Written by: Fabrice Testa, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Gone are the days when entrepreneurship was solely about starting a business and making a profit. Today's entrepreneurs are taking things to the next level and pushing boundaries in all industries. Super-entrepreneurship is about more than just financial success, it's about creating a positive impact on society and the world at large. Entrepreneurship is a highly valued and respected trait in modern society. It represents the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities, create new jobs, and drive economic growth, and bring innovative ideas to market. But while most entrepreneurs are content to build successful businesses that provide a good income and a comfortable lifestyle, a small percentage of individuals aim to create something much bigger. These are the super-entrepreneurs, and their goal is to change the world. What is Super-Entrepreneurship? Super-entrepreneurship is a term that refers to a rare breed of entrepreneurs who have the vision to create companies that will change the world in a profound and positive way. These entrepreneurs are driven by a desire to solve significant global problems and create a better future for all. They are not content with simply making a profit; they want to make a positive impact on the world and leave a legacy that will last for generations. The Characteristics of Super-Entrepreneurs Super-entrepreneurs share many common traits that set them apart from other entrepreneurs. Some of the most notable characteristics include: A Vision for Change: Super-entrepreneurs have a clear vision for the future and a desire to create change in the world. They are not satisfied with the status quo and are constantly looking for ways to improve things. A Passion for their Cause: Super-entrepreneurs are passionate about their cause and are willing to put in the time and effort required to make a difference. They are driven by their mission and are not deterred by obstacles or setbacks. An Innovative Mindset: Super-entrepreneurs are innovative thinkers who are always looking for new and better ways to solve problems. They are not afraid to take risks and try new things, and they are not satisfied with the status quo. A Strong Work Ethic: Super-entrepreneurs have a strong work ethic and are willing to put in the time and effort required to achieve their goals. They are not afraid to put in the hard work and are not satisfied with mediocrity. A Long-Term Focus: Super-entrepreneurs are not focused on short-term gains but on the long-term impact they want. They are willing to make sacrifices and take risks in the present to achieve their future vision. The Super-Entrepreneur’s Manifesto Let me share with you, my super-entrepreneur’s manifesto which consists of ten powerful principles you can apply to become a super-entrepreneur and build the world you love. As a super-entrepreneur, think “I’m possible’’ instead of “Impossible”. Build the world you love. If the problem looks insurmountable, then it’s … for you, because you’re born to shape a better future for humanity. A crazy idea without a plan is just another idea. But a crazy idea with a rock-solid plan will change the planet. When you are scared by your crazy idea ‒ make it crazier! When naysayers laugh at your crazy ideas, just laugh back louder, because they will soon be your customers. If you find the climb too hard, reshape the mountain until it suits you. If you can shoot for the moon, you might as well shoot for the stars. Making things 10% better is great! But making things 10 times better can transform life as we know it. Which do you prefer? Success in entrepreneurship is like good comedy ‒ it's all about timing! Super-Entrepreneurship Recipe: 2 cups ambition, 2 cups craziness, 1 cup timing, 1 cup preparation, 1 cup mindset, 1 tbsp grit, and a dash of genius. In conclusion, super-entrepreneurship is about finding innovative solutions to the world's most pressing problems, such as climate change, social inequality, and economic hardship. By combining business acumen with a desire to make a difference, super-entrepreneurs are changing the game and leading the way for the next generation of business leaders. So, let's celebrate and support these trailblazers, who are not just building successful businesses, but are making a lasting impact on the world. Join the movement and become a super-entrepreneur today! If you would like to get my coaching to elevate you and become a Super-Entrepreneur, I developed a dedicated online program, The Crazy Method Launchpad to support you in your journey. To express your interest, please fill out this quick application form. Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Fabrice! Fabrice Testa, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Fabrice Testa, is a coach, keynote speaker and bestselling author. He is a Visionary Thought Leader who has been featured in prestigious media like Forbes, Entrepreneur, Business Insider and Jack Canfield's Success TV. Testa is the author of Super-Entrepreneurship Decoded (https://geni.us/SuperEntrepreneurship), which fastly became 1 Amazon Best Seller. This book is dedicated to help future inventors or game-changers willing to leave an impact to make the world a better place. For this, Testa analyzed the super-achievers' processes so as to reveal their secrets. elevate entrepreneurs and innovators to materialize their breakthrough potential and build the world we love!

Written by: Manuj Aggarwal, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Did you know? Burden of diseases has historically been a topic that many people dread and worry greatly about. Now, there’s no doubt that there have been some notable advancements in the medical field. From vaccines, anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging, to penicillin, which are among the greatest medical improvements in history, and have made significant changes in medicine. You see, with the progress medical science has made over the years in understanding the human body, one would expect increased life expectancy and lower disease/death rates. We have made good progress in this area. But sadly, we are nowhere close to curing all the known and unknown diseases which are present today. But what if I told you that the medical community is about to get a ‘magic wand’ ‒ one that can be used to cure the numerous diseases plaguing humanity? Would you believe me? Now relax, we do not have to be magicians to wield this wand. All we need is the grit required to use the power of the wand to its fullest potential. ‘What is this magic wand, this writer so keenly speaks about?’, you might wonder. In two words, ‘ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE!’ With the use of AI, medical experts have been able to take healthcare delivery to another level ‒ one that is sophisticated, precise, and efficient. ‘How?’ You ask again. Through the delivery of personalized medicine. Before we proceed, I’d like to tell you a story. This is the story of a 4-year-old girl, suffering from a condition known as acute immunological insufficiency. The immunological insufficiency was as a result of a defective gene that failed to create a necessary enzyme. Medical experts worked tirelessly to develop a cure to save the little girl’s life. Here’s how they did it: They removed part of the girl's white blood cells during the therapeutic process. Then, they exposed them to a genetically modified virus that still included healthy copies of the gene that was defective in the girl but had lost its virulence. White blood cells that had been infected by the virus were then given back to the girl via transfusion. Afterwards, the cells started generating the correct enzyme once they were restored inside the girl's bloodstream. And, for the first time ever, gene therapy was successfully implemented. Precision medicine is a new method for treating and preventing diseases that considers a person's unique genetic makeup as well as their environment, lifestyle, and other factors. With the help of this method, medical professionals and researchers will be able to anticipate with more accuracy which disease-specific treatments and preventative measures will be effective in different populations. This is opposed to a one-size-fits-all strategy, which develops illness treatment and preventative measures for the typical person while paying less attention to individual differences. While "precision medicine" as a discipline is a recent invention, the idea has long been present in healthcare. As an illustration, to lower the chance of complications, blood transfusion patients are not given blood from a donor chosen at random but rather from a donor whose blood type is matched to their own. Regrettably, precision medicine plays a relatively small part in daily healthcare, despite the fact that there are instances in a number of medical specialties. Researchers anticipate that in the upcoming years, this strategy will be used in a variety of fields of healthcare and health. Some of the key facts to keep in mind to help understand personalized medicine are listed below: The human genome shows us that specific diseases are caused by specific genes in our DNA. Conventional medical practices cannot go that deep into individuals’ anatomy or DNA, thus making the need for personalized medicine essential. Medical experts have devised personalized medicine which solves the problem of medication side effects, by treating individuals based on their genetic makeup. The use of biomarkers to categorize individuals in clinical trials to enhance the effectiveness and/or patient safety, boosting overall the likelihood of clinical success and medication approval, is at the heart of the precision medicine approach to drug development. Targeted medication therapy—drugs that attack a particular target on cancer cells such as employing tumor marker tests to identify cancer or HER2-positive breast cancer cells—and immunotherapy—drugs that support the body's immune system in fighting cancer—are the two types of treatment that precision medicine practitioners most frequently employ. Gene therapy attempts to treat illness or strengthen your body's resistance to illness by replacing a damaged gene or adding a new gene. Through 2020, roughly 85% of ALL patients who received gene therapy went into remission. Numerous disorders, including cancer, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hemophilia, and AIDS, may be treated with gene therapy. An example of gene therapy is the germline gene therapy. The goal of germline gene therapy is to introduce improved cells into the germ line (e.g., cells of the ovary or testis). Precision medicine techniques isolate patient phenotypes with less frequent responses to therapy or particular medical requirements. Here are some of the benefits of AI in personalized healthcare: There are many applications for AI and machine learning (ML) models. Through the use of complex computing and inference, AI helps to develop insights, allows the system to reason and learn, and enhances clinical decision-making. The exploration of novel genotypes and phenotypic data is done in precision medicine using artificial intelligence (AI) approaches. AI has increasingly shown a capability to custom design drugs or medicines based on an individual's specific DNA and genealogy. These customized drugs will ensure that these medicines have minimal or no side effects. AI guarantees a fast and efficient cure because medicine administration is specifically designed for the human body. The identification of genomic regions with genetic sequences or epigenetic characteristics that allow for greater editing efficiency with little off-target activity is a benefit of CRISPR target site prediction algorithms for viral therapies. Now, that is the power of AI! AI in healthcare has helped strengthen medical care and the quality of life of diverse individuals. The advancing technology produces greater unambiguous diagnoses and treatment procedures and ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes. More than ever before, AI is revolutionizing healthcare and changing how conventional medicine is done. The question isn't if AI can affect communities positively or adds tremendous value to the lives of millions. The answers to the question above aren't debatable. Artificial Intelligence has proven and will continually substantiate as a vital component of future diagnostic and treatment pathways. The question is, How ready are we in medical practice, to embrace the revolution AI makes available? Are we going to keep sitting on the fence? Or, take advantage of this 'magic wand', starting today? The choice is ours to make! Follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Manuj! Manuj Aggarwal, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Manuj Aggarwal is one of the global leaders in artificial intelligence with 4 patents in AI. A troubled home and relationship troubles led Manuj to a depressed state. Manuj decided to turn his life around through meditation, spirituality, and understanding how our mind creates our reality. He has since dedicated his life to helping others unleash their true potential. He is the CEO of TetraNoodle Technologies, an elite technology consulting company. TetraNoodle incorporates mindfulness and behavioral science in every technology project. TetraNoodle's clients include hundreds of startups and Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, IBM, ING Bank, Pearson Education, and more.

