In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Kevin Wayne Johnson, founder and CEO of the Johnson Leadership Group, to explore the inner journey behind becoming a confident and resilient leader. Kevin shares how early mentors helped him uncover his hidden potential, why fear of judgment holds so many people back, and how true leadership begins with deep self awareness. Drawing on more than 34 years of public service and a lifetime of faith driven perspective, Kevin breaks down what it really means to respond to life’s challenges with intention, purpose and clarity.
Together they dive into the personal and professional transformations Kevin has guided across government, corporate, nonprofit and faith based sectors. From navigating leadership transitions to understanding the “sweet spot” of coaching, Kevin explains why leadership development is timeless and recession proof. Whether you are stepping into a new leadership role, building a portfolio career, or simply seeking to grow from the inside out, this conversation offers grounded wisdom, relatable stories and practical insights to help you walk into your leadership potential.
Read the Transcript
Mark McBride-Wright 0:01
Hello. Welcome to the next episode of the safe leader podcast. I am your host, Mark McBride-Wright, and I’m joined today by Kevin Wayne Johnson, who is the founder and CEO of the Johnson Leadership Group LLC, where He equips leaders across government, corporate, faith based and nonprofit sectors to lead with clarity, compassion and confidence, a presidential Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. Kevin is a servant leadership advocate, Best Selling Author, executive coach and Pastor with a powerful message, know better. Do better, lead better. With over 34 years of leadership experience in the US, Department of Defense and a deeply rooted faith, Kevin brings a unique blend of public service excellence and spiritual grounding to his work. His leadership development programs and coaching offerings are grounded in practical wisdom and are delivered through a variety of formats, including in person, virtual and asynchronous master classes as a keynote speaker, board leader and suicide prevention Commissioner, Kevin dedicates his life to nurturing the next generation of leaders and inspiring people To live purposely, purposefully and serve with integrity. Kevin, welcome.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 1:23
Thank you. Thank you so much for the invitation. It’s a joy to be here.
Mark McBride-Wright 1:29
So Kevin, you’ve had a career that spans such a diverse array you’ve you’ve been in government ministry publishing, and now you’re in coaching and leadership development, if we, if we, if we went back in our time machine to meet the young Kevin. Are you doing today? What you thought you would be doing back then?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 1:52
Not even close. No.
Mark McBride-Wright 1:54
Want to do. What did the young Kevin want to do?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 1:59
Yeah, well, the young Kevin really wasn’t that sure I had a propensity to one day be a leader, but really didn’t realize it, because I didn’t know the potential that was in me. So it was really my 11th grade high school English teacher that saw something in me when I was 16 years old that I just didn’t see in myself, and she got me on the road of public speaking and getting very comfortable with that, and then that led to opportunities in college, I went to the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia, and I learned about banking and accounting and financial management, economics and basic business fundamentals and foundational surroundings around finance and management that I moved into that area, and I ended up working with the federal government for 34 years, and I was able to then apply what I had learned from my 11th grade English teacher around speaking and communication, but equally important, what I learned from my alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University, around basic fundamental business concepts. So I did not see any of that prior to the 11th grade in high school, but I had a teacher that saw something in me that I was unable to see me in myself
Mark McBride-Wright 3:44
and that and that that’s, that’s what it’s all about, right, isn’t it? Support in the next generation that’s is looking for that spark, looking for that person now who may go on and have a 30 odd year career in a in a in a in a business, or in a in a public in a public role, in a public service role. And so, I mean, having spent 30 years in public service, rising to the role of Chief, Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff in the Department of Defense. I mean, talk us through that that’s that’s one heck of a climb.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 4:25
Yeah, not, not, not the entire Department of Defense, but one of the organizations under the umbrella of Department of Defense. It was actually a position that a former supervisor thought that I would do well, and they actually recommended that I take the position much sooner than I actually did. And full disclosure, I didn’t, because I was afraid, I didn’t think I had what it took to be a chief of staff, because it’s such a key. A highly visible role in the organization. Everyone comes to you for an answer, and if you don’t know the answer, your responsibility is to go find the answer. So I had an opportunity to work in that role, and once I got into that role, I loved it. And what was it continue to be a facilitator of training and human resource functions, information technology, and some of the other areas that I was responsible for once I finished my federal government career, so that’s what I’ve been doing now for the past seven years in the area of leadership development and executive coaching. I’m also an author, and I’m also a speaker as well on the topic of leadership, and it’s a culmination of everything that I’ve learned at home, at work, in my church, in my social and civic organizations, and even in my engagement with my neighbors right here in my neighborhood, it’s all a culmination of what I’ve learned, and now I have the opportunity to share it with others.
Mark McBride-Wright 6:15
What do you think it was that held you back from applying when you were being encouraged or put forward for that role was it was an element of imposters. It’s the same
Kevin Wayne Johnson 6:27
thing that holds all of us back. We don’t think that we have enough education, we don’t think that we have enough experience, we don’t think that we’re qualified. But equally important, we’re concerned about what people are going to say if we don’t succeed. That’s the big one right there. And we all, we all have that internal fear to not step forward at something that looks really challenging or complex, because if it’s not a success. However you define success, then we’re concerned about what people think and what people will say. So that had a lot to do with the decision as well. But ultimately, when I did accept the role, I was just much more comfortable. By that time, I was more well rounded. I did have more experience, and I felt that I was better qualified and but once I got into the role, I quickly discovered, oh, I could have done this much sooner, but you live and learn, and that’s part of the process.
