12
Antoinette Clarke The power of doubling down
Antoinette M. Clarke on The Power of Doubling Down
Antoinette M. Clarke is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry, boasting an impressive resume as an author, two-time Emmy Award-winning television producer, and the SVP of Brand Partnerships at Paramount Advertising.
She has served as a supervising producer/ producer for award-winning talk shows with hosts such as Montel Williams, Tyra Banks, Rachael Ray, and Nate Berkus, but Antoinette's talents extend beyond producing, as she co-authored the book 'Double Down: Bet on Yourself and Succeed on Your Terms' with her twin sister. Antoinette and her twin sister also launched a digital mentorship program to help democratize success and entrepreneurship for people of color. Antoinette has been honored with two Emmys, a Black Women in Media Award, and was named one of 39 featured disruptors in Adweek's annual list in 2018.
These are the edited highlights of my conversation with Antoinette. If you want to read or listen to the full interview (you have to hear these stories!), click the Read More or Audio button at the end of the interview.
www.redefinepossibility.com
In our time at CBS, you were this magnanimous person working within a large, traditional, atmosphere. How did you keep your personality and bring Antoinette Clarke to work every day?
It's taken me a long time to become the person I am today, but I attribute much of that to my sister.
When you surround yourself with the right people, you're being elevated in a moral way, skillfully. Age and experience also has made me more comfortable with who I am.
I've done so much work on myself and not just professionally, but personally. Just as I flex and sharpen my skill set, I go to therapy, I meditate and go to reflection circles with different women and I go to Pilates.
All of those things make me feel more confident about how I'm showing up. I also stay focused on the long game, my North Star. My goals may evolve as I achieve them, but my approach remains constant.
I'm always aware of my blind spots. I surround myself with people who can fill those gaps and who can help elevate me. As long as I'm clear on my direction and have the right people around me, I feel like I can make it. Life is about collaboration.
People who help you show up as the truest version and expression of yourself.
I'm also gonna say doubling down on myself. It's about banking on the edge that you have. In any situation, especially in a work situation, you have to figure out what the edge is that you're bringing to the table and how you can have a step up.
I always go into every situation figuring that out and doubling down. When you double down on yourself, others will see that and it's a multiplier effect. So in return, they'll double down on you.
Tell us a little bit more about what white spaces are.
I define white space as an area of opportunity or a gap to innovate or do something that hasn't been done before. It is a great opportunity for you to rethink and apply your unique skill and passion to solving old problems or meeting a new need.