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Miniseries: Where Do We Go Now? How Women Consultants Can Reclaim Power in Uncertain Times (Part 3)

• Dr. Angelina Davis • Season 3

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Navigating the post-election turbulence can feel like an uphill climb—especially for women of color in the consulting world. The collective exhaustion is real, but what if this moment of pause could become the catalyst for something greater? What if, instead of sitting in acceptance, you could transform it into a powerful force for personal and professional growth?

The election is over, the dust has settled, and the next steps feel uncertain for many. The question is, What comes next? 

In this episode, we’re unpacking what it truly means to move forward, not with frantic urgency or burnout, but with calm, calculated intention and strategic clarity. Sometimes, the most radical move isn’t charging ahead. It’s taking a strategic step back. This episode explores how to use this season as a launchpad for repositioning, rebuilding confidence, and staying ahead in a shifting world.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn moments of stillness into moments of power, this conversation is for you. Because this isn’t just about surviving uncertain times—it’s about thriving in them. Tune in now.


***Subscribe and share this episode to inspire others to join this supportive and transformative conversation.***

For more information, visit https://excelatconsulting.com/

Speaker 1:

Look by now. We have all been through it the collective exhaustion, the disillusionment, the quiet resolve to just sit back, grab a glass of wine or coffee and watch everything burn down around us. I get it. We have been through a lot over the past few months. But let me ask you this lot over the past few months, but let me ask you this what if we could channel this moment of stillness into strategy? What if we could protect our peace and prepare ourselves to move forward with audacity and precision? What if we could do that? I think it would really change everything.

Speaker 1:

And in this episode, I'm not here to tell you to jump back in the fight. That's not my goal. You've earned your pause. Take a pause, protect your peace, do all the things. But I am here to challenge you to think about what's next. How can we use this time to reposition ourselves, to refine our strategy and really prepare for the opportunities that are going to come? Because, whether we like it or not, the world is still moving and, in all honesty, we got to move with it. So my hope is that by the end of this episode, you will feel equipped to approach this shift in landscape with more clarity and confidence, and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to wrap up our mini series talking about where we go now, because, to be honest with you guys, I have been really pondering that question. I have been really pondering that question. They say the odds are stacked against us as women, especially women of color, trying to thrive in the consulting world. But rather than wait for a seat at the table that may never come, what if we build our own tables? What if we channeled our talents into guiding each other towards the success we deserve?

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Black Girls Consulting Podcast. I'm your host, dr Angelina Davis, and I've walked the path from healthcare consultant to a mentor for women like you, ambitious, unstoppable and ready to make waves in the consulting world. This podcast is your go-to spot for all things entrepreneurial consulting. For us as women, especially women of color, think of it as your weekly coffee date with a friend who's here to dish out real talk on building a solid business, elevating your thought leadership and mastering that all-important mindset. And let's not forget, we're doing all of this while balancing day jobs, family life and running teams. Yes, we can do it all. So if you're ready to dive into how you can grow a thriving consultancy or get strategies and insights that actually fit your busy lifestyle, then you're in the right place. Grab your coffee, tea or, hey, even a glass of wine, I won't judge. Let's get started. So, if you're just tuning in to the Black Girls Consulting Podcast, I'm your host, dr Angelina Davis, and I want to welcome you to this mini series.

Speaker 1:

This is a three-part series that I have been doing that's focused on being able to transform our collective trauma post-election. If you're tuning from outside of the US, then we had an election recently. It caused a lot of upheaval for a number of different reasons, and we've been talking about how to navigate much of what has transpired and how we move forward in the face of what may feel like a sense of betrayal, in a way that allows us to succeed even greater than we have before, and this miniseries has gone through the various stages of grief and trauma. We talked about the aspect, like I said, of betrayal. We have talked about how to overcome that and come out on the other side, and now many of us are at this period where we are really at a level of acceptance, where we are starting to figure it all out, recognizing that, listen, it is what it is right, and many of us are sitting in this space with even maybe I would say a little bit of detachment, and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with that. I can admit that I'm there too, but when we really step back from the emotional labor of it all, of the struggle, it doesn't mean that we have to give up. What it does mean, though, is that we need to be good about prioritizing our energy moving forward, and I will say that there's a lot of power in being able to do that. So, instead of just sitting back and being still, we need to still have movement.

