Today’s episode covers some of the topics that you, our Polished Podcast listeners, have told us you care about most! Mentorship, growing as a professional, and contributing to a healthy workplace environment all come up in our conversation with Monica Johnson—author, advocate, speaker, entrepreneur and coach.
On today’s episode, Monica shares about growing up in multiple homes, experiencing numerous abuses, and reclaiming her identity as an adult. “What you can do,” she says, “is take the things that have happened and cultivate them to become a something greater for the greater good.”
Monica has been cultivating herself and those around her to become something for the greater good for decades now. A business professional at the Fortune 100 company UPS for the past 27 years, Monica has expertise in cost, taxation, and operational management. She is the founder of the non-profit organization That Girl is S.M.A.R.T. (Successful. Magnificent. Authentic. Resourceful. Talented)—”a purpose-driven organization focused on transforming the lives of young girls from the inside out.”
Monica has given a TED talk entitled Can We End A Culture of Abandonment? and published her book Shift from Broken to Breathtaking: Don't Let What Happens to You Break You, Let It Break Open What Is in You!. She also started One Word Movement “to change lives by empowering individuals to be ignited, informed, and inspired with integrity for a lasting impact.”
You won’t want to miss Monica’s thoughts on the difference between a sponsor and mentor, her vibrant, hopeful outlook on life despite tremendous hardship, or her in-depth explanation of her SMILE method, which stands for:
Connect with Monica on Instagram and Twitter at @imonicajohnson.