Meet The Innovators: Shannon O'Brien, Founder / CEO of Whole U. Career + Life Strategy
If you’re looking for a career and life coach to help you gain clarity, find purpose and build confidence, Shannon O’Brien is one of the best. I got to know Shannon a few years ago through the startup world, and have stayed connected as her company - Whole U. - has grown quickly. Shannon has been the #1-ranked career and life coach in Boston on Yelp! for many years, and her firm has helped leaders from over 25 other countries. Her YouTube channel - Whole U. TV - is full of inspiring videos on career and life:
What are you doing now? Tell us a bit about it?
“In 2012 I started Whole U. - a career and life strategy consultancy. Whole U.’s mission is to help clients live balanced, purposeful lives. The three focus areas are: wellness, career and service. However, career has proven to be the area most people seek help with. (This is not surprising, since most people find their “purpose” through their work… and certainly their stability, security and money!) So I inadvertently became a “career advisor” - and now most of my work entails helping job seekers find the clarity, confidence and connections to pursue their life’s work.”
What led you down the path that you’re on now?
“Before starting Whole U., I worked at Harvard and MIT for 7 years. My favorite part of my time in Higher Education was interacting with bright-eyed ambitious students with big dreams. I tried to help them in any way I could - whether it was planning events, networking, traveling internationally, starting companies, or applying for jobs and grants.
While working at MIT, I remember receiving an e-mail request from a graduate student (who I had never met in person). She was trying to help her friend network into a well-known company in Cambridge. She saw on Linkedin that I had a few contacts at that company, and hoped I could help her friend get the job she wanted. Energized by another opportunity to help someone - I was just about to launch into my regular routine of supporting someone through the job application process - which would likely take upwards of five hours of my time. But then I suddenly paused, and thought to myself: “I’m a busy person. This is not my job, and I don’t get paid for it. But maybe I should!” So instead I responded with: “Sure, I’d love to help your friend… and here are my fees.” That person became my first paying client - and I have been evolving on this path ever since.”
We’re writing your biography. What’s its title and the line that goes with it that sums you up?
“Life Matters: Why Getting Your Shit Together Takes a Village.”
What are your superpowers?
“One of my superpowers is empathy. I’m a natural “helper” and “connector” with a very strong ability to empathize with others, and their desired goals. Another superpower is my ability to help people identify and share their superpowers with the world.”
How / When did you discover them?
“It’s hard to pinpoint a specific time when I identified my talents. It’s more a matter of realizing over time that this is what I am good at, and also what I enjoy doing. I have conducted a couple “360 degree reviews” - where I ask friends and family about their perception of my strengths. Most comment on my abilities to listen, and to grow and maintain relationships and networks.”
Have you had to work to develop them? How?
“These are talents that come naturally to me. I have not had to work at them.”
Are you able to use your superpowers in your career?
“Absolutely. I believe the best careers are the ones where you can leverage your inherent talents.
Through Whole U., I put my powers to work in deliberate ways, by:
(1) Being fully present with clients
(2) Listening intently
(3) Providing positive encouragement
(4) Brainstorming action plans for clients to attain their goals.
(5) CONNECTING people to resources and contacts
What are you most passionate about?
“My greatest passion is authenticity … which leads to freedom… which leads to peace of mind. I am my own first client, and am working to simplify my life, and be a well-rounded and conscientious member of society who contributes to harmony instead of chaos.”
If you could choose any career, what would you do? Why?
“I already chose the career I want to be in: An entrepreneur. A business owner. A Career and Life Advisor. I chose this profession because it allows me to use my skills and talents, thereby making me feel helpful to others. My professional life feels full of meaning and purpose.
I also chose this path because it allows me freedom. I can create my own “company culture” … wear what I feel comfortable in... and choose to work with people I respect. At previous jobs, my bosses would communicate with me in ways that led to me feeling paranoid and insecure. I did not feel encouraged or free. But being my own boss means I get to be treated however I want - (hopefully with self love! ;)”
What keeps you up at night?
“The only thing that has ever REALLY kept me up at night is flashes of fear about death. One remedy I found is listening to recorded talks by the philosopher Alan Watts. His thoughts on life and death are full of insight and humor, and put my mind at ease, and help me doze off to sleep.
Ultimately, I like to be reminded that this life journey is all going to end some day -- perhaps sooner than later. I can then put everything into perspective: the bills piling up on my dining room table... the horrible haircut I’ve been trying to grow back for YEARS now…. my thyroid condition. However small or big our problems seem, they won’t last. Nothing will.”
What gets you going in the morning?
I have programmed an alarm on my phone that sounds like chimes... (So that my wake up call is not abrupt or brash). I am pretty consistent with the ritual of saying: "Thank" + "You" - as my left foot and right foot touch the ground, when I get out of bed. [Thank you for another day].
