Phyllis G. Williams is a workshop facilitator, best-selling author of the book, Thee Art of Me, and blogger. She went from timid to tenacious and now she’s helping others do the same through speaking and writing. She’s a small town girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart.
- CEO Hack: One Word the Will Change Your Life
- CEO Nugget: We should excel and not just exist – Phyllis G. Williams. You have excellence inside of you and you should continue to water it.
- CEO Defined: Dedicated to your dream and vision even when no one else is.
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Transcription:
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Intro 0:02
Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.
Gresham Harkless 0:28
Hello, hello, hello, this is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Phyllis Williams of the progresspromoter.com. Phyllis, it's awesome to have you on the show.
Phyllis G. Williams 0:39
Thank you for having me.
Gresham Harkless 0:40
No problem, a man that wants to do is read a little bit more about Phyllis, so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. And Phyllis G. Williams is a workshop facilitator, best-selling author of the book, Thee Art of Me, and blogger.
She went from timid to tenacious and now she's helping others do the same through speaking and writing. She's a small-town girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart. Phyllis, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?
Phyllis G. Williams 1:06
Yes, I'm ready.
Gresham Harkless 1:08
Awesome. Let's do it. So the first question I had for you was to hear a little bit more about your CEO story. And what led you to start your business?
[restrict paid=”true”]
Phyllis G. Williams 1:15
My business started out of an extracurricular activity. Actually, I never imagined that I will be a speaker or lead workshops or anything of that nature because I was very timid and to myself. Have I joined a local Toastmasters, which is a speaking club? And as I grew more people would invite me out to speak at different events. I spoke at a graduation and some workshops as well. So that's how my story became, my CEO story came into existence as an extracurricular activity.
Gresham Harkless 1:54
Awesome, it's funny how those things kind of work themselves out where sometimes you're doing something just as a hobby or just something to try out. And then next thing you know, it's started picking on my guests kind of addicted to it, and it kind of minutes benefits itself from there.
Phyllis G. Williams 2:06
Yes.
Gresham Harkless 2:07
Awesome, awesome, awesome. And now I wanted to drill down a little bit deeper in here, like exactly like what you do and how you help and how you serve the clients that you work with.
Phyllis G. Williams 2:16
Okay. One example is I have a workshop called authenticity and authority based on my book, Thee Art of Me. And I come into a group of women between 8 and 15. And I do performances from the book, and I also talk about bonding and financial aspects. And the women do fill in blank activity and things of that nature and sort of vision, visionary things, I'm sorry. And the one that I had in December was very successful, and the women loved it. And that's what I do I help women calm in the boat and better authentic versions of themselves through community building.
Gresham Harkless 2:56
Interesting. So is kind of like the idea because I guess you kind of feel more empowered and maybe more comfortable in being yourself and being like tenacious, like, I know, you mentioned during your bio because you're in that community around those people participate in those activities.
Phyllis G. Williams 3:10
Yes, I think that's a big part of it. And for me, when I first started becoming more social, I avoided big groups of women, because I just felt it was Catty, and all of that extra this, but these are groups of women that you are more familiar with. But sometimes we're not even vulnerable with people that we know. So it allows you to bond in that way too.
Gresham Harkless 3:33
Awesome, awesome, awesome. No, that's definitely good, and great that you're doing it. And I always love the fact when you get the opportunity to, you know, get over maybe what is fear or something that might be holding you back. And next thing you know, you're able to kind of help other people do the exact same thing.
Phyllis G. Williams 3:48
Yes.
Gresham Harkless 3:49
Awesome, awesome, awesome. And now I wanted to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And this might be something that you feel kind of distinguishes you or sets you apart, or makes you different, or some people even call it their superpower. So do you have a secret sauce that you can give us?
Phyllis G. Williams 4:04
I think my secret sauce is actually relatable. And funny, I think more than anything. And so the business plan or the outline of it is that people can relate to me. And I make them laugh while also thinking deeply. Those are two things. Most people who come in contact with me will say I've never looked at it that way. And you always make me smile.
Gresham Harkless 4:27
That is an incredible secret sauce or superpower I should even say because you know, sometimes, especially when people are maybe, feeling some type of fear and they're not really sure about things if you're able to kind of let that guard down or help get that guard down by you know, making somebody laugh. That seems like a great way to kind of build that relationship and the connection so that people can you know, be their authentic selves.