Mark McBride-Wright 7:37
You mentioned faith playing such a central role in your leadership, in your life. How has your spiritual journey evolved alongside your professional role?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 7:48
Yeah, so I am also a minister and a pastor in the local church. I have been for the past 26 years, and there’s a scripture that always reminds us that we walk by faith, not by sight. And the way that I explain that to everybody is that everything that we do in life is a faith. Walk, everything you and your program, your show, your podcast here in the Riverside Studio is a faith walk. You have faith that the technology will work, the microphone will work, that the internet will work, and that you will reach 1000s and 1000s of people around the globe. And when you first embarked upon that journey. It was a faith walk. When, when people interview for a job, and the interview goes very well, and the employer agrees to hire you and you and you agree to accept their offer, you receive an offer letter which explains the job title, the compensation, the start date, and probably the orientation that you’ll have to go through. And you accept that letter on faith. You accept that everything that’s in that letter from the human resource department is going to happen. And you know, it’s a faith walk, because nobody that I know ever makes a call to the financial institution to confirm that that company actually has the money to pay you. Nobody does that. You just assume that because you’ve accepted the job, you’ll get paid every week or every two weeks whenever, whenever that happens, and we don’t do any homework, any investigation, any due diligence at all, that this company actually has the financial resources to pay me for services rendered. So everything that we do is a faith walk when you go outside and get into your car. Car, and you turn on the ignition, you expect the car to start, so you can go from point A to point B. It’s a faith walk. You don’t even think about it. You just, you just kind of have faith, and the fact that when you turn on the car, it’s going to work and it’s going to get you to where you want to go. So I break it down that way to keep it simple, to say, everything we do is a faith walk, and so that that’s that’s how I look at it, and it comes from the scripture we walk by faith, not by sight. It’s a
Mark McBride-Wright 10:38
nice way to break down the the ones really relationship with that word faith, because, if you’re from a non religious background or way of being, that can, that can turn people off, or it can, it can make them feel excluded for historical reasons or for Whatever that maybe they’ve never had a positive relationship with religion, but when you’re able to take components of what people find through faith in that definition, but then create examples like that to make it more accessible, I guess, for for those non faith background or not, non religious backgrounds, and it seems, it seems a bit more welcoming and a bit more relatable
Kevin Wayne Johnson 11:29
and Mark I also use the term faith. Also, I use that term in terms of helping people to understand having confidence in and believing in. So when we use when I say I have faith that mark will have a phenomenal podcast today, what I’m also saying is that I have confidence, I have trust and I have belief. And so it helps all of us, universally really understand this concept of faith. And it is, it is a huge, huge motivator for people to know that their leader has confidence in them and belief in them, yeah, and that leader has faith in them, because that’s all of those words can be used interchangeably, to help people understand what we mean when we say faith. So we help everybody, regardless of their background, of their of their religion, to really understand the concept, so that they can take it and they can run with it and be better leaders.
Mark McBride-Wright 12:44
What about then, when we face challenges in life, and everything isn’t rosy and as clear cut as how you define it, you know? And what if? What if you what if you don’t have faith in, you know, the, I don’t know, the place where you’re taking your education, or the employees that you hire, or the, you know, the the clients that you win, and then discover, I wish I wasn’t in a contract with them for this piece of work. You know, how do you what? Kind of buoyancy aids do you give people when they’re thinking, well, that all sounds nice, Kevin, but actually, right now, in this moment, I feel like I those that I thought I was trusting of and lured into a contract with or whatever. I’m really questioning now my decision making,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 13:43
yeah, well, you know, again, Mark, that is a really, really good example of something that we all face and we all deal with. You know, just this year, I’ve had three different, really four, four different instances of that happening to me? Right? In some cases, people just gave their word, and in other cases there there was an actual contract, or an agreement that was signed and they did not fulfill their end. It’s part of life, and here’s what I believe mark and something that I want all of us to kind of take away. I do believe that life, in and of itself, is 10% of what happens to us, but 90% how we respond to it. Okay. I do believe that so life is all about lessons. Lessons Learned. Some are good, some are bad, but there’s still lessons. Dislike experiences. Some are good, some are bad, but they’re experiences to help us to do better. And ultimately, like the theme of my company, the Johnson Leadership Group. We want people to know better, and then, based upon what they know, to now do better, and in doing then ultimately you will lead better. And that’s really where it comes from. Know better, do better. Lead better comes from just a lifetime of experiences, good and bad that we look at is just that experiences and we learn from it and we grow, and then we can coach and mentor others to be mindful of what we’ve done and what we’ve been through to kind of help them on their journey as well.
Mark McBride-Wright 15:38
So what are some of your typical clients. Then can you talk us through some case studies or maybe some applications of your framework? Have you maybe that’s actually a starting point, like, Have you got a Can you give us a deeper dive definition of your framework and then how you use it with, with, with clients, individuals, coaches? Yeah.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 16:00
Absolutely so. So core, core to being an entrepreneur, a business owner, is to make sure that you are positioned to reach a wide audience. So the first thing I looked at is, is, where are the people? So the people are really in five key venues across the entire marketplace, government, corporations, churches, nonprofit organizations and academic institutions that represents the marketplace. It doesn’t matter the industry, automotive industry, technology industry, agricultural industry, finance, healthcare, across all those different industries. People are in government, corporations, churches, nonprofits and academic institutions. Yeah, and then, and then, then you can break it down even further by government, federal, state, county and city corporations, large, medium and small. Churches, all different sizes. Nonprofits, also different sizes and different missions. You know, for example, today is giving Tuesday across the United States, and I’m listening to talk radio, and a lot of different nonprofit organizations are coming on and just talking about who they are and what their mission is, to try to get us to give. And then you have academic institutions that includes middle school, high school, that includes two year community colleges and accredited four year colleges and universities. So that’s a lot, and that’s a mouthful, but those are the clients that we serve. So for the past seven years, we work with each of these different clients and their people to really develop them personally and professionally in areas like communication growth, personal and professional growth, influence, conflict management, how to lead through a crisis that was really, really popular during the pandemic, of course, And then, of course, how we’re dealing with the change and administrations from the 44th I’m sorry, from the 46th president to the 47th president, they’re different. How do you, how do you maneuver through that, and how do you, how do you deal with that yourself? And then, how do you lead your people through that? And so whether it’s one on one or the team or the entire organization, we offer the leadership assessments, disc emotional intelligence, leadership, 360, and then, combined with that, is also the executive coaching, where we coach people through their personal and professional development as well. So that’s the that’s the core of the work that we do for these past seven years, soon to be eight, and we’re really, really excited about the number of individuals and organizations that have put their trust in us. It’s in person and it’s also virtual, and it can be hybrid as well, but it’s all about engaging people and making our sessions very interactive, which promotes a lot of good conversation and a lot of good dialog around what’s working what’s not working. And here are some strategies and principles that we believe will help. And then the follow up. We don’t just leave, but we offer follow up as well so that we can measure the success of any principles and any strategies that we share in any giving training session. So that kind of a long winded answer, but. I wanted to break it down that way, because the marketplace is so huge. Yeah, we really just focus primarily on leadership development and executive coaching. We could do a lot of other things, but I’m a firm believer in doing two or three things very well, yes, as opposed to trying to do too many different things. So that’s the philosophy that we have. So go better. Do better, lead better.
