David Horsager: Welcome to the trusted leader show it’s David Horsager have a special guest today, she has more letters behind her name than I can probably spell.

David Horsager: She founded fulfill to be we’re going to talk about what that’s all about she has a history with PepsiCo free to lay out go a Mr a.

David Horsager: whole lot of great history, she runs her own firm these days and is changing organizations and changing lives, and I know that, especially because I know her and who she is welcome to the show kendra Dodd.

Kendra Dodd: Oh i’m so glad to be here, thank you for having me i’m excited.

David Horsager: Thank you so much, you know you’re talking about before you love narrative you love the backdrop so what’s we give us just a glimpse of what’s the you know the backdrop of kendra Dodd.

Kendra Dodd: Oh, it goes far back, but I am i’m proud to be a grits I don’t know if you know what that acronym is Do you know what that acronym is Dave.

David Horsager: tell me what it is.

Kendra Dodd: Tell a grits grits stands for girls raised in the south or.

Kendra Dodd: So.

David Horsager: opposite of me i’m a.

David Horsager: man.

David Horsager: On North man up north.

Kendra Dodd: So you can get paraphernalia down South but also if you don’t know grits is a southern cuisine I have you have you had oh absolutely I.

David Horsager: I lived in Arkansas for four years.

Kendra Dodd: Okay okay So yes, yes, I do so, you know I do love grits but Thank goodness in Minnesota we finally found where we can get five pound grits.

David Horsager: Where do you do.

Kendra Dodd: Literally it’s a restaurant market it’s called restaurant depot five pounds of grits yes.

David Horsager: So tell us the backdrop of you know you who you are you’ve you’ve really have this.

David Horsager: passion for helping people discover their purpose we’re going to look at that a little deeper look at your company a little bit, but tell us about what’s that like, how do you help someone discover their purpose.

Kendra Dodd: You know I think the biggest thing is I when I help people discover their purpose is we literally go through an exercise.

Kendra Dodd: I call it the narrative and, ironically, you know, some people say it’s seven is a you know, the number of completion i’m not big into numerology but it’s seven chapters.

Kendra Dodd: And the first chapter actually starts with before you were born and we actually go through each chapter and the first chapter is what was the backdrop before you came.

Kendra Dodd: Right what what what was going on and here’s the thing that’s for everyone, and some people like well I don’t know that story, or you know my story, I was adopted, or I was in foster care that is still the story.

Kendra Dodd: Because that is still a part of you right in that story, because even part of that i’ve heard people that are amazing within that story in that backdrop.

Kendra Dodd: They have done amazing things and they haven’t seen that, so we actually started in Chapter one all the way before they were born.

Kendra Dodd: Of the backdrop and then we go all the way to present life and where they are and looking at what we what I call a see moments it’s an acronym it stands for significant events and experiences.

Kendra Dodd: So we go through each chapter and we look at before you were even born Chapter one what was significant what was the you know experiences what was going on, and then we.

Kendra Dodd: We look at the themes of that, because what you’ll see.

Kendra Dodd: And what people will realize is that sometimes even they talk about like they’ve been a rose like i’m a thorn right it’s beautiful the rooms this the thorn.

Kendra Dodd: Is that even in those challenges, if you look at the backdrop you’ll see there’s themes of your purpose and where you are late as much as I fought not to do, I am the biggest integrate you can ever meet.

Kendra Dodd: David, so I am but.

Kendra Dodd: father of a cop, and my mother and educator you know it’s kind of their right of who I am and you know who was created to be, and I think the more that we get to understand that the more we can.

Kendra Dodd: Be assured of it and know that if we go in that path there’ll be better success than what we ever can try to do for ourselves, sometimes.

David Horsager: that’s kind of like I think somebody there was a Ted talk, I talked about the flow you finally found the flow it, I think.

David Horsager: We all have this thing of almost working against it sometimes like I don’t want to do that right like I even had this thing I don’t want to do a speaker that’s the.

David Horsager: cheesy motivational light whatever and you know now we do we do all this research we do this, but like if i’m if I must be i’m they’re going to tell.

David Horsager: You they’re going to say i’m a motivational speaker I can’t can’t do that, and now you know it’s a quarter what we do, of course, and what I do and really who I am when I am at my best, but it’s um I still don’t want to be a cheesy motivational speaker, but you know, there we go.