Then, [like many people I'm sure] - I check my phone - to see if there are any client requests/ needs. This usually helps me bounce of bed with excitement - ready to serve clients. (Seriously :)
I attend to any pressing demands, and then prioritize my day.
I try to "Walk the talk" with healthy morning rituals such as:
- Meditation
- Exercise,
- Making a healthy breakfast and/ or fresh smoothie
- Reading/ planning/ answering e-mails
I don't want to be TOO rigid -- but then again I don't want to get side tracked - (which does happen more often than I’d like). I try to "stay open", and "be guided" by intuition and/ or apparent opportunities.
Mornings can have a very strong impact on the rest of the day.”
Who inspires you most in work + life?
“Amirit - an Indian man who works at the CVS in Boston’s Chinatown. Every single time I see him, he has a big beautiful smile on his face, and is in good spirits, despite the rif raf of disgruntled customers… and those infernal self-checkout stations that are constantly breaking down. To “keep calm and carry on” despite sub-prime circumstances is pretty inspiring!
… Oh ya, and Oprah Winfrey :)“
Who is your hero in real life?
“Someone who I greatly admire is a woman named Marie Forleo. Not only because she created a thriving business, with a wildly popular Youtube Channel, and lucrative online course. But even more so because she seems like a person who enjoys her life, family, friends, and also gets to travel, and give back through philanthropy. I have met her in person, and was struck by her ability to stay present. She seemed genuine and authentic. And I think that being your true self can sometimes be harrowing. To carve your own path, and make your own choices by listening to your instincts and “following your heart” can be a very heroic act.”
Which companies do you admire the most?
“I have to say that Apple is my favorite company:
Their products rock, and look sleek.
Their store has a modern open feel, full of friendly knowledgeable staff.
And you likely leave feeling better than when you went in.
That’s pretty admirable! (Note to self).”
What superpower(s) do you wish you had?
“Oh boy. There of tons of powers I wish I had. Two examples would be: being a master yogi, and being 100% fluent in all of the languages that I have studied (French, German, Japanese and Italian). But in the context of my business, the ONE superpower I wish I had is ACCOUNTING. That would be a VERY useful superpower - especially around tax season.”
What is your kryptonite?
“Dishonesty, inauthenticity, and passive-aggressive communication are among my least favorite things.”
What was your career plan when you were young(er)?
“Originally, I wanted to be a humanitarian journalist (for example, reporting from developing countries.) My first real steps on that path, included majoring in Communications while at Boston College, and then taking a journalism class while pursuing my Master’s at Harvard. Our professor was an investigative reporter based in DC. She told us tales about being “on the case,” and popping out of hiding places to “get the story.” While that may sound like an adrenaline rush to some, it sounded pretty exhausting to me.
The class also taught us that - in order to “make it” in journalism - I would need to make my way by starting out in random towns around the US, covering police reports, theft, fire, death, corruption, natural disasters, and other “bad news.” I had a big revelation that media was having a very negative effect on our psyche - essentially scaring the crap out of us. I did not want to participate in any of that.”
Have you had to change your career path?
“It was a pretty easy decision to stop pursuing journalism. But I still believed in the power of “Educational Media” to have positive effects, if used correctly. This philosophy was behind my starting a Youtube channel called Whole U. TV through which I could discuss topics that would have a positive influence on viewers’ lives - inspiring and uplifting them, rather than making them feel bad about themselves and the world around them.”
What is your greatest career regret?
“I don’t have any regrets. Cliche - but true: “Hindsight is 20-20,” and every experience is a necessary learning.
If I could CHANGE anything - it would definitely be the bosses I was assigned to. A few years into my career, I came across a book called “The No Asshole Rule,” by a professor at Stanford named Bob Sutton. He has since published a book called “The Asshole Survival Guide.” It was not until later in my career that I learned how to set healthy boundaries. I think it’s CRUCIAL to be able to identify, manage, and limit interactions with people who are toxic, and are only interested in depleting your self esteem, energy and resources with nothing positive in return. “
What are your life + career goals right now?
“Professionally, my goal is to continue to build Whole U. so we can continue to help people with the process of creating a purposeful career and life. I intend to grow and scale Whole U. into a larger platform that can support people from across the US, and around the world. A big part of that will be further developing the alumni community. Then, personally, I became a first-time parent in 2018, and would like to spend quality time with our daughter. We brought her on her first international trip, and hope she will enjoy seeing the world. I’d also really love to live in Los Angeles for part of the year (i.e. during the winter months!) I’ve been thinking about it for a few years now, and am keen to see if / how it manifests.”
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
“I’m proud of many things I have achieved and accomplished. In the personal realm, that would be creating a human being - which is truly a mind-boggling miracle. In the professional realm, I do feel strongly that my most gratifying achievement thus far was stepping off the “career ladder” to start and build Whole U.”
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