Mark McBride-Wright 20:28
Know better. Do better, lead better. I like it. I like it. So with with that in mind, then what have you got any examples or case studies that you can share with us of clients that you’ve supported, helping them know better, do better and be better, where how they were when they showed up, what process you took them through, and then what change they saw on the other side.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 20:57
Yeah, I think one of the great examples would be without giving the name, but there’s a financial institution in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, which is not too, too far from where I am. And the senior leadership team, the Chief Human Resources Officer, brought me in from a previous relationship, when she was director of HR at a different organization, brought me in at a time where this financial institution had just changed chief executive officers. So the chief executive officer that had been there at the at the financial institution for decades retired, and his understudy came in to assume the role, and the Chief Human Resources Officer thought it would be a great idea to bring me in and to do some executive coaching, one on one, executive coaching with the entire senior leadership team to help them through The transition. Because as you know, change is hard. It’s not a very easy process, and we had an opportunity to kind of talk, to prepare these senior leaders for the transition in terms of what’s to come, and to position them such that they’ll be at their best and that the people on their team would be at their best as well. And the reason that they brought me in is because they knew the change was coming, but also the financial industry as a whole was changing coming out of the pandemic. And so they had a strategic plan. They were looking to expand, open more branches, and there was just a lot on the plate leaders. And so I worked with them for about six months. It was a it was a team of eight, eight on the senior leadership team, yeah. And once it was all said and done, we had an opportunity for them to send some feedback back to me, in addition to the report that I gave to them and what it did, it lifted their spirits, it helped them to be able to have a higher level of self esteem, to have more confidence in self and to be in a position now to be a mentor and a developer of people on their team, because they all had staff, small staff, and their role was to pick themselves up, but also to be in a position where they could pick others up as well. Yeah, and so that’s the feedback that I received from that six month engagement with this sort of medium sized financial institution,
Mark McBride-Wright 23:42
and do you find that’s the like a real sweet spot in terms of length of duration, like six months you get, you get it’s not too long that it become, they become disengaged, but it’s not too short that you don’t get enough time to build that trust and rapport. Coach to coach II, and especially if you’re doing one to one with eight people like that, that’s a lot. That’s a full day’s work, actually. And one with with eight people and and, yeah, how do you find that sort of the timing formula for the magic recipe of getting good success,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 24:19
yeah, for that, for that particular example, Mark, you hit it on the head. I use that word often, a lot too sweet spot. That is the sweet spot. Three months is really not enough to really get to develop a relationship. And a year in this particular instance is probably too long. Nine months to a year is probably too long. Six months of being really, really focused, sort of diving in getting to the meat of the matter is really, really helpful. And I’ve always thought that in an environment like that, where I’m working with six or seven. And senior leaders at the same organization at the same time, right around six months is pretty good, because then everybody can come together afterwards, and we can do a debrief, provide feedback, and kind of hear and, quite frankly, because they’re so busy, to try to expand it out to nine months to a year, really takes up a lot of their time, but six months seems to work out pretty consistently good across the board, regardless of the industry. So that’s why we chose and we we stick with it
Mark McBride-Wright 25:41
well, and if so, for people listening to this, who listening to this, who’ve maybe been on the receiving end of coaching or have are in a professional role now, but they’re thinking, Do you know what I would quite like to do a portfolio career, and Maybe turn my hand and leverage my professional experience to help come and coach people. How do you get those first clients? You know, I appreciate your case study. Example was from a prior relationship. But if you’re, imagine you’re just setting up the company now, and you’ve, you know, you’ve made your way up 34 years. You’ve made your way up, however long, to the top of your pinnacle. You know that how you’ve got there and what challenges you’ve gone through have got currency to them, like people will be willing to pay for those insights or be guided by you professionally. Potentially, you’re taking that first step off the corporate ladder into the unknown of entrepreneurship and all the uncertainty that that brings. How do you land your first client and start building out your Yeah,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 26:53
I would, I would recommend to it’s a two fold approach. Number one, we never get anything done by ourselves. So there’s always other people in our network that we help and that help us. That’s what it’s all about. You’re not going to get very, very far trying to do it alone. I recommend that when you start, when you start out, that you would take a look at a couple of member organizations of like minded professionals who are doing the same type of work that you do. It may be your local chamber of commerce or maybe another member organization that’s aligned with your mission and vision for your company, because you’re going to find a boatload of people in those organizations that are going to be willing to help, and they have tools and programs and initiatives that will help you to grow and prosper and to be able to reach some client and as a matter of fact, in some of these organizations, that’s where your clients are. They actually become your clients. So that’s a good thing. Secondly is how we use technology. For me, I’m a LinkedIn fan, so people discover me on LinkedIn. I discover other people on LinkedIn, and it’s a professional platform. It’s not it’s not for dancing and games and singing and saying happy birthday, but it’s a professional platform for our personal and professional growth, and I’m a big fan, so I would recommend member organizations right there in your local area. It could be a local Chamber of Commerce, or it might be a different organization, and get involved, get to know the people, and let them get to know you. Because again, not only do they have great resources that you can tap into, but some of the people will become your client, and you will become your client, and that’s a good thing. So I would recommend those two for not only getting started, but also maintaining, over the years, maintaining those memberships and those organizations, because as things change, we want to have other people where we can ask questions and get some good insight on what to do next. That’s where I am with my company. You know what? What are we going to do going into the next year? Because 2020, 25 was very illuminating in terms of some of those programs have been those doors have been shut, so we have to go look and open new doors. So it’s always an opportunity to learn something
Mark McBride-Wright 29:41
you You brought me right on to my next question. Actually, was looking ahead thinking about the future. You know what? What excites you most about the future of leadership development?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 29:54
I think what excites me the most is that we’re going to be doing more work on a. International scale. Okay, but the other piece that really, that really keeps me excited, is that leadership development is one of those areas of life that will always need, I believe it’s recession proof. Organizations are always looking at ways where they can help their workforce to get better and to grow and to add more value and and to ultimately be ready for the next level of responsibility when that time comes. So that’s what really keeps me excited about the multiple opportunities out here in this particular space. So I would, I would say that’s really what I’m excited about. We’re going to be we’re going to be having meetings in the Bahamas. We’re going to be having meetings in other strategic regions around the world next year, for the next couple of years, quite frankly, and just looking forward to hearing from them and how we can help their workforce, their government, their other companies, their academic institutions in this particular area. So and excited at those opportunities.
