It started as an unexpected YES to an invite from the Geena Davis Institute (GDI) to attend and speak at the 10th annual Bentonville Film Festival. Why an unexpected YES? IYKYK. I’m selective. I’m a working mom, my kids are in their activities era and the struggle is real to keep it all together. My default is usually a simple, “Sorry, I can’t; the kids’ have _____.” So why YES? I can’t say for certain, other than the work that GDI does aligns with my personal values and I felt the moment elevate to more of a mindset – See it. Be it. (GDI’s mantra)
So off I was to Bentonville, Arkansas.
The impact of the nation’s No. 1 retailer is dizzying. Walmart’s home office and headquarters employs 15,000 in Bentonville, there are more than 1,100 prospective Walmart vendors who have sales offices in the region and the large number of satellite offices for brands of almost every industry means an astounding number of transplants from around the U.S. live in or near Bentonville. I was afforded the opportunity to meet, converse and connect with an array of diverse marketers, brand managers, creators, writers and executives. Yes, I was among peers but there were also a range of creators, writers, producers, actors and executives from the film industry. GDI connects the two parallel universes in a meaningful way because whether we’re talking film, media, marketing or advertising – representation matters.
I believe that in my core and try to model it daily as a leader, but I wasn’t in Bentonville to lead, I was there to learn. Here are my top 3 takeaways:
1 - We’ve all been given bad advice. “Prove ‘em wrong about you” we’re told. Or our work, our ideas, our existence is “too” this or that - too icy, too confident, too young, too strong, too assertive, too emotional. We all channeled our energy into changing ourselves or our work to “fit in” or not disturb what already existed. But experience and maturity tell us now that what we should’ve been doing is channeling our energy into changing our industries and expanding the points of view that held firm. Not all advice is good advice, so it’s important to understand who you are, what you value and what you want your story to be in the world. There’s too many people who will want you to live quietly or play small. Don’t. Don’t let them limit your potential or strike down your identity. Live a big, bold, audacious life in a way that you want to. And talk about it. Let your energy and effort be propelled by those who believe in you. Prove them right. Your story becomes the spark that someone else may need to light their fire.
2 - We can find unity in the challenges. Every person I met or listened to faced challenges, bias, discrimination, rejection or consequences for being different – female, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ – and yet they’ve still achieved personal and professional success. Whether it was in getting to the position they are in today or creating work that represented their lived experiences. And the takeaway is: If you don’t like something, you have to either learn to live with it, or change it. And changing things is bruising, unforgiving, hard work. But instead of wearing the wounds as a badge of honor earned for their solo climb – they invited others in to share, learn and grow from the experience. One of the most powerful things we can do for others is expand our view, advocate for outliers, invite them to connect, to be seen and heard. The struggles we all had in the past, become the strength we yield in the future.
3 - We are not the same people after the storm - whatever your storm may be. (Take your pick: #metoo movement, covid, writers strikes, recessions, unseen personal battles). Time and experience change us, we gain more knowledge and wisdom, and we grow because of it. Give yourself permission to change. You can still compete at the highest levels AND be kind AND inclusive. Experience as much of life as you can, be bold and try something new. Break old thinking patterns by engaging in new activities. Creative thinking thrives on imagination so identify and engage with people and things that truly excite you, then keep those passions going. Live in a way where you look forward to looking back.
It’s been a few weeks and I’m still thinking about the learnings, the stories and shared experiences. I’m glad I said YES, and I think I’ll be doing more of it in the future because if I can be it, maybe someone else can see it for themselves.
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