Kendra Dodd: Exactly I like what you said, I like flow I like that word that you said.

David Horsager: flow I think that’s interesting boy i’m going to jump all over here today because I think it’s interesting to everybody and you’ve been a leader and really develop leaders, how you did say something that hits a topic of the day, and your father was a cop.

David Horsager: You are an African American lady would I say that correctly.

Kendra Dodd: Whatever that makes you feel comfortable was.

Kendra Dodd: Second, to the child of God i’m good.

David Horsager: well.

David Horsager: i’m saying that for listeners, because people know what happened, less than a year ago in Minnesota.

David Horsager: Right and you’ve helped me and you’ve certainly helped others in this diversity inclusion I love, how you say it on what you do you add the word belonging, but I think you have a significant perspective for people on how to.

David Horsager: This challenge of the last year, help us understand how we can think about that, and how we can be better humans and better leaders.

Kendra Dodd: very good question you know I ironically, and I wasn’t thinking I spend some time early morning i’m an early riser and.

Kendra Dodd: kind of the theme for me today was grace and my theme was got grace, you know you’ve heard of the got milk it’s got grace and I think what happens is that.

Kendra Dodd: We start having these judgments of these expectations of others and we forget that they’re human.

Kendra Dodd: And so, therefore, we don’t provide grace and trust me, I mean even from a year ago, or things that’s happened that we all have been provided at sometimes some.

Kendra Dodd: luxury of grace rate and then, if we learn how to exchange that and give it I think it’ll be better, and I think that’s the biggest thing that happens in leaders right with expectations, I think that’s challenges i’ve worked with leaders and they get offended they feel disrespected.

Kendra Dodd: What you do is you insert grace you enter Eric another word is empathy.

Kendra Dodd: Right is the ability to be empathetic where that person comes from, and I think that’s the part that’s.

Kendra Dodd: Missing because you’re trying to get through your own hurt, but if we going back to that narrative and figuring out what triggers you then it won’t hurt so bad.

Kendra Dodd: Right, I think that’s probably the key issue that happens with leaders is that you’re trying to cover it because you don’t think you know there’s the buzzword probably about 10 years ago transparent leader.

Kendra Dodd: right but it’s very important to kind of going back to where you are with the trusted leader to trust the leader is being transparent is being clear, and I think that’s missed some time within their actions with against their words right we.

David Horsager: You know, and I like what you said about empathy I you know, I was I don’t it’s it’s it’s a topic that needs to be dealt with, and I think you help us well and I certainly didn’t mean to say this is who you are in a in a in a.

David Horsager: In a bucket but I will most people will hear this only hear it by listening and it this give someone a perspective, who we are, what we look like our color of skin our backgrounds and.

David Horsager: And I think you know Lisa and I, we were right after college, we went to an area and that my P O box post office box was next to that of the leader of the KKK in that area and I hadn’t seen things i’ve seen i’d seen you know never seen such.

David Horsager: overt racism.

David Horsager: We have plenty of verse of racism, but you’ve helped and are helping organizations big one, some of the biggest in the world with.

David Horsager: Diversity, inclusion and belonging and yet I think i’ve even seen you know, in June, when the you know this.

David Horsager: horrible murder happened in minneapolis and all kinds of things happen across the country, there seemed to be.

David Horsager: You know I had my my trusted certified coaches were reading where we read white fragility, we were at this, we were that we were learning and you know.

David Horsager: We try to be intentional about that back 20 years, I can say the ways we’re intentional and that’s not an excuse or a real affirmation but i’ve already seen.

David Horsager: Maybe a little less interest, maybe a little less care, maybe a little less importance, maybe a little less budget, maybe a little less vision.

David Horsager: on creating belonging and for all, you know all of our people let’s just even take our people in our company or our domain, not all people let’s just fine we’ll make it simple let’s pull those we touch.

David Horsager: And I think, with a whole lot of learning and development keeping things fresh and moving forward is a challenge, but how do you do it with this work, how do we keep you know how do you keep this.

David Horsager: rollout I know you’re even known for rollouts of diversity inclusion, but how do you how do you keep it rolling right.

Kendra Dodd: I, yes, I would agree to all that and the biggest rollout I think the biggest thing is that.

Kendra Dodd: I think it’s human nature is to size ourselves up against the joneses are our neighbors across the street right well this company is doing this, this company is doing that, which goes back to okay Where are you.