Mark McBride-Wright 31:20
Do you find you’re able to operationalize that easy then now, because you said, tech plays a big part in what you do, so you’re operating out of is it? Is it Virginia? You’re where you’re based.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 31:35
I’m in the state of I’m in the state of Maryland, just north of our nation’s capital and just south of the city of Baltimore,
Mark McBride-Wright 31:43
got you, got you but, but from there, you can still go and rock up in all these international locations, do some business development, win some work, and then deliver that virtually from from your base in the US. Absolutely.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 32:01
That’s the that’s the beauty of technology. We don’t have to necessarily be there in person, although that is my preference, but we do a lot of virtual training, because it works out for the client’s budget, not having to travel, and people can just tune in from wherever they are. So it works out well,
Mark McBride-Wright 32:22
it’s, it’s, it’s, yeah, it’s so important, it’s a really good i My business is based in the United Kingdom, and I and I moved to the United States for a year, so I lived in New York for the last year, and I’ve only recently moved back to London. But I think I had that mindset of compartmentalization and thinking this business is here, and that business over there. And you know, my, my, my main business does diversity, equity and inclusion work, which wasn’t the best time of year to move to the US for work in that area. So I found myself, you know, in November 24 just sort of thinking, Okay, let’s just ease up. Not put too much pressure expectation on, you know, things evolving or securing lots of work. And instead, you know, leaned more into my, my safety, identity, with with engineering and what have you, and built intentional relationships in the US. But now that I find myself back here in the UK, I sort of think, well, all that effort I put into building relationships in the US, well, that’s it, you know, I’m never going to do any work for any US clients again. But of course, that’s the wrong way to think, because I’ve been reading this other book since coming back that talks exactly to your point about the rise in technology. And it talks about this concept of being a global small business, where, you know, as a small business owner, but with, you know, with social media and with technology and how easy it is to do stuff like this, to create your own content and produce videos, you can operate anywhere. You can serve clients in any location. The world is your playground. Effectively, you know, in terms of in terms of business, so it’s quite I guess, you just need to make sure whichever banking app you choose has a currency converter and the ability to pay in for an exchange. Or that’s probably a good, a good nugget of wisdom to consider
Kevin Wayne Johnson 34:38
absolutely, absolutely and making sure that your website is able to translate into into into that language. So right now, as we speak, yeah, when someone, when someone from Hungary, or someone from Slovenia or. Someone from the Congo, they discover my website, then you want to make sure that it’s global in terms of its optimization, and so they will be able to read it in their in their native language. And that that’s very important, as well as the currency conversion, very, very important. So we have to, we have to think globally. Because, again, with technology, that’s where we are. I can, I can reach someone, you know, very easily now, as opposed to maybe 30 years ago. But I can reach someone very, very easily in the Pacific Rim or the capital of New Zealand, as easy as I can with somebody in New Jersey or in Texas. So it’s amazing.
Mark McBride-Wright 35:50
It’s amazing. It’s, it’s, it’s quite liberating. It’s quite leveling liberating. I don’t know what the right verb is right, right analogy, but it’s quite it. It makes it, if you want to scale, it makes it feel quite simple to scale. It’s just how, how hard do you want to go? You know, much effort do you want to? Do you want to put in? But, but it’s also good to know your niche and know where your people are and where the pockets are, and can you serve that niche well within the the time zone as well? You know, having a having a client where you’re going to have to be online at 11pm at night, if that’s not when you’re at your best, maybe it’s not, it’s not right, you know. But But, but then you can be, you can choose that can’t you with, with how you how you structure your day, what, what? What kind of legacy. Then, if we come on to look in long term, you know, you’re seven, coming up for eight, nearly eight years in your at the Johnson leadership group. What do you want the legacy, Legacy of your work to be, and your your wider body of work?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 37:12
Well, I want to remain true to the original vision. The original vision was a 10 year plan of growing the company to a certain point and then and then sell it and probably move on to something else or not. Haven’t decided yet, but that’s always been my goal, and I’m still working toward that goal. I do have three sons, they’re not necessarily interested in this line of work in terms of taking it over. And it’s not really my job, as their dad to say this is what you’re going to do if they’re not really interested. But I would like to be able to leave a legacy that the company touched as many people as we have touched both domestically and internationally, to make a positive impact in their lives. And if we do that, then I’m totally happy with with with the venture. But starts started out as a 10 year journey to start the company to reach as many people as we can deliver best in class, training and coaching, such that we end up making the world a much better place. And so that’s, that’s what the legacy will be. Amazing.
Mark McBride-Wright 38:34
Amazing. Okay, quick fire questions, are you? You ready? I’m ready, right? What’s the best piece of leadership advice you have ever received?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 38:49
Leadership starts with a high degree of self awareness. So I have to be self aware in order to be effective at leading other people.
Mark McBride-Wright 38:59
Well, it’s one book that’s shaped your approach to leadership,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 39:04
understanding your potential by the late Dr miles Monroe,
Mark McBride-Wright 39:11
what’s your favorite drink? Beverage to keep you focused?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 39:17
Tea, coffee, lemonade, and here’s the reason why, okay, when life gives you lemons, and it often does, yeah, remember I said, now life is 10% of what happens to us, but it’s 90% of how we respond to it. So when life gives you lemonade lemons, then you make yourself some lemonade, and that’s your response. So lemonade is my favorite beverage.
Mark McBride-Wright 39:47
Love that. What’s one biblical lesson you find most relevant in today’s leadership context?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 39:56
I would say what’s really interesting is. Stop in the Bible, in the book of Romans, chapter 12, verses six through eight, kind of describes these gifts that God has given us to make the world a better place, make our society better and one of those, one of those seven their gifts, one of those seven gifts, is leadership. Service is another one, but leadership is right right there as a gift that’s given unto us, and so that’s that’s why it’s so important that when we move into leadership roles and leadership positions to not misuse and not abuse, but to use in a manner that will make the world better. We have too many people in leadership positions that abuse it and misuse it, as opposed to use it to make the world better. And so you find that right there in the book of Romans, chapter 12, verses six through eight,
Mark McBride-Wright 41:08
what’s a quote or mantra that you live by?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 41:14
I would say what I came up with with the Johnson leadership group, know better. Do better. Lead better. It’s very unique. It’s not used, and it’s something to kind of think about. Is really simple, and people can gravitate toward it and and kind of understand what we mean when we say that
Mark McBride-Wright 41:33
I thought you were going to choose that one. What’s your go to? Way to recharge or reflect?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 41:43
Repeat that.
Mark McBride-Wright 41:44
What’s your go to way? How do you like to relax, to reflect.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 41:55
I’m a swimmer and I’m a reader, and I also like to walk. So when I’m out walking, I have my iPhone and my headphones and I’m listening to music. So those are all great ways to kind of really enjoy some quiet time.
Mark McBride-Wright 42:14
And finally, what I what advice would you give your younger self just starting out in public service?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 42:22
I would say, be more patient. Things don’t always come when you think that they should, but if it’s for you, in time, it will happen.
Mark McBride-Wright 42:35
Okay, okay, yeah, my Yes, I’ve heard a similar one before what’s or you will come to you type thing, yeah, yeah, yeah. Or what are you won’t go by you. That’s it. That’s the one. Yeah. Wonderful. Thank you so much. Kevin really enjoyed our chat. If people want to find out more about the Johnson leadership group, or to get in touch with you. How should they do How should they do that?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 43:06
Well, again, the name of the company is the Johnson leadership group. So the website is www dot the Johnson leadership group.com, kind of, kind of make it easy for you. And my email address is Kevin at the Johnson leadership group.com feel free to reach out anytime. If there’s anything that I can do for you as an individual or your team or your entire organization, just reach out and touch and whether it’s in person or whether it’s virtual, we’ll give you best in class training and coaching to help you along your journey. So look forward to hearing from you all brilliant.
