Misty A. Scott-Nichols

I attribute my success to my strong interpersonal communication skills and my ability to build genuine relationships. It doesn't matter if I'm working with a CFO, CMO, COO, director, or manager - I have the ability to connect and take the time to understand what their business is and what their needs are. I don't come in as just a salesperson with a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I come in as a trusted business partner and a resource, and when you take that perspective, people respect that and it gets you a long way. I'm also very strategic in how I position myself - I focus on understanding our value proposition and services, and then I make sure I'm a resource at all times. I cultivate my talk track based on what's important to each individual I'm working with, understanding how I can impact their bottom line and tie solutions together. My Christian faith also governs how I conduct myself regardless of where I am, and I believe my favor continues to bring great things to come. Being prepared, understanding my own value and what I bring to the table, and positioning myself as an asset has been key throughout my career.

I would tell her to be prepared - be prepared, be prepared, be prepared. If you are prepared and you understand, number one, who you are, your value, what you bring to the table, and how you're an asset, and you position it in that manner, you're constantly leading from the perspective of how you can assist in their bottom line and make them money. It's really about understanding your own core methodology, how you govern yourself, and then being very deliberate in doing that - that's your blueprint. It doesn't matter what industry you're in, the blueprint is going to be the same. You have to figure out what your blueprint is and stick to it, and that develops your personal brand and your network. Don't be shy early on to ask a lot of questions and to be resourceful on your own. We have too much technology and information at the tip of our fingers at this point, so you should go in locked and loaded. There's no reason why you would have to play from behind when you really position yourself like that. It's about finding that balance of being independent and interdependent - you have to have both and recognize when it's necessary to ask questions versus being self-sufficient. Also, be a high self-monitor and make sure that who you're presenting yourself as is who people are experiencing. Be self-aware enough to take a step back and make adjustments. That's huge.

The challenge is no different than any other person that you're going up against. Really, your challenge is you - just making sure that you're constantly growing and that you are keeping things in the proper perspective. A no is not defeat. A closed door just means that there are others that are more suitable for you to walk through. It's about making sure that you're constantly keeping your mindset at a high level with a positive mindset, and that you understand your value and understand your worth. If you don't have that foundation, you're going to have a hard road to go.

Integrity is absolutely core to who I am. I am a Christian, and so I govern myself in that manner, regardless of where I am. My favor is on my life, and there are great things to come. Relationship building and trust are huge for me - I focus on being a trusted business partner and resource to everyone I work with. At this stage of my life, I'm very clear that I don't have time to waste time. I'm really deliberate now about putting boundaries in place and protecting my time more, because we don't get that back. What I'm involved in has to be feeding the purpose and the core of who I am. I've learned that when I was younger, it was great to help with everything and be a part of this and that, but now that I'm older, I have to pull all that energy back in and focus on what's important so I can leave a proper legacy for my son. Prayer and getting guidance from my word is how I restore myself - that's what keeps me grounded and clear on the direction I need to go.