In this episode of the Emerging Women Podcast, Chantal interviews Kristen Wheeler, creator of the Native Genius method, discussing its application in personal and professional growth. Kristen’s method helps identify innate abilities by recognizing moments of engagement versus disengagement. She emphasizes specificity in understanding one’s strengths to prevent burnout. Chantal shares her discovery of her native genius through teaching dance, highlighting the importance of embracing diverse talents. Kristen underscores the significance of acknowledging all aspects of one’s native genius. They also delve into the Native Genius method, where Kristen shares a touching story about her daughter Maren, who discovered parallels between her love for insects and her interest in skincare, leading to a sense of integration and purpose. They explore the concept of My Eyes Light Up (MELU) moments and My Eyes Glaze Over (MEGO) experiences, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and leveraging one’s innate strengths. Kristen offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs and leaders, encouraging them to embrace their native genius and delegate tasks that don’t align with their strengths. The episode concludes with an invitation to explore the Radiant Leader program, which integrates the Native Genius method to empower women in leadership. Kristen encourages listeners to leverage their unique strengths for impactful careers and lives.
Chantal Pierrat
Chantal Pierrat is Founder & CEO of Emerging Women, a global network of brilliant women creating new leadership paradigms and supporting the rise of leaders across all sectors of society. Chantal is a celebrated podcast host, speaker, thought leader, coach, and entrepreneur dedicated to advancing conscious leadership and helping women be seen, heard, and led from the truth of who they are. Her ideas have been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, The Street and more. Emerging Women has graduated thousands of women (and men) from peer mentoring and sponsorship programs sponsored by such Fortune 500/100 organizations as HP, Inc., Halliburton, Oracle Corp. and more.
About our Guest
Kristen teaches Native Genius worldwide at companies like HP, Airbnb, and Ebay. The Native Genius Method helps people bring out the innate brilliance in each other so that organizations up-level results, fulfillment, and belonging. Kristen is an innovator in the strengths movement, and Native Genius is the next evolution of strengths — focusing on vulnerability, mindfulness, appreciation, and connection to create lasting change.
Native Genius works with the obstacles to strengths that are hidden within the human condition. Native Genius is research-based and multidisciplinary, drawing on proven strategies from business, psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness. Kristen started her career as a CPA and software developer for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Before developing Native Genius, she consulted with companies on matters of IT, leadership, and strategy for over twenty years. Amidst that work, she earned an MA in Mythological Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute and an MA in Body Centered Psychology from Naropa University. Kristen has been an audience favorite at TEDxBoulder, was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women for EBW 2020 in 2016, and is a Strategic Advisor for Emerging Women. She lives in Boulder, Colorado
Resources Mentioned:
Native Genius
Emerging Women
Radiant Leader Program
Emerging Human
Insight from this episode:
— Introduction to the concept of Native Genius as a method for working in alignment with one’s true self, with a focus on resonance and authenticity.
— Emphasis on the significance of incorporating the feminine perspective into the paradigm of power.
— Influence of Kristen’s Work: the Native Genius method has been integral to the Emerging Women curriculum since its inception in 2013, indicating its value in personal and professional development.
— Discussion surrounding the corporate adoption of Native Genius: The method has been adopted by corporations like HP, Airbnb, and eBay, highlighting its relevance and effectiveness in corporate environments.
— Discussion of Kristen’s background as a CPA and software developer led her to develop the Native Genius method, influenced by her academic studies in mythological studies and body-centered psychology.
— Discussion of surrounding the meaning of Native Genius to the individual and in terms of application.
— Emphasis is placed on passion integration as the discussion highlights the importance of leveraging diverse interests.
— Discussion of how “native genius” reveals how understanding one’s natural inclinations can optimize talents, delegate tasks effectively, and foster innovation.
— Overall, this podcast challenges traditional views on success and leadership, advocating for a focus on one’s strengths rather than trying to excel in all areas. Delegating tasks based on strengths empowers teams, promoting inclusive and effective leadership rooted in self-acceptance and recognizing inherent value.
Quotes from the show:
— “We’re creating a new paradigm for power that includes the feminine perspective because the world needs it.” — Kristen Wheeler, Emerging Women Podcast
— “Kristen’s work has been core also to my own personal development as a thought leader, but also as a business leader.” — Chantal Pierrat, Emerging Women Podcast
— “Native genius is these things that we do that we can’t not do that make a bigger difference than we realize.” — Kristen Wheeler, Emerging Women Podcast
— “When you can tune into your direct experience of that, when you’re connecting with each other, or when you’re connecting with people and you’re doing these things that you’ve been told are strengths, then you can start to look at when am I actually lighting up and when am I glazing over?” — Kristen Wheeler, Emerging Women Podcast
— “Your nothings are your something. So, that’s the goal that was in a moment that you thought was nothing. There’s something else that’s really important about the notion of innovation and how we, with our native geniuses, are moving the world forward.” — Kristen Wheeler, Emerging Women Podcast
— “Native Genius allows you to cross disciplines… This is where innovation comes from, where we get a drop of this discipline or drop of that one and somebody creates something new and that’s what you’re doing and that’s why we don’t want to dismiss any MELU moment because it all has the gold of what our gifts are in the world.” — Kristen Wheeler, Emerging Women Podcast
— “That’s the power I will say this about of the native genius method is that you can, you’re constantly, once you get it, you’re constantly looking for new applications.” — Kristen Wheeler, Emerging Women Podcast
Stay Connected:
Chantal Pierrat
Twitter: Chantal Pierrat
LinkedIn: Chantal Pierrat
Emerging Women
Website: Emerging Women
Twitter: Emerging Women
Facebook: Emerging Women
Instagram: Emerging Women
LinkedIn: Emerging Women
Youtube: Emerging Women
Kristen Wheeler
Website: Native Genius
LinkedIn: Native Genius
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Stitcher and Apple Podcasts.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
