Achievement, Anxiety, and Entrepreneurship | How I Built This with Guy Raz | NPR

Transcript

hello and welcome to how i built this resilience edition from npr i'm guy roz i hope everyone is doing well this is where we're talking about how businesses are building resilience during these very challenging times and today my guest is maura aaron smelly she's the host of the anxious achiever it's a podcast that looks at work life and mental hea... Read More

Summary

In this episode of "How I Built This: Resilience Edition," host Guy Raz interviews Maura Aaron Smale about her experience as an introverted entrepreneur and how she manages anxiety in the business world. Maura shares insights and advice for navigating networking events, managing energy levels, and finding a balance between vulnerability and oversharing. She also discusses the impact of the pandemic on her business and the importance of resilience and adaptability.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the anxious achiever and women online?

Maura Aaron Smale explains that she has two jobs: running Women Online, a digital marketing agency that mobilizes women for social change, and hosting The Anxious Achiever podcast. Women Online has worked with high-profile clients such as Malala Yousafzai and the United Nations. The Anxious Achiever was created to support people with anxiety, leveraging Maura's personal experience and journey as an entrepreneur.

Q: How does being an introverted and anxious entrepreneur affect your day-to-day life?

Maura explains that being an introvert and experiencing anxiety can sometimes be challenging in an entrepreneurial role. She discusses the importance of managing her energy and balancing her need for alone time with the demands of running a business. While she may appear extroverted in public settings, it can be draining, and she relies on finding moments of solitude to recharge.

Q: Is it necessary to be charismatic and outgoing to be a successful entrepreneur?

Maura challenges the assumption that entrepreneurs need to be charismatic and outgoing to succeed. She emphasizes that authenticity and passion are more important than being a natural extrovert. While learning to hold a room and engage with others can be a valuable skill, it does not determine one's ability to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Q: When did you realize you could turn your observations and experiences into a business and create a podcast and book?

Maura shares that her realization came after writing an article called "Entrepreneurship Porn" for Harvard Business Review. The article resonated with people, which inspired her to explore and share the realities of running a business. She recognized a need for honest conversations about entrepreneurship and decided to create The Anxious Achiever podcast and write the book "Hiding in the Bathroom."

Q: You created the ten touches rule for networking. Do you still follow it during the pandemic?

Maura explains that she actually increased her networking efforts during the pandemic. The ten touches rule, which involves reaching out to ten people in your extended network each week, is a way to stay connected and build relationships. While in-person meetings may not be possible, she suggests finding alternative ways to connect, such as video calls or sending emails.

Q: What are some coping mechanisms for managing anxiety and introversion at networking events?

Maura advises introverts to embrace their strengths, such as active listening and thoughtful conversations, during networking events. She recommends initiating conversations with a simple question like, "What brings you here?" and letting the other person do the talking. Additionally, she highlights the importance of leaving an event if it causes too much anxiety, as self-care is crucial.

Q: How do you balance vulnerability and over-sharing as a leader with anxiety?

Maura suggests finding a balance between vulnerability and over-sharing, especially in a professional setting. She recommends acknowledging anxiety and struggles to foster an environment of openness but advises against sharing personal details that might overwhelm or distract from the work. Being strong and vulnerable, while knowing the boundaries, can help establish trust and connection with a team.

Q: Are there any guidelines or principles for managing energy levels, especially for someone with bipolar tendencies?

Maura shares her own experience with managing energy levels and explains the importance of recognizing one's patterns and triggers. For high-energy moments, she suggests finding ways to channel that energy, such as using a fidgeting prop. When energy levels are low, she recommends taking breaks, going outside, practicing deep breathing, and engaging in activities that promote relaxation.

Q: Should I wear makeup for a Zoom call with an important person?

Maura advises considering one's personal brand and the image they want to present before deciding whether to wear makeup for a Zoom call. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as individual preferences and comfort levels differ. It's important to wear what makes you feel powerful and authentic rather than focusing solely on external judgments.

Q: How do you build resilience within yourself and your business during the disruption of 2021?

Maura emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of uncertainty. She shares her experience of navigating the challenges brought by the pandemic and the subsequent shift to virtual events. By empowering her team and allowing them to take charge in finding solutions, she was able to overcome obstacles and successfully pivot. Looking forward, she aims to continue building resilience and adaptability in her business.