Humanitarianism and Business Success: Brenda Williams's Inspirations

In her appearance on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Brenda Williams discussed her “Self-Mastery System” and how it can help both leaders and employees improve their self-awareness and communication in the workplace. Here, she provides a list of her own business inspirations—leaders who she admires and recognizes both for their skill sets and ethical values.

1. Oprah Winfrey (Super Soul Sunday, OWN Network)

“I admire Oprah for her open, warm-hearted personal style, humanitarian work and success in business. Oprah’s Angel Network has raised more than $51,000,000 for charitable programs around the world.  In November 2013, Winfrey received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“Her new show Soul Sunday is providing resources, tools and knowledge to help the world become consciously aware and create a life filled with balance, love and joy.”

2. Richard Branson (www.facebook.com/RichardBranson)

“I admire Richard for his business instincts, risk-taking and humanitarian work. At the age of sixteen he started his first business.  I am extremely motivated by Richard’s statement: ‘My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them… from the perspective of wanting to live life to the fullest, I felt that I had to attempt it.’

“I appreciate his efforts in making planet Earth a better place through The Virgin Earth Challenge.  He has now reached the top and volunteers much of his time to help and guide others to reach for their greatness.”

3. Deepak Chopra “What Are You Hungry For?”; “Self Power”

“I admire his talks on promoting self-awareness. He believes his practices can extend the human lifespan: ‘Your mind, your body and your consciousness – which is your spirit – and your social interactions, your personal relationships, your environment, how you deal with the environment, and your biology are all inextricably woven into a single process … By influencing one, you influence everything.’ His philosophies are extremely interesting.”