Leap Academy with Ilana Golan - Client Spotlight: From Dream Role to CEO & Author

Episode Date: August 7, 2023

What creates the pull to start your own company?When do you decide to follow your passion and when do you play safe?In this episode, Ilana chats with Lisa Litherland, author, speaker and CEO of Social Optics a social communication program that helps teens create a toolkit to elevate their social and emotional well-being.  Lisa talks about what led her to leave a high-paying job, with a great culture, and work she loved.Listen to this inspiring story! Watch this Episode On YouTube -  https://youtu.be/zpB2JydeneQWould you like to learn the 4 steps our clients use to make huge leaps in their careers? Check out my FREE training https://training.leapacademy.com/register Need some guidance ASAP? Grab a FREE career coaching session with our team:https://www.leapacademy.com/apply About Ilana Golan & Leap Academy:Website - https://www.leapacademy.com/Follow Ilana on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan/YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ilanagolan-leap-academy

I have grown more in the last year than I have grown probably in the previous 10, 15, maybe even 20 years. You become unstoppable. Like you decide where you want to go and you start being so intentional and strategic about it. And I love seeing you like this. I wish I would have done this five, 10 years sooner. Like I really do. And if you've got that pull and you feel like there's something more, just go for it and go for it now. Right. Because you will grow so much in the process of going through the program of following the step that Alana lays out for you. And like, you just, you have no idea what you're capable of.

Listen up, people. You've got a lot to offer and we need it. This world needs you to put yourself into step up and go for it because you have so much to offer. What if I don't? If I don't sign up for leave, what could I potentially miss out on? And for me, the answer was like, I would never live up to my potential. And I knew it was there. I knew it was inside of me. And that was definitely like more painful and more fearful that I wouldn't reach those heights, the levels, the impact that I was looking for. And so I said, well, I've got to do this. Thank you. Thank you, Alana, for building the LEAP program and putting this together. It's life changing.

This is an incredible story of Lisa here that we'll introduce in a second. And she had this amazing leap from an amazing company like Zoom to start her own impact business. She's an incredible entrepreneur. She was like running with it. It was amazing to see. So Lisa, I'm so excited to have you with us. Thank you. Thank you. So your story has been incredible. And just seeing you like, once you decided that you want more for yourself, like it was amazing to see you go. So share with us a little bit, you know, from the first time we talked, which was about two years ago and happy birthday to your daughter. Yeah. Yeah. Share with us your story a little bit from that time. Like what? Sure. Absolutely. So, I mean, I had an awesome job making really good money, great company culture.

But there was something missing and I just felt like there was something more. And I wasn't I wasn't utilizing my full capacities. And like, I really wanted to create an impact. And I'm big on self-actualization. And I knew I just wasn't using my full capabilities. And so I was looking for that something more, but didn't know how to find it. So I'm like, I need some help. So we had a conversation. And I remember our first conversation. Because in that first conversation, I could already see

that you're a high achiever, you're super, super driven. However, timing was not quite right. Oh, yes. I was pregnant with my second child, my daughter. And, you know, like kind of starting to think about legacy, right? What I would pass on to my kids. That was certainly top of mind. And I knew I wanted to do more, but you're right. The timing wasn't quite right. I had a lot on my plate at the time.

You had a lot on your plate. A lot of things change once you have your kid, right? So we had an incredible conversation. I remember how memorable it was. I remember that you wanted to be that role model for, you know, for her and, you know, for your kids. But, you know, I also felt like it was the fair thing to say, Lisa, not yet. Let's have you have that child and then wait a little bit to stabilize and let's go back. Right. And reassess. And then you came back. Right.

And that was amazing. You came back and you were on fire. That was amazing to see. So tell me what happened. Right. You you came back. So, you know, again, I had always had this feeling that I was meant for something more and that I should do something more. And I wanted to. And so I went through the program, the LEAP program, and that really helped me look inside and figure out what that looked like. And one of the things I really liked about the program was there's a lot of experimentation. So part of what I did in the program was I did some experiments. There were some things that I thought maybe I wanted to do with my career that I tried them out, ran some

experiments, and then I figured out, nope, that is not what I want to do. So that was incredibly helpful. So the self reflection, the experiments, the whole process was something that you just have to work through. And there's no substitute for actually doing the work of doing the reflection, figuring out what is it that I want in this next phase in my life and in my career and doing the work and figuring out, having conversations with people about what that might look like if I were to move into a role like that. And so I went through that whole process and I trusted the process of the LEAP program and I wasn't sure how it was all going to work out. And, and some of the things that I tried weren't, I mean, I, I got

the answers and the answer was no. And sometimes knowing what isn't the answer helps you the most to actually find where the right answer is and where you should be and where you want to be. And that definitely happened for me. You know, one, one of the big things that I got from the program was getting myself out there more. So that's part of what today is, right? So I'm not, I'm not one to really talk about myself and what I'm doing all that much. But through the program, I learned that if I don't talk about what I'm doing, people can't know. And so I need to talk about that more.

