 Leaders are expected to have extroverted qualities. No one will be shocked to read that, but does that mean that only extroverts are expected to lead? No it does not. Does it mean that introverts need to suck it up and go against their nature to start a business and manage a team? Nope. Does it mean that inclusion means changing our expectations of leaders? Yes it does. And finally, are you an introvert and a leader, reading this and feeling exhausted from forcing yourself to be more outspoken than you naturally are? Here are a few ways that you can make introversion work for you:
Embrace it Embrace your introverted traits, recognizing that they bring valuable qualities to the table. Introverts often excel in observing, analysing, and making well-thought-out decisions. Understand that introversion is not a weakness but a unique perspective that can lead to successful leadership. Communicate Communication doesn’t only mean talking. In fact, active listening is just as much a part of communication as active speaking. Encourage team members to share their thoughts and ideas, and genuinely listen to what they have to say. This not only fosters trust but also ensures that all voices are heard. The “I’ll get back to you” Often introverts feel a pressure to know what to say immediately. There is nothing wrong with pausing and pondering over something before responding. Any introvert reading this will be remembering all the times they wish they had just pressed pause. Democracy Leadership today is all about inclusion. We are tired of hierarchical structures and want to embrace more democratic engagement and management styles. While that doesn’t mean we can’t have an individual leading an organisation, it does mean we can embrace delegation and empower our teams. Being a good leader means a certain level of self-acceptance. If you know what you struggle with, then you can let others in your organisation shine in those areas. Your company will only benefit from this. You don’t have to be perfect at everything to be a great leader. Take Breaks for Recharge Introverts often need time alone to recharge their energy. As a leader, no one is there to manage your workload but yourself. We need to normalise leaders acknowledging that they need time for R&R. We need to push back the culture of burnout-means-you-really-care. Space out your meetings, or opt for no-meetings days. If you can share your needs, others will feel more comfortable to share theirs.  In a world filled with talent and thriving industries, Black women aspire to rise above the clamour; building profitable businesses, and creating legacies that resonate for generations. The art of personal branding is one of the keys to unlocking this transformative journey. This dynamic approach enables entrepreneurs to stand out, exhibit their authentic selves, and make an indelible impression on their target audience. In this blog post, we will explore the lasting impact of personal branding and how it will empower you to find your unique voice and inspire others on their path to success.
 Twitter may only be a microblogging platform, but the information you can find is anything but micro. It is an excellent source of invaluable information in the form of tweets and can be used to learn about various topics.
When it came to amplifying Black voices and businesses, it was a great tool to stay on top of emerging information, such as protests and how to support those in need. Today we've used it to curate a list of 10 Twitter accounts you should follow to learn all about Black-owned businesses within the UK and beyond.  Our monthly Black and Good Mindset Series is a space for entrepreneurs who wish to connect and grow through authentic conversation. This series provides opportunities to hear from exceptional guest entrepreneurs about their experiences and approach methods.
In these panel discussions, hosted by Bianca Bruce, founder of Brand Her Well - we explore themes based on the entrepreneurial mindset, shared challenges, and what a business journey can look like from the inside. Our mindset gently shapes our experience and how we move forward - as do the people, places, and experiences we are surrounded by. The Mindset Series serves as a space to inspire, to re-adjust your mindset, and help you carve a new path forward that supports your growth. Previous sessions included Burnout and Developing Balance, and Growing through Challenges. All of these events are catered to helping the community hear stories of growth, challenge and inspiration that can be reflected in their own experience and help them forge new pathways forward based on new insights gained. We grow through community, and sharing can help us see new opportunities or perspectives that transform how we navigate life.  Every two years, we release an impact report that details the work and programmes of Do it Now Now across all of its initiatives, including Black and Good.
We are proud to release our 2021 - 2022 Impact Report, which details our work and programmes as well as a collection of thoughtful articles on the meaning and methods of why and how we serve our community. The Black impact sector needs support in order to find true equity. Last month, we released our cost of living report, A Desert without Resources, a sobering look into the current financial crisis that the sector is undergoing. Do it Now Now, despite our successes and relative position, is by no means immune, and the ways in which we can continue to provide positive impact will evolve with the current landscape.  Having a side hustle can be invaluable for both personal and business reasons. It is a great way to connect your life experience with things you are naturally good at. It also presents an opportunity to try something different from your chosen career path.
Starting a side hustle is appealing, however, if you need help figuring out where to start, our Side Hustle Support Programme is a great way to ease yourself in, with only a 4-hour weekly commitment. Being a Black side hustler does not have to be something you do alone when you can join an ambitious and incredible community of other side hustlers. Although you can start a side hustle for next to nothing, you may wonder how to know which side hustle is perfect for you. Read on to discover 12 steps you can take today to find the perfect side hustle.  Black and Good Co-working is part of our monthly co-working sessions, which are held at and in partnership with Ustwo in Shoreditch. At Black and Good, we believe community is vital, and these co-working sessions were created to bring fellow entrepreneurs together to work, connect, relax, focus and build their network.
Changing our work environment can do wonders for our minds, inspiration, and overall focus. Therefore these sessions serve as a dedicated space for you to work, connect and support your business to blossom gently. An afternoon of refreshments, intentional working, connection, and mindful interaction will leave you feeling refreshed and prepped for the week. This is the place devoted to crafting your success. We want to ensure everyone has a genuinely comfy space to work and chill, so please sign up if you want to join us.  Statistics are a great way to understand the patterns and behaviours of members of society. Regarding Black-owned businesses, various statistics can be used to shape Black entrepreneurship.
Some statistics are more shocking than others, but each has the potential to create a change and allow for more intentional and conscious spending. For business owners, these statistics put at face value what many have felt during the process of building or establishing businesses. For consumers, these statistics may offer greater insight and understanding into why it matters where you spend your money.  Our monthly Black and Good: Mindset Series is a space for entrepreneurs who wish to connect and grow through authentic conversation. This series provides opportunities to hear from special guest entrepreneurs about their experiences and approach methods.
In these panel discussions, we explore themes based on the entrepreneurial mindset, shared challenges, and what a business journey can look like from the inside. Our mindset gently shapes our experience and how we move forward - as do the people, places, and experiences we are surrounded by. The Mindset Series serves as a space to inspire, to re-adjust your mindset, and help you carve a new path forward that supports your growth. Sign up for our next series, Growing through Challenges. In the meantime, please read about our most recent event below.  The Brunch and Learn session was part of the Black and Good business skills programme for both the Starting up, Starting out, and Build, Hustle, Grow programme. The session takes place on weekends where we begin with a wellness/meditation session and then transition onto a 'speed dating' segment in which all participants have 5 minutes of 1-2-1s to connect. We then share brunch virtually together with the Deliveroo vouchers gifted to everyone on the programme and lastly, comes the learning, where we explore our brand story and what type of business we are building and why.
In a recent session, the two wellness segments of the programme were led by two alumni of the Black and Good business programme; Tamara, founder of FaithWellFit, and Priscilla, founder of Vivify Therapy. The main focus of this segment was wellness for Black women founders. During the session, we discussed mindfulness, permission to slow down, how our inner critic can hold us back in business, and where it stems from. Both sessions included a grounding meditation with Priscilla sharing with us a powerful quote by Audre Lorde: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” |
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