Episode 371
Career Conversations with Lindsey Dinneen
Lindsey Dinneen has 10+ years of leadership experience in multiple areas of marketing and business across medtech, education, performing arts, fitness, start-ups, B2B services, hospitality, and event management. As a professional ballerina for over a decade, Lindsey founded and successfully ran a nonprofit professional dance company as well as a brick-and-mortar dance studio. She has been featured for her expertise and experience more than 30 times in publications including Authority Magazine, Entrepreneur, Fortune, and Thrive Global. She champions wellness through her online dance, stretching, and mindfulness courses, and serves as a consultant for dance organizations looking to launch, grow, or scale. Lindsey holds an MS in Management & Leadership and an MBA. She and her husband are delighted to be digital nomads, traveling the world while working their full-time jobs. In her spare time, you can often find Lindsey reading or listening to a good book, sitting or walking near water (especially beaches!), exploring new cities, browsing antique shops, taking a ballet class, or enjoying an afternoon tea.
Social media links
www.facebook.com/lindseydinneenofficial
www.instagram.com/lindseydinneenofficial
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-d-6b798034/
Link to website
Transcript
Hello and welcome to another episode of The traveling introvert. It is career conversation day and today I am very excited to be talking to Lindsey Dinneen. And when I overthink it, I'm like, did I get that right? I'm not sure. But hi, Lindsey. How are you doing today?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Hi. I am doing so well, and you are perfectly pronounced it The you know, it's absolutely perfect, so you were great.
Janice Chaka [:I had that moment of freezing up going, I just I just had this conversation. It would have been fine. It's fine. And overthinking brain was like, no. It's not.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Totally understand. Been there.
Janice Chaka [:So welcome. Welcome to the show. I'm so excited to have you here. The first question that I ask everybody is, what does introversion mean to you?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Oh, good question. So I think for me, what it is is it is a processing that takes place more internally than externally. I tend to not just me, but I'll I'll speak to my own experience. I I tend to process information and ideas and creative solutions on my own first, and then I like to share that information with others. I think a big part of introversion for me is being intentionally quiet and thoughtful in my own brain, in my own body, in my own heart, thinking through things, and and and and not necessarily, processing out loud until I have already reached a conclusion, which I know is kind of a funny thing because I have a lot of wonderful extroverted friends who they they're they're a little bit the opposite. They like to sort of process as they go, and that usually involves quite a bit of conversation with others. And I'm so different. I'm I am I think through things before I tend to say them.
Lindsey Dinneen [:And in terms of getting energy, I would say the other element of that for me for as an introvert is I do tend to recharge well by myself or with a few trusted friends. I know a lot of people who maybe are more extroverted get their energy from being around large crowds. I actually like being around large crowds, but I would still prefer to kind of be in my own world within that crowd,
Janice Chaka [:if that makes any sense.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Yeah. That's great. So you
Janice Chaka [:mentioned about recharging. What are some of your favorite things to do with recharging?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Yeah. For me, such a big element of that is reading a good book. I am obsessed with reading. I'm always listening to usually 2 audiobooks at a time, and then I'm listening to audiobooks, I'm reading good books through the library or whatever resource I can find. That's a huge component of recharging for me. Another thing that I really appreciate is being out in nature, going for a walk. It's one of those things that I kind of have to maybe as an introvert, I have to get up the energy to do because it feels like a lot of effort, but as soon as I'm out in nature, I think, oh, I needed this. That's a big thing.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Then finally, I would say taking ballet classes. Ballet is my happy place. It always has been a huge running theme throughout my life and getting to take a class is probably the number one way I can recharge and feel that joy and connection with movement again.
Janice Chaka [:And so The brings up something about leaving the house. There's an ongoing discussion in my household about what counts as leaving the house. So in your opinion, and this isn't a surprise question I was gonna ask you, but it it just came up. If you had to go to your car in the driveway, does that count as leaving the house?
Lindsey Dinneen [:It's a good question. For me, no. I can handle that.
