Turning Pain into Purpose
Recently I interviewed Brandy Anderson for the LION 40 Podcast. Working in the addiction field since 2011, Brandy has continually demonstrated exceptional versatility and a sincere desire to be of service to people who struggle with substance abuse disorders. What’s more, as someone who has faced her own addiction battles head on and emerged victorious, she is specially equipped with insight and understanding to lead others into the light. I literally could not think of a better guest to interview for this season on how “being different” is a prerequisite for great leadership. I connect with Brandy also on a personal level, as she is a member of the Athens community where Lion Leadership is based, and she has a daughter about the same age as my son. This is a person I have seen professionally at Chamber and Gala events as well as personally in the childcare pick-up line. What a gift to be able to interview someone that – in close proximity, yet also from afar – I am tracking through life with.
“Nobody ever asked me – what happened to you?” – Brandy Anderson
In addition to this quote, here are 4 points of conversation that resonated with me most deeply in my conversation with Brandy.
#1 Imposter syndrome is the fraud.
For ambitious professionals who rise through the ranks, eventually obtaining the title that makes them proud of themselves, it can be a double-edged sword if the position, the title, or the responsibility comes with pangs of ‘imposter syndrome.’ Imposter syndrome is defined as, “a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.” Brandy speaks of these feelings in her interview, and she cites her wise mentors that served to remind her that 100% absolutely she was not an imposter, that she 100% earned her seat at the table, and that everyone in the room needed to hear what she had to share. Though Brandy did not say this in her interview, the conversation led me to have this distinct thought – imposter syndrome is the actual fraud in our mind. Perhaps it is the case that we have not succeed to our ultimate hopes and dreams UNTIL we have had this thought and then conquered it. It also made me think about Amy Cuddy’s Ted talk when she said, “Don’t fake it until you make it. Fake it until you become it.” Yet, perhaps, there is one step further to go. “Once you become it, accept that you are worthy.”
#2 Resourcefulness + Grit + Owning Mistakes + Trying Again = Success
Through this interview you will hear this formula in the making. What I find interesting about this is, first, the aspect of “resourcefulness” and Brandy’s ability to ask questions and to ask for help and to seek out answers from others where she was unsure. Second is the aspect of “owning mistakes.” While Brandy’s “Grit” gave her the gift of repeatedly trying, trying, and trying again as needed, fewer leaders speak to resourcefulness and owning mistakes as something that has equipped them to be “gritty” and to “own mistakes.” This was uniquely illuminating… because, yes, we all want to have “grit” but it might be the case that only the resourceful and the humble are able to harness it. One question I did not ask Brandy yet hope to in the future is – what does “grit” look like today? Does it look the same?
#3 Root for the underdog – especially if it is you. And then use your voice to help others.
This gets at the crux of this season on the LION 40. For those feeling down and out, like they cannot overcome their past or the obstacles ahead of them, humans can pivot and to make an exceptional leadership mark. Perhaps it comes down to deciding what we intend to do and following through on it, yet I think prior to that we have to root for ourselves – even when we are the underdog. It’s a gift to have mentors to support us along the way. It’s a gift to have leaders to model our behavior after. At the end of the day, however, we must root for ourselves to get to the other side of the adversity we face. Then it is a gift we can pay forward.
#4Never forget to be curious.
No one ever asked Brandy, “What happened to you?” when she was thrown into juvenile detention. I cannot help but wonder… what would it have looked like if someone had? What impact would that have had on her? Perhaps the lack of that question can drive us – yet what would it look like if we constantly asked this question of other people?
Learn more about Brandy Anderson and the Acceptance Recovery Center
Brandy Witte Anderson is the Founder and Executive Director of Acceptance Recovery Center (ARC). She broke free from the chains of addiction in 2009 and realized her dream of opening ARC on January 1, 2016.
Working in the addiction field since 2011, Brandy has continually demonstrated exceptional versatility and a sincere desire to be of service to people who struggle with substance use and mental health disorders.
In December of 2012, Brandy graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in Human Services Delivery and Administration and a minor in Business Administration from the University of North Georgia. Throughout her multifaceted career in substance use treatment, she has worked with Turning Point Recovery Resources, Angel House of Georgia, the Palm House, Cornerstones Counseling, South Enotah Drug Court, South Enotah Family Treatment Court, and Mountain Drug Court. In 2020, Brandy graduated from UNG once again, this time with a Master’s Degree in Human Services.
During her tenure with Angel House, Brandy became a Case Manager and received specialized training through the Georgia Association of Addiction Counselors, National Association of Addiction Counselors, and Circle of Recovery. She earned her Addiction Counseling Level II Certification in December of 2015. In February of 2017, she earned a National Certification in Addiction Counseling Level I.
In November of 2018, Brandy added one more to her household, Aaliyah Reign! She received custody of her niece at 3 days old and is now able to break the cycle of generational trauma and addiction by raising Reign to be a strong female leader with a servant’s heart.
Follow Brandy Anderson and the Acceptance Recovery Center
Author Information
Natasha Ganem, PhD, serves as principal consultant and organizational psychologist at Lion Leadership, an executive education firm dedicated to helping company owners design world-class leadership teams. To learn more about Lion Leadership coaching services, management training, and off-site retreat facilitation, contact us at info@lionleadership.com.
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