Ep 148 – Guy Griggs, Vice President of National Sales at The New York Times

In episode 148, Erik and Kerel talk with Guy Griggs, Vice President of National Sales at The New York Times. Guy was born and raised in Long Island, New York, went to school at James Madison University in Virginia, moved back to NY after graduation and hasn’t left. His parents, both educators, cared very deeply about his education which has provided him the right tools for his career and showed him the value of focus and hard work. Right out of college, Guy started working at Bloomberg in the finance department then to sales, moved to Adwalker to get into advertising, then to CNN, The Washington Post, and is currently at the New York Times.

Guy shares different aspects of his experience moving through his media and advertising career such as the importance and necessity of networking, leaving workplaces if they are not inclusive and supportive, and finding a mentor or sponsors who you can emulate and learn valuable lessons from. He talks about his experience with being the “different” one in many rooms he’s stepped into as well as feeling imposter syndrome, how he has become a better leader and mentor to others, and the value he places on the transparency of diversity, equity, and inclusion in his workplace.

“I feel like you follow people and when you’re with people who are supportive, and accepting and inclusive, that’s where you’re going to do your best work, that’s where your mind is going to expand. And I would encourage people, if they’re not feeling comfortable in the workplace, then leave. There are a million other jobs, we work way too much and way too hard to be confined to a place where we’re unhappy or we’re not feeling valued.”

Timestamps:
:47: Guy Griggs, Vice President of National Sales at The New York Times, shares where he grew up and was raised, where he went to college, and where he stays currently

2:03: We learn more about Guy’s experience at James Madison University, the beauty of the campus and community, and some run ins that came up as a new face in the area

4:04: Guy talks about his parents who were both educators, how that shaped his childhood in school and how it has become useful in his career path now

5:34: Guy shares where he started off in his career right out of college, making a lateral move to do what he really wanted, which was advertising and where he is now; Bloomberg, Adwalker, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times

10:55: The importance of networking in the media and advertising industry and how Guy used his network to work at all these different companies

12:03: Guy breaks down the difference between being an individual salesperson and a sales leader of a team

16:34: How Guy has used his mentors and sponsors to help him become better in his jobs and how he has passed those strategies along to his mentees as well

20:13: What leading by example means to Guy and how he looks at people in his life who lead by example and emulates them; ie. The NYT CEO, Meredith Kopit Levien

23:34: Guy on imposter syndrome and how he deals with feelings of being judged walking into a room or in a meeting and becoming a good leader through those times

29:07: The importance of DEI at The NYT and at any workplace to make sure the employees feel included and the workplace is diverse with different backgrounds and thoughts to create better outcomes

31:00: The number one app Guy uses on his phones to share his life and tell stories

31:48: Guy’s love of music, the Apple music app, Beyonce, and the fun ways he uses Venmo in his life and with friends

33:37: Guy shares his favorite book on his bookshelf behind him and how he acquired so many books

36:04: Where you can find Guy on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and email

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