Laila Arain & Taj Pannell | How'd You Do It & Why Should I Care?

Laila Arain: 0:00

Hi, everyone. Welcome to the next episode of the Bay Street Capital Holdings podcast titled How'd You Do It & Why Should I Care? This series aims to highlight women doing amazing work in various industries. So today, we are so lucky to be joined by Taj Pannell who is a Career Strategist, DEI Champion, and Talent Engagement Program Manager at LinkedIn. Hi Taj, lovely to have you.

Taj Pannell: 0:21

Hello. I'm excited to be here. Thank you so much, Laila.

Laila Arain: 0:25

So I guess we can start off with a quick introduction about who you are, and perhaps an answer to the main question of the podcast, which is, how do you do it and why should I care?

Taj Pannell: 0:36

Absolutely, okay. Well, as you mentioned, a talent Engagement Program Manager, which really means that I designed programs to attract talent to LinkedIn, I work specifically in the engineering department, and more. So with diversity inclusion, I design programs that are especially engaging to black out and women talent. And then also along with that, at LinkedIn, I'm the showcase lead for black inclusion group. So I have my hands in creating an inclusive culture of belonging at LinkedIn for our current black employee talent base.

Laila Arain: 1:12

That is awesome. So one end.

Taj Pannell: 1:19

So I was just gonna go into like, how did I do it? And why should you go along with being like a transfer. Along with me, like a transformation coach and the Career Strategist, I kind of coach my clients through a lot of how I got to where I am right now, which is really about kind of understanding who you are along your career path and where it is that you want to go and making you the fuel for your career, rather than you kind of you showing up to something that you don't really want to be at. Right. So I had a zigzag career, and I kind of found my self in this negative space, not really loving what I was doing. And I had to have a heart to heart to say, Tasha, who are you? And what do you want to contribute to the world? And how do you bring that genuine passion forth with a company that matches that like creating that synergy between who I am and what I do for a company in corporate America. So I really took that to heart. And I realized that I'm really, I've always been good at helping people find jobs, like from the beginning of time, when it comes to just designing resumes or searching on LinkedIn for roles. I've always been very good at that. And so I realized, like, my mission is really, because I'm so ingrained in di is to free a million several goals to achieve the number one goal. And that's to be happy to be healthy, like to be whole. And the easiest way for people to do that, well, the most logical way is through their career where the money comes in. And when they spend 40 hours plus a week of time with people they don't know doing something that they're learning. So my intuition kicked in, I was just like, where do I need to be in order to have my mission and my vision for who I am match up with a company whose mission and vision is also similar. And it just kind of hit me like a ton of bricks that needed to be on LinkedIn. And so I, yeah, it was very cool. I did everything my power to get there. And I've had some amazing roles that have been entrenched in not only helping LinkedIn, which is what I do now, but helping all types of companies across all types of industries, really understand what a significant and impactful diversity strategy is, and how to attract that diverse talent. So they create more eclectic seats at the table for everyone to be able to accomplish their goals more effectively all around.

Laila Arain: 3:46

That's really fantastic to hear. And it's good that you found a company in which your career goals and just personal goals align. But I'm really curious what inspired you to join this industry of talent, acquisition and engagement?

Taj Pannell: 4:00

Oh, man, it's about the people. I love the people I love. Just my vision in life is to enrich the black human experience. So if I'm gonna be about humans, and helping them kind of what's the best way to say this have the right energy to change the world as simple and big as it sounds? I feel like every soul is here for a mission right here to accomplish something to help change the world and move into a better space. So if I'm going to do that, what's the best industry to be able to do that? And I came from marketing and advertising. I said, I did a lot of zigzagging right like that was serious marketing and advertising but I was in a hotel so which is still like a human forward industry. And then kind of transitioning that into the people company, right? We're the social network or the professional network. This is the people company that allows us to help people connect their you know careers with opportunities. Is and really just do what they want to do with their lives rather than having their lives being led by other things that aren't of their own passion and volition.

Laila Arain: 5:08

Exactly. And I think, yeah, as you mentioned, the people will keep you coming back to your work. And obviously LinkedIn is just a big, big network. So it's nice, again, that you found that sort of connection between what you love doing is making connections with people and then the company you work for. So that was great. And what would you say were the best resources, then that helped you along in your journey?

