? The whole team listened.

Her words were few, but they cut through the noise.

She'd wait until the end of meetings, then say:

"Have we considered...?"

And suddenly, our "perfect" plan had holes.

Or she'd ask:

"What if we...?"

And our good idea became great.

She taught me a valuable lesson:

Leadership isn't about being the loudest.

It's about listening to every voice.
And making them count.

As leaders, we need to:

• Create pauses for reflection
• Invite the quiet ones to speak
• Value quality of words over quantity

Because sometimes, the most impactful voice
is the one you almost don't hear.

The next big idea might be hiding behind
a shy smile or a thoughtful silence.

Give it room to emerge.

True wisdom often whispers.

Are you creating space for it to be heard?

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I'm thankful for the leaders who gave me
a chance when all I had to offer was a
positive attitude and hunger to learn.

No fancy degree. No impressive resume.

Just potential they chose to see.

They didn't ask me to prove myself first.

They believed in me before I believed in myself.

Those leaders:

• Shared knowledge without making me feel small
• Celebrated my small wins like they were huge
• Let me fail and framed it as learning
• Saw my growth, not just my gaps

They shaped who I am today.

Not because they were perfect.
But because they were present.

They gave me the one thing money can't buy:
A genuine opportunity to grow.

So here's my challenge to you:

Be that leader for someone else.

Give someone a chance who has more
hunger than credentials.

See potential, not just polish.

Open a door that once felt closed to you.

Because the best way to honor the leaders
who believed in you?

Is to become one for someone else.

That's how we all rise together.

P.S. What's one thing a great leader did
that you'll never forget?

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Thank you!

You can't control much in life
(but these 22 things you always can):

1. Your Attitude
Choose to have a positive outlook.
 
2. Your Integrity
Stick to your values, even when it's hard.
 
3. Your Courage
Face your fears and grow.
 
4. Your Kindness
A small act can change someone's day.
 
5. Your Influence
Be the leader you'd want to follow.
 
6. Your Actions
Make decisions you'll be proud of later.
 
7. Your Boundaries
Say no when you need to.
 
8. Your Effort
Push through when it gets tough.

9. Your Circle
Surround yourself with supportive people.
 
10. Your Self-Belief
Believe you can, and you will.
 
11. Your Excuses
Kill them before they kill your dreams.
 
12. Your Goals
Set them high to inspire your growth.
 
13. Your Focus
Choose where you direct your attention.
 
14. Your Limits
Break them, then set new ones.
 
15. Your Time
Prioritize what matters most to you.
 
16. Your Words
Speak positively to yourself and others.
 
17. Your Self-Care
Make time for yourself every day.
 
18. Your Silence
Speak up, even when it's unpopular.
 
19. Your Inner Critic
Put it in its place.
 
20. Your Mindset
Shift from fixed to growth thinking.
 
21. Your Purpose
Align your actions with your mission.
 
22. Your Gratitude
Count your blessings, no matter how small.

And remember, even though you can't control
what you feel...

You do get to choose how you respond.

Your power starts and ends with you 💪.

Master these 22, and watch your whole world transform.

You're not a passenger in life.

You're the driver.

P.S. Which of the 22 is most important to you?
What would you add that I missed?

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It's so important to know when to leave.

The job.
The party.
The relationship.

Most people stay too long in situations that drain them.

They think leaving means giving up.

But sometimes, leaving is the bravest thing you can do.

I learned this the hard way.

I stayed at a toxic job for a year longer than I should have.
Why? Because I thought I could fix it.

I thought if I just...

Stayed later
Worked harder
Proved my worth

...things would change.

They didn't. But I did.

I became anxious. Exhausted. Resentful.

Until one day, I realized:

Staying wasn't loyalty. It was self-sabotage.

The strongest people I know have mastered 1 skill:
They know when to walk away.

It takes emotional intelligence to recognize:

When your values are being compromised
When your energy is being drained
When your growth has stopped
When respect has left the room

And it takes courage to act on that knowledge.

I wish someone had told me sooner:

You don't need a reason to choose yourself.
You don't need permission to protect your peace.
You don't need to stay anywhere that makes you small.

The right people will understand.
The wrong people will try to guilt you into staying.

That's how you know you're making the right choice.

Your EQ isn't just about understanding others.
It's about knowing yourself well enough to honor your needs.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply leave.

