We recently connected with Andrea Simon and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Andrea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
My legacy as a corporate anthropologist is already profound and multifaceted, and it has the potential to grow into an enduring and transformative force. Here’s what I believe my legacy will and should become:
1. Catalyst for Culture Transformation
• I am recognized for my ability to observe, analyze, and guide organizations in reshaping their corporate cultures. My legacy will be one of helping businesses embrace change, find new markets, and navigate uncertain landscapes with clarity and purpose.
2. Champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• I have a strong commitment to improving workplace dynamics, particularly for women and underrepresented groups, positions me as a pioneer in fostering equitable and inclusive cultures. My legacy will inspire others to see diversity not as a challenge but as an essential driver of innovation and success.
3. Pioneering Thought Leader in Business Anthropology
• By blending anthropology with business strategy, I have carved out a unique niche. My legacy will likely be marked by the expansion of this discipline, making anthropology an indispensable tool for understanding markets, customers, and organizational behavior.
4. Mentor and Educator for Emerging Leaders
• Through my Leadership Academy and coaching programs, I am shaping the next generation of leaders to be empathetic, collaborative, and visionary. My legacy will live on in the leaders I have mentored, who carry forward our principles in their own organizations.
5. Storyteller of Transformation
• My books, podcasts, and articles ensure that my insights and stories reach a wide audience. My legacy will include being a powerful voice for change, whose ideas resonate across industries and inspire action.
6. Empowerer of Women Entrepreneurs
• My work with women entrepreneurs and my collaboration with Edie Fraser to advance women’s leadership and business success are integral to my legacy. I am creating a future where women can redefine the business landscape.
7. Visionary Advocate for Blue Ocean Strategies
• As a seasoned Blue Ocean Strategist, I have helped organizations rethink markets and value propositions. My legacy will include breaking the mold of conventional business thinking and enabling companies to thrive by creating rather than competing.
8. Inspiration to Live Beyond the Conventional
• My career demonstrates that innovation comes from breaking traditional molds and embracing curiosity. My legacy will inspire others to approach challenges with fresh eyes and bold ideas.
9. A Bridge Between Anthropology and Business
• I have turned anthropology into a practical and invaluable business tool, helping organizations understand the human dimensions of their operations. This integration will remain a cornerstone of my legacy.
What My Legacy Should Become
My legacy should become a movement—a body of knowledge, principles, and practices that continues to grow and influence long after. It should:
• Inspire future corporate anthropologists to follow my example.
• Provide a framework for organizations to navigate rapid change.
• Demonstrate the power of culture to drive business success and societal impact.
• Serve as a beacon for leaders who seek to build purposeful, people-centric organizations.
In essence, my legacy will be that of a visionary and compassionate architect of change, who showed the world that businesses thrive when they align their cultures with their aspirations and values. It will remind everyone that even in the most complex systems, the human element remains at the heart of innovation and growth.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
About Me:
I am a corporate anthropologist with a passion for helping organizations and individuals adapt to change in fast-moving times. My journey began with an academic interest in anthropology, which evolved into a career that bridges cultural insights and business strategies. This unique combination has enabled me to guide companies across industries to transform their cultures, find new markets, and build more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
How I Got into My Field:
My fascination with human behavior, culture, and the way people work together naturally led me to anthropology. Over time, I realized that the principles of anthropology could address business challenges, from innovation to leadership development. My work has been shaped by years of research, client engagements, and over 450 workshops and speeches where I shared the power of cultural insights for business growth.
Products/Services/Creative Works:
I provide a range of services, including:
• Keynote speeches and workshops on Blue Ocean Strategy, culture change, women in leadership, and resilience.
• Leadership coaching programs for emerging leaders and executives looking to improve their presence and communication.
• Consulting services to help organizations embrace diversity, improve inclusion, and adapt to changing environments.
• A podcast, On the Brink with Andi Simon, where I bring stories of transformation, innovation, and inspiration to listeners worldwide.
• Authoring books like On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights, Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business, and Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, sharing insights on business and culture.
Problems I Solve:
My work focuses on helping clients:
• Rethink their strategies to find untapped markets using Blue Ocean Strategy.
• Improve their workplace cultures to better attract, retain, and empower diverse talent.
• Develop leadership skills that foster collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.
• Build purpose-driven companies where men and women thrive together.
What Sets Me Apart:
I blend the scientific rigor of anthropology with practical business strategies to provide fresh perspectives. My approach is highly interactive, immersive, and results-driven. By looking at challenges through a cultural lens, I help clients uncover opportunities and transform obstacles into innovations.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
• Celebrating the 400th episode of my podcast, On the Brink with Andi Simon.
