The 3 Lessons I learned from Ekaterina Walter

 

3 Lessons I Learned from Ekaterina Walter at The Link

When Ekaterina Walter starts a conversation, she does it with a grace and ease that will make even the most intimidated person feel a sense of familiarity.

On Tuesday, Feb 11 I joined The LinkFor Women to hear Ekaterina tell her life story at a cozy room in Elephants Deli in NW Portland.

 

Ekaterina’s Background

Ekaterina is a Russian immigrant, a mother and a wife. She is also the author of two books, “Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook’s Improbably Brilliant CEO Mark Zuckerberg,” and “The Power of Visual Storytelling: How to Use Visuals, Videos, and Social Media to Market Your Brand.” A former Intel Social Media Strategist, she is now the CMO and Co-Founder of Branderati.

One of Ekaterina’s many successes includes launching an award winning global social media strategy for Intel, but what I was most intrigued with was how she became so successful.

Here are the lessons I learned from her at The Link:

1.     Build a Network

According to Ekaterina, you should “get to know as many people as you can. Networking will help you do your job where you are right now.”

When asked why she is successful, Ekaterina said, “It’s all about what you do for others. Share what you know and success comes.”

That being said, she isn’t afraid to admit that sometimes success is all in who you know. “It’s either because I asked someone for help or I had helped them somewhere along the line.”

2.     Help the Generations to Come

The conversation eventually shifted to a more global perspective on the merits of teaching the generations of girls to come. “We should encourage them to take a seat at the table,” said Ekaterina. “It’s all about inspiring confidence.”

She compared true leaders to hummingbirds – “invisible but so powerful and humble.”

“We need to teach girls at the right age that it’s okay to be aggressive.”

When asked who were women mentors were, she responded by saying, “I am made of hundreds of others.” A humble yet powerful assertion.

3.     Practice the Four “P’s”

When Ekaterina says that she values the four “P’s,” she is referring to passion, purpose, people, and partnerships – the elements she considers crucial to success.

You can feel her passion light up the room, and I felt like conquering mountains after hearing her contagious encouragement.

 

I can only hope to be that great of a teacher and mentor to others – vulnerable, powerful, and wise – not afraid of saying the wrong thing, but more afraid of saying nothing at all.

Ekaterina said that one of her favorite quotes is, “Pioneers are the people in front of you with the arrows in their backs.” I hope I’m standing in front with her if that day comes.

 

I urge you to consider a membership with The Link or to attend the next event on March 4 with Lisa Sedlar, founder of Green Zebra Grocery. I’ll be there and I hope to meet you then!

 

 

About Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams is an Account Director at Prichard Communications, a public relations firm serving nonprofits and foundations in health and human services. An avid adventurer, poetry enthusiast and nature walker, Jessica is often found practicing yoga, wandering the streets of Portland, or kissing her dog. Jessica has worked in sales, marketing and communications for over 10 years. Follow her @JessicaJoEllen, connect with her on LinkedIn, or read her other blog posts on the “Mac’s List” blog and Prichard Communications blog.