And create space for something better.

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Thank you!

Promoting a toxic manager is a huge mistake.

(It starts with ignoring bad behavior.)

Toxic managers can ruin your team & culture
long before you see the damage in numbers.

Leaders, do this instead:

💡 Address toxic behavior,
no matter the performance.

Protect your best people and your culture.

This approach will keep your team strong,
and ensure long-term success.

Don't let short-term gains blind you.

Your company’s future depends on it.

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P.S. Have you ever seen a toxic person
get promoted just because they
"made their numbers"?

8 phrases you hear in a kind workplace:

1. "How are you really doing?"
And they actually want to know.

2. "Take the time you need."
Life happens. They get it.

3. "I noticed your hard work."
Your effort matters, not just results.

4. "What do you think?"
Your opinion is valued.

5. "That must have been difficult."
They see your struggles.

6. "I've got your back."
And they mean it.

7. "Let me help you with that."
Without you having to ask.

8. "We'll figure it out together."
No blame. Just solutions.

These phrases build cultures where people:

Want to show up
Do their best work
Support each other
Feel safe to speak up

Kindness isn't soft.

It's what makes people stay
It's what makes teams strong
It's what makes work worth it

Words matter.

They either build people up
or tear them down.

Choose wisely.

P.S. What's a kind workplace phrase you'd add?

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Positions are temporary.
Ranks and titles are limited.
But how you treat people will
always be remembered.

Want to leave a lasting impact?

Lead with generosity.
Serve with humility.
Act with integrity.

And treat everyone with kindness.

These are the true measures of success.
Not cars, clothes, cash or clout.

Your degrees may impress for a moment.
But your character defines your legacy.

Make people feel:
➟ Valued, not used
➟ Respected, not judged
➟ Cared for, not dismissed
➟ Understood, not ignored 

That's how you'll be remembered.
Not for what you had, but who you were.
Not for what you took, but what you gave.

Leave people better than you found them.
And you'll build a legacy that lasts.

Maya Angelou said it best:

"People will forget what you said, 
they will forget what you did, 
but people will never forget 
how you made them feel."

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The most powerful leadership tool costs $0.

(And you already have it.)

Kindness.

Most people think success comes from being tough.

From pushing harder.
From demanding more.

But here's what the research shows:

Teams led with kindness are...

➟ 70% more engaged
➟ 40% more resilient
➟ 21% more productive 
➟ 4x more likely to stay

Because kindness isn't weak. It's a strength multiplier.

It transforms average teams into exceptional ones.

Think about it:

When someone shows you kindness at work,
you feel seen.

Valued.

Ready to give your best.

That's why great leaders practice these daily:

• They ask real questions, not just "how are you?"
• They defend people who aren't in the room
• They celebrate others' wins like their own
• They respect boundaries and off-hours
• They lead with empathy, not authority
• They offer help before being asked
• They include the quiet voices
• They share knowledge freely
• They give credit generously

The truth?

Leadership isn't about power.
It's about impact.

And nothing impacts people more than genuine kindness.

Make kindness your competitive advantage.

Your team will thank you.
Your results will show it.
Your legacy will prove it.

Want to transform your workplace?

Start with kindness.
The rest will follow.

P.S. How do you show kindness at work?

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I made my worst leadership mistake on day 1.

I was so proud of that promotion.

Now I'm in the spotlight, I thought.

Until I eventually learned...

Leadership is all about shining a light on others.

When you become a leader, your impact is
no longer measured by what you produce.

It's now measured by how you help
others grow and reach their potential.

Your greatest achievement becomes
your team's success, not your own.

You see, leadership isn't about:
➟ Being the loudest voice in the room
➟ Taking credit for your team's work
➟ Having an answer for everything

Instead, it's about:

➟ Amplifying the quiet voices
➟ Celebrating your team's wins
➟ Creating space for their growth

Great leaders invest in their people daily.

They see potential before others do.

They push you when you need pushing.
And support you when you need supporting.

Try asking your team:

"What's one obstacle I can remove
for you this week?"

"What skill do you want to develop next?"

When someone doubts themselves,
remind them of their past wins.

Their hidden strengths.

A single "I believe in you" can change everything.

Because at its heart, leadership is simple:

Your job isn't to be the best person on the team.

