Divya Parekh - Influence Architect and Positioning Advisor
Divya Parekh
Divya Parekh is an Influence Architect and Positioning Advisor, with over 20 years of experience in business and leadership roles. Divya is bringing her passion for coaching and the desire to make a positive impact on people through her new book, The Entrepreneur’s Garden.
Divya’s professional career includes positions as a university associate professor, scientist, biotechnology professional, and as a global business relationship and leadership coach. She merges her biopharmaceutical career with her extensive experience as a coach, author, consultant, and speaker. Her passion for coaching and the sincere desire to make a positive impact on people led her to develop effective evidence-based leadership and partnership programs. As an 8-Time #1 International Bestselling author, Divya has authored a number of leadership and Entrepreneurial books. The topics include but are not limited to Stress Management, Mindfulness Mastery, Critical Thinking, Candid Critique, Appreciative Inquiry, Leadership and Influence, and Emotional Intelligence.
Due to her coaching and consulting work, Divya has become a veteran scientific and leadership presenter at biopharmaceutical and business conferences. She has an incredible ability to connect with audiences across all industries, and through her work Divya shares a ton of valuable information from not just her, but some of the leading voices in various industries around the globe. Divya’s books and work is sure to bring you joy and prosperity on your journey in becoming the best you that you can be.
I’m so excited for you guys to connect with Divya, check out her work and follow along as she continues to dedicate herself to bringing Mindful Leadership to organizations, individuals, and entrepreneurs!
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
I am a nature lover who loves being human. I am living and acting at the fulcrum of positioning/purpose to help you build your influence and position you for a meaningful impact. Your success is my fuel. I am working on impacting a million lives in the next five years. Thank you for helping me spread the message.
How did you get started?
My journey of embracing, loving, and forming relationships with people as the centerpiece of my “why” began with my liberal upbringing. My parents encouraged my sister and I to have open minds and to be progressive. They taught us that there were no limiting gender boundaries and helped us realize our full potential. They showed us that any limits we thought we had were just our imagination.
Through my studies, I realized that I enjoyed figuring out how and why things work a certain way. In my biochemistry studies, I learned about the connection between body, mind, and intellect. I began my career as a university associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, splitting my time between leading research efforts and teaching graduate students. I left academia and entered the world of research and biopharmaceutical organizations. There I had opportunities to lead multimillion-dollar projects and be part of a process that included engineering, coaching, and partnership development. One common thread throughout my career is my connection with people and how each relationship became a thread in the fabric of my life. I was fortunate to connect with people and enjoy meaningful relationships in all facets of my career. While enjoying my evolving career, I have conscientiously applied myself to learning and using new knowledge in all my pursuits.
In both my academic and biopharmaceutical career, I developed an intense passion for coaching. My uncontainable desire to make a positive impact on people led me to believe my true calling in life was to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and achievers see their genius, reveal their masterpiece, and craft their message more powerfully. I was able to merge my bio-pharmaceutical career with coaching to develop practical, evidence-based leadership and partnership programs. I had the opportunity to work with several pharmaceutical and financial organizations and helped them achieve the results they wanted. The relationships and connections I built with people were perhaps the most important and memorable part of my career, making my life fuller and more productive.
In addition to coaching, I realized how much I loved speaking and the far-reaching effect my message can have on people. Each opportunity to speak at workshops and conferences allows me to share what I have learned through my experiences and my association with an international coaching school. Additionally, I have hosted a radio show and been involved with a multitude of programs to help my message reach even more people. When I realized that I was making a difference in the lives of others, regardless of the platform, I knew I had made the correct career choice.
I have also discovered that another of my callings is being a writer. Several books I read opened a whole new of world of knowledge, insights, and perspectives for me, and I wanted to do the same for others. I write to my reader, and I am humbled when my readers share that my books added value or had an impact on their lives.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
I am inspired when someone who I have helped smiles. That’s when I can see a twinkle of AHA moment’s light dawning in their eyes. The return on investment by getting the love back a hundredfold is indescribable.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
My biggest passion is to see the potential in a person and help them unlock it and realize it. YES! I am living my passion and purpose.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
Blueprint is 1. Servant Leadership 2. Collaboration, not Competition 3. Build Relationships that matter 4. Mindfulness works everywhere 5. Knight yourself
Life itself and everything within it lights me up!
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
The conscious decision and efforts and learning every day
Tools - 3 by 24 tool
Top of the hour practice.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
Although passion is vital, you cannot build your life, business, or organization on emotion alone. Applying passion towards a dynamic purpose is essential. You need a process that will propel your passionate goal towards success. The purpose is the grit, the “why” that stimulates your passion and allows you to make a difference. Passion is the energy in your brilliance, what you love to do, and what makes you come alive. Vision is the intersection between passion and purpose that creates the pulsing dream or goal that you want to achieve in your life. The mission is the “how,” the action plan to translate vision into reality to be the “you” that you want to be.
Most of us look for happiness and a sense of well-being everywhere, not knowing where to find it. What we do not realize is that our happiness and prosperity are directly related to the happiness and well-being we see in other people. The innate sense of unity and connection in people is invaluable to our success and the greater good of the whole of humanity. Alone, you can only grow so far. Together, we can create a harmony like the Three Sisters of gardening — corn, beans, and squash, complementing each other as we grow.
Life is not a journey with a defined destination; it is an evolving system with technology, complexities, and ambiguity. The best way to deal with life is to live with the intent to help others grow and succeed. Only through this can you receive the highest and most satisfying level of joy and fulfillment. While my business was growing, I received the gift of multiple fractures in my shoulder on the last day of my vacation. Fortunately for me, my friends, business colleagues, and clients enveloped me with their love and support. What could have been a horrific experience confirmed the belief I have held my entire life. What you give, you will someday receive.
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
Several - A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away." Dr. Boyce, "The Menagerie," ("The Cage")
What is your biggest dream?
Every one of my dreams is big because it involves people. Whether it is one or more, the impact is what matters.
To learn more about Divya and her work you can connect with her on her website https://www.divyaparekh.com and on Twitter @coachdivya Instagram @makeyourmessageamovement Linkedin @Divyaparekh and Facebook @byondconfidenceforsuccess and her group here
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