"The Power of Connection Over Competition: A HEART-SOUL Story" by Reina-Flor Okori

In the fast-paced world of corporate competition, where talent recruitment has gone international, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. But there's something even more crucial than competition – it's connection. Recently, I had the privilege of giving a keynote at She Matters , a remarkable foundation and a social enterprise recruitment agency founded by Christina Moreno. She Matters is dedicated with connecting migrant women who are professionals in their field with multinational companies seeking diverse talent. Their goal is not just to help women find employment, but to empower them along the way .

What sets these women apart is their impressive educational backgrounds – many of them hold master's degrees in finance, engineering, PhDs, and are IT experts. They are highly educated and seeking ways to integrate into Dutch corporations. She Matters provides them with valuable coaching and mentoring from a supportive team of women such has Nhi Phan executive director.

This experience reminded me of my five years working at CFP Talent with Pascal Faucon as a personal marketing advisor, assisting directors, executives, and international students in positioning themselves in companies in collaboration with #LinkedIn. "How to boost your career" remains a universal challenge, but for these women, there are even more hurdles to overcome.

They are executives from countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and more. The common thread among these women is that for most of them they are forced migrants and are challenged with finding a company that's a good fit while navigating administrative issues like visas.

Our event was hosted Deloitte Consulting headquarters in Amsterdam in collaboration with the Deloitte women's network. We received meaningful advice on how to apply according to their standards and had the privilege of hearing from Sandra Bakkum-de Roos, a Deloitte veteran of over 25 years, who emphasized the importance of adapting while maintaining authenticity. Sandra is passionate about connecting people, especially women, and sees it as a personal mission to open doors for the next generation.

We shared a powerful moment of mentorship and sisterhood, and I felt honored to inspire these incredible women to remain committed to their vision, despite the challenges. The story of Christina, who went from being a teen mom to a successful lawyer dedicated to helping these women achieve their goals, resonates deeply with me.

My own family history contains stories of strong women – my grandmother teacher and director of a school in Equatorial Guinea while raising eight children, and my mother left her home country due to threats, ultimately graduated in a master degree in psychology and becoming a social assistant in Switzerland. These women paved the way for me today.

During my speech, I emphasized the importance of connection over competition. In the competitive corporate world, the energy often revolves around survival and belonging at any cost. I drew upon my experiences in sports to illustrate that even in the face of adversity, connection remains paramount.

Here are the three key takeaways I shared about the power of connection:

1. Connection to your authentic self: Honor your heritage and the legacy of your history. Migrants often come from ancient kingdoms with rich cultures that have impacted the world. Don't forget that you, too, are a sovereign individual.

2. Connection to the joy of expressing your talents: Focus on manifesting your dreams with less resistance, taking small steps toward your goals.

3. Connection with heart-filled people: Seek those who support your quest beyond your talent and expertise.

I'm grateful for the connections I've made on my journey, and they continue to inspire and support me today. Whether you're on the job hunt or not, nurturing these connections is valuable. If you are searching for divers experte to build your next championship team.

As for myself, feel free to reach out if I can help – I'm here to support you as we flourish together.

Reina-Flor

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