It's to bring out the best in everyone else.

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The human brain has 6 gears.
Most people never shift past 2nd.

Bloom's Taxonomy gives a clear guide.
Here's how to access all 6:

REMEMBER is 1st gear.
We all start here, memorizing facts.
It's essential, but just the beginning.

UNDERSTAND is 2nd gear.
Being able to explain concepts clearly.
Many of us get comfortable here.

APPLY is 3rd gear.
Where knowledge turns into action.
Where real growth begins.

ANALYZE is 4th gear.
Breaking big problems into smaller pieces.
Seeing patterns others miss.
This is where strategic insights form.

EVALUATE is 5th gear.
Making smart decisions backed by clear thinking.
Choosing the best path forward.
Leaders thrive here.

CREATE is top gear.
Where new ideas come to life.
Where solutions to old problems are born.
The space for innovation.

The beautiful thing?

Every gear builds on the one before it.

Each level makes you more capable.
More valuable to yourself and others.

Most haven't been shown how to shift gears.
But it's possible for anyone.

Your brain is incredible.

It can do so much more than you think.

Ready to level up?

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Your title doesn't make you a leader.
Your behavior does.

Let that sit for a second.

Leadership isn’t a role.
It’s not a LinkedIn headline.
And it’s definitely not something you're promoted into.

It’s what you do.

Before the promotion.
Before the recognition.
Before the raise.

Leadership is:

➟ How you think
➟ How you show up
➟ How you treat people
➟ How you respond under pressure

No one taps you on the shoulder and says:
“Okay, now you’re allowed to lead.”

You decide.
Then you act.

And funny enough?

That’s exactly when the titles start catching up.

Here’s how real leaders get noticed:

— They take initiative
— They speak up when it’s uncomfortable
— They give credit and take responsibility
— They elevate others, not just themselves
— They lead before they’re given authority

You don’t need a big title to lead.
You need a bigger mindset.

Start with how you behave today.

In meetings.
On projects.
With your peers.
When nobody’s watching.

Because if you’re waiting for permission to lead?
You’re already behind.

Lead now.
The rest will follow.

P.S. What’s one way you’ve shown leadership without the title?

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I made a BIG mistake in my first leadership role.

I treated every team member
exactly the same way.

What worked for my more senior employees
completely frustrated the younger ones.

And what motivated my Millennial teammates
made the Boomers uncomfortable.

Here's what I learned:

Great leaders don't use a one-size-fits-all approach.

Some team members appreciate daily feedback.
Others prefer monthly check-ins.

Some want detailed instructions.
Others need creative freedom.

Some love collaborative brainstorming.
Others do their best thinking alone.

The secret?

Get to know each person as an individual.

Ask them:
• When do you do your best work?
• How do you prefer to communicate?
• What support do you need to succeed?
• What kind of feedback helps you grow?

Because leadership isn't about → your ← style.

It's about adapting to help each person thrive.

Instead of treating everyone equally.

Treat them individually.

P.S. What's your best tip for leading
different generations?
Share in the comments. 

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I used to think leadership was all about your title.
Now I know it's about how you make people feel.

11 signs you're a leader others (actually) want to follow:

01/ You defend them when they're not in the room.
02/ You give credit in public and coach in private.
03/ You fight battles they don't even know about.
04/ You shut down toxicity before it spreads.
05/ You see their potential before they do.
06/ You make their success your priority.
07/ You stay kind when times get tough.
08/ You apologize when you mess up.
09/ You show up when it matters.
10/ You let them outgrow you.
11/ You keep your promises.

I've known "leaders" with fancy titles
who made me feel invisible.

And others who led by influence 
and changed entire careers.

The difference?

One only cared about their position.
The other cared about their people.

Here's what real leaders know:

Your team's success is your success.
Their growth is your legacy.
Their trust is what makes you a leader.

Not your title.

Be the leader who makes people believe
in themselves.

That's the kind of impact that lasts forever.

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I managed teams for 10 years before I learned
this important truth:

Empathy isn't a "soft skill."

It's your most powerful leadership tool.

I once had a top performer who was
missing deadlines.

Instead of asking "Why isn't this done?"

I asked "How can I support you?"

Turns out, she was dealing with family
health issues but was afraid to speak up.

That one conversation changed everything.