Phyllis G. Williams 4:47
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Gresham Harkless 4:48
Awesome, awesome, awesome. And now I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack. And CEO hack could be an app or book or habit that you have, but it could be a few things that you think make you more effective and efficient as an entrepreneur or business owner.
Phyllis G. Williams 5:05
Okay, I'm gonna use a book for today's example. The book that was introduced to me by coach Bailey C is called One Word That Will Change Your Life by John Gordon. I've had one-word experience since 2000, and think 14, yes, 2014. And honestly, my word for that year spoke, I believe this book is very powerful because it's a spiritual book. And it's applicable to different parts of your life is applicable to relationships, business, to occupation. But I think no matter what you read, you have to transform into a different person. And that's what truly makes your business successful and who you are at the core.
Gresham Harkless 5:47
Very, very true. Yeah, you have to kind of be authentic to yourself. And I think sometimes when people go down a path, and you're not being true to yourself, as you mentioned, that sometimes you can't get as far as you would have gotten if you stay kind of true to yourself.
Phyllis G. Williams 5:59
Yes, that's so true.
Gresham Harkless 6:01
Yeah, that makes perfect sense. And now I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And CEO nugget could be like a word of wisdom or a piece of advice that you might have for entrepreneurs and business owners.
Phyllis G. Williams 6:12
My CEO nugget is a quote by me not because I'm self-centered, but because I think it can apply to everyone, no matter what field you are in an entrepreneur field is “We should excel and not just exist”. I think sometimes we become complacent, and we start to not put as much effort into things or not try to do them with excellence. So I think the going day-by-day part is what really not only hinders growth, but it plummets you into a senseless, viable, familiar, being familiar, and that causes you not to grow. So, “We should excel and not just exists”.
Gresham Harkless 6:57
I love that, I love that, especially because it speaks to the idea of continuing to grow and to get better, and improve and not be kind of okay with the status quo, so to speak, and kind of take things as they are, but always look to kind of grow ourselves. And do you find that a lot of that happens when you kind of work with the clients that you work with?
Phyllis G. Williams 7:14
I think when it comes to things like being a better version of yourself, I think people become fearful of who they could become. So I think they become fearful and they prefer big, mediocre. So I think that's part of it that well, at least this is comfortable.
Gresham Harkless 7:33
That makes sense. It's kind of like, are you saying kind of like a fear of the unknown, so to speak?
Phyllis G. Williams 7:38
Of fear of the unknown, and a fear that I'm greater than I could ever have imagined? And who am I to think that I think sometimes that's the case with people at different speaking events?
Gresham Harkless 7:50
Wow, that's powerful. Because I think sometimes, you know, I always think about that, quote, Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we're powerful beyond measure. And it always kind of is a reminder that we're a lot stronger, better, and more talented than sometimes we even give ourselves credit for. So you just kind of have to let your light shine and be great.
Phyllis G. Williams 8:09
Yes, this is exactly a great summary of it, because that's what I think of the quote about our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate.
Gresham Harkless 8:19
Exactly, exactly. Awesome, awesome, awesome. So now I wanted to ask you, which is my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And on this show, we're hoping to have different types of quote-unquote, CEOs on the podcast, whether it be startup founders, people that have been running businesses for years, or solopreneurs. So I want to ask you, specifically Phyllis, what does being a CEO mean to you?
Phyllis G. Williams 8:42
CEO means, being dedicated to your dream and vision, even when no one else is. That's what I think a CEO is, in essence, no matter if you're a solopreneur, have an LLC, or run a more corporate business, corporate type business, I think that's why the CEO is.
Gresham Harkless 9:03
That makes perfect sense. Yeah. And sometimes when you're the only one that believes in your why, and then your how as much sometimes you have to be able to kind of you know, push through no matter what's going on outside of you. So, I think that's an incredible definition of being a CEO. And Phyllis, I truly appreciate you for taking some time out. What I wanted to do was pass you the mic so to speak, to see if there's anything additional, you want to let our readers and our listeners know it could be a little bit more about The Progress Promoter or also about your book or your blog, or just anything additional as far as advice or words of wisdom that you can get to us as readers and listeners.
Phyllis G. Williams 9:40
Okay, I would just like everyone who's listening to feel free to reach out to me to come to your living room, whether it's in person or in a digital form so you can bond with your tribe. You can find me on social media platforms under progresspromoter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and I just want everyone to know that you have excellence inside of you and you should continue to order it.