Speaker 1:

Sitting back doesn't mean that we don't do anything right. This moment of pause can really be our opportunity to quietly build, to lay the foundation for what's coming next, and we don't need to do that with a lot of urgency. We are not doom and glooming it. There shouldn't be a sense of fear or overwhelm, but I want us to tap into a sense of clarity and intentionality, because this isn't about jumping back into the fray. It is about asking ourselves what is it that we can do right now to prepare for our next move? The world may not be ready to meet us where we are Listen. We're accepting that. We know we have work to do. Things are much bigger than you and I. There is a lot of room for change and, prayerfully, all that will be coming. But despite all of that, what does it mean if we don't give up on our goals? What would it mean if we were able to come out on the other side of all of this stronger, more financially stable and secure, and with the ability to have impacted and changed the landscape of our industry? All of that is still in our hands. We can definitely do all of that. All of that. So I want to talk about that today and I want us to put our thinking hats on and be open-minded when it comes to a lot of this discussion.

Speaker 1:

One of the first realizations I had and where I want to start, is that this whole election cycle was really proof of power, the power that we have. Oftentimes, we get stuck in what many will call imposter syndrome when we begin to question our qualifications. We question what we know, we question whether or not we have what it takes to succeed. Clients and even a number of colleagues talk about their struggles submitting their response to request for proposals and they get feedback that may be vastly different from their colleagues, and they're looking at it and they're thinking to themselves. I feel like I'm better prepared, I feel like I know more, I feel like I offer a better service, I'm doing more, I'm performing at a higher level, but, whatever reason, I still need to get this certification. I don't have this degree or I don't have this recognition, and therefore I wasn't able to land the contract that I wanted and, in all honesty, that's never been the case, really right.

Speaker 1:

We can just look at what's going on right now when it comes to politics and our government, without going into great detail. Let's just be honest. We are watching so many people end up in positions of power that don't have the qualifications, they don't have the knowledge or the expertise, and they're still there, and this is really nothing new. It has never been the case that you needed another degree. It has never been the case that you needed another degree, certification or any other type of document to validate your brilliance. You didn't need anyone to co-sign that. You have already done the work and that work really does speak for itself. I know, sometimes it may not feel like it and people may make you feel as if it's something different, but in all actuality, that has never been the case.

Speaker 1:

Think of one thing you've been holding back on because you feared what someone may say or how they may judge. You Think of that thing, and now I want you to think about what would have happened if you just went for it, because what I want us to step into right now is a new level of audacity. Now, audacity isn't about just being reckless and being out there thinking that you know it all and not putting in the work, but audacity really is about knowing your worth and moving accordingly, because the thing that we have to remember is that old systems might not recognize your power, but guess what? It doesn't mean that power doesn't exist. You have the tools to build something great, something that reflects your values and your vision and your leadership. You have that already. You have that experience, you have that knowledge, you have that brilliance. You don't need anybody to validate that. You have enough. I don't want to hear it anymore you second guessing and questioning whether or not you are well-prepared. You are. Now, if you want to do extra because you need the knowledge or you feel as if it will help you in your work totally different conversation. But to be able to check off a box. No, we're not doing that. You don't need to do that, and I think you have more than enough evidence right now to know that is the case Now.

Speaker 1:

The second thing is that our landscape has changed, and because the landscape has changed, we have to change with it. We have to be able to adapt and think about this most when we're talking about diversity, equity and inclusion, funding of those initiatives and how everybody was so engaged with making sure we had more equitable workspaces and that we had an environment that was more inclusive, even if it was by name. There was some level of belief that this needed to be pursued, and now we see the rules are shifting. That now it's a bad word. It's almost like a slur that you hear on the news, right, and I want you to know that if you have dedicated your life's work in that area, it's still important, it still deserves to be supported, it still is important to many people out there and that your business, that your consulting practice, is still going to thrive.

Speaker 1:

While that is the case, this does still mean that we have to be strategic. We need to think about how we can navigate that change, how we can take stock of what's actually happening and change our approach to it, and sometimes it's going to mean that we need to reposition ourselves. Maybe it does mean that we need to pivot to some extent, but although this pivot can happen, it can be very small. It may be a shift in your messaging, or maybe a shift here and there. It could be a big step altogether, but the point is that, more than likely, we're going to have to adjust, and so I want us to do this with a very open mind. It doesn't mean that we have to change our focus and our mission and our goals. We just need to remain fixated on what the end result is, that we want, and then be flexible on how we get there, because pivoting, making a strategic adjustment, repositioning those things are not about abandoning your vision. It's just about staying flexible, being willing to adapt, and really the most successful businesses and leaders and movements aren't the ones that resist the change. They're the ones that actually adapt and still navigate further to get to the end result.

