We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Gibson-Morgan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was mostly thinking about the type of impact I wanted to make. I was thinking about serving professionals at a local level or audiences in the Greater Toronto area only. Then my vision grew. I realized that my message of a thriving career was relevant to a wider audience since many people across North America and around the world struggle with career decisions, challenges advancing their career and confidence to communicate their value. In the context of organization, I impact employee retention when I provide advice and solutions to develop their talent or implement change strategies using inclusive approaches.

Based on the bigger vision, I realized it was essential to have an organized approach to serving clients (professionals and organizations) in multiple ways under one clear unified message. From there, my tagline emerged “Learn.Change.Thrive” because that is the aim of all the services I offer and expertise I would leverage to help them achieve their goals.

 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was thinking about what I would like your readers to know about my work today. My work balances practicality with inspiration/motivation to have maximum impact. In my books, speaking engagements, consulting, training, mentoring, and other activities I persuade professionals that they can achieve their goals plus guide them with strategies so that they are clear how it is done. In addition, I use a strengths-based approach so that they can leverage what they are already good at on the way to their aspirations. Sometimes it is not easy for people to recognize their strengths. In the end, they gain clarity, confidence and strategies to move ahead.

There is a lot to celebrate, and I am thankful. I am proud of having helped approximately 200 professionals to achieve their career goals or advance their careers through mentoring, coaching, networking, training or advising. This year, I am a finalist for the Women of Inspiration Awards. Last year, I was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Black Women to Watch in 2022. My first published book is currently a bestseller. All of these have a common element which is IMPACT. My aim is to make a positive difference for the individuals and organizations I serve through my books and expertise. They must be better by virtue of my offering my best to them. So, it is reasonable to say that the essence of my professional brand is achievement and impact. I am as invested in the progress of persons in my spheres of influence as I am in my own progress.

Having highlighted some of my recent accomplishments, I want to also share that my career journey has included challenges and detours. I have navigated unemployment, underemployment and plateaus at various points in my career. There were seasons when I felt stuck, overwhelmed and/or unappreciated. Some of these prior experiences fuel my passion to help other persons thrive in their careers as well as support organizations to create a context where professionals can learn, change and thrive. Also, I learned to treat all experiences as building blocks towards longer-term goals while marketing transferable skills. Overall, the zigs and zags of a person’s career path can eventually become their competitive advantage. Another lesson is to be intentional about celebrating wins and finding balance.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question! I am actually trying to convince my best friend to make the trip from L.A. to Toronto. On her trip to Toronto we would have to visit the CN Tower including dinner at the 360 degree restaurant. We would also enjoy a day trip to beautiful Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-lake.

To add some truly unique elements to the experience she would explore Bata Shoe Museum to see the intriguing displays of all shoe types and styles that have ever existed throughout human history. There is also a new attraction called Little Canada, where you can engage in various sights and sounds of Canada in miniature size. We can have all these adventures year round, whether the weather is warm or cold.

We are both from Jamaica so I have to take her to some type of beach. Most people don’t associate beaches with Canada, but in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) there are several beach towns. One of them is Cobourg! It is a beautiful white sand beach which is quite popular in the summer months. In the summer, we can also bask in different multicultural activities and food festivals.

On a different note, I am looking forward to visiting Atlanta. On my visit to Atlanta, I have to go to a Braves Game to see The Freeze live in action. In addition to attractions, I have to spend some time with amazing women I admire like Halthea Hill-Latty and Dr. Suzan Harris. I would do a “Day in the life of…” experience to figure out how they balance so well being entrepreneurs, spouses, parents, educators and speakers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am grateful for what I have accomplished so far in my life and my career. I am thankful to God for everything that I have experienced in my life and career because both the triumphs and challenges have helped me to develop and grow.

As Minda Harts often says “Success is not a solo sport”. I want to shout out to my family. My husband, daughter, mother, sister, aunt and other relatives have supported me as I pursue my various aspirations. They uplift me in challenging times and celebrate the wins. They inspire me to do my best and be my best daily.

I shout out to all my supportHERs (aka supporters), especially my mentor Siobhan Calderbank whose advice, guidance and encouragement have been a tremendous catalyst for my career and my confidence. I shout out my coaches, past and present, like Rachel Levy and Crystal Daye. I also thank my close friends who have also been encouraging me in various ways. There are many other persons who have been positive influencers during my childhood, youth and adulthood thus helping to inform decisions on my journey. Shout out to all of them!

Website: https://michellegibsonmorgan.com/speaker-and-facilitator/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgibsonmorgan

Facebook: Michelle Gibson-Morgan Learning, Change and Career Consultant

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@learnchangethrivecareerswi1248/featured

Other: Email: michellegibsonmorgan@gmail.com

Image Credits
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