Written by: Lisa Marotta, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. A morning routine encourages us to start our day off with intentions and purpose. These few actions and steps are so crucial. They can set the tone. Here are 5 ideas you can take with you when building out your morning! 1. Get enough sleep! This may be confusing to some, but your routine does not start that morning. It begins the night before. Not getting enough sleep will affect you the following day. Say goodbye to electronics at least 30 minutes before bed. Give yourself time to unwind. This unwinding period will trickle into the next morning with positive effects. 2. Wake up earlier than you have been. I know some of us aren’t morning people and that is completely okay. This does not have to be a huge shift in time. Maybe set your alarm 20 minutes earlier than usual. You can slowly grow that into 30, 40, or 50 minutes earlier. Baby steps count. The extra minutes will prevent stress and rushing. This also will allow you to have more “me” time before your workday. 3. Meditate. If you give yourself more time in the morning, then you are giving yourself time to try new things. Meditation can help you zone in and focus on the day. Don’t worry about the “what ifs” and focus on the “what is”. Try small steps at first. So many do 5-minute meditations and it can make such a difference. Some apps you can use for guided meditations are ‒ The Peloton App, Youtube, Calm App, Beachbody, and more. 4. Get started on mindset work! Let’s break out some journaling. This will get your brain flowing. There are so many mindset workbooks that can help start your day. How we communicate with ourselves is extremely powerful. Some open a notebook and brain dump while others love guided journals. Case Kenny has created amazing, guided journals that are sold right on amazon. 5. Make your bed! Completing this small task will lead to more productivity throughout the day. Once you check off one task on your list, you will start easily checking off others. Also, this will help you feel calm. Your bedroom should send relaxing vibes. If it is messy or disorganized, you will not be relaxed. These are just a few of the many ideas that you can use for your morning routine. You can swap these out and implement others instead. 30+ minutes to yourself each day can go such a long way. Take back control of the way you spend your time. You will then realize just how powerful you are. For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website! Read more from Lisa! Lisa Marotta, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lisa Marotta is a certified Nutritionist and established owner of Lifestyle with Lisa. In 2017, Marotta decided to transform her lifestyle for the better, both physically and mentally, and it was the best decision she has ever made. She chose to create Lifestyle with Lisa, an all-inclusive and dynamic nutrition-coaching service, to help those who are facing the challenges she did just a few years ago. As a nutrition coach, she customizes her programs to meet all of her client's individual needs. From meal planning and fitness routines to maintaining a positive mindset when faced with life’s challenges, Lisa builds custom strategies to help her clients not only reach their goals and desires, but to maintain them. Often times, people may feel as though they do not have the right tools or motivation to make the changes necessary to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. Her goal is to help those see that their goals are achievable and that support can be found both internally within them self as well as externally with the right tools.

Written by: Lisa Charles , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. What happens to the soil, dying ‒ stripped of its topsoil ‒ deprived of its minerals, bacteria, and fungi, all essential to supporting the ecological system? What happens when the soil, soaked in synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and chemicals that kill plant-protecting insects and seep into crops, prevents plants from absorbing vital nutrients and minerals crucial in sustaining human life? The result is globally degraded soil, incapable of allowing plant life to flourish. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), a third of the world’s soil population is now moderately to highly degraded due to erosion, compaction, nutrient imbalance, pollution, acidification, water logging, and loss of soil biodiversity. Some estimates find 1 billion to 6 billion hectares of land degraded. Essentially, the soil and the life that flows from it are at a critical stage. Plant growth connects soil health to human health. Humans rely on healthy soil's macro and micronutrients. Without those nutrients, human health suffers. By the second half of the 20th century, heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes have become common life-shortening health conditions. There has been a dramatic rise in chronic diseases and autoimmune disorders. Asthma, digestive issues, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Dementia are on the rise, and the future prognosis for these ailments does not appear promising. Since plants and crops are essential to human nutritional needs, degraded soil places our health at significant risk. Healthy Soil – The Gift that Keeps on Giving Soil health is the " capacity of soil to function as a vital living system to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality and promote plant, animal and human health.” It governs all processes that regulate the existence of life. The soil’s five ingredients: minerals (45%), water (25%), organic matter (5%), air (25%), and microorganisms, are essential to the resilience and regulations of ecosystems. One teaspoon of soil holds over 20,000 organisms, such as algae, fungi, and other bacteria. Soil has numerous attribute s . It is essential to growing plants, providing them with important micro and macronutrients through cycling and transforming the earth's elements. Soil purifies and stores water in the plant root zone and, in the process, recycles nutrients while filtering pollutants. It regulates gaseous emissions like (Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), and Nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere while providing an ideal habitat for the soil microbiome and the raw materials that offer a variety of life-sustaining pharmaceuticals. Soil provides the environment that fosters the creation of life-giving plants. That environment fortifies plants with essential vitamins (A, D, E, K) and minerals (Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, and Iodine), along with (Calcium, Phosphorous, Sodium, Chloride, and Potassium) which are transferred directly through the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Soil can thrive where carbon transformations; nutrient cycles; soil structure maintenance; and the regulation of pests and diseases are allowed to occur. What the Body Needs and the Soil Gives The human body is an incredible instrument that relies upon proper seeding to support its advanced operations. From the unique demands of the brain to every organ and every system within the body, it needs vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients to function. When they are present, the body can thrive. When they are absent, disease and illness can take up residence. Micronutrients are part of nearly every process in your body. Moreover, specific vitamins and minerals can act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect against cell damage associated with a variety of diseases. Other minerals and vitamins allow our bodies to prevent chronic diseases, cancers, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatism, metabolic syndrome, impaired cognition, and depression. Given the pandemic and its global health impact – a well-functioning immune system is critical. In addition to supporting almost all bodily functions, our immune system needs vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc to function at optimum levels. The soil is critical to unleashing remedies to countless diseases through its medicinal properties, some geared to enhance the body’s natural immune system. Soil and human health are inextricably intertwined. When you improve soil health, you advance human health. But as the state of the world's soil diminishes, our path toward chronic illness and death is shortened. The Soil Health Disruptors While many reasons are associated with the current state of the world’s soil, the misuse of farmland during the planting process and the overuse of synthetic fertilizers and chemicals are devastatingly impacting our soil's overall health. The Tilling Disruptor With a third of the world's soil experiencing reduced food-producing capacity, food production is now a serious challenge, especially with mounting pressures on agriculture to feed an ever-growing global population. In preparation for crops on farms across the world, machine-driven tillage occurs, wherein there is soil digging, stirring, and overturning. Repeated tilling has had a devastating global impact on soil biodiversity and long-term viability. Tillage reduces the soil's water-holding capacity while reducing infiltration rates, increasing erosion, and making the land infertile. The tilling process disrupts the soil structure , killing vital bacteria and fungi that live there and leaving it vulnerable to being washed away. A piece of its natural ecosystem is destroyed every time soil suffers the ravishes of tillage. Once the soil is compromised, it can take years to recover. The Synthetic Chemical Disruptor Toxic residue often fills most bags of fertilizer. Exposure to synthetic, inorganic fertilizers depletes plants' nutrient levels while causing various health complications in humans, including urinary, liver, and kidney difficulties. An independent research effort tested bags of synthetic fertilizer in 12 states and found the following heavy metals: lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, barium, chromium, nickel, beryllium, and dioxin. These fertilizers and heavy metals release harmful carcinogenic chemicals, and some find their way into our blood system. Healthy soil contains billions of microbes that work steadily to break down organic matter and feed plants. They kill insect pests and fight off plant diseases. Without microbial action, plants would not be able to receive crucial minerals nor utilize them in plant growth. Synthetic chemical fertilizers inhibit, kill, and alter this natural microbial activity, leaving plants deprived of vital nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur), affecting the plant’s metabolism. The introduction of synthetic fertilizers stresses the