Janice Chaka [:Yes. Another point for me. Okay. So with that in mind, you mentioned a ballet class is, and for you, like the ultimate way to recharge. Is that a ballet class alone or with others?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Oh, yes. Good question. And I actually this is one of those scenarios where I would much rather take class with others than I would by myself. I can do it by myself, but there's something again about that energy of being around people and yet still. Kind of being self focused and I don't mean that in a negative way it's just that you're so concentrated on your own movements and and executing the the technique correctly. And so for me, it's it's that kind of still being wrapped up in my own, energy while at the same time being around other people who are passionate about the same thing. So, yeah, that's an interesting point, Definitely with others, but seems counterintuitive as an introvert.
Janice Chaka [:Well, for me, the thought would be if taking the class alone, it means that the instructor can nitpick every little thing about my deportment. And I'm like, I'm not sure how badly I need that in my life at this stage.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Right. A 100%.
Janice Chaka [:Like, I'm not gonna be a prima ballerina. So can I just can I just do the
Lindsey Dinneen [:class for for fun rather than, like, you know, get
Janice Chaka [:to this level? That's my thought on it.
Lindsey Dinneen [:I love it. That's great. Perfect. So with that
Janice Chaka [:in mind, speaking about how you recharge, what do you do for work right now, and how does recharging help with that?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Absolutely. So I have, I have had a very interesting career path. I've always sort of had 2 simultaneous trajectories. 1 has been I have had my career as a professional dancer. I've been a professional performer, teacher, and choreographer for years. I owned my own studio at The point, and I had my own professional dance company at one point. So I got to do those wonderful things. And then sort of simultaneous to that, I've also had my business brain activated and done a lot of business strategy and marketing, sales business development whatnot and mostly for small businesses so I've sort of always had those 2 career trajectories going at the same The.
Lindsey Dinneen [:And now it looks different. It's kind of you know, some days they've merged, some days they're very separate. Right now, I'm working in a marketing leadership capacity for an organization here in the United States. I am also still pursuing Janice, but more in a guest artist capacity. And then I have been recently starting to consult for Janice organizations that are looking to either get launched or grow and scale. And so I am very multi passionate and I like to do a lot of different things. I'm not one to get bored. And so, so those three things are my primary focus right now, which is more than enough.
Lindsey Dinneen [:I'll put it that way.
Janice Chaka [:Do you find that you have to limit yourself in that way though?
Lindsey Dinneen [:In terms of the time that I spend? Or Yes. Yes. I think, you know, it's been interesting to see how things have changed over the years. You know, when I first started out, I was dancing professionally for a company. I was also doing those side kind of, you know, marketing business jobs. And I was working 7 days a week, and it was exhausting. I mean, I never had a day off, basically. It was oh my gosh.
Lindsey Dinneen [:And looking back, I realized that that was that was a lot. It's what I needed to do to get by at the time, and I'm thankful that I have the work ethic and the energy to support The, but there's no way I could do that now. I think at this point in my life, I've been able to better identify where I can spend my time and energy in ways that are renewing to me. And I found that when I can be in alignment with organizations or people or companies, whatever, that help bring me energy The that are part of my, you know, passion, things that are inspiring to me. I don't feel it's much of a time drain, and I don't feel that I have to limit it as much when I have that sort of reciprocal nature of of being able to to bring my best to a situation and switch gears between these different opportunities because they're life giving to me.
Janice Chaka [:How if you can put it into words, how did you figure that out, that that connection needed to happen for you to feel almost more energized by the work that you do?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Yeah. Absolutely. I think probably how a lot of people find it out and that is by being in the opposite situation. And so, for me, a few years ago, I went through basically, a period of time where the not the dance jobs, but the side jobs, the marketing business jobs that I was undertaking The clients I was working with were very, very difficult. And, I mean, I could go as as far and it would be truthful as saying they were they were a bit toxic, situations. And, It became this thing where it was so energy draining and it was so life sucking that I didn't feel excited to to be alive. You know? Like, I just didn't feel excited to be waking up in the morning, going and The the things because it was just so draining, and I just I, you know, I knew there was gonna be a problem. What am I gonna have to solve today? And it wasn't fun problem solving.
