We had the good fortune of connecting with LaTonya Wilkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi LaTonya, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Many years ago, I read Adam Grant’s book Give and Take. I quickly realized that I was a giver but I thought that this would stifle my success as an entrepreneur.
But, being a giver has actually had the opposite effect. When I started scaling my business, my coach at the time helped me connect the dots that the mindset of giving and not expecting anything in return was the engine behind my success.
My first corporate client came from someone that I helped land a new job. Then that corporation referred me to a number of clients. It just keeps going.
So, my advice to you would be to “give and not expect anything in return.”
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Change Coaches, we provide customized people, culture, and DEIB workplace solutions to organizations globally including customized team and individual coaching, workshops, and culture academies. As a keynote speaker, I have also inspired audiences all over the world. We have worked with leaders at many well-known companies, organizations, and non-profits to create cultures of belonging, amplify historically marginalized employees at work, provide revolutionary leadership development, and to influence real change in the workplace. I’m also the bestselling author of Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You, which provides the foundation for the Change Coaches’ approach.
My mission in the world is to change how the world defines leadership so it reflects the workplace of the future. I’m also to making real change in the workplace.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think this for Dallas so I will skip this one?
I live in Chicago.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Special shoutout to my BIPOC Coach Writing Group that keeps my creativity going!
Website: latonyawilkins.com
Instagram: @latonyawilkins
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/
Twitter: @latonyawilkins
Image Credits
David Hicks Photography