In this episode of the "Winning at Business and Life" podcast, Professor Pete Alexander conducts a rapid‑fire interview with June Chang, a LinkedIn‑focused professional who brands herself as the "Heart Collector" and the "Digital Wise Owl." Over six concise questions, June shares what makes her smile (humble, kind people), recommends that companies read a chapter on love and compassion—citing mentors Mike Viconti and Brian Cunningham—and emphasizes the importance of "relentless awareness" for leaders, referencing thought‑leaders Brian Cunningham, Leila Alaouane, and Colin Smith. She recounts her first job raking blueberries in Maine, illustrating a strong work ethic and family dedication. June also acknowledges two fellow leaders she admires, Brian Cunningham and Susan Miller, and invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn. The interview format is designed to deliver actionable insights quickly for busy business leaders.
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This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast, where business leaders share their insights. It is 6 questions in 7 minutes because successful business leaders are busy and rarely have more time to spare. So let's get to it. Question number 1: In a few sentences, please tell me who you are and what you do.
Thank you, Professor Pete. I'm really excited to be on this podcast. My name is June Chang, and I am passionate about being on LinkedIn. So, you know, LinkedIn has empowered me to be the heart collector, and it's now transforming me into a digital wise owl. And what those identities are helping me with is to build relationship with people and create business opportunities for the future.
Well, Jun, I really am serious about this when I say it's an absolute pleasure to have you on the show because we've been working on this for almost a year. So it is, it is really great that you've joined me on the show. Question number 2: What is something that makes you smile and/or laugh about working in your industry?
Great question. You know, um, if I, if I'm meeting people who are humble and kind, you know, what that really does to me is it really puts me at ease and allows me to be myself. And when that happens, you know, the smiles and laughters just flows naturally. So, you know, I'm really into being like that myself and meeting people more humble and kind. Mm-hmm.
And you have really shown a great example of this with the content that you share and how you support your network. So you're doing a fabulous job with that. Question number 3: I have a fictitious book with all the answers for business. What chapter would you think most companies should read?
You know, um, probably a chapter on love and compassion. I think, you know, if you ask people in the workplace, you know, it's hardly— people ever, never speak of the word love. And in fact, Mike Viconti, he's the author of The Believership. He, uh, his mission is bringing love into the workplace. You know, I love that. And also another mentor of mine, Brian Cunningham, he's the author of, you know, RAQ, and his definition of leadership is love in action. So you know what? Beatles have a song that says, "Love, love, love, all you need is love." So I think that'd be a great chapter to read.
I think so too. Great recommendation for that. Thank you. Question number 4, other than the generic work harder, have a great attitude, and care for customers, what advice or insight would you give to other business leaders?
Um, this is one of my initiatives for 2021, but I think leaders need to have, uh, relentless awareness. I think awareness is really important, um, for leaders. And two people that I've connected with and follow is Brian Cunningham, the author I was telling you about, and Leila Alaouane. And those people are gurus in awareness. So I follow them, I read their posts, and I think awareness will be important. A couple other quick things is awareness is listening. So another person I follow is Colin Smith. And lastly, awareness is stress relief, and I follow you, Professor Pete.
Thank you for that, June. You know, and it's interesting what you're talking about there because it really is, it's very, very impactful. And, you know, having that awareness, you know, is so, so powerful because when you're aware of the things around you, you can take action, you can observe, you can learn. I mean, has that been your experience?
Absolutely. Knowing that awareness is so important, not only for me but people around me, it really helps me to have attention and focus on awareness so that during the course of the day I don't find myself an hour like I can't remember what I did for the past hour. So if you have awareness, you're, you know, seeing everything around you, you know, you know how you feel, who you are, and you actually are present in seeing people around you.
Hmm, I really like that. And you're obviously being more efficient too because you're utilizing your time better.
Absolutely. I think because I picked up this awareness, you know, thing, I'm actually doubling my output because I'm not perfect in awareness yet. I'm not sure if there's any perfection, but because I'm more aware, I think it's really helping me to be more productive and especially being of service to others.
I love it. I love it. Question number 5, what other business leader like yourself would you like to acknowledge and invite to be on my podcast?
Yeah. You know, Brian Cunningham would be a person I've already mentioned to him about twice. I can't speak enough about him. And I'd like to throw in one more person. Susan Miller, you know, and I have an amazing relationship with her. She has great message to pass on about knowing your value, living your values, and empowerment. I would pay to see those two people.
And I think those are two great referrals. I'm going to reach out to them because I'm connected with them, and I think very highly of them as well. Thank you for that. And our final question, question number 6. Please tell me about your first job.
You know, I love this question. And every time I watch your podcast, that's one part that I really like to listen to. And that's good that you position that at the end of the podcast because people will stay around for that. So for me, you know, I have fond memories when I was a child in Maine, when I was 9 to 16 years old. 7 years, right? And I raked blueberries in the summer. And we went all over the mountains of Maine. And why I'm so fond about that experience is because, you know, I worked really hard. I understood what it means to, you know, work a full day, dedicate yourself. And at the end of the day, I knew how many buckets I raked. And I didn't even take lunch. I took quick lunches. What made me do that is, you know, with my family. When we moved to America then, and I was able to, you know, make some money and support the family. And also, at the end of the day, I would rake some berries for my mom. And she loved blueberries. So when I came home, I would have this blue stain in my mouth and a bucket of blueberries for her. But all that, you know, memories tells me that I can make an impact to my family, and that carries on towards my family that we have and for others.
What a great story too. I love the learnings that you got from that too. And it's making me feel hungry for blueberries as well right now.
Blueberry pie.
Exactly. That's what I was thinking about myself. So, Jun, thank you so much for being on the show. How could people find you?
You know, I keep it simple. LinkedIn. I'm passionate about LinkedIn. So, you know, I hope to meet a lot of people. I am the Heart Collector. So please connect with me and follow.
Wonderful. This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast. Thanks for listening.
