The Golden State Warrior became only the second player over 35 years of age to have a stat line of 35 points, seven assists, eight rebounds, eight three-pointers, and one blocked shot.
We can call him a legend, and it looks like he still has several years to add to his legacy. Well, Stephen Curry added another NBA record to his resume. The Golden State Warrior became only the second player over 35 years of age to have a stat line of 35 points, seven assists, eight rebounds, eight three-pointers, and one blocked shot.
According to Sports Illustrated, the future NBA Hall of Famer is the first and only one to do it since Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James accomplished that feat two times, the last time a little over a year ago on Jan. 24 ( he was 38 years old at the time) when his stat line was 46 points, seven assists, eight rebounds, nine three-pointers, and one block. Curry’s stat line for the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 30, was 37 points, seven assists, eight rebounds, eight three-pointers, and a blocked shot. Curry, who is 35, will turn 36 on Mar. 14.
James initially was the first to achieve that stat line when he did so on Dec. 29, 2021, at the age of 36, on the eve of his 37th birthday. James’ stats for that game were 37 points, seven assists, 13 rebounds, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots.
Another amazing stat is that only three players have had a stat line like this. The Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden is the third one.
BBC Sport reported that the Warriors emerged victorious against the 76ers by a score of 119-107.
Curry has scored at least 25 points in the last six games and also made six or more three-pointers in the last three contests. The Warriors are now in 12th place in the Western Conference while improving their so-so record to 20-24. The victory was a much-needed one, as the team had lost two consecutive games by one point – a 134-133 loss to the Sacramento Kings last Thursday and a double-overtime loss, 145-144, to the Lakers on Saturday night.
Plies Implores The President and Vice President To ‘Muthaf—-n’ Brag’
Did he have a point?
Rapper Plies had some time to get things off his chest — and the target was President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The “Shawty” rapper jumped on social media to advise on how to brag. The Grammy-nominated artist gave the elected officials their flowers for over two minutes and pointed out all the good the duo had done during their first term.
“Cause I’m sick of it…can somebody teach y’all how to muthafuckin’ brag,” he said while sitting in a sunlit vehicle.
“[Expletive] stock market doing way better under y’all than it did under them! Jobs doing way better under y’all than it did under them!”
The Federal Reserve announced on Jan. 31 that keeping interest rates at their current levels may show a steady decline in inflation. The target rate has remained at 5.25% to 5.5% since summer 2023. Specialists believe the high rates have assisted in inflation rates dropping. “The progress I have noted on inflation, combined with the data in hand on economic and financial conditions and my outlook, has made me more confident than I have been since 2021 that inflation is on a path to 2%,” Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said.
Plies, whose real name is Algernod Lanier Washington, has used his platform to call out political issues while sitting in his car since the height of the pandemic.
“But The Chiefs Have Been In The Last 4 Outta 5 Super Bowls,” he wrote on Instagram with two laughing emojis. “When Will It Stop!! 🤣 #Plies”
When the failed presidential candidate and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott endorsed Donald Trump, Plies posted a clip of Scott telling Trump, “I just love you,” and said he would label supporters as Tim Scott moving forward.
While he continues to push for Biden and Harris, some fans jumped into the comment section saying the latter. One Twitter user said the Biden administration has “nothing to brag about,” another compared Plies to Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God. “Charlamagne and plies can’t be trusted. They are paid democrat ops,” @merkyou81 wrote.
THESE 8 BLACK ENTREPRENEURS BLAZED BLACK HISTORY AND BLACK BUSINESS
These Black entrepreneurs are taking over, one project at a time.
Since stepping onto the scene, Black entrepreneurs have changed the industry and forged a path for aspiring creatives. The following individuals have ushered in new eras and ideas within their respective fields.
Source: Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for Curran Theater
Kimberly Bryant – Founder of Black Girls CODE and CEO of Ascend Ventures and the Black Innovation Lab
Kimberly Bryant first launched her non-profit organization Black Girls CODE in 2011 and has since taken the tech industry by storm. Since its inception, Black Girls CODE has transformed the lives of thousands of young Black girls and gender non-conforming youth, many of whom have experienced a renewed passion for the field. Though the initiative underwent a leadership change in Oct. 2023, Bryant has continued her mission to serve by opening more pathways for marginalized tech founders in the southern U.S. as CEO of Ascend Ventures and the Black Innovation Lab. Throughout her career, Bryant has been hailed for her dedication and was honored as a 2013 White House Champion of Change and she received the Jefferson Award for Community Service in 2012. Bryant is currently a sitting board member at the Center for Policing Equity as well.
