May 22, 2019
Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 4! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Donteacia Seymore founder of Life Before the Tank. Donteacia is an Innovation Strategist, Inventor, and Public Speaker who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Donteacia's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses the importance of knowing your why, being emotionally intelligent, and leading with compassion.
Donteacia Seymore’s Bio
Donteacia Seymore is an American inventor and award winning
innovation strategist. As a product junkie, serial entrepreneur,
and giver of lyfe, she is the founder of Life Before The Tank, a
remote invention development firm where she works with aspiring
inventors to build their inventions. With a renaissance approach to
innovation, Donteacia is working to dispel the myth that tech is
sexier than the exciting new products we encounter each day.
As a writer, public speaker, and innovation enthusiast, Donteacia
is inspiring a new generation of inventors to be bold and
disruptive...and to do it on their own terms. She has coached
hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners on strategy and
development, helped over 100 inventors with their products and has
helped them raise nearly $1M for their amazing ideas.
Nicole Walker’s Interview Commentary
I really enjoyed this interview with Donteacia and I hope you did as well!
I agree with Donteacia’s viewpoint to focus more on the advantages of being a woman, as opposed to giving energy to the unleveled playing field we are in. The facts are indeed the facts, yet we do not have to give energy to the lack! We must embrace the advantages we have as women and use our femininity to work our God given magic! As Donteacia mentioned, women possess a charm that is unique and can be used to finesse the atmosphere. We must look at being a woman as an advantage, especially considering that the ecosystem for women is changing and there is so much access now!!
I admire Donteacia’s dedication and determination to fix her anger issues by studying conflict resolution and learning emotional intelligence. Leaders accept personal imperfections and figure out ways to fix the problem. As Donteacia stated, it is important to “learn to resolve conflict in a way that is calm”. Being calm is indeed a superpower! Luckily, we all can attain it if we put in the work. I love how Donteacia decided to solve her problem by going to doctoral school, as I wholehearted believe in the value and importance of higher education. I am super appreciative of the book she shared with us, that will provide the same knowledge for a fraction of the cost.
I can relate to Donteacia’s experiences being the older of several siblings, and having to take charge to help her household, as I experienced the same. Our upbringing definitely molds us for our future, whether we realize it or not. As an adult I often look back over my childhood experiences and am grateful for occurrences that I did not necessarily enjoy while growing up. Character building is not an easy process, yet it is essential to reach our peaks as individuals. A quote by Eleanor Roosevelt reads, “Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death”.
Nicole Walker’s Takeaway of the Week
Donteacia mentioned the importance of being compassionate with others to resolve conflict and build trust. Realizing that “it is not about you”, as Donteacia said, is essential to achieve this goal. It is so true that we are often quick to judge and cancel others, while not considering that people are either coming out of or going into something themselves.
I will make it my business to listen more and reaction less. I will be more mindful of my responses, and use Donteacia’s advice to have some canned responses on hand for times when I cannot take the moment needed to simmer before speaking. I care about how I am impacting and interacting with others, so compassion is a must.
A quote by Audrey Hepburn reads, “Nothing is more important than empathy for another human being’s suffering. Not career. Not wealth. Not intelligence. Certainly not status. We have to feel for one another if we’re going to survive with dignity”.
Nicole Walker’s Leadership Challenge
My leadership challenge for you would be to think about the one thing you can take away from this episode and adopt into your life. I know it’s hard to absorb too much information at one time and it’s even harder to try and implement too many changes at once. When I attend a training or listen to podcasts I aim to walk away with a least one thing that stuck out to me and one way that I can change as a result. I challenge you to do the same! If you decide to take me up on my challenge I would love to know about your key take way. If you care to share please go to the She Leads Podcast Discussion Group on FB and leave your comment under the Takeaway Thursday post for Season 4 Episode 4.
Don’t forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast, “It’s Not About You with Donteacia Seymore”.
Thanks and until next time “Be Empowered and Empower On”!