SHOCEO^® Reading for Success: Ten (10) Minutes.  

 

For this edition of the She’s Her Own CEO® Guest Interview, we are excited to introduce to you the CEO and Founder of Authority Magazine, Yitzi Weiner.

Yitzi Weiner is a journalist, author, and the Editor in Chief of Authority Magazine.  He is also the CEO of Thought Leader Incubator, a leading business incubator based in Maryland.

Yitzi is the author of five books. In 2017, he created the popular, “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me” series that highlights the lessons learned from the experiences of high-profile entrepreneurs, celebrities and public figures.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  Hi Yitzi, it is such an honor to talk to you today about your career achievements and perspectives.  What has had the most influence on your path to becoming the successful CEO that you are today?

Yitzi Weiner, CEO, Authority Magazine:   My formal education is neither in PR nor in marketing.  Prior to my media career, I was a practicing rabbi for fifteen years.  My background in faith greatly influenced the writing and publishing of my more recent career.

Rabbi means, “teacher,” and my job was to articulate the purpose and vision of Judaism.  I believe that Judaism is a harnessing tool to refine character and inspire others.  The world’s social problems boil down to human character.  With polish, those flaws can be reduced, humanity can be refined, and we can inspire each other how to live lives that can be improved.

I am a content creator.  If you could put content in terms of food, my ideal would be to create “nurturing food” versus “junk food.”  I believe in creating empowering and uplifting content. I started my career in Public Relations.  I decided to use my writing, graphic design, and outreach skills to create Authority Magazine.  It is the perfect confluence of my talents and the skills I bring from spirituality, ethics, PR, and media.

With this new venture, I channel creativity into content by showcasing people who are prominent.  They are public figures from a variety of industries who share empowering, uplifting messages.  Capturing positive messages for my readers is my goal.

I have conducted over 3,000 interviews and manage over 70 writers at Authority Magazine.  My management style tends to be less direct.  I am an empathetic person and believe that sensitivity goes both ways in a professional relationship.

I believe in harnessing the power of my writers’ talents and passions.  I have been blessed to have had very good bosses in my career, and I believe in trying to be one myself.  I give guidance and set the framework for my employees, but ultimately leave a lot of autonomy in their creative court.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  By the way, the design work you did on my Authority Magazine interview piece was amazing!  You are a successful advertising entrepreneur.  Please take us “behind-the-scenes”.  Tell us your favorite example of how you Lead, Provide, and Create in your professional and/or personal world.

Yitzi Weiner, CEO, Authority Magazine: Absolutely.  Each of those verbs is a part of my career world and my personal life.  Here are a few examples:

Lead.  In my recent Floyd Mayweather interview in Authority Magazine, Floyd discussed with me the power of “show it, don’t say it.”  In other words, a person is actually more influential and has a greater positive impact on others by living through example.  “Be the change I want to see” is a motto by which I personally live.  I try to treat people the way I want to be treated, both professionally and personally.

Provide.  On a literal level, and like most business owners — I have employees to pay!  Personally, I am married and have 6 children.  My wife is the boss of our home.  With regard to our formal business pursuits, she is the CFO and is a professional photographer.  I spend a lot of time with my children, almost never miss dinner, and take each child for a private date on a regular basis.  I take a walk every day with my wife.  Being outside and getting fresh air is the best relationship tool!

Create.  I strive to create content that is beautiful to the eyes, heart, and mind.  To really gain respect with my readers, I strive to always create content that is mentally, emotionally, and visually stimulating – things that look good professionally make more of an impact and keep readers coming back.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  Being the CEO of your world can take many forms.  In your opinion, what is the best way to achieve success and to become the boss of your world?

Yitzi Weiner, CEO, Authority Magazine: I believe in living with purpose, direction, and meaning.  Is each of us an object or a subject?  We all have desires and dreams, but many people can’t manifest because of lack of control.  One must manifest his or her own will.  Life boils down to self-control and discipline, which includes creating strong habits.  Start small with your life changes.  Repeat them daily for a month – you’ll find that they stick with you.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  Any additional words of wisdom you can share with motivated, aspirational readers?

Yitzi Weiner, CEO, Authority Magazine: Take the time now to figure out and realize what you truly want out of life.  The new year is a great time to do this. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  I love the Golden Rule – treat others how you wish to be treated.  Show others that you genuinely care about them and that you are on their side.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  Thank you, Yitzi, for sharing your insights and positivity with the world.

 

 

Subscribe to the She’s Her Own® Interview Series below and be sure to add Authority Magazine to your daily reading schedule!

 

xo Kathryn