Speaker 1:

So, while this new landscape may be a little scary, while it can make you question some of what you have been doing and wondering whether or not you're hitting a brick wall. You may get frustrated with how some people may be responding Not all. I do want to stress that Not all. You may be somewhat frustrated in how things are changing, but know that you have control. You have the ability to make adjustments so that you can still win in this space. I want us to focus on that, so don't be afraid of making adjustments. This is the time to do it. Like I said, this is all about taking that quiet action. We don't need to make a big announcement, a big to-do about it. You don't need to make a post on LinkedIn or on any other social media channel. You don't have to revamp your website into something different. Just make the shift, make the adjustments necessary for your business to still succeed in this new environment, in this new landscape.

Speaker 1:

And then the last point I want to make is that the one thing the election cycle did and it's been uncomfortable to navigate is that it stripped away the facade. We're in a space right now where we can see people's values and beliefs and attentions a lot more clearly now, probably more clearly than we've ever seen, at least in our lifetimes. And while that transparency can be uncomfortable and unsettling and disappointing, it is also very powerful. Why? Because when you know what others stand, you can actually make the necessary adjustments. You can craft messaging and strategies that truly do resonate with what matters most to people and I know you may be thinking that I don't want to resonate with someone who is so vastly different from my beliefs and core values. And that is a lot easier to do when you're thinking about one-on-one consulting or maybe even working with a smaller business. But when you get into these corporate environments and enterprises, there are going to be a lot of people at that table and they're going to all think differently. They're going to all look differently and guess what? You're going to use that to your advantage. And the thing about this transparency is that it's going to help you see who you are talking to and then what you need to say. You will better know who you're trying to reach, what they care about and how you can meet them where they are without compromising your values.

Speaker 1:

I like to remind clients all the time is that when you go into a conversation in the meeting at the corporate level and you may even be pitching your services or whatever it may be you're going to have people at that table that disagree with you, that are going to be opposed to working with you, and you have to still win them over. You have to still present it in a way that, even if you don't win them over, you win everybody else over in the room. Therefore, they move forward. You're going to have to still work with that person that may feel some kind of way about you walking in a room. I've told the story many times before about me having a client before that I had to serve and consult with, and I walked in and they saw my black face and my curly hair and I could see the shock on their face and they were not interested nor excited that I was there as a black female. But, in all honesty, guess what I had to do? I had to still do the job. I had to still show up and do the work.

Speaker 1:

So there is going to be those difficult moments, especially when you're working at that higher level. You're not going to always appeal to everyone, but I want you to focus on connecting deeply with the people that align with your mission and your vision and then know how to navigate those individuals that don't see eye to eye, and the great part about it is that now there's a little bit more transparency, you know a little bit more about who may not necessarily be on your team at that table. That's actually a powerful thing to have. Transparency is powerful. I don't want you to look at it as a disadvantage. It is actually literally a roadmap telling you what you need to do, who you need to talk to and what you need to say. So use it to craft your arguments, your pitches, use it to create the initiatives. That's going to resonate with all the stakeholders at the table. I want you to use it to your advantage, because that right there is going to be one of the most powerful assets that you have. It's going to be your ability to turn this transparency into power, and I'm telling you it is extremely powerful if you use it in the right way.

Speaker 1:

So when I think about where we go now, I don't just think about us being at a standstill. I actually see us using this as an opportunity to recalibrate, to prepare to move forward with purpose and power, because the truth is that the world is going to keep moving. Whether or not we're ready is going to keep moving, but the question is are we going to be ready to meet the moment when it comes. So here's my challenge I want you to use this time wisely I do. I want you to build. I want you to strategize. I want you to move with audacity. You can do that while you protect your peace. I want you to move with audacity. You can do that while you protect your peace. I want you to do all these things because when the next opportunity comes and it will come, it's definitely going to come you want to be ready to claim it. That's what we have to do right now. That's what we do next. That's where it's going. So I hope this mini series has been helpful for you as we all navigate this whole collective journey. I truly do hope that you've been able to glean something from it to help build and expand your practice. I really want to thank you for joining me today for this last part of the series.

Speaker 1:

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to share it with someone who really does need to hear it. Spread the word, pass this along. We all need to stay empowered. We all need to motivate one another. And remember, moving forward doesn't mean accomplishing all of this at once. It means that you can move with excitement by taking one bold step at a time. That's all it takes. That's it All right? Okay, guys, I can't wait to talk to you again soon, take care. Thank you for tuning in to the Black Girls Console 2 podcast. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to leave your review on Apple Podcasts, subscribe and share it with a friend. We're on a mission to increase the success and longevity of women in consulting, and you can help us do just that. Also, I'd love to hear from you, so let's connect at Dr Angelina Davis on Instagram or LinkedIn, and don't forget to visit excel at consultingcom for more information to support your consulting journey. Until next time, keep breaking glass ceiling, all right, take care.

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