Gresham Harkless 10:07
I love that. I love that. Phyllis, thank you so much for all the awesome things that you're doing to help out so many people I truly appreciate you and I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.
Phyllis G. Williams 10:17
Thank you so much for having me.
Outro 10:19
Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co
I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.
Intro 0:02
Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.
Gresham Harkless 0:28
Hello, hello, hello, this is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Phyllis Williams of the progresspromoter.com. Phyllis, it's awesome to have you on the show.
Phyllis G. Williams 0:39
Thank you for having me.
Gresham Harkless 0:40
No problem, man that wants to do which is read a little bit more about Phyllis, so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. And Phyllis G. Williams is a workshop facilitator, best-selling author of the book, Thee Art of Me, and blogger. She went from timid to tenacious and now she's helping others do the same through speaking and writing. She's a small town girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart. Phyllis, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community.
Phyllis G. Williams 1:06
Yes, I'm ready.
Gresham Harkless 1:08
Awesome. Let's do it. So the first question I had for you was to hear a little bit more about your CEO story. And what led you to start your business?
Phyllis G. Williams 1:15
My business started out of an extracurricular activity. Actually, I never imagined that I will be a speaker or lead workshops or anything of that nature because I was very timid and to myself. Have I joined a local Toastmasters, which is a speaking club. And as I grew more people would invite me out to speak at different events. I spoke at a graduation and some workshops as well. So that's how my story became, my CEO story came into existence as a extracurricular activity.
Gresham Harkless 1:54
Awesome, it's funny how those things kind of work themselves out where sometimes you're doing something just as a hobby, or just something to try out. And then next thing you know, it's started picking on my guests kind of addicted to it, and it kind of minutes benefits itself from there.
Phyllis G. Williams 2:06
Yes.
Gresham Harkless 2:07
Awesome, awesome, awesome. And now I wanted to drill down a little bit deeper in here, like exactly like what you do and how you help and how you serve the clients that you work with.
Phyllis G. Williams 2:16
Okay. One example is I have a workshop called authenticity and authority is based on my book, Thee Art of Me. And I come into a group of women between 8 and 15. And I do performances from the book, and I also talk about bonding and financial aspects. And the women do fill in the blank activity and things of that nature and sort of vision, visionary things, I'm sorry. And the one that I had in December was very successful, and the women loved it. And that's what I do I help women be calm the boat and better authentic version of themselves through community building.
Gresham Harkless 2:56
Interesting. So is kind of like the idea because I guess you kind of feel more empowered and maybe more comfortable in being yourself and being like tenacious, like, I know, you mentioned during your bio, because you're in that community around those people participate in those activities.
Phyllis G. Williams 3:10
Yes, I think that's a big part of it. And for me, when I first started becoming more social, I avoided big groups of women, because I just felt it was Catty, and all of that extra this, but these are group of women that you are more familiar with. But sometimes we're not even vulnerable with people that we know. So it allows you to bond in that way too.
Gresham Harkless 3:33
Awesome, awesome, awesome. No, that's definitely good and great that you're doing it. And I always love the fact when you get the opportunity to, you know, get over maybe what is a fear or something that might be holding you back. And next thing you know, you're able to kind of help other people do the exact same thing.
Phyllis G. Williams 3:48
Yes.
Gresham Harkless 3:49
Awesome, awesome, awesome. And now I wanted to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And this might be something that you feel kind of distinguishes you or sets you apart, or makes you different, or some people even call it their superpower. So do you have a secret sauce that you can give us?
Phyllis G. Williams 4:04
I think my secret sauce is actually being relatable. And funny, I think more than anything. And so the business plan or the outline of it is that people can relate to me. And I make them laugh while also thinking deeply. Those are two things. Most people who come in contact with me will say I've never looked at it that way. And you always make me smile.
Gresham Harkless 4:27
That is an incredible secret sauce or superpower I should even say because you know, sometimes, especially when people are maybe, feeling some type of fear and they're not really sure about things if you're able to kind of let that guard down or help get that guard down by you know, making somebody laugh. That's seems like a great way to kind of build that relationship and the connection so that people can you know, be their authentic selves.
Phyllis G. Williams 4:47
Mm hmm. Yeah.
Gresham Harkless 4:48
Awesome, awesome, awesome. And now I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack. And CEO hack could be an app or book or habit that you have, but it could be a few things that you think makes you more effective and efficient as an entrepreneur or business owner.
