Well, I have come full circle! In 2013, I started a leadership group for my corporate organization. My CEO requested that we center the first leadership group on the book, Start with Why, by Simon Sinek. And almost 12 years later, I am still obsessed with the book. The basic premise of Start with Why is that if a person or a company starts from the point of why they do what they do and they communicate that clearly, the how and what (aka the operations or tactical pieces) will come. It all starts with understanding and knowing our why.

Well, guess what? I was pumped to get introduced to Monique Helstrom, the professional that was behind the author and speaker, Simon Sinek, during the Start with Why heyday. It was fun to learn what was happening behind the scenes, and what has prompted Monique to branch off on her own.

During my conversation with Monique, we chatted about:

1. What it was like to move from being Chief of Simon Sinek to running her own business.
2. Her mindset shift from feeling like being an executive assistant was simply #2 to moving to being #1 personally and professionally.
3. Why she sees life as a potluck.
4. She dives deeper into her mission with the work she does today with Executive Assistant recruiting and executive coaching clients.
5. What are the signs we need an executive assistant and how do we look for our own?
6. And more.

Before we get started, here is more about Monique:

Monique has dedicated her life to helping humans understand their own unique role in making great ideas - and great partnerships - come to life.

After nearly a decade as the Executive Assistant, Producer, and “Chief of Simon Sinek,” New York Times Best-Selling author and TED celebrity, along with her adventures as an event planner and a two-time small-businessowner, Monique has had unparalleled experiences and gained unique perspectives from thought leaders, executives, middle managers, celebrities, educators, military, social activists, and the general workforce that this world depends on. These encounters have equipped her with the tools necessary to decipher and disentangle common issues plaguing humans and businesses around the globe.

And now, as a Speaker, Activator, and Unlocker of Human Potential, she consults, coaches, and speaks internationally to teach people the most important skills that no one ever taught them before. She has helped individuals and teams understand and utilize their innate talents, master their communication, conquer their organizational roadblocks, and build powerful relationships that will actually progress their career.

As an expert on communication and feedback, human (not “soft”) skills, personality types, performance enhancers, skill building techniques, executive presence, and ways to motivate, she offers a practical and honest approach to subjects like change, teamwork, collaboration, conflict and communication!

She has cultivated an ability to identify patterns, diagnose the gaps, and establish a workable solution. She is experienced in taking take large complex problems and breaking them down into bite-sized, achievable nuggets.

If you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com. I have created three for you:

1. 24 career and leadership affirmations, (2) 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome, and (3) most popular, Getting Paid: 10 Negotiation Tips.

They are workbook style guides, so you can complete them on your own time.

One other announcement. I’m co-hosting my first ever women’s leadership conference called Thrive in 2025! Yes, you heard that right! Hope Mueller of CLIMB Conferences and I are hosting the conference in Chicagoland from June 25th-28th, 2025. You can learn more about the conference and register at www.thrive-in25.com.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Monique Helstrom - Coach, Speaker, and Recruiter of Talented Assistants for Busy Executives