Mark McBride-Wright 43:46
Thank you very much. Kevin, enjoy. Thank you.
E048: Walking Into Your Leadership Potential
Podcast Description
Read the Transcript
Mark McBride-Wright 0:01
Hello. Welcome to the next episode of the safe leader podcast. I am your host, Mark McBride-Wright, and I’m joined today by Kevin Wayne Johnson, who is the founder and CEO of the Johnson Leadership Group LLC, where He equips leaders across government, corporate, faith based and nonprofit sectors to lead with clarity, compassion and confidence, a presidential Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. Kevin is a servant leadership advocate, Best Selling Author, executive coach and Pastor with a powerful message, know better. Do better, lead better. With over 34 years of leadership experience in the US, Department of Defense and a deeply rooted faith, Kevin brings a unique blend of public service excellence and spiritual grounding to his work. His leadership development programs and coaching offerings are grounded in practical wisdom and are delivered through a variety of formats, including in person, virtual and asynchronous master classes as a keynote speaker, board leader and suicide prevention Commissioner, Kevin dedicates his life to nurturing the next generation of leaders and inspiring people To live purposely, purposefully and serve with integrity. Kevin, welcome.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 1:23
Thank you. Thank you so much for the invitation. It’s a joy to be here.
Mark McBride-Wright 1:29
So Kevin, you’ve had a career that spans such a diverse array you’ve you’ve been in government ministry publishing, and now you’re in coaching and leadership development, if we, if we, if we went back in our time machine to meet the young Kevin. Are you doing today? What you thought you would be doing back then?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 1:52
Not even close. No.
Mark McBride-Wright 1:54
Want to do. What did the young Kevin want to do?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 1:59
Yeah, well, the young Kevin really wasn’t that sure I had a propensity to one day be a leader, but really didn’t realize it, because I didn’t know the potential that was in me. So it was really my 11th grade high school English teacher that saw something in me when I was 16 years old that I just didn’t see in myself, and she got me on the road of public speaking and getting very comfortable with that, and then that led to opportunities in college, I went to the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia, and I learned about banking and accounting and financial management, economics and basic business fundamentals and foundational surroundings around finance and management that I moved into that area, and I ended up working with the federal government for 34 years, and I was able to then apply what I had learned from my 11th grade English teacher around speaking and communication, but equally important, what I learned from my alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University, around basic fundamental business concepts. So I did not see any of that prior to the 11th grade in high school, but I had a teacher that saw something in me that I was unable to see me in myself
Mark McBride-Wright 3:44
and that and that that’s, that’s what it’s all about, right, isn’t it? Support in the next generation that’s is looking for that spark, looking for that person now who may go on and have a 30 odd year career in a in a in a in a business, or in a in a public in a public role, in a public service role. And so, I mean, having spent 30 years in public service, rising to the role of Chief, Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff in the Department of Defense. I mean, talk us through that that’s that’s one heck of a climb.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 4:25
Yeah, not, not, not the entire Department of Defense, but one of the organizations under the umbrella of Department of Defense. It was actually a position that a former supervisor thought that I would do well, and they actually recommended that I take the position much sooner than I actually did. And full disclosure, I didn’t, because I was afraid, I didn’t think I had what it took to be a chief of staff, because it’s such a key. A highly visible role in the organization. Everyone comes to you for an answer, and if you don’t know the answer, your responsibility is to go find the answer. So I had an opportunity to work in that role, and once I got into that role, I loved it. And what was it continue to be a facilitator of training and human resource functions, information technology, and some of the other areas that I was responsible for once I finished my federal government career, so that’s what I’ve been doing now for the past seven years in the area of leadership development and executive coaching. I’m also an author, and I’m also a speaker as well on the topic of leadership, and it’s a culmination of everything that I’ve learned at home, at work, in my church, in my social and civic organizations, and even in my engagement with my neighbors right here in my neighborhood, it’s all a culmination of what I’ve learned, and now I have the opportunity to share it with others.
Mark McBride-Wright 6:15
What do you think it was that held you back from applying when you were being encouraged or put forward for that role was it was an element of imposters. It’s the same
Kevin Wayne Johnson 6:27
thing that holds all of us back. We don’t think that we have enough education, we don’t think that we have enough experience, we don’t think that we’re qualified. But equally important, we’re concerned about what people are going to say if we don’t succeed. That’s the big one right there. And we all, we all have that internal fear to not step forward at something that looks really challenging or complex, because if it’s not a success. However you define success, then we’re concerned about what people think and what people will say. So that had a lot to do with the decision as well. But ultimately, when I did accept the role, I was just much more comfortable. By that time, I was more well rounded. I did have more experience, and I felt that I was better qualified and but once I got into the role, I quickly discovered, oh, I could have done this much sooner, but you live and learn, and that’s part of the process.
Mark McBride-Wright 7:37
You mentioned faith playing such a central role in your leadership, in your life. How has your spiritual journey evolved alongside your professional role?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 7:48
Yeah, so I am also a minister and a pastor in the local church. I have been for the past 26 years, and there’s a scripture that always reminds us that we walk by faith, not by sight. And the way that I explain that to everybody is that everything that we do in life is a faith. Walk, everything you and your program, your show, your podcast here in the Riverside Studio is a faith walk. You have faith that the technology will work, the microphone will work, that the internet will work, and that you will reach 1000s and 1000s of people around the globe. And when you first embarked upon that journey. It was a faith walk. When, when people interview for a job, and the interview goes very well, and the employer agrees to hire you and you and you agree to accept their offer, you receive an offer letter which explains the job title, the compensation, the start date, and probably the orientation that you’ll have to go through. And you accept that letter on faith. You accept that everything that’s in that letter from the human resource department is going to happen. And you know, it’s a faith walk, because nobody that I know ever makes a call to the financial institution to confirm that that company actually has the money to pay you. Nobody does that. You just assume that because you’ve accepted the job, you’ll get paid every week or every two weeks whenever, whenever that happens, and we don’t do any homework, any investigation, any due diligence at all, that this company actually has the financial resources to pay me for services rendered. So everything that we do is a faith walk when you go outside and get into your car. Car, and you turn on the ignition, you expect the car to start, so you can go from point A to point B. It’s a faith walk. You don’t even think about it. You just, you just kind of have faith, and the fact that when you turn on the car, it’s going to work and it’s going to get you to where you want to go. So I break it down that way to keep it simple, to say, everything we do is a faith walk, and so that that’s that’s how I look at it, and it comes from the scripture we walk by faith, not by sight. It’s a
Mark McBride-Wright 10:38
nice way to break down the the ones really relationship with that word faith, because, if you’re from a non religious background or way of being, that can, that can turn people off, or it can, it can make them feel excluded for historical reasons or for Whatever that maybe they’ve never had a positive relationship with religion, but when you’re able to take components of what people find through faith in that definition, but then create examples like that to make it more accessible, I guess, for for those non faith background or not, non religious backgrounds, and it seems, it seems a bit more welcoming and a bit more relatable
Kevin Wayne Johnson 11:29
and Mark I also use the term faith. Also, I use that term in terms of helping people to understand having confidence in and believing in. So when we use when I say I have faith that mark will have a phenomenal podcast today, what I’m also saying is that I have confidence, I have trust and I have belief. And so it helps all of us, universally really understand this concept of faith. And it is, it is a huge, huge motivator for people to know that their leader has confidence in them and belief in them, yeah, and that leader has faith in them, because that’s all of those words can be used interchangeably, to help people understand what we mean when we say faith. So we help everybody, regardless of their background, of their of their religion, to really understand the concept, so that they can take it and they can run with it and be better leaders.
