Episode 6: Grateful, Qualified, and More than Enough

In this powerful episode of BecozofU, the host welcomes trailblazing corporate and nonprofit executive Joyce Roche. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the meaning of gratitude and how it has shaped Joyce's life and career. She discusses her extraordinary accomplishments, noting that she not only shattered the glass ceiling but "broke that damn thing down," paving the way for black women in leadership.

Joyce shares personal stories of gratitude, from her mother's sister and uncle, who opened their home to help her family, to teachers who countered the message that she was "less" and instilled the belief that she could achieve anything. She is also immensely grateful for the opportunities brought by the civil rights movement, which her older siblings did not have, and for her husband and supportive friends.

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining Gratitude: Joyce defines gratitude as "the highest level of appreciation you can have".

• Leadership Style: Joyce describes her leadership style as one that "embraces the talents of everybody", believing that you never know where a good idea will come from. She focuses on creating opportunities for team members to take chances and contribute fully.

• The Imposter Syndrome: Joyce discusses her book, The Empress Has No Clothes: Conquering Self-Doubt to Embrace Success. She explains that the imposter syndrome is the "little voice in the back of your head" that says, "Oh my god, they're going to find out about you now" when something good happens. She clarifies that she is not an expert but learned about the term when contributing to Ellen Sprag's book. Joyce emphasizes that the imposter syndrome doesn't go away—the goal is conquering it, not eliminating it.

• Imposter Syndrome and Identity: While it's an "equal opportunity issue", women and people of color often experience it when they are different from the majority. Joyce shares advice for young women in corporate America: "You deserve to be at the table", and you are there based on evidence like your accomplishments, skill set, and smarts.

• Intersection of Leadership and Gratitude: Joyce believes the two cannot be separated, as a leader must be appreciative of the contributions that others give. She explains that her leadership style, particularly in how she treats people, was influenced by her friend Barbara's open and caring nature.

Practice of Gratitude:

Joyce brings on her lifelong friend Barbara Ricard Landix—a sister she chose—who she has known since they were 12 years old. Barbara shares her pride in witnessing Joyce's growth and accomplishments and how their friendship has become like family.

Joyce shares why she chose Barbara: Barbara reached out to her in junior high when she knew almost no one, immediately making her feel like she fit in. Barbara and her husband were a consistent support system, with Barbara serving as a confidant and "big cheerleader" through the ups and downs of Joyce's professional life.

The episode closes with Joyce completing the sentence:

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