Being Yourself as a Leader

Hi, everyone.

I'm Tara August, and I'm President of A Type Inc,

and former SVP of Talent Relations and Special Projects for a major broadcast network.

I'm gonna tell you about the importance of showing up as your authentic self.

It's important in your day-to-day life,

and it's also just as important in your career.

But first, let me share a little bit about myself.

While I've spent over two decades in sports and entertainment.

I spent my early days working in PR, going to grad school, and applying for various jobs around the industry.

Ultimately, I landed an opportunity in sports TV production,

and after several years of hard work at the network,

I was approached with an opportunity to move from PR into talent management.

I was initially hesitant 'cause big opportunities can be stressful,

but your friends and loved ones will always push you in the right direction.

So I took the role and I spent over a decade overseeing some of the biggest names in sports,

you might recognize them,

covering everything from the NBA, to Major League Baseball, golf, NASCAR, and college sports.

I also executive produced shows and led DEI and community initiatives.

It was a real dream job.

Today I run my own consulting agency, and I'm a trustee at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

As a former club kid, I can tell you being a trustee and giving back to kids is truly my passion.

All of this came from trusting who I was and showing up in the right way.

So, let's talk about how you can lead by showing up as yourself.

When you think about being a leader,

you might think you need to fit into a certain mold to be taken seriously.

I thought the same thing, but that's simply not true.

When I started out in PR, I was doing the little things well and people noticed and pulled
me into bigger opportunities.

Being consistently prepared for meetings often led to positive feedback from colleagues,

even the ones I didn't work with directly.

You never know when people are watching.

That's why it's important to be true to yourself and your values.

You know, there are times when I'm in a room,

and I might feel like a bit of a unicorn because no one else looks like me or has the same background.

But I tell myself, well, if I'm gonna be a unicorn, I'm gonna put on a show.

You wanna stand out in a positive way.

So here are three big things to keep in mind as you're working to show up with confidence and stand out on your own terms.

One of the most powerful ways you can brand yourself is by consistently doing great work.

You don't need a big moment.

Just bring your full energy and let your work do the talking.

Like I said before, someone saw my potential thanks to my hard work,

and that led directly to a major opportunity.

Whether you realize it or not, people are noticing you and your work.

Homework isn't just for the classroom, I know, I'm sorry.

But when you're in your professional career,

it's important to ask the right questions, study the right resources.

You can win an important meeting in advance with how prepared you are for it.

Oftentimes, I'll spend 30 to 45 minutes before a meeting,

jotting down ideas or reviewing materials.

I'm really shocked how much it's separated me from the people who just walk in and say,

I don't know, what are we talking about again?

Don't be that person.

You can stand out and lead day to day simply by doing the work beforehand.

Becoming a leader doesn't happen with a title or a business card.

You may think, oh, but I'm not a leader yet.

Trash that idea.

You can become a leader at every stage of your life, at every level.

If you're trying to find a way to be a leader,

start with doing the little things right.

Volunteer to take on an extra project,

lead by setting a positive example, even with how you carry yourself.

Gretzky was the great one before he was the great one.

You'll be seen as a leader and may inspire others to have that extra drive as well.

Remember that you're always in control, of showing up as you.

Your work is your reputation.

Preparation is power,

and you can lead no matter what job title you have.

Here's the point.

Your spot on the team was won by you, not somebody else.

And being authentic will help you find success,

not only in the sports marketing world, but any career you choose.

So be your authentic self.