Woman of the Week ~ Brandi Braun AL-Issa

Our Woman of the Week now includes career advice, insights, and feedback from our clients and friends.  Meet Brandi Braun AL-Issa, President and CEO at Habit for Humanity- MidOhio

Brandi’s Top Pieces of Career Advice:

Best Career Advice You’ve Received: Honestly, I have received a lot of bad career advice. While well-intentioned, many people give advice through the lens of their own values and beliefs, which have been shaped by external forces. Often, these same people have followed career paths (and well meaning advice) based on what other people want for them – not what they want for themselves. I’ve had to get comfortable not following most advice. When people come to me for career advice, I start with asking the person what they actually really want in life through questions about their values, beliefs, vision, and strengths. However, I will share one piece of advice I received early on from our Chief of Police in the City of Gahanna that has become a bit of an ethos: “When in charge, be in charge.” To me, this means: have the courage to step into your role and leadership. Act “as if” and don’t wait for permission or to be told. This is particularly important for women from my perspective and experience. We’re often taught or encouraged through societal and familial systems to ask for permission and/or wait for approval. This behavior does not translate well to many professional work settings. You have to boldly and courageously (appropriately, of course) take action and speak up. You won’t “get in trouble”.

Best Investment in Your Career: This is easy. Coaching. I recently accepted the role of President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity and one of the first people I told was Suzanne Roberts, who was the coach I worked with for 8 years. I would not be the leader I am today without the work I did with her. Now, coaching itself is not a panacea. The act of being “coached’ does not simply make one more effective or better. Coaching involves a lot of “homework” including reflection and practice. But, an effective coach will help a person develop self awareness, grow emotional intelligence, and develop action plans for growth. I would not have been “President and CEO” ready had I not done the deep work presented to me through coaching.

Best Mentor/Sponsor in your Life: There are really too many mentors to name. I’ve had mentors since my first job at the City of Gahanna; many of whom are still mentors and friends, and even former bosses. I’ve continued to seek out mentors with every new position through my career. I believe in having many mentors to learn from and turn to for advice and counsel. I hear some individuals say they don’t have a mentor because there is “no one they look up to” and that is such a missed opportunity for growth in my opinion (also an opportunity to develop awareness of oneself). I don’t believe mentors are “soul mates”; where there is a “perfect” mentor for you. Each of us needs a “team of mentors” to be consulted on various situations and areas of growth and development. As I move into my new role at Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio, I’m adding mentors for this new chapter; I believe it’s essential. There’s a book by Marshall Goldsmith, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, where the premise is: the skills you’ve developed to date aren’t the same skills you need moving forward. Mentors can help you identify the skills you need and a path for development.

Best Book, Podcast, Resource: The Tim Ferriss Podcast is my absolute favorite. He interviews “word class performers” from all areas and I learn a great deal from all his guests – even ones I assumed I wouldn’t. Secondly, Tim is an excellent interviewer; it really is an art and many podcasters seem to spend more time talking rather than harvesting the wisdom of their guests. I’ve incorporated so many books, articles and ideas I’ve learned about from the Tim Ferris podcast into my actual work and classes at Ohio State that I can’t even begin to count.