Source: Photo by Unique Nicole/Getty Images
2. Olamide Olowe – Founder and CEO of Topicals
Olamide Olowe is the founder and CEO of Topicals, the groundbreaking dermal company that caters to all skin types, no matter complexion. The Nigerian-American entrepreneur has turned the beauty industry on its head in just four short years and even made history in 2022 as the youngest Black woman to raise $10 million in funding. Though the company has successfully curated a range of products including its “Like Butter” moisturizing balm and “Slather” body serum, which is designed to tackle the appearance of bumps and texture, the real star of the show is its “Faded” serum. Uniquely formulated to target dark spots and discoloration, this serum has made the rounds across social media, with many users singing its praises as a wonder product. Esthetician-approved, the company doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, just last year, Topicals unveiled a new campaign featuring Grammy award-winning creative Teyana Taylor as its face. The company is also making just as much of an impact through its Mental Health Fund, which recently awarded five women-founded organizations funding to support mental health in marginalized communities.
Source: Photo by McCray’s Backyard BBQ
3. Derrick McCray – Senior Owner and CEO of McCray’s Backyard BBQ & Seafood
A third-generation pitmaster, Derrick McCray has continued his family’s legacy as one of Florida’s leading barbecue masters. Founded in 1934 by McCray’s great uncle, the barbecue joint has weathered the test of time, witnessing segregation and the civil rights movement. McCray’s Backyard BBQ & Seafood restaurant has always been a refuge for Floridians, who often visited in the past seeking comfort and good food. Now, it has cemented itself as a West Palm Beach cultural staple and possibly even a national treasure. Since taking over, Derrick McCray has served the likes of Venus Williams, Magic Johnson, and President Joe Biden. The eatery has also become an NFL favorite. The entrepreneur continues to work hard to give back to the community that has kept his business afloat for generations, using his influence to help those in need.
Source: Photo by Jeannie Albers
4. Austin Owens (Ayo The Producer) – Music Producer
Austin Owens, better known as Ayo The Producer, is most recognized for producing rapper Cardi B’s Grammy award-winning album Invasion of Privacy and her hit song, “WAP.” He has since acquired credits on a number of projects, including Doja Cat’s album Scarlet, which was released in Sept. 2023. Now, Owens is branching out on a new journey, having set his sights on opening a recording studio in his native downtown Orlando sometime this year. Partnering with the owners of The Beacham, a staple in the city’s nightlife scene, Owens’ new venture is called Hidden Sound Studios, according to WFTV 9. The Orlando scene is set to become even more impressive now that Owens is returning to branch out on his upcoming entrepreneurial project.
Source: Shonda Rhimes is the founder of Shondaland, the production company behind hit series Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. She became the first woman to create three television dramas that each surpassed 100 episodes. In 2017, Rhimes moved from network television to streaming, making a landmark deal with Netflix, said to be worth more than $100 million, and was inducted in Television Academy hall of fame She has built an estimated net worth of $250 million through her successful TV empire, production company and strategic business ventures: Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
5. Shonda Rhimes – Television Producer and Screenwriter
Shonda Rhimes has changed the landscape of television through her phenomenal world building and character-driven stories, featuring an ensemble of some of the industry’s biggest names. Rhimes is the creative mind behind some of television’s greatest dramas, including award-winning shows Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, and Grey’s Anatomy. She has garnered widespread acclaim for her achievements, having been the first African-American woman to create and produce a Top 10 network series with Grey’s Anatomy. Rhimes has since been featured in Forbes Magazine, and was the third Black woman to be inducted into the TV Hall of Fame, following talk show host Oprah Winfrey and singer Diahann Carroll. A household name, Rhimes’ entrepreneurial spirit has led her to capture the hearts of millions of viewers.