• Co-authoring Women Mean Business, a book that highlights the power of women entrepreneurs and leaders.
• Being a trusted guide for clients who need to adapt and thrive in dynamic industries.
• Mentoring and empowering women leaders to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields.
• And, not to forget but embrace, raising two amazing daughters, loving a husband of over 50 years, and enjoying my daughters joy as mothers and wives, with three great grandkids.
What I Want You to Know About My Work:
At the heart of everything I do is the belief that change is an opportunity, not a threat. Whether through coaching, workshops, or storytelling, my goal is to inspire and guide individuals and organizations to unlock their potential and embrace the future. My work is driven by curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive impact on people and businesses.
Have you ever had to pivot?
The Art of the Pivot: Lessons from My Journey
Pivoting is not just about changing direction; it’s about discovering new opportunities, embracing uncertainty, and recognizing when your skills can serve a greater purpose. My journey is marked by three pivotal moments that transformed not only my career but also how I approach the challenges of change.
The first pivot came at the peak of academic success. I had achieved tenure at the university, a milestone many strive for as a gateway to a stable and fulfilling academic life. I thought I’d be a professor forever, happily contributing to research and teaching. But a chance encounter at a cocktail party changed everything.
It was an event for Citibank executives, where my husband worked. Amid the casual conversations, a group of executives asked if I would consider helping them as a consultant. It was the era of deregulation, and they were navigating a seismic shift, moving from a familiar, structured world to an undefined, competitive landscape. Their teams were knowledgeable about the past but unsure how to build the future. Intrigued by their challenge, I took a leave from the university to explore this new opportunity—and never looked back.
For the next 14 years, I immersed myself in banking. I began at Citibank and eventually became an SVP at a savings bank and an EVP at a commercial bank. I thrived in the dynamic environment, building systems and transforming disorganized operations. But over time, as banking became increasingly commoditized, I found myself uninspired and ready for something new.
The second pivot led me to healthcare. Recruited to establish marketing, branding, and advertising for a healthcare system, I spent seven years helping two organizations adapt to the emerging world of managed care. It was a time of upheaval, where physicians and hospitals had to shift from a fee-for-service model to managed care structures. The work was fulfilling, but after 9/11, I felt a profound need to reevaluate my path once more.
This time, I chose to create something entirely my own. Leaving corporate life, I launched a consulting business as a corporate anthropologist. My focus was on helping organizations navigate change. Almost immediately, I found clients—not because of what I did, but because of what they needed: a guide to help them reshape their stories and adapt to an evolving world. I learned to listen deeply to their unmet needs and craft tailored solutions that aligned with their cultures and aspirations.
Each pivot taught me invaluable lessons. First, change begins by saying yes to unexpected opportunities. Second, every pivot requires a willingness to step into the unknown and learn quickly. And finally, successful change isn’t about imposing solutions—it’s about listening, understanding, and co-creating a new path forward.
Through my journey, I’ve embraced the art of the pivot, not as a disruption, but as a way to unlock new possibilities. It’s this perspective that I bring to my work today, helping others navigate their own moments of transformation and find purpose in the process of change.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best sources of clients for my business stem from the diverse platforms and opportunities where I share my expertise and engage directly with decision-makers. Speaking engagements are particularly effective, as they allow me to showcase my thought leadership and practical insights to an audience eager to drive change within their organizations. For example, I once connected with a healthcare client at a conference where I spoke about culture change—an interaction that began with shared ideas and evolved into a lasting professional relationship. Similarly, CEO workshops focused on Blue Ocean Strategy, innovation, and managing change provide a space to address the unique challenges faced by organizational leaders, often resulting in meaningful collaborations.
Word-of-mouth referrals are another invaluable source, as they bring credibility and trust, often rooted in the success of my previous engagements. Affiliations with tools such as the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) and my expertise as a Blue Ocean Strategist further enhance my reach. By running tailored workshops and applying proven frameworks, I empower organizations to embrace new markets, rethink their strategies, and foster innovation.
Finally, podcasting is a powerful avenue for both storytelling and connection. Through my “On the Brink with Andi Simon” podcast, I share not only my journey but also those of inspiring individuals, offering listeners practical takeaways and a personal connection to my work. This medium has proven to be a meaningful way to demonstrate my approach to problem-solving and thought leadership, ultimately converting listeners into clients who resonate with my mission to drive transformation and growth. These combined avenues—public speaking, workshops, referrals, strategic tools, and podcasting—form a dynamic and effective foundation for attracting and engaging with clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.simonassociates.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreajsimon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimonAssociatesManagementConsultants
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simon-associates-management-consultants/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Andisamc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgYOhfoPxtrLdpBZAZ0VAA
Image Credits
Howard Copeland Photography