Annise Parker

Today, we’re featuring some of the most inspiring guests we’ve had on the show - and it just so happens they are all women. You’ll hear from Oscar winner turned Trevor Project Founder Peggy Rajski, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker,  CNN Hero Yasmine Arrington, White House Cyber Czar Camille Stewart Gloster, ad agency legend Cary Hatch, Points of Light CEO Jennifer Sirangelo, healthcare innovator Silvia Taylor, Science luminary Maya Ajmera, Substack influencer Lia Haberman, and Accenture diversity champion Nedra Dickson. This powerful episode dives into authentic leadership and the art of influencing both within large organizations and in the wider community. The conversation covers a range of impactful topics, from translating marketing and finance to engaging younger audiences, combating misinformation, and building personal brands. The guests share their personal journeys and invaluable insights on overcoming challenges, embracing failure, fostering inclusivity, and championing supplier diversity. Takeaways:Translate Across Disciplines: Understand different terminologies, such as finance and corporate speak. As a leader or influencer, being fluent in the languages relevant to your stakeholders is essential to gaining credibility and a seat at the table.Prioritize Listening and Learning: Authentic listening is key. Leaders should intentionally create opportunities to hear from their audience, staying connected and responsive to their needs.Address Misinformation Proactively: Focus on spreading credible, fact-based information rather than chasing down every piece of misinformation. Tailor your message to highlight benefits and facts that resonate with your audience.Commit to Solving Problems: Recognize critical moments and take decisive action when challenges arise. Whether it's creating new solutions or improving existing ones, proactive problem-solving is essential for leadership.Be a Good Listener: Effective influence begins with listening. Understanding your audience's needs and perspectives allows for more impactful communication and decision-making.Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool: Use setbacks as opportunities to learn. Embracing failure and applying those lessons can sharpen your approach and enhance your influence.Build and Maintain a Personal Brand: Actively define and promote your personal brand. Whether within an organization or externally, a strong personal brand helps you connect with your audience and drive impact.Links:Cary Hatch: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryhatch/ Jennifer SirangeloLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sirangelo-62a8723/ Silvia Taylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviabtaylor/ Peggy Rajski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggyrajski/ Annise Parker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annise-parker-7956bb6/ Maya Ajmera LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayaajmera/ Yasmine Arrington Brooks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmine-arrington-brooks-66451220/ Camille Stewart GlosterLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillestewartesq/ Lia Haberman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liahaberman/ Nedra Dickson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedra-dickson-051b361/ 

Annise Parker is the President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund & Institute; they endorse and financially support LGBTQ+ candidates through the Victory Fund and provide training and support to run for office and serve effectively through the Victory Institute. They also foster a network among LGBTQ+ elected officials, offering leadership programs and facilitating regular exchanges to ensure effective representation and advocacy for constituents.Annise Parker was the first former elected official to lead the Victory Fund, serving as mayor of Houston and making history as the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor of a major American city. She gained global recognition, including being named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in 2010. Parker has also been praised for her leadership in addressing climate change and has received accolades from various organizations, solidifying her reputation as a visionary leader.In today's episode, Annise Parker shares her journey from electoral setbacks to emphasizing the significance of listening, understanding, and direct engagement in leadership while discussing strategies for promoting LGBTQ+ representation in politics and fostering diversity and inclusion.Takeaways:A leader's ability to influence and effect change stems from being an attentive listener. Understanding your audience or community's experiences and perspectives is foundational to effective leadership.Success often requires resilience. If you're passionate about making an impact, be prepared to face setbacks and learn from them. Your determination to get up and fight for what you want, as many times as you need, is crucial.Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion must be more than performative. It should reflect your organization's core values, translated into tangible support for your team and community.The willingness to admit mistakes and learn from them is a strength. Saying "You were right and I was wrong" fosters personal growth and builds trust within your team and with your constituents.Anticipate potential criticisms and challenges to your initiatives. A prepared response or strategy allows you to remain steadfast in your mission and values, even under pressure.Whether in public office or leading a company, having a genuine, unwavering commitment to your goals and principles will guide you through times of uncertainty and change.Successful leaders are not only resilient but also adaptable. If a strategy or approach fails, be willing to analyze the reasons, learn from the experience, and adapt your tactics to meet your objectives better.Quote of the Show:“You have to be a good listener to be a good influencer. You have to understand what your audience experiences.” - Annise ParkerLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annise-parker-7956bb6 LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Website: https://victoryinstitute.org LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Website: https://victoryfund.org Shout Outs:Kathy Hubbard - Annise Parker’s wifeThe City of Houston: https://www.houstontx.gov Time Magazine: https://time.com The City Mayor's Foundation: http://citymayors.com President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/resilience/taskforce C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: https://www.c40.org The Climate Disclosure Project: https://www.cdp.net/en Scenic Houston: https://www.scenichouston.org Holocaust Museum Houston: https://hmh.org Rice University: https://www.rice.edu The Out for America Map: https://outforamerica.org The CDC: https://www.cdc.gov Shevrin Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shevrin-jones-m-ed-916b776 Danica Roem: https://twitter.com/pwcdanica Joel Osteen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-osteen-661bb3107 Fast Company Magazine: https://www.fastcompany.com Chamber of Commerce: https://www.uschamber.com The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com Annise Parker on Wait, Wait… Don't Tell Me on NPR: https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me Annise Parker on The Colbert Report: https://www.cc.com/video/67w2nh/the-colbert-report-annise-parker Tom DeLay: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tom-DeLay Dancing with the Stars: https://abc.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars Dylan Mulvaney: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmulvaney Everything You Need to Know About the Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney Fiasco: https://www.them.us/story/dylan-mulvaney-bud-light-drama-explained