Source: Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images for Carol’s Daughter
6. Lisa Price – Founder of Carol’s Daughter
Founded in 1993, the idea for the long-standing hair company Carol’s Daughter first arose after former CEO Lisa Price received words of encouragement from her mother Carol, whose name is emblazoned on every bottle. Since this inception, Carol’s Daughter has emerged as one of the country’s most popular hair care brands. Catered toward Black women and their unique needs, it has especially become a staple in the natural hair community. The company has only continued to grow via partnerships with the likes of Latham Thomas and her foundation The Mama Glow Foundation, whend the two organizations joined forces in 2021 to increase awareness about the Black maternal health crisis. Though the company was acquired by L’Oreal USA in 2014, Price currently sits on its Executive Committee, where she continues to forge new paths in the world of business.
Source: Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Savage X Fenty
7. Robyn Rihanna Fenty – Savage x Fenty and Fenty Beauty
Music mogul Robyn Rihanna Fenty is more than recognizable. In fact, everyone knew her name by the time she was 20 years old after she sang iconic hits such as “Pon de Replay” and “Umbrella.” In her decades-long career, the songstress has embarked on a number of entrepreneurial endeavors. From her Savage x Fenty lingerie line to her Fenty Beauty company, Rihanna has solidified herself as both a music icon and business magnate. Fenty Beauty first launched in 2017 and was met with immediate praise for its inclusive shade range. The following year, Rihanna continued her impressive streak with the launch of Savage x Fenty, which drew attention for its cheeky and fashionable styles. Both business ventures have made Rihanna a formidable force, having brought her to billionaire status.
Source: Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for AfroTech
8. Angelica Nwandu – The Shade Room
Angelica Nwandu first founded the media company The Shade Room in 2014. It has since taken off, accumulating over 25 million followers across Instagram and Tik Tok. Nwandu developed the concept of the Shade Room after discovering the nexus between celebrity trending topics and media coverage. Hoping to initiate conversations surrounding news in the Black community, Nwandu pursued the idea and soon, gave rise to one of the country’s largest platforms on social media.
— Super Bowl Soulful Celebration (@SuperBowlSoul) January 29, 2024
“I am humbly grateful for this honor and acknowledgment to be selected for the NFL HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year for the 2023 season,” Bell told The Famuan, Florida A&M’s student newspaper. “To have it magnified and polarized at the Super Bowl is monumental.
“It’s humbling to be mentioned in the same sentence as Russell Wilson and Prime Time Deion Sanders, who have stood on this platform,” Bell added.
Bell signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft, making the Cowboy’s 53-man roster his rookie season.
However, this season, Bell had a breakout year after converting from safety to linebacker when rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown tore his ACL in the preseason. Despite being undersized at 6 ‘3 and 205 lbs, Bell excelled in the role, finishing second on the team with 94 tackles, including 60 solo tackles, four passes defended, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 17 games, helping the Cowboys win the NFC East with a 12-5 record and making the playoffs for the third straight year.
Despite his breakout season, Bell knows he has to improve for the Cowboys to make it further than the wild card round, and intends to go back to work this offseason.
“I know that I must work extremely hard during this off-season to condition my body to prepare for the everyday grind as a professional football player,” Bell said. “I am extremely excited about getting with my coaches and teammates this off-season to study my craft and add more tools to my tool belt.”
After Latest Loss, LeBron James Gives Blunt Assessment Of Current Season
“We could, on any given night, beat any team in the NBA. And then, on any given night, we get our ass kicked by any team in the NBA.”
It’s gotta be tough to expect to win the NBA championship every year, and for the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar player, LeBron James, it seems as if frustration is setting in.
After the latest Lakers game, in which the team suffered a loss to the Atlanta Hawks, 138-122, his solemn mood and response to a reporter’s question told the story. The Lakers are having the very definition of an up-and-down season, as the team’s record is a dismal 24-25. They have been circling the .500 mark all season, and it doesn’t create a winning mindset when you are winning every other basketball game.
Although it seems as if LeBron is breaking another record or making history every week, the playoffs don’t look to be in their future if their continued play stays at this level. His stat line for Wednesday night’s game was 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
As he sat in front of his locker after the loss, he expressed to reporters that, “We could, on any given night, beat any team in the NBA. And then, on any given night, we get our ass kicked by any team in the NBA.”
After shaking his head and giving a straight stare, he said, “That’s just it,” before questioning what the Lakers record is. After being told one game under .500, he then asks, “Under .500? What, 24-25? That’s where we are.”
