About me
Ilene Marcus holds the ladder for Executives moving up, moving down, or barely hanging on. With over 32 years of spearheading high-stakes teams at multi-million-dollar organizations managing 10,000 employees, she is the Author of Managing Annoying People. As a Techstars Global Facilitator (leading seed accelerator), Ilene travels the country mentoring entrepreneurs to start and scale businesses. Ilene earned both her MSW and MPA from Columbia University. Now, she creates funny videos and writes helpful articles for anyone climbing in and out of professional life.
What do you do and why do you do it?
A lifelong veteran of fighting to be heard, born into a family of six. I felt invisible.
As a Public Administrator, turning around one of the nation’s largest social welfare agencies, managing 10,000 employees, I witnessed intelligent contributors, being ignored. I learned to Manage Annoying People, including myself (and wrote the book). I’ve faced my own emotions surviving a rare cancer at age 39; a financially devastating divorce, and 9 years ago public humiliation, being fired because my boss was embezzling and sent to prison. I saw in real-time how people reacted to me. What a gift!
Now, I want to pass it on so we can all stop shaking our heads and wondering, why didn’t they hear me?
What changed for you after age 50?
I am a slow bloomer, it changed for me at 58. I realized if not now, when? Post cancer, divorce, public firing.
What would you tell the 20 or 30-year-old YOU?
You are the only one getting in your own way.
What do you think you’ll tell yourself in retrospect at the end of your life?
Better than I could have ever imagined. All the twists and turns got me here.
Here is a piece I wrote that sums it up:
I was jealous the moment I saw her. This woman was everything I wanted to be. She waltzed in, dressed simply but so distinguished. It was as if she floated on air. Her whole being was light and warm. She had a huge smile for all who made eye contact with her. You could tell she was wise. She seemed unburdened by time and place and happenstance. She wore a medallion on a chain around her neck and it caught my eye. It was familiar. She walked towards me and I zeroed in on the necklace. I had seen it before. I knew that necklace. It was the exact one I bought in Copenhagen 20 years ago when my daughter studied abroad in college. That distinctive turquoise and aquamarine stone melted with gold and a hint of orange. That medallion I cherished. She moved right into my space, unafraid to come close to me. I reached out my hand and instinctively touched the necklace without asking. She did not flinch. Just like I had so many times in my life, rubbing my thumb and index finger over its smooth yet embossed surface. Sliding the wide rivet over the beaded chain that always looked faded and yet perfectly matched the medallion’s border. I looked up at her and she said “You don’t know who I am?” I must have looked startled, taken aback. How could I know this creature? This mature, wise, self-confident, comfortable in her own skin woman. I always wanted to be just like that. Just like her. She smiled and said, “I am a better you. You came from the land of if only and I was raised in the world of why not. And now we are both here. “Don’t you recognize yourself?”
What impact do you think increased visibility can have on your business?
More watching my material, more speaking, more reaching those who share my story, and more women with a new perspective being heard, validated, and loving themselves!
Who or what inspires you and why?
Miranda Lambert, so young, so in her truth, what if that had been me?
Something else I’d like to share
I practice Ladderism. (climbing the ladder and holding on; I was born an ism – ilene susan marcus). Ladderism is the art of climbing up and down without killing others, without hating yourself, without needing your mom.
