Sherisse Hawkins’ is an engineer, entrepreneur and amateur aerialist. She coined the phrase corporate escapee after abruptly quitting her job for startup life. Now, she’s determined to use AI for good.

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Guest Resource

Sherisse Hawkins – Check out Sherisse on LinkedIn.

3 Value Bombs

1) The road to success doesn’t have to be as painful and as treacherous and it is possible to achieve an effortless and magical moments and milestones.

2) True entrepreneurship is being of service. It comes from a place of helping others and making something easier and better and not just for ego.

3) You can accomplish more through servant-leadership by asking how you can be of help to someone.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: How Asking every new person the same unlikely question changed our business

[1:23] – Sherisse shares something that she believes about becoming successful that most people disagree with.

The road to success doesn’t have to be as painful and as treacherous as the movies lead us to believe. Some of the moments and milestones have been more effortless and almost magical that is possible.

[2:29] – Sherisse talks about how this social experiment start.

It was in 2018, as a Founder she had attended many meetings and had conversations with new people. It came to some point that pitching and doing sales presentations starts to feel predictable and one-sided. She decided to turn things around a little bit and asked everyone she met something more unexpected to see what happens.

[3:04] – Sherisse talks about what is the question she asked.

“Is there anything you’re seeking help with large or small?”

[3:26] – Sherisse tells how it worked out.

It is interesting that most people are taken aback and caught off-guard when asked with the question.
There is a flicker of gratitude from them responding to her with “Wow, thanks for asking me.”
The typical request that she receive is an introductionto some elite person in her network or a referral.
One requested for her to read the first draft of their book and give her feedback.

[4:26] –Sherisse shares how she feels when asked to do something.

The challenge for herself is to ask genuinely and be prepared for what she will be asked so she doesn’t feel compelled to do it.
She also doesn’t say no because most people say thank you or put in on hold for later. Most of the request people ask from her are not large and just appreciate the thoughtfulness.

[8:20] – Sherisse talks about outlandish answers that she gets.

The most outlandish she received was reading the first draft of the their book and giving her feedback because it took her hours to do it.

[10:16] – A timeout to thank our sponsors!

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[12:51] – Sherisse talks about what this question teach her about entrepreneurship.

She came to understand that true entrepreneurship is being of service and that can be a small day to day moment or pursuing big ideas.
It comes from a place of helping others and making something easier and better and not just for ego.

[14:01] – Sherisse shares how asking this simple question change her business and gives an example.

One example of an answer to her question is getting the word out about a capital campaign they were doing. It made her realize that her company can really help in taking of this problem so they took their core product with emerging AI and develop a solution with profound impact to help raise capital and raise donors with great content. It was exciting and it became a breakthrough for them.
Another example was when they were confided regarding a more personal request such communication with their children where she responded that writing is a helpful way to connect to them.

[16:14] – Sherisse shares how this impacted her role as a leader.

She was in corporate and has coined the phrase “corporate escapee”. She had the mindset of profit and growth and leading people but now she sees that she can accomplish more through servant-leadership.
Asking how she can help is a perfect habit to practice and that is now how she thinks about leadership.
There is profit and product but there is a way to get there that is more enjoyable and more impactful in the long run.

[17:21] – Sherisse gives her key take away.

She hopes more people will try this out and start a movement to help people do more good, know more about the community and make it happen.

[17:50] – Call to action.

Sherisse Hawkins – Check out Sherisse on LinkedIn.

[18:44] – Thank you to our Sponsors!

HubSpot: Breeze is HubSpot’s collection of AI tools that helps you turn one piece of content into a whole suite of assets. Visit HubSpot.com/marketers to learn more!
LastPass: The most accessible and easy-to-use password manager on the planet! Visit LastPass.com/fire for a free trial and get started today!

Killer Resources!

1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!

2) Free Podcast Course: Learn from JLD how to create and launch your podcast!

3) Podcasters’ Paradise: The #1 podcasting community in the world!