Phyllis G. Williams 5:05
Okay, I'm gonna use a book for today's example. The book was introduced to me by coach Bailey C is called One Word That Will Change Your Life by John Gordon. I've had one word experience since 2000, and think 14, yes, 2014. And honestly, my word for that year was speak, I believe this book is very powerful, because it's a spiritual book. And it's applicable to different parts of your life is applicable to relationships, to business, to occupation. But I think no matter what you read, you have to transform into a different person. And that's what truly makes your business successful is who you are at the core.
Gresham Harkless 5:47
Very, very true. Yeah, you have to kind of be authentic to yourself. And I think sometimes when people go down a path, and you're not being true to yourself, as you mentioned, that sometimes you can't get as far as you would have gotten if you stay kind of true to yourself.
Phyllis G. Williams 5:59
Yes, that's so true.
Gresham Harkless 6:01
Yeah, that makes perfect sense. And now I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And CEO nugget could be like a word of wisdom or a piece of advice that you might have for entrepreneurs and business owners.
Phyllis G. Williams 6:12
My CEO nugget is a quote by me not because I'm self centered, but because I think it can apply to everyone, no matter what field you are in an entrepreneur field is "We should excel and not just exist". I think sometimes we become complacent, and we start to not put as much effort into things or not try to do it with excellence. So I think the going day by day part is what really not only hinders growth, but it plummets you into a senseless, viable, familiar, being familiar, and that causes you not to grow. So, "We should excel and not just exists".
Gresham Harkless 6:57
I love that, I love that, especially because it speaks to the idea of continuing to grow and to get better, and improve and not be kind of okay with the status quo, so to speak, and kind of take things as they are, but always look to kind of grow ourselves. And do you find that a lot of that happens when you kind of work with the clients that you work with.
Phyllis G. Williams 7:14
I think when it comes to things of being a better version of yourself, I think people become fearful of who they could become. So I think they become fearful and they prefer big, mediocre. So I think that's part of it that well, at least this is comfortable.
Gresham Harkless 7:33
That makes sense. It's kind of like, are you saying kind of like a fear of the unknown, so to speak.
Phyllis G. Williams 7:38
Of fear of the unknown, and a fear that I'm greater than I could ever have imagined? And who am I to think that I think sometimes that's the case with people at different speaking events.
Gresham Harkless 7:50
Wow, that's powerful. Because I think sometimes, you know, I always think about that, quote, Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear that we're powerful beyond measure. And it always kind of is a reminder that we're a lot stronger, better and more talented that sometimes we even give ourselves credit for. So you just kind of have to let your light shine and be great.
Phyllis G. Williams 8:09
Yes, this that is exactly a great summary of it, because that's what I think of the quote about our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate.
Gresham Harkless 8:19
Exactly, exactly. Awesome, awesome, awesome. So now I wanted to ask you, which is my absolute favorite question, which is the definition for what it means to be a CEO. And on this show, we're hoping to have different types of quote-unquote, CEOs on the podcast, whether it be startup founders, or people that have been running businesses for years, or solopreneurs. So I want to ask you, specifically Phyllis, what does being a CEO mean to you?
Phyllis G. Williams 8:42
CEO mean, being dedicated to your dream and vision, even when no one else is? That's what I think a CEO is, in essence, no matter if you're a solopreneur, or have an LLC or run a more corporate business, corporate type business, I think that's why the CEO is.
Gresham Harkless 9:03
That makes perfect sense. Yeah. And sometimes when you're the only one that believes in your why, and then your how as much sometimes you have to be able to kind of you know, push through no matter what's going on outside of you. So, I think that's incredible definition of being a CEO. And Phyllis, I truly appreciate you for taking some time out. What I wanted to do was pass you the mic so to speak, to see if there's anything additional, you want to let our readers and our listeners know it could be a little bit more about The Progress Promoter or also about your book or your blog, or just anything additional as far as advice or words of wisdom that you can get to us as readers and listeners.
Phyllis G. Williams 9:40
Okay, I would just like for everyone who's listening to feel free to reach out to me to come to your living room, whether it's in person or in a digital form so you can bond with your tribe. You can find me on social media platforms under progresspromoter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and I just want everyone to know that you have excellence inside of you and you should continue to order it.
Gresham Harkless 10:07
I love that. I love that. Phyllis, thank you so much for all the awesome things that you're doing to help out so many people and I truly appreciate you and I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.
Phyllis G. Williams 10:17
Thank you so much for having me.
Outro 10:19
Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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