How to Create a Fully Committed Company Culture - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 11 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "Why is Risk Sharing So Important to a Successful Partnership?" She finds sharing risk and reward enables a team to be fully committed, determined, and focused on the task or initiative at hand. She notes that when going 95% of the way, she ends up there or at a lower level, whereas when she goes 100% she taps into new performance levels not yet seen. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

Why Effective Management Begins With Character - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 12 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "What Has Your Business Experience Taught You About Going into Relationships with Someone You Love, Respect and Trust?" In co-founding and growing her company, CLEAResult, she finds cornerstone characteristics of the management team to be integrity and trust. Individually and collectively, knowing others would own up to making mistakes permeates across all levels of the business. This creates a company culture built upon love, trust, and respect. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How Entrepreneurial Skills Enhance Personal Wellbeing - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 13 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "Where Do You Find Business Skills Most Transferable to Life, Relationships, and Family?" Parker shares how she has learned to roll with life and its changes in her entrepreneurial business experience. She is currently on a one-year sabbatical after selling her company, CLEAResult. Looking back on what she learned, she finds her entrepreneurial experiences very transferable into her personal life. She learns her limits and how to manage actions, decisions, and relationships in high pressure, fast paced situations. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How Creating a Company is Like Building a Family - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 14 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "How Creating a Company is Like Building a Family?" When starting her business, CLEAResult, she did not think there were parallels. Over time, however, she finds those parallels, from establishing trusted relationships to building and implementing learning programs. From a feminine or woman's perspective, she finds meaning knowing she was the family mother of a company that has now grown up to do good in the world. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How Feminine Leadership Style Helps Manage Teams - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 15 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "Where Can Feminine Leadership Be Most Impactful Running a Business?" She notes how a feminine leadership style can be most impactful supervising people and leading teams. She finds a feminine style built on support, nurturing, and championing others - an effective way to lead that complements more traditional masculine approaches. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How Female Leader Learns to Embrace Feminine Side - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 16 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "How Have You Learned to Embrace Your Femininity as a Business Leader?" As an adolescent and young adult, Parker sometimes wished she could be a man to be taken more seriously. Over time, she grows into her femininity and finds confidence as a woman working in business. Parker learns to relax and give herself permission to be feminine. Setting out to prove and achieve she can be successful in business, Parker does so starting, growing, and selling her company, CLEAResult. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How Woman Entrepreneur Becomes Female Role Model - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 17 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "Where Do You Think Sharing Your Experiences Will Be Most Useful Empowering Young Women?" Parker, a successful female entrepreneur, looks for ways she can share her story and inspire the next generation. She notes her near-peer status - older but from same generation as students and graduates - creates a more approachable means for her to connect. She notes how she is seeking the appropriate platform - writing a book, speaking, mentoring, etc. - to share her story and make this connection. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

Finding Teaching Motivation in Light Bulb Moments - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 18 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "What Do You Enjoy Most About Helping People Have Light Bulb Moments?" She channels the thrill she gets having her own "ah hah" learning moments to work with others until they too have a light bulb moment and learn something new. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How to Decompress and Relieve Stress - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 19 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "How Do You Decompress and What Effect Does That Have on How You Show Up in the World?" Parker starts with a good night's sleep and prioritizes outdoors exercise. She complements this by knitting and doing crochet. Lastly she finds long drives on open road to be a great way to reflect. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

Why to Give Yourself Permission to Make a Change - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 20 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "Why is it Important to Give Yourself Permission When Going Through a Change Moment?" She learns to surrender, or relinquish, control and accept it is OK to sometimes do nothing. After co-founding, growing, and selling her company, Parker embraces the restorative idea of taking time off and begins a one-year sabbatical.

Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

Transcription: 

Erik Michielsen:  Why is it important to give yourself permission when going through a change moment?