Taj Pannell: 5:29

LinkedIn. Seriously, I was, I've always been a very big fan of LinkedIn, as a professional network. And I know a lot of people don't recognize like how useful it can really be right? It's more than just your resume, it's actually creating an online brand for yourself. And I use that to help me and kind of create this idea like, This is who I am as a person, this is the energy that I'm bringing into my career. And I'm using my network to connect with that opportunity. So it's just like, not only am I putting what I do up there, but I'm putting why it is that I do and all the things that I've done, and who are the people that I want to meet to help me continue doing this. And it just connects you with so many like minded individuals to be able to create something awesome, whether that be for your career, or outside of your career, or entrepreneurial, you know, business, it's just like, that was my number one tool outside of like, the traditional career tools to help me really get into this space, because again, I was coming from advertising. So advertising to talent acquisition is not an easy link. But you have to be able to connect those dots in such a way that really makes the message powerful for why I need to be here and why my experience is a little bit very, but diversity of experience is something that we're pushing a lot for in industry so that people can follow their passions, rather than a decision that they made. I don't know, when they were like 18. Sometimes, you know, like teenagers and what was, you know, a lot of different directions, and it's unfair for you to be beholden to a decision you made, basically as a career.

Laila Arain: 7:12

Yeah, that's so true, and I bother you have you carry that sentiment in your work. I'm also just curious as to whether any lessons that you wish you would have known before joining the industry, you mentioned that you came from advertising. So I'm sure that the two industries are very different that you know, you started from and now you're in.

Taj Pannell: 7:31

Absolutely. Um, so when I think about industry, being at LinkedIn, I think more tech than talent acquisition, because talent acquisition can be found anywhere, and it's going to be different. everywhere that you go, even though the underlying mission is people first. However, looking at Tech, and specifically meaning within, I would say that it demands a lot of you, there are a lot of jobs out there that can, you know, be done very easily that don't require much, and you can focus on different things. But if you're trying to be in tech, especially talent acquisition, a tech, it demands a lot, because we're not just hiring people, we're hiring the best of the people, right, and you'd have to do a lot of understanding under like research and knowledge at a base level for, like I said before, the vision of the company to be able to get out of it, what it is that you need to put into and what you need to get out of it. So it said like, if you're looking to join a real kind, that's creating massive change, whether that being Tech coordinator and industry like teller acquisition, you have to know that it's consistently changing, and that it can be really difficult to keep up at times, if you aren't passionate about what you do. So I think, what is the number one top lesson because I've had jobs where I wasn't passionate about it, and it just like, killed me on the inside to have to spend so much time at someplace that I wasn't happy because I thought I needed this money to live a life. And I think it's the other way around, right? Someone asked me today, all the things I do in my job, how do you find the time I was like, honestly, the time finds me because I just love so much what I do. And I'm so fueled and energized by the synergy in my life holistically across all categories, that there is more than enough time for me to get on what I need to get done. Because I'm creating an impact in the world. And that is really worth the effort.

Laila Arain: 9:26

That's awesome to hear. And I'm following on from a similar, similar line of thought about, you know, being passionate about the work you do and learning from your experiences. What would you say was your biggest failure in your career and what did you learn from it?

Taj Pannell: 9:41

Yeah. So this one is more around, specifically about being black talent in a space where it's not necessarily built for black talent. I am being on a big person. I have a big vision, and I'm really trying to move forward in life and a lot of ways And a lot of times as a big picture thinker, you can lose sight of the forest or the trees actually in the forest. So it's important, I think one of the biggest failures that I had was not really trying to achieve these larger goals, not recognizing some of the things that were right in front of me trying to stop me. If you are an innovator in your space, a game changer, a haymaker, whatever you want to call it a mover and shaker, any of that, there's always going to be people who are for you, and people who are against you. And when I say against, I really just mean, they don't want to change with you. Right, so they're gonna do everything in their power to keep you stagnant to prevent you from changing their comfort zone. Whereas there's gonna be tons of people that are like, Hey, let's change, let's do it, the people that aren't willing to change are gonna be the ones that are trying to stop you from the inside out. And I think the one of the biggest failures that I've had is not recognizing those people and being and having effective enough communication to get them on board with what it is that I'm doing here and why it is for the greater good.

Laila Arain: 11:07

For sure, no, and that's good that you've come to that realization. And you've also just, you know, identified those people in your life as well, because they could be holding you back at some point.

Taj Pannell: 11:19

Oh, absolutely. I believe energy is everything. And it's neither created nor destroyed. So there's, and nothing is ever going to be a straight path, right? So sometimes, what do they say like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place are you bang your head against the wall, like all those analogies really come to life, when you're not paying attention to all the different markers or hurdles or obstacles in life that you really overcoming? So that's, that's probably the one thing that I'm most cognizant about. Now, as I continue forward in my career,

Laila Arain: 11:51

that's great. I've done what would you say is then one common myth about your professional field that you would like to debunk, then right here, right now, I feel like you're the best person to ask because you've been in there for a while now.