Kendra Dodd: Right so really spending that assessment, I believe, for people that come in, they say, well i’ve done this and i’ve done that, and like did you ask the people about it.

Kendra Dodd: Well it’s great work it’s only great work if the people accept it, and I think that’s The biggest challenge that I see in these rollouts or the opportunity of it because we’re not starting where you are if and here’s the thing.

Kendra Dodd: don’t believe anything I say that someone told me that a good mentor of mine told me that, but at the same time is you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.

Kendra Dodd: And I think once people realize, where I am and what we need, like there’s organizations you’ll see the change of yes, I add belonging.

Kendra Dodd: And you’ll see this migration of you might not need diversity you don’t have to who says, it has to be dei who says, it has to be di be there’s another one that’s come out D Ay Ay advocacy all right.

Kendra Dodd: it’s what does he what is he I think he should be.

David Horsager: Diverse I think you should be inclusion and trust.

Kendra Dodd: There you go, you can you can do that and there’s no rules.

Kendra Dodd: And I think it’s you know it’s amazing there’s this one organization i’m working with is that it’s like they have to force the deep like diversity out.

Kendra Dodd: And there’s some history with it once again like Why are people getting triggered by that word, of course I researched it and why and try to find the reason why.

Kendra Dodd: It was a challenge for people but yeah you can make it equity and see equity isn’t for all equity has to do with only leaders, because you can’t make people equitable once you have the power to do it.

Kendra Dodd: hmm hey.

David Horsager: Great so true.

Kendra Dodd: So sometime some organizations shouldn’t use the word equity I think it’s Where are we now what is our biggest opportunity and that becomes our true North right look.

David Horsager: I look I think that’s so true, I think you know.

David Horsager: transformation of people’s hard, I mean you know we often joke about it right leadership development often fails learning about culture development.

David Horsager: You know all this this stuff’s if we if we just didn’t have to deal with people right, but we do and that’s what we’re trying to transform or be a part of let them transform right.

David Horsager: So right you seen, and you can take whether it’s D I eat and be.

David Horsager: Work or yeah yeah oh sorry.

Kendra Dodd: exactly right.

Kendra Dodd: Or you take.

David Horsager: um or you take any kind of because I know your work is broader your leadership developer.

David Horsager: Your consultant asked to do more than this i’m not trying to pigeonhole anything I just know your expertise that we wanted to kind of suck the marrow.

David Horsager: Of on one part but, but where have you seen any people transformation work, work and what was common there.

Kendra Dodd: You know that’s a very good question David.

Kendra Dodd: I think the biggest transformational work are those who accept their self of who they are and where they are.

Kendra Dodd: I think part of this journey part of this mantra part of this challenge, within that work of you know di be a whatever words, you are is that they’re scared to be bad.

Kendra Dodd: Right I don’t want to be the bad person the bad guy I don’t want to say the bad thing I don’t if I think this does it make me bad.

Kendra Dodd: And it’s not a part of you, and I think when people can separate the identity of what I think, or what I process that it doesn’t make me a bad person I think that’s when the work can be effectively done.

David Horsager: hmm, how do we create a space for that.

Kendra Dodd: Trust I mean I hate to say that, but really it’s trust it’s it’s safety that and really out of that is OK, to fail.

Kendra Dodd: Right, there was a situation, what I had one time, and someone it probably wasn’t the most productive and you know you’ve probably heard people say that you know if you fail, that means you’ve tried.

Kendra Dodd: Probably wasn’t the most productive thing to do right and it could have went significantly worse and the situation.

Kendra Dodd: And the boss got very upset like I can’t believe this is bad and like I don’t think it’s bad right i’m not going to say no harm no foul i’m not going to go that far, but what i’ll say is this is a coaching opportunity.

Kendra Dodd: If they think anything they try, you know you could say it for kids you can say it for adults, you can say it in leadership.

Kendra Dodd: That if they think it’s okay and trying, which then leaves room to say Okay, if I say something wrong, and I do something wrong that you’re going to give me that empathy or that grace then i’ll continue to try.

Kendra Dodd: And I think that’s the missing opportunity of letting people fail forward right.

Kendra Dodd: letting people allow the space of then asking questions and then actually learning how to coach right so part of that is.

Kendra Dodd: I think that’s what makes me, unique in my business is that I coach along the way I don’t consult as well, I actually do coaching exercises and.

