DEAN JACKSON

TURNING PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS INTO STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

“Wherever I go, I take the culture with me.” – [Jay Z]

As a huge fan of Jay Z, Dean is always looking for a way to incorporate him. The quote “Wherever I go, I take the culture with me” encompasses the basis for how Dean shows up in his professional life. For him, this means always showing up as yourself no matter who you’re with or what room you’re in. Authenticity will help you connect with the right people in mentorships, business relationships, and strategic partnerships.

When you go outside into the world, you should network with people in whatever room you’re in. “Remember that outside is a way of life and not a destination,” he says. It might be someone you’ve seen in person or online, or it could be someone you’ve never met before. If you speak up and introduce yourself, you open yourself up to opportunities. Opportunities to collaborate can lead to so much more if you are strategic and intentional about it.

Turning Professional Relationships into Strategic Partnerships (Course Trailer)

Introduction: Meet Your Substitute Teacher, Dean Jackson

Module 1 – The Importance of Mentorship

In this lesson, Dean emphasizes the importance of mentorship as a guiding force in navigating your career. He highlights how to maximize on mentorship, including preparation meeting opportunities, networking across peers, and focusing on solving others' problems. By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand exactly how to find a mentor, what you should be looking for, and how to maintain the relationship. Additionally, you will learn how to utilize social media for networking.

Module 2 – Show Up As Your Authentic Self

In this module, you will dive into the significance of bringing your authentic self to corporate settings. Particularly for people of culture, this lesson offers a step-by-step how your life experiences and communication styles can be presented to colleagues and peers. As a bonus, Dean talks through the importance of professional self-care, particularly for aspiring entrepreneurs. While the allure of running your own business is acknowledged, Dean suggests employment for stability when necessary.

Module 3 – How To Authentically Connect An Idea

In this module, we bring together the insights from lessons 1 and 2 into a case study involving Reebok and Cardi B. During his tenure at Reebok, Dean leveraged personal insights to drive a successful partnership. By embracing his own background and cultural understanding, Dean reshaped the campaign to resonate with Cardi B's audience authentically. As mentioned in previous lessons, this underscores the significance of genuine connections and staying true to one's identity in professional ventures. Overall, you will walk away with a detailed example of how authenticity, combined with cultural insight, can be a powerful asset in building successful careers and relationships.