plant, rendering it deficient in nutrients. Stressed plants attract diseases and pests, leading farmers to use chemical pesticides or fungicides to remedy the pest situation. The consequence is a reduced nutrient-dense food supply and an increased human illness rate. The Healthy Soil Solution The road to addressing soil depletion is through regenerative farming practices and soil management systems that focus on the location of plant growth, the topography of that location, and the type of plant grown. The overall purpose is to maximize the development of nutrient and mineral-dense living soil while limiting soil contamination of toxic substances. The no-tilling farming methods that utilize specialized equipment and crop rotation can aid in mitigating soil erosion. In considering topography, cover crops planted in the off-season aid in replenishing soil at the root level, while organic composting / nutrient-rich mulching help nourish the soil during planting season. Utilizing carbon-based fertilizers foster natural pest management. These regenerative practices offer a way to remediate and restore our soil’s health. The solution lies in conserving the soil’s organic matter with its diverse microbiome, enhancing its ability to produce nutrient-enriched crops while mediating the global carbon cycle. In addition, we must adopt limits on using synthetic fertilizers and chemicals on farms worldwide. Synthetic fertilizers leach into the soil with heavy rains creating pools of overly dense nutrient-enriched water that stifle plant growth (eutrophication). These fertilizers alter the soil's structure and block the soil’s ability to absorb vital nutrients. Successful crops come from soil filled with organic material and a balance of minerals. Synthetic fertilizers destroy that balance and strip the soil of its capacity to produce life-sustaining plants. Finally, farmers must plant soil-healing plants. Cannabis and hemp plants can assist in the soil remediation process. These plants are active in "… decomposing crop waste; stimulating the growth of roots and buds; fixing and dissolving nutrients; aiding in the biological control of harmful fungi, bacteria, insects, and mites; and helping to protect plants against water or other stressors.” These healing plants can also assist in removing toxic chemicals from our soil and offer a future of delivering plant-based medicinal solutions from the soil direct to the patient. The possibilities are endless. Real change begins when we treat our soil as a living organism. When we honor this most precious natural resource, we enhance the health of both plants and humans. Only then can we ensure our food systems' sustainability, quality, and security, thereby transforming human health. If you are passionate about integrative health, from the soil and its plants to how we nourish and heal our bodies, set up a meeting with me here and join my tribe here. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Lisa! Lisa Charles, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lisa Charles is an Author Health and Life Transformational Trainer, Age Alignment Specialist, and Executive at Plant Based Science International (PBSI). Lisa helps corporate employees experience the brain-body connection by equipping them with the innovative tools to age gracefully, release stress, renew energy, restore sleep, and gain the mental clarity to live the life of their dreams. She is the CEO of Embrace Your Fitness, LLC and the Author of Yes! Commit. Do. Live.

Written by: Martin Cunningham , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. A competency-based interview is an assessment method in which interviewers ask questions about your past behaviour to gauge your future potential. The idea is that your past performance is the best predictor of your future success. How can I prepare for a competency-based interview? As you prepare for your interview, think about times when you have demonstrated each of the competencies that are required for the role for which you are applying. The STAR(L) model is a great way to structure your answers to behavioural questions. STAR(L) stands for Situation , Task , Action , Result and Learning When answering a competency-based question, you should use the STAR(L) model to structure your answer. Here's an example of how you might use the STAR(L) model to answer a competency-based question Competency: Teamwork Question : Give me an example of a time when you had to work as part of a team Answer : Situation : I was part of a team working on a project to develop a new product. Task : We were each assigned different tasks and we had to come together to finish the project on time. My task was to write the quality control aspect of the product requirements. Action : I communicated with my team members regularly to ensure that we were on track and I identified where I could add value to the work of the others. I also offered to help when I saw that someone was struggling I made sure to be flexible and accommodating where required I kept my colleagues updated on my progress and on the essential quality criteria that would impact the development of their tasks. I completed the quality control document within time and shared the draft with colleagues for comment prior to the final edits. Result : We successfully completed the project on time, to the quality specifications and within budget. Learning : I learned the importance of good communication and teamwork in order to achieve a successful outcome. On a deeper level, I learned that it is important to be proactive in team situations, to communicate regularly and offer assistance where needed. And if successful this is the collaborative approach I will follow in the position of [ Name the job title ] Competency: Project Planning Question : Tell me about a time when you had to manage a complex project Answer: Situation : I was working on a project to launch a new product Task : I was responsible for planning and managing the project Action : I created a detailed project plan that outlined all of the tasks that needed to be completed and the timeline for each task I assigned tasks to team members and held regular check-ins to ensure that everyone was on track I adjusted the plan as needed when we ran into delays or unforeseen obstacles Result : We successfully launched the product on time and it was well received by our customers Learning : I learned that it is important to be flexible in project management, to anticipate potential problems and to have a contingency plan in place. This is the approach I will take in the position of Project Manager. Competency: Leadership Question : Tell me about a time when you had to take charge of a situation Answer : Situation : I took over a small team with low morale and poor performance Task : I was responsible for turning the team around and meeting our targets Action: I implemented a new structure and set clear expectations for each team member I provided regular feedback and coaching to help them improve their performance I recognised their individual strengths and delegated tasks accordingly I motivated the team by setting challenging yet achievable goals Result : The team's performance improved significantly, and we met our targets Learning : I learned that it is important to be a proactive leader, to set clear expectations, to provide regular feedback and to recognise and utilise the individual strengths of team members. This is the approach I will take in the position of Team Leader. Competency: Leadership ‒ Stakeholder engagement Question : give an example of when you've had to find common political ground amid growing polarization. Answer : Solution : I was working as a political advisor during a time of growing political tension and there was little opportunity for compromise. There were debates around the future of the country and what direction it should take. Task : I had to find common political ground amid this growing polarisation Action : I spoke to people from all sides of the debate and listened to their concerns I identified the key issues that were important to everyone I facilitated a series of workshops where people could come together and discuss their views Ground rules for the workshop I encouraged were: to be respectful of others' views to be willing to listen as well as share your own view (to listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard) to be open to finding common ground. to focus on problem identification and solving I helped to draft a report which summarised the findings of the workshops and presented it to the stakeholders Result : The workshops were successful in finding common ground and identifying areas of agreement. This led to a more constructive dialogue and a better understanding of the different positions. Having found common ground, we agree on a way forward. The report was well received and helped to inform the debates around the future of the country. Learning : I learned that it is important to listen to all sides of a debate This is the approach I learned that it is important to facilitate dialogue between people with different views, to listen to what they have to say and to be respectful of their opinions and identify the key issues that are important to everyone. This is the approach I have continued with great success; I am happy to expand on this or provide other examples if you wish. Competency: Dealing with Conflict in the workplace Question : Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation at work Answer: Situation : I was working on a team project and there was some conflict between two of the team members, which was impacting other team members and overall performance. Task : I took responsibility for resolving the conflict and getting the team back on track Action : I sat down with the two team members involved and asked them to explain their side of the story I listened to their concerns and tried to understand where they were coming from I helped them to see each other's perspectives and find a compromise that they were both happy with I facilitated a discussion between the team members to help them air their grievances and come up with a plan to work together more effectively in future Result : The conflict was resolved, communication improved and the team was able to continue working together effectively Learning : I learned that it is important to be a mediator in conflict situations, to listen to all sides of the story and to find a compromise that everyone can agree on. This is the approach I will take in the position of Conflict Resolution Specialist. Competency: Making a mistake Question : Give us an example of a work-based mistake you made and what actions you took to rectify it. Answer : Situation : I was working on a project