Lindsey Dinneen [:It was, like, dealing with difficult people and difficult situations. And and so I think for me, having had to go through that experience, and I'm thankful that I did because what it helped me do is realize, okay, there are certain markers here that don't align well for me. You know, one of those was ironically something that really fit as an introvert for this discussion and that is I really work best independently. I really love working from home when I can do The. And that sort of, not isolation, that sounds way too dramatic, but that sort of ability to have a little bit of space allows me to be my best and bring my best. And so I needed to start looking at environments that allowed me to have that space and allowed me to, to not be necessarily constantly have someone look over my shoulder or whatnot. If I can produce my best work, that usually means I need a little bit of space in order to do so. So there's just been a few factors.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Of course, there's the personality blends, things like The. But but one of the biggest things was being able to have a work environment that I Introvert. And The for me is best done by being at home. And for other people, it would be other things. But that was a huge component for me.
Janice Chaka [:Oh, thank you for that. And you also mentioned that you're sort of in a leadership role. And let's be honest, a lot of people are like, oh, introvert. You can't be leaders. That involves peopling. So with that in mind, can you tell me a little bit about the leadership role and whether you think leaders are are born or made?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Oh, I love this question. I think that there are some people who are more naturally inclined to be leaders than others. I would hesitate to go so far as to say that they are born. I think that many, many people have the ability to develop leadership skills, but it is something that you have to work on. And I would say, I don't think I know anybody who even though I would consider them to be a, quote, unquote, natural leader, I wouldn't. Those are the people that are actively working on their leadership skills. They're taking the classes. They're listening to the podcasts and the webinars.
Lindsey Dinneen [:They are reading the books. They're actively putting in the work to become better and better at what they do and and how to lead the people that follow them. So I think for me, leadership and to your point, it's so funny because I actually very much do enjoy leadership, but, the the peopling part can be a little a little challenging at times. But at the same time, when you've surrounded yourself with good people who are in alignment on the mission and values of the organization and the team, and when you're able to bring a perspective of collaboration and not dictatorship I mean, I don't think that's leadership anyway. But when you're able to bring that feeling of collaboration The that every voice matters, that everybody here has a seat at the table, and really help people feel appreciated, it's such a wonderful feeling. It's there's so much camaraderie that can be built, and it's and it's almost so much so that it doesn't feel anymore like I am the leader. It's I am one of them. I have the final say.
Lindsey Dinneen [:I've I guess I make the final decision, the mission or the organization or The prerogative forward.
Janice Chaka [:With that said, is The some you mentioned that our leaders are always working on on their craft, essentially. A lot of leaders or people who are put in leadership positions, start off as very good individual contributors and then get put in a leadership position and almost in a sink or swim situation. What when would be the best time, in your opinion, for someone who's looking to get into leadership or feels that they might be pushed into leadership to start looking into how to gain those skills?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Yeah. Yesterday. No. But as soon as possible in all seriousness because that was a big thing that I was hoping for at some point in my Career, but didn't know when that would happen, when I would be presented with that opportunity or take the opportunity. And so for me, I've I was I was because I was interested in it and knew I needed the skills to be able to support a good leadership foundation, I was very proactive in, you know, like I said, reading books, listening to podcasts, you know, doing interviews with leaders that I respected, I mean, very informally, of course. But, you know, and then getting mentorship along the way with, again, leaders that I respected, that I felt, were were great for their people and for their organizations. So I really think that for any individual who's interested or feels that they might be compelled to be in leadership at some point, just start right now. There's there's so much wonderful information out there that can help you to grow those skills, to to even test those skills.
Lindsey Dinneen [:It is a 100% worth doing. And then you're a lot of it you're gonna have to learn as you go along. Once you're in that role, you're gonna make some mistakes. We all have. We all do. But but but having that foundation is a really good start.
Janice Chaka [:You mentioned, talking to people and in in interviewing, quote unquote, Traveling, leaders that you admired. How did you get those interviews?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Again, it's so interesting because for being an introvert and people Janice hard sometimes, you know, I very, very much love being able to have in-depth The on one conversations with somebody. And early on in my career I was fortunate enough with several of the organizations I was working with to meet various leaders in the community whether they were involved in nonprofits or were involved in my own organizations that I was a part of or whatnot. But I got the chance to meet them, and I've never been shy in terms of asking people for a favor. I think a lot of times what holds us back is we're too shy or we're too intimidated or embarrassed to ask the question. And so many times, the answer to that question for assistance or for mentorship or whatnot is gonna be yes. I mean, very rarely is it no. And even when it's no, it's very rarely no, not ever, for the rest of my life go away. You know? There's often opportunities for the and people want to help.
