Marylyn King, Chief Message Maker

When I interviewed for my first corporate job, I was mistaken about something very important. I thought my objective was supposed to be to get the job. I confidently presented my qualifications, and I got the job.

But it wasn’t the right objective.

I soon found out that my drive to innovate didn’t align with the corporate culture. I had expected an outstanding performance review for making my work products better than the corporate standard. Instead, I was reprimanded for not conforming.

Beyond the Qualifications

Being so misaligned made me realize what mattered most to me professionally.

Being free to do my best work
Being valued for my contributions
Being appreciated for the unique experience that I create for others

My next job did just that, but several of my co-workers were floundering. I felt drawn to be a manager so I could shape the environment for them to focus on being their best, too.

My promotion to manager began a career-long path. I became a serial team builder within organizations in disarray where people were out of alignment with the surrounding culture, as I had once been.

My approach was founded on listening.

I believe that when people feel heard, they discover their own strengths and aspirations. They sense where and how they can be their best.

In listening, I learned to see the distinctive essence of individuals and empower them to shine.

A New Direction

One of my proudest and yet most difficult moments was when I was tasked with laying off half of my staff during a massive company downsizing. I couldn’t simply identify who was “dispensable.” Instead, I identified who my organization couldn’t function without. That list of names filled me with a strong sense of accomplishment. I knew we had formed a strong team with complementary skills.

But I was still one short of the number I had to cut. Whose skillset was no longer essential? Mine. My dream team could carry on without me. I added my name to the list, and moved on.

I stepped out of management to work as an independent technical communicator. How humbling it was to work with subject matter experts in fields as varied as IT, aviation, economy, and medicine.

Once again, I relied on listening.

I utilized my skills in interviewing and writing to distill from their expert knowledge what the intended audience needed to know.

The Birth of My Business

Throughout my experiences, I’ve seen that when people are aligned with their work, they’re capable of amazing things.

We can all look around and see problems everywhere, large or small. Yet we have experts with solutions.

Implementing the solutions requires listening to each other. It requires communicating clearly what we have to offer. It requires tapping into what matters most to us so we can do our best work.

I created The Expert of Choice to facilitate that process.

Look at one of my clients, for example. Sonia Montes De Oca (owner of SMDO Design) used to introduce herself simply as an interior designer. At networking events, people didn’t see how her expertise could serve them. As she went through my program, we uncovered her passion and skill in creative artistry that goes beyond trendy designs and popular colors. She gained a deeper appreciation for the value of how, in her words, “I get into their heads so I can design for them.” Now she introduces herself as "I design spaces especially for you to make you feel happy." Now, that’s a message that people start a conversation with. She is now booked full with clients.

If you have expertise that you’d like to apply to solving problems that matter to you, I invite you to book your complimentary strategy call with me. We’ll discuss your challenges and how I might support you in realizing your dreams.

Book Your Free Discovery Call

Marylyn Is a Rare Find

Innovative with High Standards

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

Innovative with High Standards

Marylyn is great to work with, and I can always rely on her to uphold high standards. I find her characteristic inclination toward innovation to be refreshing and inspiring. – Gabriel Rojas, Sr. Manager of Software Engineering at T Rowe Price

Deep Listener

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

Innovative with High Standards

“It has been a challenge for me to describe my spiritual service offers. In Marylyn I found a deep listener who asks clarifying questions. She distilled my expertise into a clear message that a general audience can understand. It allows me to expand my marketing activities more easily..” – Dr. Dzung Price, Holistic Healer

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

“Marylyn has a gift for making it easy for me to speak about my natural strengths, and for fine tuning my professional self-awareness.” – Gabrielle Czaja, Physical Therapist and Alexander Technique Teacher

Marylyn King, Chief Message Maker

Beyond the Qualifications

A New Direction

The Birth of My Business

Marylyn Is a Rare Find

Innovative with High Standards

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

Innovative with High Standards

Deep Listener

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

Innovative with High Standards

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

Brought Out My Natural Strengths

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