And so I started posting on LinkedIn more to share my story and also to inspire others as well. And it and I think that's what actually led me to my current role. You know, leap is like a mirror, we, you know, the way you show up and leap is the way you show up in life. And the people that just jump in, roll up their sleeves, do the work, you know, like, it, even though, even if it's hard, even if there's rejection, even if they're experimenting with something that is suddenly like a no, right. The way you show up is the way you show up in life. And that's how we can assess, you know, who, who has what it takes, who is a leader, who can inspire others. And you are

definitely there, right. and that's why you were able to just like zoom up and do all these things and make these connections with incredible people and leap and you know and partner with some and do all these things like that's a testament to who you are and the leader that you are and they inspire in person that you are and that's why you're able to do the things that you do right Right. So, but tell us a little bit about, you know, like you jumped into entrepreneurship completely new. It could be the scariest thing in the world. Yeah, absolutely. I'm co-founder and CEO of a company called Social Optics. We're an ed tech company. And the whole idea is that our kids are in a social and emotional crisis right now. If you look at social media, school shootings, and then with COVID, like our kids, especially our middle and high school students are really struggling with their social and emotional health.

And so what we've done is we've built out a program and a tool that teaches a critical thinking framework. And we teach them the tools of, you know, how to actually think, do critical thinking, and then we help them apply that to things like self-concept, assertion, and things like that. And what that does is it helps improve their communication, and it helps them understand both themselves and others. And this is just so critical with where our kids are at today. And it helped them create a positive self-identity. I didn't want to just work and lead a startup, just any old startup. I wanted to do something that could create a huge positive impact. And that absolutely matters. And like I've already, like I've seen and I've talked to students

that have been through the program already. And it's amazing to see how they've internalized the information, how they generalize the concepts and then how it has helped them, um, in their lives, how it's helped them function in their lives, how it's helped give them hope, help them see a future for themselves. Like it is like, I'm surprised I'm not like having tears rolling down my face. It sounds like it, like when I was looking for impact,

like this is impact. You couldn't even. Yeah. I, I couldn't, uh, I, I couldn't try to make more impact than this. Right. I see like a whole different level of Lisa, right. But it's like living for something so much bigger than she ever imagined. Am I right? Oh, absolutely. And, you know, it's interesting because I have grown more in the last year than I have grown probably in the previous 10, 15, maybe even 20 years. And it's, it's through so many different things. So like like I've got that mission orientation, you know, and that impact piece, but not only that, like leading a startup,

you have to do a whole lot of things and you don't have time to perfect those things or to study those things before you do it. So one of the things we talked about in the LEAP program was done is better than perfect, which is like a life motto for me now, right? Because like, it's all about you, you get it done, right? And, and then you iterate later, right? You, you figure out what works, you test, you experiment. And, and so I've learned so much over the last year. And, you know, thinking about, you know, my, my lifetime, my long term career,

right? So like, who knows, who knows how far we'll take this, you know, five, 10 years, some kind of exit, you know, some kind of legacy. But in the I had a lot to offer before, but now I'm like, oh, yeah, I know how to do this. And I know how to do that. Like, you know, I've built websites and marketing plans and created go-to markets, sales strategies and, you know, done incorporation paperwork and legal stuff. And, you know, I'm the CFO as well. And like all these different pieces, right. And like things that I thought I would never get into, but it's awesome. And what's amazing about it, Lisa, and I know some people ask me about an MBA and I'm like, there is no faster MBA than actually doing.