8 ways I learned to show empathy at work:

— Listen without jumping to fix things
— Be flexible when life throws curveballs
— Make time for non-work conversations
— Give praise in public, feedback in private
— Create space where no question feels stupid
— Support mental health days, not just sick days
— Ask how you can help, not why things aren't done
— Treat your team like people first, employees second

When you lead with empathy,
productivity and loyalty naturally follow.

You don't have to choose between being human
and being successful.

The most effective leaders are both.

Because at the end of the day,
people don't leave bad jobs.

They leave environments where they don't feel
understood or appreciated.

Want to transform your team?

Start with empathy.

It's the investment that pays the highest returns.

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I spent 7 years studying what separates
great leaders from everyone else.
(The answer shocked me.)

It wasn't charisma or intelligence.
It wasn't experience or credentials.

It was mastering a specific set of competencies
that anyone can learn.

You see, no one's a born leader.

You have to build it. One skill at a time.

The best leaders aren't naturals.
They're practitioners.

They know that self-awareness beats ego.
That emotional intelligence beats IQ.
That authenticity beats authority.

And it starts with leading yourself.

↳ Before you can inspire others
↳ Before you can drive change
↳ Before you can build culture

You must master the mirror.

Most people get this backwards.

They try to lead teams without building trust first.
They attempt to inspire without a clear vision.
They push for results without recognition.

And they wonder why it feels so hard.

Here's what actually works:

Start with one skill.
Practice for 30 days.
Then add another.

Small actions compound into transformation:

➟ Ask for feedback (even when it stings)
➟ Celebrate failures that taught you something
➟ Replace "You should..." with "What do you think?"

The best leaders aren't the loudest.
Or even the smartest.

They're the ones who do the work.

Your future team is waiting for
the leader you're becoming.

And they deserve the best version of you.

P.S. Which competency is hardest to master?
I'd love to hear your perspective.

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Emotional Intelligence is a superpower at work.

Why does it matter so much?

95% of top performers have a high EQ.

First, let's clarify what it's not:

• It's not avoiding difficult conversations
• It's not brushing off what others say
• It's not thinking you're always right
• It's not wearing a "mask" to work
• It's not reacting without thinking
• It's not caring just about profits
• It's not jumping to conclusions
• It's not ignoring how you feel

Here's what it really is about:

• Knowing yourself well
• Being a calming presence
• Having empathy for others
• Building a culture of respect
• Keeping your emotions in check
• Handling disagreements smoothly
• Making it easy for everyone to speak up
• Being happy for others when they do well

If you want to be a top performer at work,
work on your Emotional Intelligence.

➟ It makes work more satisfying.
➟ It helps you lead better.
➟ It makes your team stronger.

Elevate your EQ.
Your career will thank you for it.

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Laura Flessner

Mindtap LLC

Be Recognized. Be Valued. Being You. 

Mindtap helps diverse professionals break through unconscious bias so their authentic leadership can be seen and valued using proven innovation techniques and applied neuroscience. 

Change how others see you, without needing to change who you are. 

Mindtap offers services for professionals at all levels, from entry to CEO. 

Reach out to explore how we can help you reach your next level of impact!

Founder & CEO

Forbes

Coaches Council

Global Innovation Advisory

We help move stuck innovation in corporations by cutting through years of internal layers. We help corporate innovation leaders to simplify and fuse inter-company connections to drive growth, without incremental costs. 

How can you do more with what you already have?

www.GlobalInnovationAdvisory.com

Partner

GSK Consumer Healthcare
Co-Founder of 3 Startup Businesses: CBD & Hemp, Functional Food & Beverage, Personalized Supplements. Dedicated hands-on business building, from strategy and execution of MVP to pivots based on learnings; Venture Board pitches and buy-in.

New Venture Founder / Insights Lead

Pfizer

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare
Led New Business Innovation strategy and implementation within Global Wellness white space category, resulting in a consumer-grounded Immunity Innovation pipeline and a strategic plan to grow the business by $500M in 5 years.

Director, R&D Product Design for New Benefit Innovation

Actively grew new function (Products Research) within R&D: set strategy, created procedures, grew internal awareness and demand, pushed for deeper insights through cutting-edge methodologies across dietary supplements, analgesics, respiratory, & personal care.

Senior Manager, R&D Products Research

Procter & Gamble

Spearheaded upstream product development, new consumer modeling, and new business models.

