An Interview With Eden Gold
Young adults are focusing on the prioritization of our health and it is looked at as a reflection of success. A 2019 study by the American Heart Association stated that millennials workout more than any generation prior and are more likely to have a healthy diet. Take heed to the growing amount of workplace benefits reflecting health and wellness and social media content around the same theme.
In a world rapidly changing through technology, societal norms, and global challenges, a new generation of leaders is emerging. Ambitious young adults are not just aiming for traditional markers of success; they are redefining what it means to be successful. Beyond the corporate ladder and financial milestones, they prioritize impact, sustainability, and personal fulfillment. They are entrepreneurs, activists, scientists, and artists who are shaping the future with innovative ideas and actions. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ricquel Griffin.
Ricquel Griffin stands at the forefront of redefining success as a beacon of innovation and resilience. Armed with an MBA from the University of Baltimore and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Penn State University, Ricquel is not just a scholar, but a results-driven innovator carving her path in the tech industry as a Software Implementation Consultant and independently as a serial entrepreneur.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about cultural sensitivity, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
My path to technology was very organic. I started right out of college trying to identify what I was good at and what my educational and professional experience thus far could lead to. I stumbled upon the title “Business Analyst” and researched more about what that role had to offer and what a good Business Analyst consisted of. Over time, by dabbling in different roles in healthcare and my graduate experience, I landed a Business Analyst role in technology. It’s ironic that I’m in technology, because my entire childhood I wanted to be a Clinical Psychologist hence my psychology degree.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of my most interesting experiences in my career was changing my perspective on what my career trajectory was supposed to look like. When I first started in technology my role was very vague, and it didn’t require me to be the most tactical but more strategic. I eventually found myself in a very tactical/technical role that challenged my beliefs about “where I’ll be in five years” as we all talk about. In hindsight, those growing pains from my more tactical role taught me A LOT about pivoting and the skills you gain from pivoting. It has also been the experience to launch my technical career more in the direction that I wanted it to be.
You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
In no specific order, three character traits that have launched and sustained my career has been the ability to be creative, flexible, and communicative. Creativity is far beyond aesthetics, and more about the fundamentals required to make things visually appealing. For example, you need to be creative in technology because you will face issues never faced before and you have nothing to go off of as a guide. You have to use what you have to create a solution or use what you know to build a new solution. This is where flexibility comes in, and seeing possibilities when there are seemingly none. Many people go to college for Psychology like I did and feel pigeonholed to mental health work, which I didn’t. I knew that I had transferable skills that would be beneficial in other industries. Lastly, that brings me to being able to communicate your ideas and thoughts. That was a transferable skill from my healthcare background that is highly desired in technology.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview about how ambitious young adults are redefining success. How would you define success?
Success for me looks like spending time with my partner and our son, traveling, doing work that I both enjoy and can provide impact, teaching and most importantly great health.
How do you incorporate social responsibility and sustainability into your definition of success?
I’ve dedicated a large portion of my free time to helping other people reach their career and financial goals. I host community classes, mentor young professionals, and use my story as an invitation for others to change their narrative.
Can you describe a moment or decision that significantly redirected your path toward leadership?
I looked around at my team at every job I had and there was rarely anyone who looked like me. I’m fully aware of the impact created when we see others who look like us in the spaces that we want to take up.
What role do mentorship and community play in shaping your approach to leadership and success?
Mentorship and community play a large role in my approach to leadership. I’ve always found mentors who were where I wanted to be in life and were willing to spearhead helping me get there as well. Community is who has supported every class, workbook, or idea that I have curated and without them my achievements list wouldn’t be as long. I’m a communal person at heart, and I fully understand that we aren’t well individually unless we are well as a community.
In what ways do you think your generation’s view of success differs from previous generations?
We want to be successful now and don’t want to wait a minute later. Let me further explain that by prefacing it with, this is unrelated to materials. I think my generation, millennials, want to get our flowers while we can smell them. We want accolades and recognition at work, we want to vacay with our loved ones, and we want to afford the things we desire. Success previously seemed to be rooted in notoriety, and how long your name lingers on after you. I don’t believe either is wrong, I think a happy medium between the two is ideal.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Ambitious Young Adults Are Redefining Success?”
1 . Young adults are focusing on the prioritization of our health and it is looked at as a reflection of success. A 2019 study by the American Heart Association stated that millennials workout more than any generation prior and are more likely to have a healthy diet. Take heed to the growing amount of workplace benefits reflecting health and wellness and social media content around the same theme.
2 . Freedom and flexibility is another idolized success! When we think about the large demand for remote work and the flexibility that it encompasses it provides a great example of redefining success. A Buffer article stated that 98% of workers would prefer to work remotely at some point. I’ve worked hybrid or remote consistently since 2016 and truthfully couldn’t see myself not working in this environment. It’s encouraged me to find new and creative ways to communicate, solve problems, and learn. I understand it is not for everyone, however it has forced me to challenge myself and grow tremendously.
3 . Authenticity is not a new phenomenon but I believe the way and where it is expressed is for sure. Look at the change in brand marketing and the consumer craving for genuine and transparent products/services. Less commercials and more social media influencers that people already trust using their products! It seems to be a strong connection between what we idolize in society and how/what businesses promote. This just scratches the surface of authenticity and how it’s high on the pedestal of success.
4 . Financial independence in this generation is the ultimate form of success! Millenials have learned that we don’t want to work to pay bills and that’s all we can afford in our lifetime. We want to be able to travel, afford convenient experiences, and have choice. The hard part about achieving financial independence is identifying a strategy and execution of the strategy to hit the goal. Although this is something idolized, research says we have a ways to go as Experian reported 47% of millennials consider themselves somewhat financially dependent on their parents.
5 . Entrepreneurship is the golden ticket to millenials and seen as crème de la crème. EY published a survey that reported 78% of millenials believe that entrepreneurs are successful and 62% of millenials have thought of starting a business. The time and financial freedom attached to entrepreneurship is seen as ideal. MIT Sloan professors found that entrepreneurs are 125% more successful if they have worked in a sector that they are starting a business in. To the 62% of millennials that have thought of starting a business and feeling discouraged, know that the foundation you are laying now will be the platform that you build your business on.
How do you navigate the challenges of innovation and change while staying true to your values and vision for success?
I have and still do, remind myself that every “no” is closer to my “yes”. Just because your idea isn’t executed does not minimize the value of the idea. The same way that we utilize iterations in agile work environments, we have to apply that methodology to ourselves. As the business or business needs change, so does the project plan. In that same manner, as we grow and change, so does our values and vision.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would start a movement called “Career Corner” and it would expand on finding out what you’re good at, pivoting in your career, salary negotiations, work-life balance, upskilling, using work benefits for retirement vehicles and more.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Connect with me on LinkedIn- Ricquel Griffin, MBA
http://linkedin.com/in/ricquelgriffin
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold
Future Leaders: Ricquel Griffin Of AcuityMD On How Ambitious Young Adults Are Redefining Success was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.