Exclusive Interview with Shannon Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Smith.

It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?

I personally struggled in my early years of working. I had no confidence, no social savvy, and very little skills at that time. I remember believing that I would never find career success unless I was more like my charismatic and outgoing colleagues who seemed to advance quickly and effortlessly. The challenge was that I could not sustain the effort of trying to be someone I was not. So for a while, I gave up on ever getting a promotion, receiving recognition, or obtaining the level of success I really desired.

A pivotal moment led me to embark upon a journey of overcoming many limiting beliefs and transforming my career. As a result of this journey, I increased my self-awareness and self-acceptance, discovered hidden talents, and identified the perfect career path for me. The pivotal moment that changed my career was the day I took my first assessment.

The report I read helped me see myself differently and motivated me to work on myself professionally. As a result, I had transitioned from having no confidence, no social savvy, and little skill to being a highly-skilled, confident, and savvy professional! Now, I am committed to sharing the lessons I’ve learned over the years along with my expertise in career and talent development to help professional women, who lack confidence and self-awareness to discover their value, embrace their uniqueness and transform their skills so that they can have a career that makes them love Mondays and pays them their worth.

I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

Obtaining the success I have today was definitely a long journey. Some of the challenges that I had to overcome were limiting beliefs, the lack of marketable skills, and a lack of self-awareness. I was able to overcome these challenges by investing in personal and professional development, assessments, and seeking out coaching along the way. In addition to that, I also had to invest in improving various essential skills such as communication, technical skills, and time/focus management.

Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?

I specialize in career and talent development which means I bring an individual’s strengths and talents to the forefront in order to create career alignment. I love seeing the joy on my client’s faces when they have found a career that aligns with who they are and what they do well! It’s the best feeling! An added bonus is that organizations will have superior performers when they have individuals in roles that are aligned with their employees’ talents and natural abilities.

What makes my services unique is that I am a product of my own strategies and solutions and I still vividly recall what it feels like to be in my client’s shoes. I also pride myself in not providing canned or generic guidance to my clients. Every career challenge is unique and deserves a solution that addresses that challenge specifically. That’s what I’m here to deliver. Also, the women I work with will walk away feeling truly seen and heard which is so very important to me.

What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?

Don’t play small. Playing small or hiding what makes you special does not serve the world in any way. It will, however, leave you full of regret in the long run. When we get to the end of our lives, it won’t be our accomplishments that will be on the forefront of our minds, but rather the pain of regret for the things we did not try. Don’t let that be you. It is time to come out of the shadows of self-doubt, take time to get well versed in what makes you unique and let people know what you bring to the table.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?

Success ultimately means alignment to me. It means being able to do things that align with who I am, what I enjoy and what I naturally do well. I am very fortunate in that regard and define myself as very successful to date. It is my mission to help the women I work with experience this type of success as well.

What’s next for you?

I will be launching an 8-week career and talent development program for professional women in the first quarter of 2021. The program will walk a small group of women through my signature framework that teaches many of the methods I used to transform my confidence, skills and career. We’ll also cover how to showcase one’s talents in an authentic way and much more! I’m very excited about the program!

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more.

You can connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or for more information, you can visit my website at shannondsmith.com