a series featuring candid career advice
from some of the best in the business.
While some folks are happy
into hobbies and volunteering,
others are driven to turn
it into their nine to five.
ever, people want their jobs
to align with their personal
strengths and their values.
And the great resignation
is really proving that out.
But in today's modern workforce,
not only is it possible to turn
what you're passionate about
it can also help you change
the world while you're at it.
To help me explore this topic,
makes this all look so easy.
Ryan Gall is the co-founder
of Global Citizen Platform & Festival,
company Crooked Highways.
Ryan, welcome to Boss Talks.
It's great to talk with you today.
I definitely love this topic.
So really happy to be here to chat.
Well, let's just jump right on in.
So Ryan, the story behind Global Citizen
expresses today's topic perfectly.
to bring together two worlds
charity and entertainment,
and then build it into a company.
Tell us more about that moment.
drew a lot of inspiration
from Live Aid, and I remember
seeing Live Aid as a kid,
and then Live Earth and Live 8.
And, but I hadn't, it kind of hit me
that no one had kind of done
a revamped version of that,
and really taken advantage
of sort of this new generation
of people and kids out there that really
care so much about these issues.
And they wanna learn about them.
demanding of the companies
companies stand for things,
and the corporations that they buy from.
run just a typical sort of
be something that you had to earn,
gamified the whole thing,
and it allowed our platform
to be something that kind of
could see actions all year round.
and then use those points
to get into either our festival
or different concerts throughout the year.
- So you have quite a few
things going on these days
your production company, Crooked Highways,
organization, Hope Campaign.
So for passionate people like yourself,
zeroing in on just one thing
can sometimes be a little bit difficult.
So what are your tips on finding focus?
I think in order to be really successful
you definitely need to be laser focused.
Your targets can't be all over.
And, but also to not burn out, you wanna,
but you just can't say yes to everything.
That's definitely something
I'm learning more and more
as I get a little bit older.
Having the most incredible
team you can try to put together
I do a little bit of meditation.
When you're a little scattered,
bring a little bit of focus
- There is also a balance between
doing what you're passionate about
and needing to earn a paycheck.
So what's your advice for people out there
who need to really consider this?
- My advice would be, if you can,
and obviously not everybody can,
the passions project side
When you're young, obviously,
when you have a little more time,
or if you're older, when you do have time,
you start small, and start slow,
and try to grow that project
capabilities are around it.
I know from just having a
kid that once you have kids,
your time is just so precious.
It's really, it's hard to do anything,
but make sure that you have that paycheck
to cover everything because
you've kind of figured out
how to have some free time to be able to
put towards something like that.
poverty, demanding equity,
and defending the planet.
Something I really love about your work
from your music festivals
is how you inspire people to get involved.
So what are your tips for
people that change is possible,
that actions can make a difference.
It's very easy to think that these issues
and these problems are so big that,
how can a one little thing that I do
We do that a lot through, like you said,
content, and impact reports.
you see a lot of that firsthand.
We talk a lot on stage about the,
- And then you, yourself are
known for jumping into action,
leveraging your platform,
to really meet the moment.
And with all that's going on in the world,
overwhelmed and really deflated.
make a difference in their world
but don't know where to begin
in their world, big or small?
- We all have different skills
that we're naturally good at.
really kind of figuring out
If you're a lawyer, maybe
donate some hours to an NGO
or to a cause that you believe in.
If you're a designer, help
create some design assets.
If you're good at organizing,
So I think it's really kind
of whatever you're good at,
that skillset is definitely
There's some organization.
There's an issue out there
that that if you align with,
and if you wanna go out and search for it
your support and your skills.
- All right, Ryan, this has been great,
final and favorite question.
So, Ryan, what is your super power?
I think I'm pretty persistent.
When I feel like I have a good idea,
I don't really quit easily.
early on we got told no so many times.
Everybody would say, hey,
you're trying to do a concert
on the Great Lawn of Central Park.
Like good luck trying to get that funded,
get the the city to say yes,
'cause they hadn't done a
concert on a Saturday in years.
to block out that negativity,
I've been successful a little bit.
I also think trusting your instincts.
I don't know if that's a superpower,
but I think that's something
that we can all benefit from.
When you see an opportunity
you do need to jump on it.
just realign and try again.
Because I think one thing
I've learned is chances are,
that's thinking the same thing
and trying to get the same thing done.
And if you hesitate at all,
someone else will seize that moment.
- Plus one to all that you just said,
trust your gut is my mantra for the year.
- So I love that you just shared that
and reminded me to lean into that
a little bit more for the day.
for all the incredible advice
and words of wisdom that you offered us
passion into our profession.
to go out and make a difference.
And we need a lot more of that today.
Thank you for having me on.
enjoyed today's conversation.
So to watch more episodes of Boss Talks
check out the new Salesforce Plus.
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head on over to trailblazer.salesforce.com
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the trailblazer community.
and I will see you all next time.