Mark McBride-Wright 12:44
What about then, when we face challenges in life, and everything isn’t rosy and as clear cut as how you define it, you know? And what if? What if you what if you don’t have faith in, you know, the, I don’t know, the place where you’re taking your education, or the employees that you hire, or the, you know, the the clients that you win, and then discover, I wish I wasn’t in a contract with them for this piece of work. You know, how do you what? Kind of buoyancy aids do you give people when they’re thinking, well, that all sounds nice, Kevin, but actually, right now, in this moment, I feel like I those that I thought I was trusting of and lured into a contract with or whatever. I’m really questioning now my decision making,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 13:43
yeah, well, you know, again, Mark, that is a really, really good example of something that we all face and we all deal with. You know, just this year, I’ve had three different, really four, four different instances of that happening to me? Right? In some cases, people just gave their word, and in other cases there there was an actual contract, or an agreement that was signed and they did not fulfill their end. It’s part of life, and here’s what I believe mark and something that I want all of us to kind of take away. I do believe that life, in and of itself, is 10% of what happens to us, but 90% how we respond to it. Okay. I do believe that so life is all about lessons. Lessons Learned. Some are good, some are bad, but there’s still lessons. Dislike experiences. Some are good, some are bad, but they’re experiences to help us to do better. And ultimately, like the theme of my company, the Johnson Leadership Group. We want people to know better, and then, based upon what they know, to now do better, and in doing then ultimately you will lead better. And that’s really where it comes from. Know better, do better. Lead better comes from just a lifetime of experiences, good and bad that we look at is just that experiences and we learn from it and we grow, and then we can coach and mentor others to be mindful of what we’ve done and what we’ve been through to kind of help them on their journey as well.
Mark McBride-Wright 15:38
So what are some of your typical clients. Then can you talk us through some case studies or maybe some applications of your framework? Have you maybe that’s actually a starting point, like, Have you got a Can you give us a deeper dive definition of your framework and then how you use it with, with, with clients, individuals, coaches? Yeah.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 16:00
Absolutely so. So core, core to being an entrepreneur, a business owner, is to make sure that you are positioned to reach a wide audience. So the first thing I looked at is, is, where are the people? So the people are really in five key venues across the entire marketplace, government, corporations, churches, nonprofit organizations and academic institutions that represents the marketplace. It doesn’t matter the industry, automotive industry, technology industry, agricultural industry, finance, healthcare, across all those different industries. People are in government, corporations, churches, nonprofits and academic institutions. Yeah, and then, and then, then you can break it down even further by government, federal, state, county and city corporations, large, medium and small. Churches, all different sizes. Nonprofits, also different sizes and different missions. You know, for example, today is giving Tuesday across the United States, and I’m listening to talk radio, and a lot of different nonprofit organizations are coming on and just talking about who they are and what their mission is, to try to get us to give. And then you have academic institutions that includes middle school, high school, that includes two year community colleges and accredited four year colleges and universities. So that’s a lot, and that’s a mouthful, but those are the clients that we serve. So for the past seven years, we work with each of these different clients and their people to really develop them personally and professionally in areas like communication growth, personal and professional growth, influence, conflict management, how to lead through a crisis that was really, really popular during the pandemic, of course, And then, of course, how we’re dealing with the change and administrations from the 44th I’m sorry, from the 46th president to the 47th president, they’re different. How do you, how do you maneuver through that, and how do you, how do you deal with that yourself? And then, how do you lead your people through that? And so whether it’s one on one or the team or the entire organization, we offer the leadership assessments, disc emotional intelligence, leadership, 360, and then, combined with that, is also the executive coaching, where we coach people through their personal and professional development as well. So that’s the that’s the core of the work that we do for these past seven years, soon to be eight, and we’re really, really excited about the number of individuals and organizations that have put their trust in us. It’s in person and it’s also virtual, and it can be hybrid as well, but it’s all about engaging people and making our sessions very interactive, which promotes a lot of good conversation and a lot of good dialog around what’s working what’s not working. And here are some strategies and principles that we believe will help. And then the follow up. We don’t just leave, but we offer follow up as well so that we can measure the success of any principles and any strategies that we share in any giving training session. So that kind of a long winded answer, but. I wanted to break it down that way, because the marketplace is so huge. Yeah, we really just focus primarily on leadership development and executive coaching. We could do a lot of other things, but I’m a firm believer in doing two or three things very well, yes, as opposed to trying to do too many different things. So that’s the philosophy that we have. So go better. Do better, lead better.