Audrey Parker:  Change is always uncomfortable.  That’s the nature of it.  And allowing and giving myself permission to let the change be whatever it’s gonna be without knowing how it’s gonna go, just surrendering control, surrendering the knowledge – we don’t know what we’re gonna change into.  We don’t know how it’s gonna go.  We don’t know how fast it’s gonna go.  And giving myself permission to just experience it as it comes and just trust that it will be whatever it will be, it’s not comfortable, but trying to control something that really I have no control over doesn’t make much sense.  It’s just amazing how often in my life and a lot of people try to control things like that, that they really, you know, can’t, just putting a lot of energy into something that could be better spent doing other things.  So it’s been nice to just give myself permission to just do nothing sometimes, literally, just do nothing.  And there’s this voice in my head going ‘why are you just doing nothing?  This is crazy.’  You need to be doing something.  You need to – you have to be doing something.  And there is this – the rest of me, it’s just like ‘no, actually, I don’t, I’m just gonna sit here, and I’m gonna do nothing, or I’m just gonna, you know, stare outside out the window, or I’m just gonna daydream.’  And there has been a lot of that just need to come back into balance, and I didn’t plan that.  I didn’t sit and think this is what I’m gonna need or this is what I’m – how it’s gonna go, or, you know, I’m gonna go spend time with that person, or I’m gonna go travel here or there.  I’m just letting it unfold.  And it’s a much more enjoyable process that way.  It’s still uncomfortable but it’s much more enjoyable.

Erik Michielsen:  When did you decide to give yourself permission when thinking about change?

Audrey Parker:  I gave myself permission when I exited CLEAResult.  I set a clear intention that, you know, this has been so much my identity, it has been so much my life, it has been so much my focus, I’ve been so determined and committed, and I have no idea what’s on the other side of this.  And I just allowed myself to have time and space and just whatever I need basically.  I set it up that way.  And that’s why I decided I – some people were saying ‘oh I’m sure you can’t take a full year off; I’m sure you’ll be bored after just a couple of months or a few weeks or something.’  And I just knew I need a year.  I need a year.  And I just need to give myself whatever time and space I need, really. So it was nice to give myself that permission because it’s just – it’s allowing things to just unfold, and, like I said, I like it that way.

How Personal Identity Philosophy Shapes Aspirations - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 21 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "How Have Your Views on Your Personal Identity Changed as You Have Aged?" After selling and leaving her company, CLEAResult, Parker asks herself "who am I?" She realizes identity is something we put on, so after dissolving her CLEAResult persona she can now put on a new identity and be anyone or anything she wants. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How to Be at Your Best Each Day - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 1 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "When Are You At Your Best?" He shares how it is when he takes care of himself physically and emotionally. In his mid-30s Curtis comes to realize that in order to help other people solve their problems, he needed to be at his best. By prioritizing rest, diet and exercise, he now feels he can give his all every time. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 2 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?" He finds what once seemed hard, especially relationships, and healthy living is getting easy. He finds challenge staying organized and on top of new technology, including keeping current with mobile technology and smart phone applications. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

Learning Productivity from Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 3 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "What Has Mayor Lee Leffingwell Taught You About Being More Productive?" Curtis notes that Leffingwell, a 71-year old man, has led by example, teaching Curtis to get things done as they come up. Curtis learns to tackle his to-do list as things come up. He finds he is making progress, incrementally reducing his lists as he continues to emulate his boss, the 51st mayor of Austin, Texas. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Make Your Leader More Effective - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 4 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Do You Make a Leader More Effective in What You Do?" He notes the importance of supporting them and focusing not on individual aims but the aims of the elected official. Curtis notes the daily challenges elected officials face with nonstop interaction. He amplifies leadership effectiveness by providing a positive environment and also identifying and making introductions that support his leader's aims. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Manage Publicity for Time Sensitive Political News - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 5 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "What Has Your Publicity Experience Taught You About Making Swift But Effective Decisions?" Curtis notes the importance of preparation when working publicity in the public sector. Often, something happens quickly and, with timing of the essence, Curtis tries to match the right story with the right news and media outlet, including mainstream news and alternative media such as blogs. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Stay Composed During a Crisis - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 6 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Have Your Learned to Stay Composed in Crisis?" In his years working for elected government officials, Curtis has learned different ways to focus, prioritize, and respond based on urgency and relevancy. He learns preparation from his current boss Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell's experience managing crisis from his Air Force pilot days. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Break Out of a Comfort Zone and Live More Fully - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 7 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "Where is Your Comfort Zone and What Do You Do to Break Free of Living in It?" Curtis shares how for the longest time, his comfort zone was living a sedentary life at home. After breaking free of this by moving into the city and cutting his cable TV, Curtis now focuses on how he can become more centered each week. He finds waking up early an effective way to get the alone time necessary to plan his future. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.