And what I love about it also that in the meantime, while you're building this business, you're also just becoming, you know, a better and better and better leader, a better and better CEO, like somebody that can make some big things happen no matter what happens, you know, and that's where you start creating that incredible leadership, that inspiring leader that no matter what happens, you know, you are going to do big things. Right. Oh, absolutely. And that's where the big leap is that it's just, it's not just about, you know, whether this business will stay or will morph like any entrepreneurship or will grow or will, you know, whether this business will stay or will morph like any entrepreneurship or

will grow or will, you know, whatever is happening, what's beautiful is as a leader, you become unstoppable. Like you decide where you want to go when you start being so intentional and strategic about it. And I love seeing you like this. If you're able to find that thing that turns you on, on all the different levels, like you're right. You just become unstoppable and, and you have so much fun doing it. So with that, I do want to inspire people. They want to try to figure out like, what is the right thing for me? How do I find more?

Is it even possible for me to dream? Should I even dream? Because theoretically, I have a dream job. Like I go to work, I get my salary. That is their comfort zone. But if they truly want more and they truly want to become a role model, to be more inspiring, to become a leader, to do more with their life, what are some of the things that you think you should have heard when you were at that point? I wish I would have done this five, 10 years sooner. Like I really do. And if you've got that pull and you feel like there's something more, just go for it and go for it now, right? Because you will grow so much in the process of going through the program, of following

the step that Alana lays out for you. And like, you just, you have no idea what you're capable of. Listen up, people. You've got a lot to offer and we need it. This world needs you to put yourself into step up and go for it because you have so much to offer. Oh, I love this so, so much. I love this so, so much, but I'll take it even a notch further. You know, you know, they schedule a call with us, you know, they, they, you know, try to figure it out. And, and then the fear and the doubt and, you know, like, what went through your head when you were trying to think, well, should I sign up for this

thing? Or I shouldn't? Or, you know, like, I'm sure there's like all this fear and doubt. And what if it doesn't work for me? Or what came what came up for you? Oh, well, I mean, for me, I was thinking about what if I don't, if I don't sign up for leave? What could I potentially miss out on? And for me, the answer was like, I would never live up to my potential. And I knew it was there. I knew it was inside of me. And that was definitely like more painful and more fearful that I wouldn't reach those heights, the levels, the impact that I was looking for. And so I said, well, I've got to do this. I am so inspired by you. I'm so honored to have somebody like you as a leaper. And I just couldn't be prouder. In the spirit of LEAP and the LEAP program, one of the things we talked about was building reputation. And so in the course of that, one of the things you recommended to do to build reputation

was write a book. So I figured, you know, while I'm in the middle of building a startup, why not write a book about my experiences and what I'm doing? Also keeping in mind, done is better than perfect. So I wrote a book. Show it. Do you have it? Sorry, I've got my screen blurry. Live your passion. It's all about how to leave the corporate world and begin your startup journey. And I figured that as I was going through this journey, why not share the experience with

as many people as possible? And I wrote this over kind of that Thanksgiving, New Year time, where, as you'll remember, there were a lot of layoffs going on in the tech world. And so I figured that, you know, maybe my story could help inspire others to who were thinking maybe there's something more. And yeah, so I just wrote it down, down a bit down to see, you know, if it might be able to help others. And you'll sense a common theme here. It's all about helping others, right, and creating that impact, whether it's, you know, helping the students through my startup, helping, you know, other professionals thinking about entrepreneurship

through the book. You know, I've done a ton of coaching and mentoring, and advising startup advising and that type of stuff. Over the years, that's just, that's just who I am, right. So it's all about creating that impact and helping, you know, helping elevate others as well. And, you know, leaders need coaches as well. And that's, that's what the LEAP program was for me. Like I needed my coach. And that's what you were. And that's what you are. I mean, you still are. And I have my own coach because I do believe that that's how we go better and grow better and we grow faster. And, you know, we get the blinders off and we see possibilities in a new light. Right. I mean, for me, it's a whole, you know, like I will never try to go through this alone.

I will always find somebody who has been there. Like what's really important is that somebody that has walked the walk, you know, not just theory, but actually walk the walk. So for me, that's important. But again, it's about surrounding yourself with other people that are looking to level up as well. That's also part of what the LEAP program was for me. This is incredible to see you, Lisa. It's such an inspiring story. And I want them to realize that not only that it's okay to dream, this is what life is about. Oh yeah, absolutely. And it's so much fun. Like it really is to get firing on all cylinders. I mean, that's, that's what this is all about. So thank you. Thank you, Alana, for building the LEAP program and putting this

together. It's, it's life-changing.