Roxanne

In my early years of working on Wall Street, I felt conspicuously out of place, like the song lyrics of "Roxanne" by The Police resonated with my career: 

"You don't have to put on the red light... 

You don't have to sell your body to the night."

This wasn't about the literal meaning but rather the metaphorical sense of having to morph into something less authentic to thrive in a harsh environment. 

It felt like an unending effort to conform to the prevalent Wall Street archetype

—assertive, aggressive, and predominantly male.

But with experience comes enlightenment. 

I absorbed everything I could from the titans of finance, 

adopting their confidence, their knack for making compelling arguments, and

their investment strategies. 

Yet, a significant shift was brewing. I wanted to do things my way.

Inspired by Albert Einstein's insight, "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them,"

I realized that carving my own path was not only possible but necessary.

The skills often hidden in my prior roles became the ones I embraced—

the ability to deeply care for others, empathy, and authenticity. 

These traits allowed me to connect on a more personal level, 

to truly step into someone else's shoes. 

This realization didn't just alter my approach; 

it transformed how I felt about my work, making it deeply rewarding.

My approach diverges from the traditional Wall Street ethos, which often centers solely on assets under management. 

I aim for a blend of authenticity, curiosity about others, and a focus on meaningful success, rather than mere financial gain. 

My former colleagues might still "walk the streets for money," 

but I've chosen a different route—one where I can be truly myself, investing in ways that resonate with my values and standing out by wearing a red dress ;-).

Victor Frankl once said, "The more you aim for success, the less likely you are to achieve it." This resonated deeply with me. 

Major shifts in my career stemmed from being open to learning, listening, and taking calculated risks. 

Eight years later, I'm no longer dancing to someone else's tune to secure a job.

Now, I dance for the sheer joy of it—most recently at the Harvard Business School Club of Atlanta 's 90th celebration.

A heartfelt thank you to Lisa Gunther for organizing our memorable mob dance! 

Can you tell which one is me?? 

Maybe something is missing or holding you back.

Thank you for reading!

Tiffany Kent

Your Friendly Wealth Engagement Guide

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