Speak your worth

Dear XIR –

Do you ever struggle to explain what you actually do?

(this is a rhetorical ass question because I know you do) 😂

I'm talking about that awkward moment when someone asks:

"So what exactly is it that you do?" and your brain goes:

"Well, I'm kind of in marketing, but also community, and I handle partnerships, plus I developed this framework that helps with revenue forecasting, and then I..."

And you can see their eyes glazing over in real-time.

That struggle isn't just annoying – it's literally costing you money.

This isn't just my opinion. It’s fact:

• 83% of companies use cross-functional teams to stay agile and maintain a competitive edge

• Orgs w/ collaborative teams are 36% more likely to outperform competitors

• Cross-functional teams drive a 21% increase in profitability

The market is HUNGRY for intersection talent. But there's a disconnect:

So let's fix that. Right now.

Translation is Everything

I'll never forget sitting on Zoom the VP of Integrated Marketing at Stenn last year.

I could have positioned myself for the Head of GTM AMER role they were offering. Good title. Clear lane. Traditional path.

But my value wasn't in doing one thing well – it was in connecting multiple disciplines that normally don't talk to each other.

So instead of accepting the "normal" title, I made my case for a role that hadn't existed before: XIR (the X in Residence).

I walked out with a bigger budget, more flexibility, and a title that actually matched what I do best.

And guess what happened? $20M in 6 days.

This isn't about ego or fancy titles. It's about accuracy.

It's about getting paid for the actual value you create.

One of our Founding XIRs just positioned herself at the intersection of community, product, and finance – and is now launching a partnership with a big fintech where she'll earn 15% referral commission on $100,000+ deals.

Do the math – that's $15,000 for simply making an intro. That's real money (for the company getting a $100K financing deal) and real money for HER.

Everyone wins.

And it all started with language.

The Gap That's Costing You

Well-coordinated, collaborative teams are 50% more efficient at completing tasks. Yet most talented cross-functional experts & generalists struggle to:

1. Clearly define their unique intersection

2. Articulate the value of that intersection in business terms

3. Connect their skills directly to revenue and outcomes

This gap between your actual value and your ability to communicate it is the single biggest obstacle standing between you and the compensation you deserve.

The Practical Framework (You Can Use Today)

Enough theory.

Let's give you something you can use right now to start positioning yourself for cross-functional roles – whether they officially exist yet or not.

(this is an abridged version of the framework we use with our Founding XIRs to help them articulate their value intersection and land opportunities that match their true worth).

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR INTERSECTION

Your Core Domains

List the 3-4 primary domains where you have expertise:

Examples: Marketing, Sales, Community, Data Analytics, Content Creation

1. ________________________________

2. ________________________________

3. ________________________________

4. ________________________________ (optional)

Your Unique Intersections

What unique combinations of these domains create your most distinctive value?

Examples: Community + Sales Psychology, Data Analytics + Product Development

Highlight the most powerful intersections between your domains:

Intersection 1: __________________ + __________________

Intersection 2: __________________ + __________________

Intersection 3: __________________ + __________________

Your Primary Value Intersection

Which intersection creates the most unique and valuable outcomes?

My primary value exists at the intersection of:

__________________ + __________________ + __________________

STEP 2: VALUE TRANSLATION

Before & After Transformation

Create 2 "before/after" statements that demonstrate the impact of your unique intersection:

Statement 1:

• Before working with me: _________________________________________________

• After working with me: __________________________________________________

Statement 2:

• Before working with me: _________________________________________________

• After working with me: __________________________________________________

Example:

• Before working with me: Companies treat community as a cost center without clear ROI metrics

• After working with me: Companies can predict expansion opportunities 45-60 days earlier through community data signals

Real-world Application: How to Use This TODAY

Here's how to put this into action immediately:

For Single-Function Job Applications:

Traditional Approach: "I'm applying for your Marketing Manager role because I have 5 years of marketing experience."

For Pitching a Cross-Functional Role:

Traditional Approach: "I'd like to discuss creating a community role at your company."

The XIR Advantage in Action

As we wrap up, let me share a quick real-world example:

An XIR was making $140K in a standard community role. Instead of just highlighting community building skills when applying for a new position, she articulated her unique intersection of community development, revenue operations, and data-driven growth.

She explained how this combination allowed her to not only engage members but to identify which engagement patterns would drive the most revenue based on behavioral signals most community managers miss.

The result? The company created a custom role that offered $180K per year at just 20 hours per week. She not only increased her salary by $40K but decreased her time commitment because her intersectional skills were that valuable.

That's the power of speaking your worth.

LAST CALL: XIR Cohort Starts March 31

If you're ready to go deeper and truly master the language that turns your weird into wealth, our first XIR Cohort begins March 31st.

We'll build on exactly what we've started here, giving you the complete framework and personalized guidance to:

• Fully articulate your unique value intersection

• Create compelling value propositions that sell

• Build the evidence portfolio that validates your worth

• Access our vetted opportunities marketplace

• Join a community of fellow XIRs who speak your language

Only 4 spots left 🤩

Questions? Happy to answer anything about the cohort.

Your ONLY growth opportunity this week is to shoot your shot. Period.

Then pick one opportunity – maybe it's a job you've been eyeing, a promotion conversation, or even just updating your LinkedIn – and apply your new positioning language.

I promise you'll immediately notice a difference in how people respond.

Because when you speak your worth clearly, people stop undervaluing what they don't understand.

They start seeing the unique value you bring. And they start paying for it accordingly.

Your weird is your worth. And now you have the language to prove it.

Give ‘em hell, XIRs!

What my ADHD caught this week

• Something I'm doubling down on: Words create worlds. The language we use to describe ourselves literally shapes how much we're paid. Not just in interviews – in every interaction.

• A book that's rocking my world: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. If you’re into manifesting and understand scientific / philosophical practices of how the law of attraction works – tap tf in!

• A personal challenge I'm setting: Every day this week, I'm challenging myself as a CEO to prioritize the art of delegation. System I’m using is below. Been super helpful so far.

  • (FC) FOUNDER-CRITICAL (Only me)

  • (DO) DELEGATE WITH OVERSIGHT

  • (FD) FULLY DELEGATE/AUTOMATE

Lmk how the framework above landed for you? Did you try the exercise? Reply and let me know – I read every response personally.

And if you're ready to take the next step with our cohort, don't wait – those 4 spots won't last long.

Love you all, and thank you for building differently with me.

💜 J