“As humans, [we think we’re supposed to have an answer for questions like] ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ or “do you want to get married?.” They allude to the idea that wherever you’re going, you’re supposed to get there flawlessly…And when that’s not the case, you start to doubt yourself.” –Rebekah Bastian
Rebekah Bastian saw how common it was for women to think they had to know exactly where they were going in career and life. This harmful myth bothered her, so she decided to change the narrative – and to give women permission to follow their own crooked path to success.
More About Rebekah:
Rebekah Bastian is Vice President of Community & Culture at Zillow Group, leading efforts around Equity & Belonging, Social Impact Products and Cultural Engagement. Rebekah was one of Zillow’s first employees, coming over from Microsoft in 2005, and spent her first 12 years leading product development across many areas of the company.
Rebekah’s first book, Blaze Your Own Trail, will be coming out in February 2020 with Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Rebekah serves on the Board of Directors of Bellwether Housing and the Advisory Board for the University of Washington School of Mechanical Engineering. She is also an advisor to technology startups, a respected thought leader and community partner. She writes articles in multiple publications including Forbes.com, and is a frequent speaker at conferences and community events. She has been recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40, the Inman 33 People Changing the Real Estate Industry and the Female Founders Alliance Champion Awards.
Rebekah earned her Masters of Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. She is also a mentor, a mother to two boys and an aerial acrobat.
Highlights
- How coffee conversations with young women led Rebekah to write her first book (and how a revelation in the middle of the night helped the book finally take shape)
- Why the questions we’re asked as kids contribute to us feeling stuck on our path as adults
- Rebekah shares her own “magnificent screw-ups” along the path to success
- How not to lose trust in yourself when you make a mistake
- Why it’s okay to be nervous about succeeding – and how not to let it stifle your creativity
- Why it’s important to share our missteps with others and listen to their stories
- The surprising truth about “less traveled paths” (hint: you’re not as alone as you might think)
- How Rebekah’s “less calculated” choices in her career led her to work she loves
- A technique from cognitive behavioral therapy to help you stay centered and confident even if you’re unsure of your next step
- The misguided beliefs that sometimes blind us to opportunities
- The tools that have helped Rebekah navigate lows in both career and life – including some that hit at the same time
- Why being true to yourself is the highest form of self-care (and how to do it)
- How Rebekah became an aerial acrobat, and how it helps her recharge
- The new project Rebekah launched with her book designed to help women and gender non-binary people share their life paths – and provide inspiration and guidance for others
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Connect with Rebekah: Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Thank You for Listening!
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