Senior Products Research Engineer

Designed packaging for PUR Flavor Options launch, which won 2009 Consumers' Choice Product of the Year.

Packaging Engineer

I Help Diverse Professionals Break Free Of Bias And Level Up Without Changing Who You Are // Ready To Do More, Be More? Register for my Personal Branding Masterclass, July 7 (free) -> Link in Featured Section

I help diverse professionals to break through unconscious bias so they can be seen, heard & valued. 

Essentially, I help you to be recognized as a leader in your organization, no matter your level, experience or role.

What is a diverse professional? Women, minorities, introverts, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse… anyone who looks, sounds, or thinks different from others in the workplace. 

Is this you? 

It’s me. I’m a woman, Asian, an introvert, who looks really young. 

In past corporate roles, I felt frustrated, like I could do more, but I wasn’t always given the chance. The confusing thing was, I was getting fantastic feedback. 

There wasn’t any obvious bias or anything overtly intentional… but that didn’t change the fact that I wasn’t where I knew I could be. 

Unfortunately the traditional advancement system puts diverse professional at a disadvantage. Unconscious bias sneaks in, without people noticing - because it disguises itself as logic. 

It took me a while… but I found a way to break through - outside of the system. 

If the normal path to advancement:
- giving your all in quality work, 
- increasing your expertise, 
- directly asking for more

isn't allowing you to move forward... 

--> You need a different strategy. 

Transform what makes you “diverse” from a disadvantage to a superpower.  Your competitive advantage. 

I use neuroscience to help my clients break through unconscious biases their leadership and peers don’t even know they have. 

I use proven innovation tools and processes to help you to lead an idea, something you know will make a big impact, a meaningful difference. 

This strategy works at any level, in any industry, and at any organization.

Here’s 3 ways to work with me:

📚 Take a self paced course: Daring Different is a video based course with a step-by-step process to establish your authentic leadership. For the pre-manager and new entrepreneur. Go to: Thinkmindtap.com/daringdifferent

🚀 Join a live training cohort: Rise is a 8-week program where you will rise to your next level and people will notice a difference in you, guaranteed. For the committed pre-manager and new entrepreneur. Go to: Thinkmindtap.com/rise

🎯 Partner through coaching: Individualized guidance to create your next level of impact and personal power. For senior managers and business owners. Go to: Thinkmindtap.com/catalyst-coaching

It’s time for your voice to be heard. 
For your authentic leadership to be seen. 

Send me a DM (direct message) to explore your options!

💜 Laura

When what you’re given… isn’t perfect. 
(And it rarely is.)

The people on the team 
aren’t the ones you would have picked. 

The tools are outdated. 
The process was built for a market that no longer exists. 

It looks a lot like the messy sketch 
the artist started with. 
All potential… but no clarity. 

But here’s a truth professionals can forget: 

Leadership doesn't wait for ideal conditions. 
Leadership creates something valuable 
with what you’re given. 

To be resourceful. 
To see potential others overlook. 
To hold a vision of what’s possible 
before anyone else can see it. 

Leadership isn’t about perfection. 
It’s about perspective. 

It’s the ability to look at a broken process 
and notice the opportunity hiding inside it. 

To look at a team that feels mismatched 
and spot the strengths waiting to be shaped. 

To look at outdated tools 
and reimagine what they could enable. 

Adjust. Support. Add. Subtract. 
Piece by piece. 
Bit by bit. 

When you stay committed to the vision, 
not the circumstances, 
you create something extraordinary. 

Not because you had the perfect starting point. 
But because you led it into something better. 

That’s the work. 
That’s the impact. 
That’s leadership.

Leadership Coach for Diverse Professionals // Lead authentically at any level, using Innovation & Neuroscience // Get your free copy of "7 Steps to Authentic Leadership" --> DM me ‘Unlock’

Some think changing your goal is giving up. 

I think it's dangerous not to...

Your goals can change. 
And they should. 

What you defined as “success” 10 years ago… 
likely isn’t what success means to you now. 

A lot can shift in a decade. 
These days, a ton can change in a year.

And when things change, 
change also happens in you.