and I made a mistake that could I needed to take action to rectify the mistake and prevent further delays Task : I took responsibility for fixing my mistake and ensuring that the project stayed on track Action : I spoke to my manager and explained the situation I took responsibility for the mistake and offered possible solutions We decided on the best course of action, and I implemented it I took responsibility for the mistake and apologised to the team I corrected the mistake and put additional safeguards in place to prevent it from happening again I updated the manager and the team on the status of the project and reassured them that we were still on track to meet our deadlines and not incur penalties Result : The mistake was fixed and the project remained on schedule Learning : I learned that it is important to take responsibility for your mistakes, to come up with solutions and work with your manager and the team to find the best solution and correct the error quickly and put measures in place to prevent them from happening again. This is the approach I will take in the future. Competency: Innovation Question : Describe a time when you had to be creative in your work Answer : Situation : We were implementing a gender champions network to increase the meaningful participation in Rule of Law agencies in a patriarchal society and we had to come up with an innovative solution to gain political support and to have credible women attend the first workshops. Task : I had to be creative in my work to come up with an innovative solution Action: I did a lot of research on the best way to implement a gender champions network I looked at other organisations that had implemented similar networks and took inspiration from their success stories I came up with an action plan and presented it to the team The team liked my ideas and we decided to proceed with my plan I led the team in a stakeholder mapping exercise to identify, assess and prioritise key stakeholders for the initiative. The exercise was very successful in helping the team to focus on the most important stakeholders and understand their needs. Result : We were able to gain political support and credible women attended the first workshop. The project was a success and has been rolled out across the region. Learning : I learned that it is important to be creative in your work, to look at different ways of doing things and to take inspiration from others. This is the approach I will take in the future. Competency: Communication Question : Describe a time when you had to explain a complex issue to someone who was not an expert in the field Answer : Situation : I was working on a project that involved collecting data from different sources and analysing it to produce reports. One of the sponsors of the project was not an expert in the field and she asked me to explain the process to her in layman's terms. Task : I had to adapt my communication to meet her needs in explaining complex issues Action: I spoke to the sponsor and asked her what she would like to know about the process I explained the process in simple terms, using examples where necessary I answered any questions she had and we took time to ensure she was comfortable talking with others about our work, to the extent that was necessary. I reminded her she could come back to me at any time should the need arise. Result : The sponsor understood the process and was able to provide useful feedback on the reports we produced and explain our findings to her management teams. Learning : I learned that it is important to be able to explain complex issues in simple terms and adapt my communication to meet the needs of the audience. This is the approach I will take in [Name the job role] if successful. This is just a sample of how you could answer a competency-based interview question using the STAR(L) model. By using the STAR(L) model, you can give a clear and concise answer that will show off your previous performance as a predictor to your future performance. Follow me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Martin! Martin Cunningham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine From policing roots to a 20-year Senior Management career, with over 30 years of coaching and mentoring, Martin has seen at first hand the triumph of high achievement and felt the pain and disappointment of getting it wrong and being unsuccessful. As a senior manager in security and justice sector reform in Afghanistan and the Western Balkans, he coached at General Director and Ministerial level in politically charged situations. Martin understands what it's like to want more from your challenging career in an uncertain world. He's learnt the lessons and has the skills to help you make a lasting impact in a fulfilling career while making the world a safer place. Martin knows that until we fully embrace the voices of women we will not achieve the sustainable peace and freedoms we all deserve, it is why he is on a mission to increase the meaningful participation of women and men who share this mission who are working in Security and Justice Sector Reform countries in or emerging from conflict.

Written by: Wendy Crabbe, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Did you know that coffee was labeled as a carcinogen in 1991 and it took years and hundreds of studies to reverse that in 2016? Now coffee is known to be an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and anticancer effects. Roasted coffee is a complex mixture of over 1000 bioactive compounds (polyphenols), some with potentially therapeutic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, or anticancer effects. One 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a moderate amount of coffee is generally defined as 3-5 cups a day or 400 mg of caffeine on average. Here are the top 8 health benefits of coffee: Average amount of coffee consumed in the research studies was 3-4 cups. 1. CVD – 19% lower risk of death from heart disease, heart failure, and stroke However, it has been found that drinking moderate amounts of coffee increases total cholesterol values. This was mitigated by filtering the coffee 2. Reduced risk of developing certain cancers like: Prostate, uterine, melanoma, oral, leukemia, non-melanoma skin cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer However, lower coffee consumption was better for people with lung cancer who smoked. 3. Liver Health Your liver is a big filter and cleans toxins out of the blood. In moderate coffee drinkers, there was a 29% lower risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and risk of developing gallstones because of a reduction in the inflammation from the antioxidants. Coffee also helps reduce liver enzymes. 4. Drinking 3-4 cups of Coffee was consistently associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, depression, cognitive disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. I want to pause here to point out 2 groups where lower coffee consumption is better: For pregnant women, high coffee consumption was associated with a lower birth rate Women with osteoporosis at increased risk for fracture or who have multiple risk factors for osteoporosis 5. Reduced risk of diabetes due to your body processing glucose better. 6. Control your weight Dark-roasted coffee According to some research, coffee could alter fat storage and support gut health, both of which may be beneficial for weight management 7. May improve athletic performance and energy levels 8. You may live longer because your DNA is stronger, especially drinking dark-roasted coffee What can you do to make your cup of Joe even healthier? Switch up your sweetener or creamer – Instead of using sugar or flavored syrups, try more natural low-calorie sweeteners like stevia, and monk fruit, or add a dash of cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla extract, nutmeg, or cocoa powder for flavor. Why? Coffee creamers often contain thickening and stabilizing agents as well as partially hydrogenated oils which will negate the heart health benefits of coffee. Many creamers are also sweetened, and the added sugars, calories, and fat can add up quickly, particularly for people who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels or weight. Cow's milk or unsweetened plant-based milk are low-sugar ways to lighten up your cup. If you're committed to creamer, be a label detective and check out what's in your go-to product. However, an important caveat is that milk can reduce the number of polyphenols by decreasing the absorption of heart-healthy antioxidants. While coffee is a pleasurable part of your lifestyle, there are other factors that make a bigger impact on your health such as eating a balanced diet, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. But drinking coffee is a great addition to those key health factors. Decaffeinated coffee is a good option if one is sensitive to caffeine and offers similar health benefits as caffeinated coffee. It is a myth that darker roasts contain a higher level of caffeine than lighter roasts. In fact, certain types of lighter roasts have a slightly higher concentration. Is artificially flavored coffee bad for your health? Manufacturers coat coffee beans with artificial flavors that have been combined with a solvent called propylene glycol, a common food additive, and flavoring agent. Propylene glycol is generally considered safe for food use by the FDA. However, if your goal is to cut out additives then organically grown light-roasted coffee and coffee grown at high altitudes have the highest number of antioxidants. The bottom line is that the healthiest cup of coffee is black, filtered, organically grown light roasted coffee. I am not willing to give up my creamer but have ditched the sugar and artificial flavorings. References are available upon request by emailing Wendy here. Connect with Wendy on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit her website for more information on obesity, gut health, mindset and hormones. Read more from Wendy! Wendy Crabbe, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Wendy Crabbe, an oncology nurse practitioner and now expert in helping health professionals and women over 50 lose weight, struggled all her life with her weight. She wondered if she was so smart, why couldn’t she lose weight? The causes of obesity are about more than excess food intake and not enough movement. It’s also related to altered hormones and alterations in the gut microbiome. She was finally able to lose the weight with mindset coaching and adopting a science-based approach that she uses with her clients today. She is now on a mission to help hundreds and thousands of women over 50 get healthier; because when women get healthier, their families get healthier.