Kendra Dodd: matter of fact, I had a leader one time that was like you’re different than any other consultant i’ve had, and that is I just don’t give the plan and walk away I say Okay, how can we implement this and change or the opportunities of behaviors and patterns that need to be broken so yeah.

David Horsager: I love that you know so many people they want help like they want, they want to, if we don’t give it to them you, you can have given this assessment, you can give them that, but it looks like.

David Horsager: it’s everybody’s being asked to do more with less they’re overwhelmed how if you can actually help them get there, you know I know you as an excellent coach what what other do you have another tip or two on what what what makes a great coach.

Kendra Dodd: One of the things i’ve noticed that i’ve had interns work for me now or people that you know i’ve helped and mentor it along the way, is, I say ask one more question that’s probably the number one that I do.

Kendra Dodd: Is that when you think you understand ask one more time ask one more question lean in one more time just for clarification so that’s my.

Kendra Dodd: Number one is ask one more question I would say the number two that I love that has done miraculously and I thought it was when I got certified I thought it was the cheesiest question ever to be quite honest, David, and that is is there anything else to feel complete.

Kendra Dodd: It sounds quirky like but it’s amazing and what that is is.

Kendra Dodd: Is there any sometime you know when you have conversations and you’re thinking of like should I ask that no I shouldn’t maybe this isn’t time she didn’t get permission.

Kendra Dodd: Oh, and you’re like Okay, whatever that has brought your subconscious to your conscious.

Kendra Dodd: And you think it’s not part of the conversation, it has to be if it came to your conscious and so it’s that space to allow is there anything else to feel complete.

Kendra Dodd: That has done miraculous work, so I always leave time at the end.

Kendra Dodd: To ask that question so i’m not leading right like you know not trying to tell you the lead at right like if this interview was over, is there anything else to feel complete like Well he didn’t ask me.

Kendra Dodd: Well, you know what Yes, this is on the you know subconscious of my mind that has come forward of i’m thinking this so those two, I think, will go a long way in coaching of you know, and, of course, listen last but i’ll say Lena and ask one more question yeah.

David Horsager: And with that i’ll ask you another question.

Kendra Dodd: Okay sounds great.

Kendra Dodd: When you’re ready for one can’t.

David Horsager: You know, we talked a lot about in our work, and you know is trusted leader, seeking to be trusted leaders, you know you have to lead yourself.

David Horsager: you’re leading and you’re influencing a lot of people that are influencing a lot of others, what are you doing to lead yourself, maybe there’s a routine or just something you’re doing.

hmm.

Kendra Dodd: spend time with myself, I mean that’s really people are scared to actually spend time with themselves and find that time and especially with the pandemic.

Kendra Dodd: If it’s the bathroom, it has to be the bathroom right and shut the door, but really spawning finding some time within you know, and I would say, I am an advocate of journaling.

Kendra Dodd: But finding that time to write the thoughts out to make it action there’s plenty of studies and you’ve probably seen them how writing things down, not even typing but actually writing things down.

Kendra Dodd: become more clear more vision of getting those things out of what you’re feeling, so I think that’s very important as far as a habit for me of finding that quiet time, I think.

David Horsager: it’s three of the last four episodes or at least interviews that i’ve done the leader, the the guests, that said journaling journaling journaling during how valuable journaling is to get clear.

David Horsager: I remember, I read a book and it was part of a college course that said right to learn that was the bone.

David Horsager: And it was is like how you learn by reading and also what you just said about about writing instead of typing how I think if I remember the statistic right.

David Horsager: you’re you remember 33% more of what you right then type because it connects with your particular activating system in your brain someone else can tell you what that means I just know the data.

Kendra Dodd: Right exactly i’m with you i’m with you.

Kendra Dodd: Know that’s great so.

David Horsager: Until tell me that you get personal here a little bit, but do you have that you’ll share a you know I see great leaders are healthy.

David Horsager: You physically relational in other ways, maybe spiritual or whatever, is there any other habit or routine I know you have many, but is there any other habit you to that I here’s how I stay healthy, so I can serve others, you know what.

David Horsager: I remember, for me, when I lost physically 52 pounds.

David Horsager: I was able to handle.

David Horsager: 199 flights, a year, a whole lot better and serve people better as one example, like it was It matters because physical all these things tie together so much and how we help others.

Kendra Dodd: anything.

David Horsager: Any way you’re routinely staying healthy in some way.