LeBron James on the 24-25 Lakers: “We could on any given night beat any team in the NBA. And then on any given night we could get our ass kicked” pic.twitter.com/IlKra5XAmy
Last weekend, the future NBA Hall of Famer became the oldest player in NBA history (39) to score 30 points and pull down 20 rebounds in a game. LeBron’s stat line for the contest was 36 points and 20 rebounds (which amounted to a career-high for him) as he dished out 12 assists. He is the first Laker to post a 30-20-10 stat line since NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1976. He also joined Elgin Baylor in accomplishing that task.
Their next game is against their storied rival, the Boston Celtics, on Thursday, Feb. 1.
Opinion: California Makes Some Progress On Incarceration Of Women; Studies Show More Work Is Needed
California has the distinction of being the state with the highest rate of women sentenced to life in prison.
In California, strides have been made in reducing the incarceration rate for women, particularly among Black and white women, which dropped by nearly 50% between 2010 and 2019.
Despite improvements, Black women and Indigenous American women remain the most incarcerated groups.
According to a June 2021 report from the California Budget and Policy Center, Black women constituted over one-quarter (26%) of women incarcerated by the state in 2019, significantly higher than their share of the overall population (6%).
Similarly, American Indian women comprised almost 2% of incarcerated women—nearly five times their share of all women in California (0.4%). Latinx women’s share of incarcerated women was roughly equal to their share of all women in the state (about 35%). In contrast, white women were not overrepresented in state prisons in 2019.
Although there were notable declines in the incarceration rates for Black, white, and Latinx women from 2010 to 2019, inequalities persist. While the incarceration rate for Black women dropped by 53%, it remained substantially higher than that of Latinx and white women. Despite these improvements, California continues to grapple with racial disparities in its justice system.
The report concludes that California needs to step up.
“Policymakers must do more to address the racist policies and practices that have created and sustained racial disparities. A companion publication to this report will outline an array of policy options, including reforming sentencing policies; strengthening behavioral health intervention and treatment; addressing the structural barriers that block communities of color from economic and health opportunities; and reducing prison and police budgets and using the savings to fund investments in communities of color and justice system reforms,” the report reads.
It continues, “Advancing antiracist policies would help to improve the lives of Californians of color, including American Indian, Black, Latinx, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities, which have long faced discrimination and continue to be exposed to the damaging effects of racism inside and outside of the justice system.”
In 2022, the Essie Justice Group and the Prison Policy Initiative studied the origins of the incarcerated currently housed in California’s state prisons. They discovered that there is no local community in the state that is not impacted by mass incarceration. In addition, according to a summary of the report, those incarcerated are stratified along racial and economic lines. In Los Angeles, neighborhoods with the highest imprisonment rates are predominantly Latino and Black, while those with the lowest rates are primarily white and affluent.
“There are dramatic differences in incarceration rates within communities, often along racial and economic lines. For example, in Los Angeles the 14 neighborhoods with the highest imprisonment rates are clustered in South Central Los Angeles, where 57% of residents are Latino, 38% are Black, and 2% are white. Meanwhile, the L.A. neighborhoods with the lowest imprisonment rates are mostly in the predominately white and wealthier Westside region.”
The report also called for the passage of the BREATHE Act in California, a bill proposed by the Movement For Black Lives created to radically reconceptualize how public safety, community care, and money meet in society.
In 2023, a joint report from the University of California Sentencing Project, the California Coalition for Women’s Prisoners, and the UCLA Center for the Study of Women/The Streisand Center examined how incarcerating women-long term in California impacted those women. The report found that sentencing women to lengthy sentences functioned as part of the aim of the criminal justice system to punish those women as opposed to rehabilitation. California has the distinction of being the state with the highest rate of women sentenced to life in prison, coming in at 25% or one in four.
The report identified five categories of incarcerated women: those unrecognized as victims or survivors, traumatized by criminal procedure, affected by racist and sexist law and order politics, sentenced by prison and parole authorities, and sentenced to a lifetime behind bars.
The Vera Institute highlighted California’s substantial investment in its mass incarceration economy, with an estimated $18 billion spent on the criminal legal system in 2023, excluding city or county spending. Despite the state’s commitment to racial equity, Black and Latinx Californians bear a disproportionate burden, comprising 66% of the county jail population and 74% of the prison population, despite representing only 47% of the overall population.
