Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Dawson.
Hi Kevin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was working for a global consulting firm at the time and started to realize while working with my clients that the issues they were facing there wasn’t much being done to focus on the root cause of their employee turnover issues. So I began to look at the culture of the organizations and leadership structures and found that most organizations were not focusing on developing leaders, teams or their culture. So I began to speak on these topics and working with my clients on addressing these issues. We found that by developing their individual managers to be better leaders improved the team dynamics and the organizational culture. Which then reduced turnover. This led to being asked to speak at conferences around the country on these topics. Though at the organization I was working at had a Senior VP come to me and tell me I wasn’t qualified or credentialed to be an expert on these topics. That really frustrated me, so I began looking for an exit strategy.
During that time, a close friend of mine said I should start a blog, but I hated writing so I launched a podcast instead. That podcast became the vehicle to grow my message and influence on working with organizations on improving organizational culture and leadership development. It was also a fun way to include a passion for craft beer into the mix. During the pandemic, I was laid off from that organization, and it was the best thing ever! I was able to grow my expertise and influence without feeling handcuffed to an organization that didn’t appreciate me. Since then, I’ve been able to consult with mid-sized to large employers, national nonprofit associations, and even a congressional campaign on leadership and culture. It also led to me being included into a reality docu-series called “4 Days to Save the World” which was filmed in 2021 out in Miami. The podcast reached a peak of 35,000 weekly listeners until I had to put it on pause for a bit because I got married recently.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all. When I launched the podcast and consulting arm, I still had a small circle of influence that was mostly focused on Texas and surrounding states. I also lacked the clarity of knowing how to grow in my purpose of developing leaders, teams and cultures. The podcast for example was only getting 500 weekly downloads through April 2020. I hired a business coach to help me find my purpose and gain the clarity I needed to grow. I hired them on Friday May 1st, 2020 and was laid off on Monday, May 4th, 2020. So the timing while perfect was also terrifying. So I had to jump with both feet in at that moment.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the culture crafting expert who helps organizations build successful leaders, teams and workplaces. I am a national keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, successful podcast host, and cast member of the upcoming docu-series “4 Days to Save the World” and have developed carefully crafted culture change strategies for mid-sized and large corporations, non-profit associations, and congressional campaigns. I am regularly featured at events providing expert perspectives for building great teams. What sets me apart is actually taking the time to be with the people and organizations who truly care about wanting to make a change and then seeing them through it. One of my most challenging clients at one point had an employee turnover rate of 137%, and over the course of 36 months, I was able to help them lower that down to 35%.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
First and foremost, you have to have clarity in your purpose and understand that passion doesn’t equate to purpose. Purpose can have passion, but not all passions have a purpose. When you understand your purpose it allows you to develop with your natural advantages and strengths to be just that more compelling when you tell your story to your audience. Also, you don’t have to have all these credentials and acronyms after your name to be an expert.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leadersandlagers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadersandlagers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadersandlagers
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/leaderslagers
- Other: https://linktr.ee/leadersandlagers
Image Credits
Hailee Dawson, Jessi Russo, Kevin Dawson