David Horsager: That we could learn from.

Kendra Dodd: And that’s a good question I think there’s a balance and all of that right So for me their spiritual health and what I mean, and you know there’s the physical.

Kendra Dodd: That you, excuse me that you talked about but then there’s the kind of like emotional I think what drains me the most that if it’s not balanced and I didn’t realize was just the environment of serving and all that sounds kind of funny like it didn’t hit me at one point in my life.

Kendra Dodd: I wasn’t serving right i’m always in some serving capacity.

Kendra Dodd: That will throw me off the equilibrium and then probably the second so.

Kendra Dodd: i’m always doing something from a service standpoint of way in which I can give back to the Community, I know that that’s important, so you got to find that one thing that probably creates.

Kendra Dodd: A residual effect, I think, being healthy is important, but in that healthy is you got to find your healthy.

Kendra Dodd: Right like there’s different things so there’s different things that I can say that I do.

Kendra Dodd: But that’s for my own body, because I have like an autoimmune disease right, so the things that I need for my autoimmune will be different than someone else that you know I can say I do this, but I would say is find the thing and which would.

Kendra Dodd: Take you off equilibrium of your happiness or your peace, and I think that’s it for me if I was in a place where I didn’t feel like I was helping someone else or feeding within the next probably of what I can give that would be hard for me, you know.

David Horsager: This is very interesting and very few people have answered the question I don’t think anybody has you know near like this and it’s so interesting because I just read and I don’t have this study in my head.

David Horsager: But basically, the the one of the top ways out of depression, according to this paper so i’m giving one source only here.

David Horsager: But it was.

David Horsager: volunteerism and service this this health to if people are depressed or like you said, maybe emotionally maybe this is something just.

David Horsager: Not to give to get, but it is something interesting that it helps us when we think of others serve others I think was just interesting I wish I had that study right in front of me share this moment but.

David Horsager: yeah um yeah certainly.

Kendra Dodd: It says a lot and I didn’t notice it and I was trying to figure out what is it, I felt, you know, lack of a better word empty really.

Kendra Dodd: And I realized that I wasn’t doing as much service i’ll tell you for those who are listening in the twin cities area I i’ve moved around this is the seventh state i’ve lived in and not even counting the city.

Kendra Dodd: Of there’s great service i’m doing a plug opportunities there’s you know volunteer match.org great there’s so many things that you can give back that people are in need, right now, even more than ever, especially within the twin cities of needing help.

David Horsager: Give us one what’s one one of your favorite places you’ve served at that time over the last 10 years what’s a service opportunity you’ve grasped and enjoyed and been fulfilled by maybe.

Kendra Dodd: You know, honestly, as the ones in which I just look for and find I remember, making mittens so my kids and I made mittens for the homeless.

Kendra Dodd: We have made the sandwiches for the homeless, but I think the one that I think was amazing is we were driving through the cities and my daughter noticed.

Kendra Dodd: The homeless and it was a while that they did it for a while they would get up in the mornings on their own accord and make sandwiches.

Kendra Dodd: would have water in my husband would drive them to the areas where the homeless, were, and so it doesn’t you know you don’t have to go and volunteer match, you can just go up the street.

Kendra Dodd: and finding opportunity, but I would say, those are the big I love honestly I love nursing homes, too, so I just joined.

Kendra Dodd: So i’m back I took a hiatus a little bit, but i’m on the board for a nursing home that specializes and seniors that have alzheimer’s.

Kendra Dodd: And that’s near and dear my grandmother has alzheimer’s so i’m on the board for that now i’m looking at opportunity I just had my first board meeting this past month.

David Horsager: wow and you know your husband’s on a great board maybe more than that are.

David Horsager: Yes, helping young men.

Kendra Dodd: Yes, and.

David Horsager: You know you as a family or you’re serving others and and always thinking that way so that’s that’s cool um.

David Horsager: let’s, you know as we look at leadership for you and you you’ve walked with leaders and been a leader but what’s kind of how do you.

David Horsager: I guess what I would say is how do you inspire motivate others.

Kendra Dodd: If that was myself talking, I would say i’m not i’m flesh and blood.

Kendra Dodd: You know if if you were to ask others, maybe the answer will be different so that’s very challenging to.

Kendra Dodd: To answer that question because I think we all have the imposter syndrome at times right what am I doing right kind of what you’re saying i’m just a speaker, but I think what i’ve heard people say is I give them hope.