Written by: Marques Ogden, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Business goals help you measure your progress and keep you inspired to achieve them. Even entrepreneurs who tend to wing it and rely on instincts alone to conduct their businesses have particular goals. A lack of goals is comparable to being on a hamster wheel that leads nowhere. Take a moment to consider what you want to achieve in your business, and make sure you're not committing any of the following goal-setting mistakes: 1. Dragging your feet Don't wait until the first of the year to make plans. Instead, try setting goals every three months; if you feel overwhelmed by the idea, set aside 30 minutes and start writing down your goals. 2. Not prioritizing. You can brainstorm dozens of goals you want to achieve; however, too many will distract you from the most important ones. Business goals are to help you focus and not get distracted, so minimize your goals and prioritize the most important ones at the top of the list. 3. Being too vague. Saying you want to "make more money" is too vague and doesn't allow you to measure if you're on track to reaching that goal. "More money" could mean an extra $100 or $10,000 per month. Be as specific with your goals to track your progress along the way. 4. Setting goals that are out of your league. Sure, you should dream big when envisioning the future you want, but if you set a goal of making six figures this year when you haven't reached the $50K mark, six figures most likely won't happen – at least not this year. Be realistic about your goals and break down those lofty goals into smaller, more achievable goals. It might take you two or three years to reach six figures, but it's not impossible. 5. Not working on your goals daily. Every task you undertake should lead you toward your goal. Consider hiring a virtual assistant if you're still, busy or behind-the-scenes admin work instead of money making tasks. Outsourcing the necessary busywork will free up your time to get creative and focus on your book, next course, or upcoming webinar. One more piece of advice: You're running a business, not pursuing a hobby. So think like a business person and visualize where you want to see your business in one year. What goals do you need for that to happen? What action steps do you need to take daily to make those goals a reality? Visit my website for more info! Read more from Marques! Marques Ogden, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Marques Ogden is a leader in leadership, marketing and sales, diversity and inclusion, mindset enhancement and overcoming adversity. After losing everything he owned in a bad business deal in 2013, he filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy, lost his home, his car, and all of his money and ended up taking a job as a janitor for $8.25 an hour working in the graveyard shift. After his "spoiled milk" moment, Marques decided to take accountability and responsibility for his life and he decided to turn his pain into his purpose to become an inspirational keynote speaker. Since April 2016, he has spoken for over 35 fortune 500 companies and he is a coach, a consultant, a best-selling author, a podcast co-host and more.

Written by: Dr. Toni Warner, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Building or growing your business, but there’s too much life to manage and anxiety or overwhelm is getting in the way? We’ve got 3 customizable steps for you to cut through the chaos and create more clarity, starting today! I wanted to “get it all done” and “get it all right” at the start of building my therapy practice, and then again when building my mentorship business. I experienced a cycle of anxiety, exhaustion and resentment because I wanted to do all the things and I wanted to do them quickly. I mean, what ambitious entrepreneur wouldn’t want to perfectly execute in the most efficient way? But the truth of the matter is the pressure put on by this type of thinking only creates more stress, which ultimately results in less efficiency, less meaningful success, less satisfaction and much more anxiety than necessary. Whether you’re building a new business or seeking to up-level an existing business, the list of things that need to get done can quickly add up. It becomes easy to get caught up in the rush of things and throw yourself or your life off balance by either trying to do too much or trying to take action without clarity on where you really need to be focusing at any given moment. This can lead to a chaotic experience that impacts various aspects of your personal and professional life. No one wants that! To reduce anxiety and create more balance, clarity and focus in your business growing ventures, here are three steps you can begin implementing as soon as today! Step one ‒ Be intentional with your schedule. There’s plenty to do when it comes to building a business. It can seem like the list never ends (because it doesn’t; there’s always something more you could do). If you try to cram it all in for the sake of “getting it done”, you’ll likely do one of two things: feel overwhelmed and get stuck or overwork and burn yourself out. Not only are neither of those options ideal, they simply aren’t very effective and certainly won't leave you feeling satisfied with where you and your business are at. When I started my businesses, I tended to push myself hard and overwork. Later down the road I experienced the stuck-ness from mental overload that came with trying to focus on too much all at once. To change this, I had to figure out how to be more intentional with my mind and my time. A great way to become more intentional with your time (and your mind) is to have one streamlined, organized system that you can put all of your scheduling pieces within. Because a balanced life can’t be just about business, be sure to include your personal life in this system as well. You don’t need to share this overarching organizer with anyone, so feel free to be as detailed as possible. By putting all of your scheduling in one place, you’ll be able to get a clearer picture of what you actually want and need to spend your time on in any given day or hour. Fill out your organized scheduling system each morning, and add notes on future pages to serve as placeholders for things you want to schedule on different days. Writing these future notes will help you prioritize for the current day as well as release the need to try and cram it all in now. Leave a section in your organizer that allows you to write reflections. At the close of each day, take a few minutes to write and reflect on what you enjoyed, learned or were grateful for. Book ending your day this way will help set a more positive foundation for your sleep that night, as well as your mood in the morning. Here’s a helpful version of the my custom-made intentional scheduler. Although mine has evolved over time, I started out by using a version similar to this one that I’m sharing with you here. It’s important that this overarching system is offline. Meaning, it’s highly impactful to physically write for this system to work in reducing anxieties. You can have a separate online system(I use Google Calendar) to keep your schedule in order and share it with others on your team as well, but that online system truly can’t replicate the same benefits of the hand-written one. You can download your free PDF template here and reference it to create your own personal intentional schedule. I use an evolved version of mine daily to navigate life as a mom of 4 and multi-business owner. Step two ‒ Find a healthy way to acknowledge and manage your emotions, then practice consistently doing it! As I’ve supported, collaborated and otherwise connected with fellow business builders, one common thing I’ve noticed a ton of is the lack of stress and emotion management. I tend to connect with the folks who have big visions, big dreams and big plans. They stay busy, constantly push themselves and relentlessly try to help others while pursuing all of their goals all at once. They ignore their emotions because they’re too busy to deal with them. As a result, the emotions get pushed down or eventually bust out, leading to more and more experiences of stress. Either way, this type of set-up is a recipe for (internal) disaster! I get it, there’s a lot to do and slowing down to deal with emotions can sound so inconvenient, unproductive and even inefficient. But, let me tell you what the research says. The research shows us that too much stress and emotional distress actually reduces our ability to execute effectively. It reduces our brains ability to tap into creative states, and it creates barriers to clarity (like brain fog). When trying to build, grow or run a business, things like clarity, focus and creativity are pretty essential, don’t you think? Let’s be honest, we are an emotional species. We all have emotions, whether we like it or not. Despite the bad wrap they often get, emotions aren’t a bad thing to have. They help us figure out what we do and do not prefer in life. In fact, your emotions helped you come to conclusions about what kind of business you wanted to build and why. So, the answer to dealing with emotions isn’t to work so much that they just get neglected. The answer also isn’t to give your emotions the driver seat and allow them to make all of the decisions for you. The secret answer to managing emotions effectively, is simply to be intentional about how you deal with them. There’s no cookie cutter method for managing your emotions because it will look different for different people. What will be important for this step, is that you choose to explore possible ways to slow down, notice how you’re feeling and what you’re emotionally needing, then consciously choose to tend to whatever comes up. Many people find emotional support and relief in regular meditations or journaling, while others do not. Your way may not be the same as your fellow entrepreneurs' way, and that’s okay. Although mine have evolved over time, a few things that have been helpful for me along the way are therapy, mentorship, brain spotting, walking and writing. You can incorporate this second step into step one, by scheduling in time for your emotion management methods using the template I’ve made for you here. Step three ‒ Get clear on your relationship priorities. An often missed aspect of building a business is relationship management. Identify what relationships matter to you and why; then hold yourself accountable to prioritize them. One of the reasons I was attracted to becoming an entrepreneur was that I’d get to make my own schedule. This seemed great for me because I had three young children at the time. I wanted to be present for them while also present for my clients in a career I was passionate about. Yet, in the early stages of building my psychotherapy business, I caught myself spending way too much time spinning my wheels over things I didn’t need to stress myself about so much. I’d spend weeks at a time trying to craft my own website, create my documents from scratch, and try to get the videos edited ever so precisely. Rather than pausing for breaks or asking for help, I found myself drowning in it all alone and spending way more time than I wanted on these tasks. If I hadn’t caught myself, I would have continued down that path and wound up sacrificing the very time and presence with my kids that I’d been desiring to build my business for in the first place. Oftentimes people say that they chose to start a business, at least in part, because they thought it’d benefit relationships that are meaningful to them. Perhaps it’s “providing for my family”, or “giving back to the people who helped me”, or “to give me the time and financial freedom to be with friends and family more”. Ironically, when anxiety, stress or time demands related to your business take over, it may very well be those same or similarly significant relationships that suffer as a result. We all want to build or grow a business to amplify what matters most, not to sacrifice it. To prevent your business from taking too much mental space, energy and time away from the other essential parts of your life, like important relationships, it’s vital that you build in an accountability system for yourself. Of course, you can’t hold yourself accountable for something that you’re unclear about. So, first, you’ll need to write down what relationships matter most to you and your lifestyle right now and why. Next, you’ll want a streamlined way to hold yourself accountable for intentionally prioritizing these relationships. If you’re a visual person, you may want to put pictures of the person, place or thing within your visual field so that you see them at a specified time during the day. If you’re more into audio, you may want to record yourself stating a sentence or so about these relationships, and then playing that audio back to yourself for a few seconds each day. Another simple but helpful method is to incorporate reminders into your daily organization system (discussed in step one), by writing down what relationship you’ll take time to focus on and when during that specific day. There are many ways you can incorporate reminders of your priority relationships into your daily organization system. You’ll want to find the way that works best for you by practicing different options to see which feels best. As you can see, each of these steps builds up off of the other. In unison, they create a powerful yet practical tool that’s highly customizable which means you can use it at any stage of life or business. Implementing these three steps will aid in reducing the overwhelm and enhancing focus to free up energy for what matters most as you grow your business (without sacrificing the other meaningful parts of your life). For more guided support on how to implement these three steps to reducing anxiety while building or growing a business, you can grab the 3-part video series. This video pack is super practical and even comes equipped with opportunities to submit questions you may have along the way. From interpretation to implementation, this video-guide is there to help (and includes the free PDF from step one for easy access). A video overview of this article is also available and is free to access here. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Toni! Dr. Toni Warner, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine For high-impact videos on all things success and satisfaction, visit Dr. Toni’sYouTube channel here, or submit your questions to receive video response free and anonymous here. Dr. Toni is a mom of 4, psychotherapist, mentor, speaker and author. She’s founder of Authentically Me Psychotherapy, a private practice in PA specializing in anxiety, bipolar and trauma support. She’s also founder of Bold and Balanced Coaching, a coaching and consulting business where she teaches parenting professionals how to effectively reduce stress, boost success and experience more ease and satisfaction at work and at home. Trained or certified in a variety of powerful methods such as Brainspotting, Dr. Toni infuses research and techniques that incorporate the brain, body and mind in her work with clients. You can find her best-selling book, The Reset, A High Achievers Guide to Freedom and Fulfillment on Amazon. When she’s not diving deep into her work, you can find her silly dancing and singing with her children, walking in nature or enjoying one of her delicious delights- homemade latte, fresh bread or chocolate!

