There is no doubt that stepping out of one's comfort zone is often met with fear and resistance. However, this very action can lead to incredible personal growth and transformation. Such is the case of Jessica Stephens, a corporate marketer turned social marketer and podcast host. In the latest episode of the Communication TwentyFourSeven podcast, Jessica shares her inspiring story of personal transformation and provides invaluable insights into harnessing collective action for achieving shared goals.
Jessica’s journey began with a transition from environmental science to advertising. As a first-generation Canadian, she imbibed the essence of being an adept connector, mastering networking, and creating impactful connections. This journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability, critical skills that play a pivotal role in personal and professional success. During our conversation, Jessica delved into the art of non-verbal cues and making a good impression - two crucial factors in navigating networking events. "Anything that you want to do requires other humans to speak about it, to share about it, whatever," she said. "And so having really good skills of communicating with other people and helping them see your vision and enrolling them into that vision and plan" is critical in getting them on board with it. She emphasizes the necessity of trust-building in career progression, further shedding light on her brave decision to move on from a six-figure advertising career!
My conversation with Jessica also highlights the power of collective action. When individuals understand their importance to society and their community, they can band together as a "volunteer army," working toward shared goals. She said, "When you help somebody see how important they are, not only to their own life but to this society and this planet and in the community, that's when you get a volunteer army and when you have a volunteer army all working towards the same thing, you're unstoppable." It’s all too easy for us to forget just how unstoppable of a force a united group of individuals can be. This extends to all aspects of life, including professional environments, where collective action can drive innovation and progress.
Jessica also opens up about her exit strategy from her corporate career, an inspiring tale of empowerment through social marketing. I think the most important takeaway was her advice on having an exit strategy. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s not something I usually give too much thought about. After our talk, I realized that whether from a job or a relationship, having an exit strategy is critical to ensuring personal safety and well-being. Jessica's journey illustrates the power of resilience, empathy, and gratitude during difficult times, and how they ultimately lead to personal growth and transformation.
Transitioning to a career as a social marketer, Jessica stresses the importance of recommendations and referrals in creating passive income. She shares her experiences as a brand ambassador and discusses the significant role social media plays in expanding networks. The story of Jessica's transition from corporate to social marketing serves as an empowering narrative for those considering a similar path. Full disclosure - I enjoyed hearing about her experience as a brand ambassador so I decided to give it a try myself. I’ll let you know how it goes! (Check out some of my favorites here).
Reflecting on the lessons she has learned from her experiences over the years, Jessica showed true resilience. I couldn’t help but be inspired. Resilience, she says, is within all of us; we just need to activate it. This mindset helps foster compassion and empathy for others, preparing us for future challenges. Jessica's gratitude for the stories shared by her guests on her show further exemplifies the value of shared experiences and collective action in personal growth and transformation.
I absolutely loved having this conversation with Jessica hearing about her journey from corporate marketer to social marketer, and soaking up her invaluable insights into personal power, adaptability, and the harnessing of collective action. Her story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing change.
If you’re in need of some inspiration, listen to our conversation here.
