From Who Me? To Yes Me! | Deborah Levine | 535

Thought leaders know that a sharp eye is the best tool for keeping a sharp mind. In fact, others see abilities in us long before we see them in ourselves, and can support us as we blossom into a new role or skill. Our guest today has found herself asking "Who me?" and "Why me?" at almost every step of her incredible career. Deborah Levine is the Founder and Editor of the American Diversity Report, whose mission is to boost the effort to repair the world and inspire fellow diversity, equity, and inclusion change makers with the resources they need. Deborah shares how her history weaves together seemingly unrelated skills and experiences that take her from being the only Jewish girl in her community in Bermuda, to unexpectedly being put in charge of inter religious affairs at the American Jewish Committee, and eventually becoming an award-winning screen writer and producer! One of the threads that is common through most of her experience is others offering aid to move her career and thought leadership forward, eventually allowing Deborah to learn and step up to the task on her own.  Deborah shares real life experiences of getting help and learning to grow into new roles that she might have thought were impossible for her to accomplish. This episode is full of stories and antidotes that are sure to inspire anyone who has been asked to step up to the plate and thought "Why me?" Three Key Takeaways: ·         When asked to do something, take the opportunity that is presented.  Don't say no because you aren't sure how to do it.  Take the time to learn and grow. ·         Part of being a thought leader is encouraging and creating spaces for conversations that will have meaning and value. ·         Being a thought leader means being in a constant state of evolution of who you are.