Written by: Andre Young, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I’m honored so many organizations worldwide reach out to me seeking to impact their leaders and employees, eager to enhance their people’s professional leadership, daily leadership skills, and lives outside of work. I’ll share with you, just as I share with them… It’s imperative to start trainings and speaking engagements with The 5 Points of Your Day! If you want to live the life of your dreams, professionally and personally… and enhance your Leadership & Work/Life Harmony… this is the foundation! Remember, everyone has 24 hours in a day; leaders use theirs differently. Let’s jump in! Point 1: What You Consume When Your Wake Up! Sorry… there’s no fancy name for Point 1! You may be thinking about what you eat or your diet, but that’s not what I mean. Please, by all means, eat healthy; as we only get one life to live. However, I’m referring to what you put in your mind and spirit when you first wake up! I often hear from leaders and employees they wake up grabbing their phone, iPad, or laptop and take it to the bathroom to check and respond to emails. As an employer, it may seem impressive and you may want hundreds or thousands of employees like this. As an employee, it may seem like a logical way to get a jump on the day. However, compound this act… day after day, month after month, year after year, decade after decade… how’d you think you’d end up feeling about your job… starting your day complaining about an email, who sent it, how dumb someone is, or a sharp email that grinds your gears before you’ve gotten a chance to even brush your teeth… Be Mindful! So, since you’re not starting your day by checking your email or scrolling social media… what to do instead? The answer is… anything that enhances your positivity, your passion, and your production professionally and personally! During my last job as an employee… a coworker came to me and said, “You know how you have one of those bad mornings?”. I thought carefully as I didn’t want to come across cocky. The truth is, I haven’t had a bad morning since 2011. I’ve had busy mornings with having three young kids back then. I’ve had mornings I’d rather stay in bed, but I haven’t had a bad morning since 2011… Why? When I started my business in 2011, I’d go to bed every night looking for positive quotes to post in the morning. When I woke up, I came up with a question related to the quote. As time passed, I started making personal development and leadership videos in the morning and finding short motivational videos to watch. Years of this have made it impossible for me to have a bad morning! Whatever your process, the cherry on top is, whatever your process… it simply starts to become who you are! So, be mindful of what you consume when you wake up. For me, it’s short motivational videos and posting my content. Perhaps yours will be the same… or meditation, prayer, push-ups, or quiet time with your coffee before the rest of the world is up. Whatever it is… be sure it’s making you better, not bitter! Point 2: Organize Your Day! It’s no wonder leaders and employees are so on edge; as you attempt to maintain the order of the tornado of things you have to do in a day… I like to say “Get to do”, but you get the point! Organizing your day means you keep a notebook by your computer or wherever you get your work done… with the purpose of writing your list of “Things to Do”. It’s important to get what’s in your head on paper. My list tends to average 15-20 things daily for me to run my business effectively. As a leader, be sure your list is making you “Better” not just “Busy”. Before I pull the covers back in the morning and my feet hit the floor, I say two things to myself. “Let’s be great and have some fun today”… I’ll explain more about that later in the book. The second thing is a question, “What are my wins for the day?”. Having an answer to this question will give your day purpose and allow you to win the day instead of the day beating you! When you make your list… be sure your wins are at the very top; allowing you to cross off wins that propel you, your team, and your organization forward! Organizing your day also involves who you choose to associate with at work. As a leader… you walk in with your head up, eyes up, smiling, greeting, and saying hello to everyone; but you don’t park it and live there with everyone! You know the Negative Nicks & Nacys, Gossipers, and Grouches… be gracious to everyone and keep it moving! Point 3: Relationship Building and Self-Care! Let’s start with Self-Care! No matter how much you love what you do for a living; at some point in the day, we all hit a wall. For some, it may be one o’clock, two o’clock, or whenever… it’s coming! When it happens, it’s time to do something good for YOU. For me, it’s remembering to eat. I love what I get to do for a living and get consumed by it and can easily forget to eat! Perhaps it’s taking a walk, eating with new people, scrolling positive things and people you subscribe to on your phone. Whatever it is, enjoy it! You’ll find Relationship Building to be a gift… for you and your loved ones! What would it take for you to send a nice text to your significant other midday? Not much, right? My wife and I both work from home and from time to time I send her a nice text… even though she’s right upstairs, “Hey Beautiful, I hope your day is going as amazing as you are! I love You!”. Believe me, it sets up the back half of my day very nicely! Maybe you decide to send a nice text to your parents if you’re still lucky enough to have them… your kids, your friends. Let’s be real, we all have the fastest texting thumbs on the planet; let’s put them to good use! I think we all can spare 20 seconds to gift your partner, parents, kids, friends, and your life! Point 4: How You Return Home! If you’re reading this book; I’m assuming you’re in a professional position of leadership or would like to be. So here’s a question… Would you ever purposely hire someone that looked as if they were dragging themselves around, complaining all the time, and looking as if they’d rather be anywhere else? I hope your answer is “No”. Then isn’t it a shame that’s how most of us return home after a day at work… or to the living room after closing the laptop? Dragging ourselves through the door, complaining about the day, your boss, your employees, and everything in between. Let’s be mindful of how we return home and gift our family with the same energy you’d want your employees to exhibit walking through the door or clicking onto a Virtual Call! The key is to know what you need, so you can return home like a leader. For me, it was going to the gym after work; it was the only place where it was ALL ABOUT ME for an hour. It also gave me my second wind and I could return home happy to put my cape on and become Superman, Superhusband, and Superdad! For you, perhaps it’s a shower, a walk, or 15 minutes of personal chill-time. Whatever it is… BE SURE you’re a better person after doing it… this makes it easier for the people in your life to accept what you’re doing… and they will actually want you to do it because they enjoy how you are and who you are when you return! Point 5: “What was my Biggest Accomplishment of the Day?” Monday through Friday, before I close my eyes to go to sleep, I ask myself this question… and I implore you to do the same! It’s one of the most powerful questions you can ever ask yourself and having an answer to this question will allow you to have won the day, instead of the day consistently kicking your butt. I hear from so many people, especially women, that they lay in bed at night thinking of all the things they didn’t get done and ALL the things they have to do the next day. Do you know how much you actually did and accomplished today… and everyday? Your brain is faster than you think and I promise you will have an answer to this question… and most likely more than one! In this quiet time of reflection, give yourself a pat on the back for your Biggest Accomplishment of the day… and for all of the small ones no one may know about! To take it a bit further, ask your significant other… your kids. I guarantee you don’t know their answer! My wife works in land development… I have no idea what she’s talking about when she discusses the grading of land and swales (I hope I spelled it right) … however, when I ask her this question, I know what to hug her for, what to say congrats about, what to celebrate with her, that I’m proud of her, and great job Baby! This is the 5 Points of Your Day! Notice, it’s not a lot of time out of your day. It’s about intent and consistency! You do this consistently, not just when you’re motivated on a Monday or January 1st, and you will evolve professionally and personally! Before you move on in this book to learn concepts to put in your Leader’s Toolbox, answer this quick question… What was your Biggest Takeaway from the 5 Points… which point resonated with you that you will make a homework assignment for yourself RIGHT NOW? Remember… knowing something new, without applying that something new, will lead to nothing new! “Everyone has 24 hours in a day; leaders use theirs differently” – Andre Young You’re a busy leader that cares about your people; the level of change they’re experiencing, their burn-out, and need for leadership training and work/life harmony skills but not sure where to turn or who to bring in… Look no further, click here for customizable speaking engagements and leadership trainings with Professional speaker, author, and leadership trainer, Andre Young!!! (In-Person, Virtual, or Online) Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, or visit my website. Read more from Andre! Andre Young, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Andre Young is a Professional Speaker, Author, Leadership Trainer, and Founder of You Evolving Now. He worked as a Mental Health Therapist for 19 years, played sports at every level from high school to professional, has been an employee, a business owner, and self-employed, and has written 4 books focused on enhancing Leadership & Work/Life Harmony. As Founder of You Evolving Now, it's his mission to enhance Leadership and Work/Life Harmony for organizations, leaders, employees, and teams with his high-energy, interactive, culture-changing leadership training programs and speaking engagements, allowing a professional and personal evolution!