Mark McBride-Wright 20:28
Know better. Do better, lead better. I like it. I like it. So with with that in mind, then what have you got any examples or case studies that you can share with us of clients that you’ve supported, helping them know better, do better and be better, where how they were when they showed up, what process you took them through, and then what change they saw on the other side.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 20:57
Yeah, I think one of the great examples would be without giving the name, but there’s a financial institution in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, which is not too, too far from where I am. And the senior leadership team, the Chief Human Resources Officer, brought me in from a previous relationship, when she was director of HR at a different organization, brought me in at a time where this financial institution had just changed chief executive officers. So the chief executive officer that had been there at the at the financial institution for decades retired, and his understudy came in to assume the role, and the Chief Human Resources Officer thought it would be a great idea to bring me in and to do some executive coaching, one on one, executive coaching with the entire senior leadership team to help them through The transition. Because as you know, change is hard. It’s not a very easy process, and we had an opportunity to kind of talk, to prepare these senior leaders for the transition in terms of what’s to come, and to position them such that they’ll be at their best and that the people on their team would be at their best as well. And the reason that they brought me in is because they knew the change was coming, but also the financial industry as a whole was changing coming out of the pandemic. And so they had a strategic plan. They were looking to expand, open more branches, and there was just a lot on the plate leaders. And so I worked with them for about six months. It was a it was a team of eight, eight on the senior leadership team, yeah. And once it was all said and done, we had an opportunity for them to send some feedback back to me, in addition to the report that I gave to them and what it did, it lifted their spirits, it helped them to be able to have a higher level of self esteem, to have more confidence in self and to be in a position now to be a mentor and a developer of people on their team, because they all had staff, small staff, and their role was to pick themselves up, but also to be in a position where they could pick others up as well. Yeah, and so that’s the feedback that I received from that six month engagement with this sort of medium sized financial institution,
Mark McBride-Wright 23:42
and do you find that’s the like a real sweet spot in terms of length of duration, like six months you get, you get it’s not too long that it become, they become disengaged, but it’s not too short that you don’t get enough time to build that trust and rapport. Coach to coach II, and especially if you’re doing one to one with eight people like that, that’s a lot. That’s a full day’s work, actually. And one with with eight people and and, yeah, how do you find that sort of the timing formula for the magic recipe of getting good success,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 24:19
yeah, for that, for that particular example, Mark, you hit it on the head. I use that word often, a lot too sweet spot. That is the sweet spot. Three months is really not enough to really get to develop a relationship. And a year in this particular instance is probably too long. Nine months to a year is probably too long. Six months of being really, really focused, sort of diving in getting to the meat of the matter is really, really helpful. And I’ve always thought that in an environment like that, where I’m working with six or seven. And senior leaders at the same organization at the same time, right around six months is pretty good, because then everybody can come together afterwards, and we can do a debrief, provide feedback, and kind of hear and, quite frankly, because they’re so busy, to try to expand it out to nine months to a year, really takes up a lot of their time, but six months seems to work out pretty consistently good across the board, regardless of the industry. So that’s why we chose and we we stick with it
Mark McBride-Wright 25:41
well, and if so, for people listening to this, who listening to this, who’ve maybe been on the receiving end of coaching or have are in a professional role now, but they’re thinking, Do you know what I would quite like to do a portfolio career, and Maybe turn my hand and leverage my professional experience to help come and coach people. How do you get those first clients? You know, I appreciate your case study. Example was from a prior relationship. But if you’re, imagine you’re just setting up the company now, and you’ve, you know, you’ve made your way up 34 years. You’ve made your way up, however long, to the top of your pinnacle. You know that how you’ve got there and what challenges you’ve gone through have got currency to them, like people will be willing to pay for those insights or be guided by you professionally. Potentially, you’re taking that first step off the corporate ladder into the unknown of entrepreneurship and all the uncertainty that that brings. How do you land your first client and start building out your Yeah,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 26:53
I would, I would recommend to it’s a two fold approach. Number one, we never get anything done by ourselves. So there’s always other people in our network that we help and that help us. That’s what it’s all about. You’re not going to get very, very far trying to do it alone. I recommend that when you start, when you start out, that you would take a look at a couple of member organizations of like minded professionals who are doing the same type of work that you do. It may be your local chamber of commerce or maybe another member organization that’s aligned with your mission and vision for your company, because you’re going to find a boatload of people in those organizations that are going to be willing to help, and they have tools and programs and initiatives that will help you to grow and prosper and to be able to reach some client and as a matter of fact, in some of these organizations, that’s where your clients are. They actually become your clients. So that’s a good thing. Secondly is how we use technology. For me, I’m a LinkedIn fan, so people discover me on LinkedIn. I discover other people on LinkedIn, and it’s a professional platform. It’s not it’s not for dancing and games and singing and saying happy birthday, but it’s a professional platform for our personal and professional growth, and I’m a big fan, so I would recommend member organizations right there in your local area. It could be a local Chamber of Commerce, or it might be a different organization, and get involved, get to know the people, and let them get to know you. Because again, not only do they have great resources that you can tap into, but some of the people will become your client, and you will become your client, and that’s a good thing. So I would recommend those two for not only getting started, but also maintaining, over the years, maintaining those memberships and those organizations, because as things change, we want to have other people where we can ask questions and get some good insight on what to do next. That’s where I am with my company. You know what? What are we going to do going into the next year? Because 2020, 25 was very illuminating in terms of some of those programs have been those doors have been shut, so we have to go look and open new doors. So it’s always an opportunity to learn something
Mark McBride-Wright 29:41
you You brought me right on to my next question. Actually, was looking ahead thinking about the future. You know what? What excites you most about the future of leadership development?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 29:54
I think what excites me the most is that we’re going to be doing more work on a. International scale. Okay, but the other piece that really, that really keeps me excited, is that leadership development is one of those areas of life that will always need, I believe it’s recession proof. Organizations are always looking at ways where they can help their workforce to get better and to grow and to add more value and and to ultimately be ready for the next level of responsibility when that time comes. So that’s what really keeps me excited about the multiple opportunities out here in this particular space. So I would, I would say that’s really what I’m excited about. We’re going to be we’re going to be having meetings in the Bahamas. We’re going to be having meetings in other strategic regions around the world next year, for the next couple of years, quite frankly, and just looking forward to hearing from them and how we can help their workforce, their government, their other companies, their academic institutions in this particular area. So and excited at those opportunities.