Lindsey Dinneen [:I think more often than not, people really love to help. When they when they identify somebody who is young and eager and and wants to just absorb like a sponge, they go, oh, great. Yes. Like, let me help. Let me see what I can do. And so I think for me, it was a lot about just asking. It was saying, hey. I really appreciate what I've seen about the way that you lead.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Would you be willing to sit down and have a conversation with me? And and, most of the time, they said yes.
Janice Chaka [:So was that so to me, that sounded like an in person, ask. Would you recommend doing that via email as well?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Yes. A 100%. I am I am there is my husband makes fun of me all the time because I'm always saying, send the email, send the email because I am such an advocate for that. It's such a great way to have a first introduction. You never know what just somebody will do for you. So, yes, I will a 100% advocate for that too.
Janice Chaka [:Okay. And along those lines, can you tell me something that you do regularly or at least semi regularly that has improved or contributed to your success?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Yeah. Yes. Absolutely. I would love to. I think there are many things that have contributed to success over the years, but I think the number one biggest thing is having a growth mindset. And that just means that I am constantly willing and eager to learn and grow and explore. It means that I don't view failure as the last thing, the end, we're done. It means I view failure as a stepping stone to, oh, that didn't work.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Let's try something else. And it means that I'm not afraid to make mistakes. I don't like making mistakes. I don't like failing, obviously. But I'm not afraid to make a mistake because it's just part of the journey. It's just part of the learning experience. It's telling me, well, that didn't work. Let's try a different tactic or let's let's try a different approach.
Lindsey Dinneen [:So I think having a growth mindset, not feeling stuck, not knowing that I'm not stuck, knowing that I have the ability to continue to grow and learn and explore and and adapt is such a huge huge thing for me. And I think along those lines, another big component of that is, you know, there's there's this saying that when you know better, you do better. And I think there's a lot of grace should be a lot of grace for us as we look back on our lives and go, oof, I don't like that patch or, ugh, I shouldn't have made that decision. Yeah. That that might be true, but if you can give yourself the grace to know that you you were doing the best you could within those circumstances, and now you know better and so now you can do better, that's such a freeing thing that allows us to really keep moving forward and not hold ourselves in the past. So I would definitely say that. And then, honestly, I'm very gritty. I'm very tenacious.
Lindsey Dinneen [:I'm a bit stubborn when it comes to it. I'll be real. I am I'm a finisher. I very much appreciate the opportunities to get to, to to have have that, finish line come up to be able to meet and exceed goals that I set. I like I said, I'm a bit stubborn The way. I'm I'm very passionate about trying something for as long as I can possibly make it work. And The, again, if it doesn't work, yeah, okay. It's a load experience.
Lindsey Dinneen [:I can move on. But having having that grit to be able to get through the the very difficult times, The times where you're just like, I just wanna throw in the towel and be done with this whole dang thing. Coming back to your why and your mission and sort of your internal purpose is really helpful in those circumstances, but having the grit to get through it, I think I think those are big components of it. Yeah.
Janice Chaka [:Thank you. And last question. In your opinion, is a hot dog a sandwich?
Lindsey Dinneen [:Oh, the classic. I really struggle with this. I feel like, technically, it should be, but I just can't get past it. So I'm gonna have to say no.
Janice Chaka [:Okay. That's fair. Thank you so much.
Lindsey Dinneen [:Of course.
Janice Chaka [:It's a it's a great question. Everyone everyone's kinda like, wait. What? So with that, it has been a real pleasure to talk to you. Can you please tell the wonderful listening audience where they can find out more about you and what you do so they can go look here?
Lindsey Dinneen [:I would love to. Thank you for that. So, yeah, so you could definitely find me on social media on LinkedIn. If you search for my name, I should hopefully pop up for you. And then on social media, I'm at lindsay dineen official. And then you can also visit my website, which is currently undergoing a little bit of a re of a makeover, but it's still there. So lindseydenine.com. And if you're interested in any free resources for marketing tips or whatnot, marketingwise.guru, I contribute to that, blog as well.
Lindsey Dinneen [:So if you need any help as a small business owner, feel free to stop by there too.
Janice Chaka [:Alright. Thank you so very much. That was great. So, everyone, this is Janice at The Career Introvert helping you build your brand and get hired. Have a great rest of your week.