“In 2021, California cities spent $14 billion on policing, and counties spent $19 billion on policing, jails, probation, and the judicial system. And despite the state’s commitment to racial equity, people of color disproportionately carry this burden—a direct result of decades of policy failure and systemic disinvestment in housing, employment, treatment, education, and other social services,” the Vera Institute,’s report stated. “Although Black and Latinx Californians make up 47 percent of the state’s population, they together comprise 66 percent of the county jail and 74 percent of the prison populations.”
These various studies point to the need for California to address racial disparities in its criminal justice system.
Taraji P. Henson And Terrence Howard Reunite In New Series ‘The Million Dollar Heist’
Taraji P. Henson is reuniting with Terrence Howard and Kevin Hart for a limited series based on the real-life robbery that took place during Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight.
Taraji P. Henson is reuniting with Terrence Howard and Kevin Hart for a new Will Packer-produced limited series basedon the real-life robbery that took place during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight.
Peacock‘s limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist sees Henson take on the role of Vivian Thomas, a savvy businesswoman and mistress to Chicken Man (played by Hart), Deadline reported. Howard will portray New Jersey mobster Richard “Cadillac” Wheeler, a close associate of the enigmatic ’70s Harlem narcotics syndicate called the Council of 12.
Hart’s Chicken Man is a street hustler focused on achieving higher status in the crime world. The series brings Henson and Hart back together, who previously worked on various projects including Think Like a Man and Not Easily Broken. It also reunites Henson with Howard and Craig Brewer, with whom she collaborated on Hustle & Flow and Empire.
The cast also includes the legendary Samuel L. Jackson and Dexter Darden, who will play Muhammad Ali. Set in Atlanta, the series shows how the armed robbery changed not just Wheeler’s life but the entire city’s destiny. All plotted around Ali’s first comeback fight on October 26, 1970, following a three-year hiatus.
The real-life money heist occurred at a post-fight gathering and became one of the most audacious robberies in Atlanta’s history. This criminal endeavor connected an underground network from Georgia’s capital to New York and received global media attention resulting in the city’s moniker as “The Black Mecca.” The series narrows its focus on the central figure who orchestrated the hustle and the detective who was tasked with unraveling it, notably one of the earliest Black investigators in Atlanta’s police force.
The series is based on the podcast Fight Night, which was produced by Will Packer along with iHeartPodcasts and Doghouse Pictures. No release date has been set.
First Black Mayor Of Summerton, SC, Dies In Car Crash
Junious made history in Summerton in 2022 after being elected the town's first-ever Black mayor.
The first Black mayor in the town of Summerton, South Carolina, died in a car crash. Tony Junious died on Jan. 27 after succumbing to his injuries at a local hospital.
The 48-year-old was driving on the morning of Jan. 27 when another car collided with his vehicle at an intersection. Junious’ car fell into a ditch, and the mayor was transported to the nearest hospital in Clarendon County. The other driver was taken to the hospital as well and was treated for non-fatal injuries, People magazine reported.
Junious made history in Summerton in 2022 after being elected the town’s first-ever Black mayor. The town has a population of 800, and Black residents hold a slight majority, over 52%, as of the 2020 census.
Upon the news of Junious’ death, the town’s official Facebook account released a statement on the loss of their “beloved” mayor, noting how he was “dedicated to public service.”
Alongside this, Clarendon County School District shared a press release honoring his work in the community.
“Mayor Junious served on several Clarendon County School Boards (Clarendon 1, Clarendon 4, Clarendon Consolidated Board) for a total of over 20 years until becoming Summerton’s first African American mayor in 2022,” the press release read. “During his time on the Clarendon County School Boards, Mayor Junious championed numerous initiatives that significantly enhanced the district’s quality of education and student life. His passion for educational excellence, equity, and community engagement was evident in every decision and action he took.”
Superintendent Dr. Shawn Johnson continued these sentiments in a personal message within the statement, speaking on his legacy toward bettering the lives of his constituents.
“We have lost a remarkable individual, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all through the completion of projects he fought for in the Summerton community,” said Johnson. “Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.”
Video of Omar making remarks telling a group that she was “Somalian first” surfaced on social media, triggering opinions of lawmakers, including DeSantis. In a tweet, the failed presidential candidate called for Omar to be expelled and deported from her seat and the country. “Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport!” DeSantis wrote on Jan. 30.