Mariann Dienes is an intercultural consultant and applied linguist with a background in both business and Applied Linguistics. Having worked for multinational organizations for more than 10 years, she brings a wealth of experience to intercultural consulting. Her qualifications in Applied Linguistics, Neurolanguage Coaching and English Teaching provide an excellent skill set that facilitates intercultural understanding at its best. Her primary aim is to assist clients in achieving an increased awareness of cultural dimensions, and foster understanding and cooperation in organizations. Mariann Bobály-Dienes, Intercultural Consultant ‒ Applied Linguist Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. I am a multi-passionate person with all sorts of interests and hobbies. Graduated as an English teacher and later got an MA in Applied Linguistics and I usually have to go into explanations of what that is. It concerns all practical applications of language use – learning and development theory, instructional design, language acquisition, translation and interpreting, communication and the list goes on. I have had the chance to do all of those at one stage or another in my working life. I do literary translation, spent time teaching business English and business communication, and have worked for multinational organizations as well. I do competence assessment, language testing, training, and also Neurolanguage coaching. I combine my business experience with my passion for languages and love the practical applications of linguistics – hence my interest in intercultural communication. But that is just a part of who I am – I am also into arts, design, crafts, and upcycling objects and furniture, and I have a long list of projects that I still want to do on a professional level as my life goes on. I am pragmatic and do not take anything for granted, but I am realistically optimistic, hard-working, and a believer in the power of education and taking action for ourselves. I do yoga, meditate regularly, and have a family. I love literature, opera, jazz, world music, interior design, and fashion and arts as a true multi-passionate. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? I am an intercultural consultant as a solopreneur and I help people and teams from different cultures and time zones understand each other better. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? I help individuals and teams working at international companies and their family members deal with all the issues changing cultures can create. I help them adapt their communication and make sense of what is happening to them. I also do Neurolanguage coaching ‒ assisting people to learn English ‒ most of the time professionals who need English at their jobs and who want to advance their career or have a block learning the language. I help in finding motivation and facilitating their language learning. What are your current goals for your business? I am focusing on offering new services in partnership with ICQ global from December 2022, using Global DISC and Growth 2.0 for data-driven team workshops and individual training with the latest research available in the intercultural field. This is really useful for multicultural teams that work and interface virtually with significant timezone differences. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? Of course, I have a chance to follow all kinds of people so, I could list names, but my biggest inspiration comes from my parents. They never had the opportunities my generation has, and still did not give up on their values. I owe them as much as using all my opportunities and doing all they never had a chance to do. What is your work inspired by? Paying it forward. There were so many people who helped me when I was in need and I want to do the same for others. I also realize that there are other people going through what I went through so I can help those people on the way. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today? From early childhood, it has been my dream to speak foreign languages. My Mum was a genius and the first time English was available(which was rare at that time) she signed me up for a course. She gave me the possibility to learn languages, which led to all sorts of opportunities. The other one was the possibility of going abroad to learn languages. That had a profound effect on how I see the world and gave me a personal understanding and insight into intercultural communication. I spent time in both in the UK and France and that had a profound impact on my work. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mariann!

Written by: Dr. Inderpreet Bagga, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. What consumes your mind, consumes your time and energy. Your brain thinks thousands of thoughts a day and most of them you are not even aware of! Repetitive thoughts are engraved as patterns and programmes of subconscious beliefs in your mind. A spiralling negative thought pattern can cloud your mind and pull down your energy, your concentration, wellness and your mood. “Your transformation journey starts with ABC- Awareness Brings Change”‒ Dr Bagga Understand the Power of Thought & How it Affects and Effects You Thoughts Get Stuck ‒ An old CD record stuck at a line, going on and on and on. You can neither move on to the next line or track, nor can you stop it from repeating and rewinding. Thoughts Become Things ‒ These thoughts start to become your reality ‒ a life engineered with a negative mindset, insecurity and fear as the fuel driving your life into a constantly stressed survival mode. Thoughts Mutate Feelings ‒ Your brain paints the pictures of the stressful memories and charges them with the drama and trauma that magnetise yet more negative feelings, creating a vicious electromagnetic loop of stuck thoughts and feelings. Who is Thinking? Many of these thoughts are not even yours. Many beliefs are not even yours. Many experiences are not even yours! So, whose thoughts are you thinking? Whose experiences are you living and re-living? Was it your mother or father, or your grandparent that you heard or witnessed say something? Are you stuck singing their old record? Was it something dramatic in the news…or something people were talking about…? What did you think about what they said or thought? What did you interpret and believe in and define as your fate, making it your reality? Let’s Play The Mind Game Let’s explore the mystery of a thought and de-mystify with an example. Take a quiet moment with yourself. Imagine you have become rich and famous! What could you lose out on? What could go wrong in your life? (PS ‒ Your initial conscious answer may be “Nothing could go wrong…or It’s not possible… I don’t know..” Stay in the stillness, and let your imagination and observation take over. Ask “Then what? What next? What could happen…?” Notice what comes up for you) Note what was your insight or belief. What was the fear, threat, or danger that your brain perceived from being in the super-rich and super-famous limelight? Did you feel you would work too hard, lose time, freedom, or people in your life? Feel lonely amongst all the money and glamour? Did you fear losing it? Did you feel unsafe or trapped? Shy, nervous, stressed, miserable, or unhappy? Once you are aware, you can transform! Three-C-Step Thought Transformation As you become conscious of the key thought belief, you can choose to change it. C1- Check it C2- Confess it C3- Choose it Centre your focus in your heart, breathe and let’s play Aliveme 3C step transformation: C1- Check it ‒ Be a Conscious Observer Notice your thoughts- be an aware open-minded observer. Just like watching and checking on a cloud passing in the sky. Continuing with the rich & famous thought example ‒ “Rich and famous are sad and lonely” C2- Confess it ‒ Feel it… Accept it…Exhale it What feelings start to show up as you notice or write the thoughts and where do you feel it in your body? Acknowledge the feeling that comes to the surface and breathe and allow it to pass, just like a cloud moving through the vast open sky…as easy as you breathing in, out and letting it pass… Breathe in ‒ accept ‒ breathe out ‒ let go “I accept this sad uneasiness feeling in my heart” “I am ready to let it go” C3- Choose it ‒ Choose to be a Conscious Creator Pivot with your awareness and the space you have created in your body now, with a new positive counter-thought and a loving counter-feeling. Ask ‒ What would I rather feel instead of this fear and uneasiness? Begin embracing feelings of comfort, support and love. Connect with a desired vision or an old memory of empowering feeling. “I feel comfortable. I am loved and supported being rich and famous” Awaken and Transform Be aware, explore and master your thoughts and start creating conscious positive thoughts and emotional transformations. The guidance here is not for medical purposes. For deeper energetic work on root beliefs, releasing trauma, fear and stress, connect here or email me here or on Aliveme social media platforms. Dr. Bagga offers online Theta Healing Reiki Tapping and Transformational Coaching Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Inderpreet! Dr. Inderpreet Bagga, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine In the mindful words of Dr Bagga “Transformation starts with ABC-Awareness brings change” As a doctor (GP) Dr Bagga is well aware of how stress and anxiety can affect mental and physical wellbeing. Her innate spiritual gifts allowed her to create her own holistic wellness by aligning and empowering her mind-body-soul connection. Dr Bagga's signature ALIVEME guided meditations and transformation bundles offer a unique combination of Energy Medicine & Coaching that help clear the stuck neural programmes and beliefs and raise self-awareness, wellness and abundance.