Mark McBride-Wright 31:20
Do you find you’re able to operationalize that easy then now, because you said, tech plays a big part in what you do, so you’re operating out of is it? Is it Virginia? You’re where you’re based.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 31:35
I’m in the state of I’m in the state of Maryland, just north of our nation’s capital and just south of the city of Baltimore,
Mark McBride-Wright 31:43
got you, got you but, but from there, you can still go and rock up in all these international locations, do some business development, win some work, and then deliver that virtually from from your base in the US. Absolutely.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 32:01
That’s the that’s the beauty of technology. We don’t have to necessarily be there in person, although that is my preference, but we do a lot of virtual training, because it works out for the client’s budget, not having to travel, and people can just tune in from wherever they are. So it works out well,
Mark McBride-Wright 32:22
it’s, it’s, it’s, yeah, it’s so important, it’s a really good i My business is based in the United Kingdom, and I and I moved to the United States for a year, so I lived in New York for the last year, and I’ve only recently moved back to London. But I think I had that mindset of compartmentalization and thinking this business is here, and that business over there. And you know, my, my, my main business does diversity, equity and inclusion work, which wasn’t the best time of year to move to the US for work in that area. So I found myself, you know, in November 24 just sort of thinking, Okay, let’s just ease up. Not put too much pressure expectation on, you know, things evolving or securing lots of work. And instead, you know, leaned more into my, my safety, identity, with with engineering and what have you, and built intentional relationships in the US. But now that I find myself back here in the UK, I sort of think, well, all that effort I put into building relationships in the US, well, that’s it, you know, I’m never going to do any work for any US clients again. But of course, that’s the wrong way to think, because I’ve been reading this other book since coming back that talks exactly to your point about the rise in technology. And it talks about this concept of being a global small business, where, you know, as a small business owner, but with, you know, with social media and with technology and how easy it is to do stuff like this, to create your own content and produce videos, you can operate anywhere. You can serve clients in any location. The world is your playground. Effectively, you know, in terms of in terms of business, so it’s quite I guess, you just need to make sure whichever banking app you choose has a currency converter and the ability to pay in for an exchange. Or that’s probably a good, a good nugget of wisdom to consider
Kevin Wayne Johnson 34:38
absolutely, absolutely and making sure that your website is able to translate into into into that language. So right now, as we speak, yeah, when someone, when someone from Hungary, or someone from Slovenia or. Someone from the Congo, they discover my website, then you want to make sure that it’s global in terms of its optimization, and so they will be able to read it in their in their native language. And that that’s very important, as well as the currency conversion, very, very important. So we have to, we have to think globally. Because, again, with technology, that’s where we are. I can, I can reach someone, you know, very easily now, as opposed to maybe 30 years ago. But I can reach someone very, very easily in the Pacific Rim or the capital of New Zealand, as easy as I can with somebody in New Jersey or in Texas. So it’s amazing.
Mark McBride-Wright 35:50
It’s amazing. It’s, it’s, it’s quite liberating. It’s quite leveling liberating. I don’t know what the right verb is right, right analogy, but it’s quite it. It makes it, if you want to scale, it makes it feel quite simple to scale. It’s just how, how hard do you want to go? You know, much effort do you want to? Do you want to put in? But, but it’s also good to know your niche and know where your people are and where the pockets are, and can you serve that niche well within the the time zone as well? You know, having a having a client where you’re going to have to be online at 11pm at night, if that’s not when you’re at your best, maybe it’s not, it’s not right, you know. But But, but then you can be, you can choose that can’t you with, with how you how you structure your day, what, what? What kind of legacy. Then, if we come on to look in long term, you know, you’re seven, coming up for eight, nearly eight years in your at the Johnson leadership group. What do you want the legacy, Legacy of your work to be, and your your wider body of work?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 37:12
Well, I want to remain true to the original vision. The original vision was a 10 year plan of growing the company to a certain point and then and then sell it and probably move on to something else or not. Haven’t decided yet, but that’s always been my goal, and I’m still working toward that goal. I do have three sons, they’re not necessarily interested in this line of work in terms of taking it over. And it’s not really my job, as their dad to say this is what you’re going to do if they’re not really interested. But I would like to be able to leave a legacy that the company touched as many people as we have touched both domestically and internationally, to make a positive impact in their lives. And if we do that, then I’m totally happy with with with the venture. But starts started out as a 10 year journey to start the company to reach as many people as we can deliver best in class, training and coaching, such that we end up making the world a much better place. And so that’s, that’s what the legacy will be. Amazing.
Mark McBride-Wright 38:34
Amazing. Okay, quick fire questions, are you? You ready? I’m ready, right? What’s the best piece of leadership advice you have ever received?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 38:49
Leadership starts with a high degree of self awareness. So I have to be self aware in order to be effective at leading other people.
Mark McBride-Wright 38:59
Well, it’s one book that’s shaped your approach to leadership,
Kevin Wayne Johnson 39:04
understanding your potential by the late Dr miles Monroe,
Mark McBride-Wright 39:11
what’s your favorite drink? Beverage to keep you focused?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 39:17
Tea, coffee, lemonade, and here’s the reason why, okay, when life gives you lemons, and it often does, yeah, remember I said, now life is 10% of what happens to us, but it’s 90% of how we respond to it. So when life gives you lemonade lemons, then you make yourself some lemonade, and that’s your response. So lemonade is my favorite beverage.
Mark McBride-Wright 39:47
Love that. What’s one biblical lesson you find most relevant in today’s leadership context?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 39:56
I would say what’s really interesting is. Stop in the Bible, in the book of Romans, chapter 12, verses six through eight, kind of describes these gifts that God has given us to make the world a better place, make our society better and one of those, one of those seven their gifts, one of those seven gifts, is leadership. Service is another one, but leadership is right right there as a gift that’s given unto us, and so that’s that’s why it’s so important that when we move into leadership roles and leadership positions to not misuse and not abuse, but to use in a manner that will make the world better. We have too many people in leadership positions that abuse it and misuse it, as opposed to use it to make the world better. And so you find that right there in the book of Romans, chapter 12, verses six through eight,
Mark McBride-Wright 41:08
what’s a quote or mantra that you live by?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 41:14
I would say what I came up with with the Johnson leadership group, know better. Do better. Lead better. It’s very unique. It’s not used, and it’s something to kind of think about. Is really simple, and people can gravitate toward it and and kind of understand what we mean when we say that
Mark McBride-Wright 41:33
I thought you were going to choose that one. What’s your go to? Way to recharge or reflect?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 41:43
Repeat that.
Mark McBride-Wright 41:44
What’s your go to way? How do you like to relax, to reflect.
Kevin Wayne Johnson 41:55
I’m a swimmer and I’m a reader, and I also like to walk. So when I’m out walking, I have my iPhone and my headphones and I’m listening to music. So those are all great ways to kind of really enjoy some quiet time.
Mark McBride-Wright 42:14
And finally, what I what advice would you give your younger self just starting out in public service?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 42:22
I would say, be more patient. Things don’t always come when you think that they should, but if it’s for you, in time, it will happen.
Mark McBride-Wright 42:35
Okay, okay, yeah, my Yes, I’ve heard a similar one before what’s or you will come to you type thing, yeah, yeah, yeah. Or what are you won’t go by you. That’s it. That’s the one. Yeah. Wonderful. Thank you so much. Kevin really enjoyed our chat. If people want to find out more about the Johnson leadership group, or to get in touch with you. How should they do How should they do that?
Kevin Wayne Johnson 43:06
Well, again, the name of the company is the Johnson leadership group. So the website is www dot the Johnson leadership group.com, kind of, kind of make it easy for you. And my email address is Kevin at the Johnson leadership group.com feel free to reach out anytime. If there’s anything that I can do for you as an individual or your team or your entire organization, just reach out and touch and whether it’s in person or whether it’s virtual, we’ll give you best in class training and coaching to help you along your journey. So look forward to hearing from you all brilliant.
Mark McBride-Wright 43:46
Thank you very much. Kevin, enjoy. Thank you.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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