The post claims Omar failed to mention America while speaking to the group in Minneapolis, raising eyebrows. “Oh, and she says that her primary job in Congress is to protect Somali interests,” the post read.
Omar, whose story started as the first Somali American represented in Congress and the first woman of color to represent Minnesota, has been a frequent target for conservative lawmakers and voters. In 2022, Omar, a Muslim, was under fire for criticizing a group of Christian singers singing songs on a plane. She responded on Twitter, saying, “I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end?”
Now, her latest statements are causing a push for an investigation. According to The Hill, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) wants the House Ethics Committee to investigate Omar. In a letter to Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Emmer accused Omar of “delivering shocking remarks expressing allegiance to the interests of Somalia.”
Reiterating his remarks on Twitter, Emmer said, “Ilhan Omar’s appalling, Somalia-first comments are a slap in the face to the Minnesotans she was elected to serve and a direct violation of her oath of office.” “She should resign in disgrace,” he said.
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Fl.) also chimed in on the issue. In a video, he said his colleague is “always wrong about this stuff.” “I think it’s wrong but that’s typical for Illhan, she’s always wrong about this stuff,” he said. “If that’s how she feels, then why is she in the United States Congress?”
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) questions why Ilhan Omar is in the US after her Somalians first remark. pic.twitter.com/zTvT1UB4Jw
However, Omar isn’t backing down. She says she is embarrassed by Emmer and claims this is a publicity attempt after losing a chance at being House Speaker in 2023. “The attacks being lobbied against me are not only completely false, they are rooted in xenophobia and Islamophobia,” Omar said in a statement.
If you're looking to advance your career and become a successful leader you've come to the right place. In this advice column, I'll cover a range of topics related to career and leadership development.
If you’re looking to advance your career and become a successful leader, you’ve come to the right place. In this advice column I’ll cover a range of topics related to career and leadership development: networking, personal branding, effective communication, and team management.
But, who am I? My name is Joyel Crawford, MBA, PHR, CPCC, and I grow leaders for a living. I am an award-winning leadership development consultant, best-selling author, TEDx Speaker, and certified professional career coach with over two decades of corporate experience in human resources and career development. I’ve had the honor of coaching and mentoring thousands of individuals at the request of executives in a number of industries. I also wrote the Amazon bestseller, Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.
My assignment as a Fairygodmentor® is to provide practical advice on how to succeed in your career and to achieve your professional goals. Think of me as the Iyanla Vanzant for all things that relate to career and leadership development.
One of the most common questions I get asked is, “How do I become a better leader?”
One thing I’d like to point out is that you don’t have to be a manager to be a leader. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or you’re a seasoned professional, there’s always room for growth and improvement. With the fast pace of today’s global business environment, it’s more important than ever to develop the skills and qualities that make a great leader.
I’d like to introduce you to my 4-step coaching framework. It’s called RISE: Reflect, Identify, Strategize and Execute.
Where do you start?
The first step is to reflect by doing a personal SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses and identify areas where you could use some improvement. It’s hard to do this type of introspection on your own so you might need to seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or take a self-assessment to better understand your own leadership style.
When receiving that feedback, understand that this information helps you grow and glow in your career. Is there anything that you can put into action? If you need help, ask for it. Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness.
From there you can strategize by setting goals and creating a plan for how you’ll execute them. This might involve taking courses or attending workshops to develop specific skills or seeking out new challenges and opportunities to put your leadership abilities to the test.
But it’s not just about your own development – effective leadership also involves building strong relationships and teams. This might mean learning how to communicate more effectively with your colleagues, or developing strategies for motivating and inspiring your team to achieve their goals. One great way to find out what your team members need is to ask them. Having regular one-on-one conversations is paramount to building trust and a solid working relationship.
If you have questions about career and leadership ask here.
Image: Kirsten White Photograph
Joyel Crawford of Crawford Leadership Strategies grows leaders for a living. Joyel hosts a podcast called Career View Mirror®. She also holds PHR, DISC, and Birkman Assessment certifications. She’s a member of SHRM, the National Black MBA Association, and a legislative advocate for NAAF. Her career advice is featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Essence, Newsweek, and many more outlets.