Kendra Dodd: You know I think that’s what I hear hope that they can be better empowerment probably is another word that I hear, and I think it’s because everyone wants their voice to be heard there’s an activity, I used to do on retreats.

Kendra Dodd: And I took it from and I, you know I didn’t create it myself of indigenous people they used to have the talking stick and they used to have a pole of course I you know the women’s retreats that I would do I made it kind of more feminine and I had a tiara.

Kendra Dodd: And a staff and the to let them put the tear on their head, and I would say Okay, and the person have holding the terror wearing the T era.

Kendra Dodd: is the one who only speaks and it’s an amazing activity right you’ve probably had that activity of just being able to speak, where people like why i’m being heard.

Kendra Dodd: And I listened right is that going back to the coaching asking one more question where i’m not giving a statement hmm love it yeah.

David Horsager: kids are producer has a question it’s time cat time here we go.

Kendra Dodd: Oh it’s good time.

David Horsager: Yes.

David Horsager: show your face, though, we got to see there we go.

David Horsager: hi kendra so my question was when you’re going into these organizations these companies.

David Horsager: And you’re working with like, maybe senior leadership teams and stuff like that, how do you deal with by in like maybe there’s some people that are like we need change in whatever way, and some people that are like we don’t need it or.

David Horsager: I don’t need it or somebody that, how do you get that buy in to be able to actually create the change that needs to happen.

Kendra Dodd: that’s funny that you said that I am.

Kendra Dodd: Getting in is is the easier like once i’m in is the easier part it’s getting in as the hardest part for me honestly my conversion rate once they actually talk to me it’s pretty good camp.

Kendra Dodd: Which is surprising, like my conversion rate is like 80% or something like that um so I have a high conversion rate, I think the thing is.

Kendra Dodd: I give them the ability to say why are you going so fast, where you going we heading.

Kendra Dodd: Right like when we got to do this, and I think they feel the pressure of society right, well, we have to do this, and they do this and we have to say this, and I said, where is that coming from.

Kendra Dodd: Who is telling you, you have to let’s just start let’s just breathe and let’s just see where we start and it’s like really like I don’t I don’t sell them my package, so I really don’t like doing rfp.

Kendra Dodd: To be quite honest, because they just.

Kendra Dodd: rfp or pages long, and you got to do this, and they want to do this and and like slow down breathe, why do you have so much, what is the and that’s that’s my favorite question so other consultants or leaders is what’s The one thing you want to do.

Kendra Dodd: To make the difference.

Kendra Dodd: Right I simplify it for them right I let them breathe a little bit and let’s pick the one thing, so I I think that’s the buy in.

Kendra Dodd: is for them to say okay she’s going to be patient with me and she’s not going to force some package down my throat and she’s going to really say Okay, what do I need, what do we need.

Kendra Dodd: And it’s okay to take it at the pace, I want to.

David Horsager: So this just made me think of something else that i’ve seen and I appreciate that I I maybe it’s happened, you tell me if this is a could be a true possibility or not there’s you’re asked to do, diversity inclusion work.

David Horsager: Right and you have a group of people that aren’t very diverse.

David Horsager: And their arms are crossed, and they have to be there and it’s like, how do you.

David Horsager: You know how do you how do you get buy in then because.

David Horsager: You have something you and I both know we believe is important.

David Horsager: I have with trust I lead I end up leading with research.

David Horsager: But.

David Horsager: You know let’s just say it’s happened where.

David Horsager: it’s a very homogenous group, and you know they’re judging and there at least you feel it.

David Horsager: You try not to make assumptions yourself, but their arms are crossed everything they show is, I have to be here and I don’t care and I don’t i’m just going to get through this.

David Horsager: stuff that were made to do right, what do you how do you how do you help i’m thinking of someone very specific that that just like oh Please see this this this this truth, you know.

Kendra Dodd: David those are the ones that excite me, I mean.

Kendra Dodd: I mean really I rather have that than people that are over, ambitious and then they create faults failure.

Kendra Dodd: rate I call it faults failure because they created it for themselves.

Kendra Dodd: You know I had a gentleman walk up to me one time it was training, though, and he said I don’t want to.

Kendra Dodd: I am not going to listen to your secular SEC psychobabble or propaganda it wasn’t psychobabble I don’t want to listen to your secular propaganda.