Written by: Salim Sheikh, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Diverse teams are not the product of quotas and channels but of an open approach that attracts the RIGHT PERSON for each role through equal access and opportunity, with selection achieved through fair assessments created to eliminate personal biases and preferences. This is why we are offering a new approach that uses social robots (both digital and physical) to make evaluations fair and help eliminate ‘group think’. In this article, we posit our thoughts on the following question: Is unconscious bias damaging your recruitment process? How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Social Robots help to tackle this and make the overall recruitment experience a better one for everyone involved? Setting the Scene Unbiased recruitment refers to the process of eliminating personal biases, preconceptions, and discrimination during the hiring process. This helps create a better experience for candidates and hiring managers as it allows for a more objective and fair evaluation of skills and qualifications. This type of recruitment promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, as it opens up opportunities for a wider pool of candidates and helps break down barriers to entry. The benefits of unbiased recruitment are numerous, including increased innovation and creativity, enhanced decision-making, improved employee engagement and job satisfaction, and higher levels of trust in the workplace. By implementing unbiased recruitment practices, companies can create a more inclusive and equitable future of work, leading to increased success and sustainability. Key Barriers & Challenges While unbiased recruitment is an important goal, it can be challenging to achieve in practice. There are several key barriers and challenges that organizations may face when trying to implement unbiased recruitment practices: Unconscious bias: Despite best intentions, personal biases can still influence decision-making in the hiring process. Unconscious biases can be based on factors such as race, gender, age, or appearance, and can impact the evaluation of candidates and lead to discrimination. Lack of diversity in the hiring process: If the hiring team is not diverse, they may be more likely to hire candidates who are similar to themselves, leading to a lack of diversity in the workplace. Resistance to change: Some organizations may resist implementing unbiased recruitment practices, as it may require changing established processes and mindsets. Limited data: The lack of data and metrics on diversity, equity, and inclusion can make it difficult for organizations to track progress and assess the effectiveness of their recruitment practices. Limited resources: Implementing unbiased recruitment practices can require additional resources, including training and support for hiring managers, as well as systems and tools to help eliminate personal biases. Legal and regulatory barriers: There may be legal and regulatory barriers to implementing unbiased recruitment practices, such as equal opportunity laws and anti-discrimination regulations. In conclusion, while unbiased recruitment is important for creating a positive and inclusive workplace, it can be challenging to implement in practice. Organizations must be aware of these barriers and challenges and take steps to overcome them in order to achieve their goal of an equitable and fair hiring process. A New Hope AI and social robots have the potential to play a significant role in mitigating and addressing the key barriers and challenges to unbiased recruitment. Before we continue, let’s clarify what we mean by the term “social robot”. A social robot is a type of machine that can interact with people in a social way using AI. It's like a computer that can talk and respond to you, and it's designed to be friendly and helpful. You might have seen a robot at a store or a museum that greets you when you walk in, or one that answers questions you have about a certain topic. Social robots are used to help make things easier, more fun, or just more interesting. They can also be used to teach people new things or to help them in some way. Overall, social robots are designed to be friendly and make you feel like you're talking to a real person, even though they're just an AI-powered machine. Here are some ways in which AI and social robots can be leveraged in the context of unbiased recruitment: Automating recruitment processes: AI can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as resume screening and interview scheduling, reducing the risk of personal biases influencing the hiring process. Providing objective data and insights: AI-powered recruitment tools can provide data-driven insights into the diversity, equity, and inclusion of the hiring process. This information can be used to identify and eliminate personal biases, and to track progress and assess the effectiveness of unbiased recruitment practices. Reducing human error: AI-powered tools can reduce human error in the recruitment process, such as incorrect resume screening or interview scheduling. This can help ensure that the process is as objective and fair as possible. Providing personalization: Social robots can provide personalized and engaging experiences for candidates, helping to create a positive candidate experience and improving the perception of the company as a potential employer. Offering diversity and inclusiveness training: AI-powered virtual training and development programs can help educate and train hiring managers and recruiters on diversity, equity, and inclusion, helping to reduce the risk of personal biases influencing the hiring process. Social robots would effectively act as “team mates” working alongside and assisting people. Providing language and cultural understanding: AI and social robots can help bridge language and cultural gaps, providing a more inclusive and equitable experience for candidates and improving the representation of diverse groups in the workplace. In conclusion, AI and social robots have the potential to significantly mitigate and address the key barriers and challenges to unbiased recruitment. By leveraging these technologies, organizations can create a more equitable and fair hiring process, and a more positive and inclusive workplace. Recommendations At ITE, we offer a range of AI and Social Robot solutions that include Digital Avatars and physical robots (like Pepper, Nao, and Delivery robots) which may be used across different industries including hospitality, leisure, retail, and so forth. Social robots have a wide range of potential applications and can be used in a variety of industries to help improve customer experiences, enhance efficiency, and automate processes. If you are HR professional or consultant, visit our website (https://ite.ai) to learn more. Join us to create a better future that is fairer for all people. Concluding Thoughts Unbiased recruitment is a crucial aspect of creating a positive and inclusive work environment. It involves eliminating personal biases, preconceptions, and discrimination during the hiring process, allowing for a more objective and fair evaluation of skills and qualifications. This can benefit both candidates and hiring managers, as it ensures a more equitable and transparent hiring process. The following are the positive benefits of implementing unbiased recruitment practices in the workplace: Improved diversity, equity, and inclusion: By removing personal biases from the hiring process, companies can attract a more diverse pool of candidates, creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace. This leads to increased innovation and creativity, as well as enhanced problem-solving and decision-making. Enhanced employee engagement and job satisfaction: Candidates who feel that they were fairly evaluated and selected for a role are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. This leads to increased job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Increased trust in the workplace: Unbiased recruitment practices help build trust among employees, as it demonstrates a commitment to fairness and equity. This can lead to improved collaboration, teamwork, and productivity. Better decision-making: By removing personal biases from the hiring process, companies can make more informed and objective decisions about who to hire. This can lead to improved talent acquisition and retention, as well as increased success and sustainability. Attracting top talent: Companies that implement unbiased recruitment practices are more likely to attract top talent, as it demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This can lead to increased competitiveness and success in the marketplace. Overall, unbiased recruitment is crucial for creating a positive and inclusive workplace that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. It benefits both candidates and hiring managers, and leads to increased innovation, engagement, trust, and success in the workplace. Follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter and visit my website for more info! Read more from Salim! Salim Sheikh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Over the past 25 years, Salim has built a career in consulting, working both client ‒ and supplier-side as an interim CIO/CTO and a Business Change / Transformation Consultant. Facilitating digital and technology transformations programmes that have included rescue & recovery ("turnaround"), process optimisation & improvement and organizational change – across diverse industries in the UK, Europe, Nordics, Turkey, UAE, US, and Australia. Salim is an Oxford University (Said Business School) alumni who also has strong academic roots in Artificial Intelligence (AI). He was previously a mentor in the “Responsible Tech Program” managed by “All Tech Is Human” and an academic scholar on topics relating “AI for Social Good”, “AI for Society” and “Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)”. Salim authored "Understanding the Role of Artificial Intelligence and Its Future Social Impact" –available on IGI Global (https://bit.ly/34cfJVf) – and a new series on “Societal AI” available on Amazon (https://amzn.eu/d/bmYm9K7).