Taj Pannell: 12:05

Absolutely, again, because I'm so entrenched in diversity inclusion, I hear this all the time, that there's no place for black people in tech. And it's It breaks my heart. Because there there really is, we need to be there at every every shade of person needs to be at the table in order to create the change for every other person. It can't be led by one mindset, it can't be when led by one ideology. So for people there, I don't know if you know, but there's been a mass exodus of black talent in the tech business. Because, you know, they're having this issue with freedom and also security. And it's just like, everyone can't be an entrepreneur. I know, that's controversial. But I genuinely think that there's a time and a space for people to be in, in corporate America and to be in tech. And I want to make sure that there is representation at the table for all the products that are coming across the board, to me to help people globally, right, that LinkedIn is all about the global economy, that we're really trying to uplift that. And you can't do that with just one, one type of person making all the decisions. So I the one thing I want to drink is, there is space for diverse talent in tech, there really, really, really is. And there's people like me, I've got a ton of co workers who are doing it too. We are all trying to create change, and really break down these barriers and walls to be able to allow more diverse talent that seat at the table and I talked about, like because I am black talent, but brown talent, female talent, like, like I said, diversity of skills and experience. LGBTQ, right, everyone, all different types of people are allowed to and should be able to have a seat at the table, especially when it comes to tech, because we're changing the world with the wave of the future with all the different products. Just Jesus, you know, look at zoom took off in the pandemic like I, I need zoom to have representation at the table when they make their next iteration of game changing products.

Laila Arain: 14:20

Exactly. And that's such important advice and something to definitely take note of in the future. And I'm sure you're obviously very busy at the moment. You're very accomplished. And you have a lot of roles, but I'm curious what have you read or listened to recently that's really inspired you.

Taj Pannell: 14:36

I'm always reading books. So whatever time I have, I try to set time in my morning every day to read at least a few pages of a book. Excuse me. So the most recent one that I've read, that has really changed the game for me is Susan Jeffers, feel the fear and do it anyway. Fear as I like to say and some of you may have heard fear is false evidence of a I'm hearing real. And it's something that stifles so so so so many people from achieving their potential, now actually believe that potential expands as you reach it. So like, if you're not even reaching that first level, just imagine how much more is out there for you, if you're allowing insecurities, or other people or all these different fears that are kind of designed to keep you down, prevents you from actually showing up in your best authentic self and being who you are. Because as I said earlier, every person has a mission here in this life in this life, whatever, it doesn't have to be in tech or kind of acquisition, or corporate America or any of that. But there's a reason for being here. And if you let fear stop you, it's just not going to be like, I, I just love this book so much, because it gives you adequate tactical steps to debunk your fears and go on and be the person that you've always wanted to be.

Laila Arain: 16:01

Yeah, that's awesome to hear. And then sort of wrap up our conversation, who are three people in your life who have been the most influential to you?

Taj Pannell: 16:14

This is a question. Because there's so many, I would say, first and foremost, my dad, amazing, amazing soul, very big energy, super creative, outgoing, I loved and respected him so much, because he was very in touch with his feelings. And he always allowed he allowed to, he gave himself permission to feel them. And that just let him be like a human and worldly to me and my brothers kind of growing up, I was also born on his birthday. So we have this special bond. Together. I would also say three people. I don't know her personally, but I've seen a few of her talks. So you didn't want LinkedIn, which really kind of rocked my world. Carla Harris, she she talks a lot about like, identifying yourself. She's another major, major player in corporate America, super talented black. And she talks about kind of creating your own authenticity and designing your authentic self as you show up in corporate spaces. And I think that's so important. The one thing that resonated with the most is like, Fine, your three words that you want people to remember about you when you're not in the room, like you want them to say, Oh, we have this project, and we need someone that's one, two and three, and someone goes, Oh, yeah, that's too much or that's Carla, because you present yourself in those ways. So very powerful, inspirational speaker, and individual for me. And third. Who I'm Is this gonna sound crazy? If I say myself?

Laila Arain: 18:04

No. Go for it.

Taj Pannell: 18:10

I am so super proud of myself for where it was and how far along in my journey I've come. I I went through a huge transformation, which I'm a transformation coach now. But it wasn't easy. And I could have sat back, not done it. Right, I could have just taken the easy road and let life carry me, whichever which way I wanted to. But instead, I stood tall and took responsibility for my own life. And I really figured out how to show up as my best authentic self in in everything that I do like I am. I can't say for sure. 100% Because my potential is still expanding. So maybe I'm at like 90% and growing of who it is that I want to be and how I want people to see me and know me. And I'm just extremely proud of myself for for being that and doing that for me. So I also influenced my own self. I think everyone has to have their own healthy self love and self respect. So this is mine just kind of flowing through right now.

Laila Arain: 19:14

Awesome. No, I agree. You should be your own best advocate. But yeah, thank you once again, so much Taj, for taking the time to speak with me today. It was truly such an honor to speak with you and have such an engaging conversation. Thank you right then bye bye