“See beyond where you have been,” Beverly Jackson from Zillow

Meet Beverly Jackson, Vice President of Brand and Product Marketing at Zillow where she leads efforts to redefine the Zillow brand for customers, partners, and employees. Her teams have launched campaigns and culturally relevant experiences that significantly deepen brand trust and consideration for Zillow's products and services. Beverly has been recognized as one of Ad Age’s Leading Women in 2022, a Brand Innovators Women in Marketing honoree in 2023, and a Campaign US “Breaking Brand Barriers” award recipient. Outside of her outstanding professional achievements, Beverly is also deeply committed to community service and serves on the board of Goodwill Industries and Beyond Type 1. 

Beverly joined Deirdre Locksley, Associate Director, Content Marketing, to discuss the courage it takes to figure out your next step, how kindness makes people feel comfortable, and how staying open to opportunities can change your life. 

Tune in to the full interview and highlights from the conversation below, then check out some more inspirational content on the Pass the Mic Podcast.

Figure out what’s next.

Highlight: “You have to see beyond where you have been. What got you here won't get you there, won't get you to the next step... You have to figure out what is next, what's possible. What did you learn from that experience? How do you take it into the next role? The idea of taking a negative, like being fired or laid off, especially in this current environment—there is a next step. People should never get discouraged. Do not be discouraged. There is a next step.” - Beverly Jackson

Know your worth.

Highlight: “That taught me a lot about demanding that I be compensated for my worth. And that doesn't always mean the amount of money that shows up on my paycheck or what ends up in my bank account. It does mean allowing me to show up at events, and in spaces, allowing me to move in ways that helped me grow and build. I will continuously be undervalued in the space if I don't demand compensation, and that compensation, in whatever form that it comes in, is an important part of that value chain.” - Beverly Jackson

Sit at the big table.

Highlight: “I show up that way every day now. It is my expectation of myself that I am entitled to sit at the big table, in a big chair. And I've earned the right to make these big decisions. And I do that for my team. I do it for my customers. I do it for myself. I do that for my legacy. And I do it for anyone else that has to come in a room behind me.” - Beverly Jackson

Be adaptable and resilient. 

Highlight: “Being fired or laid off is an opportunity to really understand if you are adaptable and resilient... You have to be resilient and you have to be adaptable. You're probably not going to get a perfect answer as to why it's happening. It happens to all of us. It has happened to me. I've had to do it. I will probably do it again, or it will happen to me again. When it happens, you have to look for the thing that makes you special and unique. You have to look for opportunities.” Beverly Jackson

Be kind. 

Highlight: “Be kind, be kind, be kind. When you allow people to show up and to express themselves in a way that is convenient for them, whether it is convenient or easy for you is not nearly as much the problem or the opportunity as you being kind and open enough to allow people to express themselves. That means you are attempting to drive clarity, and clarity is kindness... If we can be kind enough to allow others to be open and honest and authentic, that produces clarity. And that creates an environment that everybody wants to work for and work in. And that gets us to the things that really, truly drive the most value." - Beverly Jackson

Stay open to what could be. 

Highlight: "Be open to the possibilities of what could be… I have found over the course of my career that I end up in rooms, regardless of how I got there, whether it was something negative or something positive. I end up in a room where there's an opportunity, and it is that opportunity that they are most excited about. And so, stay curious and stay optimistic because you just don't know where an opportunity will take you.” Beverly Jackson

We’re inspired to stay kind to ourselves and to others. Like Beverly said, clarity is kindness, and kindness gives room for people to show up as their most authentic selves. For more inspiration check out the Pass the Mic page.