Here’s how my own career goals unfolded, 
chapter by chapter: 

0–5 yrs: Get a strong start + grow as fast as I can 
5–10 yrs: Deliver great work, and grow my family (3 kids born!) 
10–15 yrs: Become a subject matter expert + aim for VP 
15–17 yrs: Follow my passion in Innovation + broaden my experience 
17+ yrs: Build my own business 

Every chapter fit who I was and what I valued 
in that moment of my life. 

None was “better” than another. 
And letting go of a goal (like aiming for VP)
wasn’t quitting. 

It was adjusting. Listening. 
Learning more about what mattered to me. 

Because things do change: 

Your life situation 
(family, health, economics) 

Your focus 
(advancement, breadth, pivoting) 

Your definition of success shifts with each chapter. 

But here’s the biggest watch out: 
When life changes, but your picture of “success” doesn’t. 

That’s when frustration grows. 
That’s when people feel stuck. 
 
Like they’re swimming upstream 
against a current that’s getting stronger. 

A goal that served you well before 
no longer serves who you’re becoming now. 

But that next goal? 
It isn’t always obvious. 

This is why so many clients come to Clarity Coaching, 
to design their next chapter with intention, not pressure. 

To step into their next level of leadership 
in a way that fits. 

Like Sarah—who chose to leave her current role 
to be a strong female leader in cybersecurity. 

Like Penny—who found a path to prioritize family 
and support her career at the same time.

Like Amanda—who discovered a culture 
that embraced her authentic leadership style. 

Your next chapter will ask something new of you. 

The question is: 
Is your next chapter built for who you are today—or who you used to be?

Setbacks don't have to be the end. 

(They're a secret beginning)

"Setbacks are a setup for success."
A quote from Dr. Ruth D. Jones perfectly captures the start of my business Mindtap. 

It began the moment my role was eliminated. 

My company entered a joint venture. 
Suddenly, there were too many innovation groups… 
and mine was the one dismantled. 

So what now? 
(That question kept looping in my mind.) 

Then I realized: 
My last role, 
which had been my favorite of my career, 
had quietly been teaching me (for 2 years) 
exactly how to build something new. 

We were launching brands from scratch. 
Creating product lines from zero. 
Designing, experimenting, iterating. 
I had the blueprint. 
Why not use it for myself? 

So I did. 

Now, I could stop here and make it sound effortless. 
It wasn’t. 

The first business model I tried? Failed. 
The second try? Failed. 
The third? Worked okay… 
but deep down, I knew it wasn’t the work I wanted to do. 

Those attempts weren’t mistakes. 
They clarified what mattered. 
They helped me build the business today. 

The business that aligns with my strengths. 
The business that connects to my personal passion. 
The business that provides real value. 

Mindtap didn’t start with certainty. 
It started with what looked like an end. 

See setbacks as what they secretly are. 
A new beginning.

The hardest part of leadership? 

(It’s not the plans or presentations)

Strong leaders know… 

The technical challenges are the easy ones. 
The people challenges are the hard ones. 

And there’s only one thing 
that truly shifts a people challenge: 
A conversation. 

This is what I've seen most people avoid:

→ We schedule another meeting— 
instead of addressing what went wrong in the last one.

→ We change the subject 
the second things get uncomfortable.

→ We use jargon like "let’s circle back"
to avoid saying: This isn’t working.

→ We cc half the team on the email— 
hoping someone else will say it.

→ We blame “timing” 
instead of being honest.

→ We stay “nice” 
instead of staying real.

All different ways of saying: 
“I see the elephant… but I’m hoping it disappears.” 

Your brain thinks it’s keeping you safe. 
Conflict = threat. 
Silence = protection. 

But in reality... 
The scariest thing isn’t naming the elephant. 
The scariest thing is letting it grow. 

Big enough to: 
→ squash your team 
→ derail your project 
→ quietly erode your vision and impact as a leader 

Brave leadership is being willing to feel uncomfortable, 
and addressing issues head-on as soon as they arise. 

Your brain may scream “danger.”
Your leadership says “go, this is important.”

Why do I incorporate neuroscience into leadership?

I get asked this often.

In this video, I give 5 ways
knowing how your brain works
can accelerate your leadership. 

Lead smarter. Lead calmer. 
Lead in a way your brain was built for.

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The Battle

Justin Wright

Laura Flessner

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taplio

The Battle

Justin Wright

Laura Flessner

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Justin Wright's LinkedIn Performance

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