What happens when the system you are working inside is designed to make you doubt yourself?
Today, I sit down with Nikki Odom, Director of Human Resources for the City of Minneapolis. Nikki started her journey as an attorney navigating corporate law firms where she was often the only African American in the room.
After facing immense pressure and getting pushed out of law firms twice, she had every reason to walk away. Instead, she completely reinvented herself, pivoted into people leadership, and now oversees HR for one of the most complex cities in America.
In this episode of Mork Unfiltered, Nikki and I talk about the raw realities of resilience, managing career fear, building self-awareness through feedback, and leading a massive team through crisis. Whether you are feeling stuck in your current job, afraid to make a major career transition, or trying to find your purpose, Nikki’s insights on "doing the thing that scares you" will give you the push you need.
Chapters:
• 00:00 - Intro: From Law School to Leading HR in Minneapolis
• 01:09 - Growing Up as the Only Black Girl in Class
• 05:28 - Where Resilience Really Comes From
• 07:40 - Why She Never Wanted to Become a Law Partner
• 10:54 - The Toxic Reality of Big Law Firms
• 14:41 - How to Know It Is Time to Leave Your Job
• 20:09 - Why Hiring a Career Coach Changed Everything
• 25:47 - Overcoming the Fear of a Major Career Pivot
• 34:00 - Do the Thing That Scares You
• 38:38 - Self-Awareness: The Ultimate Career Skill
• 44:50 - Leading the City of Minneapolis Through Crisis
• 52:49 - AI, Leadership, and the Future of Work
• 56:44 - Lightning Round: Superpowers, Obama, and Career Purpose
#CareerPivot #Leadership #Resilience #MorkUnfiltered #HRLeadership #OvercomingFailure #CareerGrowth