Kendra Dodd: do know me.

Kendra Dodd: Nothing about me and I said great i’m glad you’re here, and he was like did you hear me that’s like I did i’m not gonna listen to you i’m like great but i’m glad you’re here.

Kendra Dodd: And it’s just one of those I saw my you know talk about backdrop, I i’ve seen like even my dad’s mom how she was just amazing like she could.

Kendra Dodd: She the way she could charm and then the way Maybe she will go behind closed doors and really stay how she feels was amazing to me or just getting past yourself and so it’s not about me.

Kendra Dodd: You crossing your arms don’t hurt my feelings you having a scowl on your face has nothing to do with me right, it has.

David Horsager: A strong as you.

Kendra Dodd: You you.

Kendra Dodd: It has everything to do with you and not me, you know and it’s you know and there’s times, David I think you’ve met me, and you know i’ve told the truth of you know of i’m going to still get paid.

Kendra Dodd: So it’s up to you, and what you want now one of the things I do ask, though in that’s very important talk about the backdrop, is why am I here.

Kendra Dodd: that’s a very important question to me how did it get to the point that you’re paying extra money for someone to come in.

Kendra Dodd: And so that’s a very important question how did I get here can you help me lead me up to the time where you said, I want to have a third party person come in and that’s an important answer for me.

Kendra Dodd: And so, if the person is crossing their arms saying well because this xyz incident happened will tell me about that incident.

Kendra Dodd: What do you think should be done in that incident, why do you think it should be me.

Kendra Dodd: So it’s leaning in asking more questions than saying, well, I can fix it no no i’m not saying i’m going to fix it, I want to say, I want you to think about it.

Kendra Dodd: And why do you think that I will be the resolution to that and so that’s where I get people talking and understanding, so it becomes more of a coaching session than me having a cell session.

Kendra Dodd: Of them talking through of saying.

Kendra Dodd: Well, maybe it’s not me and that’s happened before i’ve been in a situation where they said whole No, this is so bad, and it was an African American employee and they complained and and I said.

Kendra Dodd: I don’t think you have a race issue you have a communication issue and Lo and behold, we have started some work in I mean it was very baseline.

Kendra Dodd: Of they couldn’t even communicate how they feel and they’re like Oh, we have some work to do, yeah we’ll come back if you want to do some more and i’m okay with that.

Kendra Dodd: And so I think that’s what it is, of i’m not here to change anyone’s mind because they’re grown adults, and I think the biggest thing is meet them where once again meet them where they are so it’s Okay, if you cross your arms because.

Kendra Dodd: i’ll still be me at the end of the day.

David Horsager: that’s an impressive noble way of looking at the world and people that’s that’s that’s powerful yeah so well, we have so much we could cover and touch on and I, but before the before the lightning round.

Kendra Dodd: mm hmm.

David Horsager: Is there anything else to feel complete.

Kendra Dodd: Oh, look at you, David you’re wonderful student look at you.

Kendra Dodd: You know I think for me to feel complete and talking about that backdrop a little bit um you know I don’t know it’s just on my mind and it’s probably come up is.

Kendra Dodd: I spoke at my father’s funeral.

Kendra Dodd: And, and my mother just told me the story, two weeks ago and it only reason came up is because my godson talk about you know odd is that he just graduated from the police academy a week ago.

Kendra Dodd: And that we were having a long conversation of you know, he calls me on T he doesn’t call me God mom he’s like auntie he was like this feels different because you know he’s in you know, in the south and now he’s a police officer and I remember you know.

Kendra Dodd: wiping his bike you know, like type of thing and so he was like it feels different and he grew up as a military kid and he said, this is different, he was like I want you to help me and what did it feel like.

Kendra Dodd: Being you know, a policeman’s daughter, and then definitely like you said brown girl rate and then in its official.

Kendra Dodd: I said it’s a different type of fishbowl that you know I told him the biggest thing for him is don’t think when you have civilian clothes that people don’t know who you are.

Kendra Dodd: They will always know who you are and that’s how your life changes, and so I grew up with that, because my dad was they hire they thought it would be cool to hire two black police officers at the same time.

Kendra Dodd: As they went through that they thought okay let’s they can go through this together, and you know, actually, ironically, they say the same for interracial multicultural adoption ironically.

Kendra Dodd: But I think as a leader and looking at that is that one my dad never complained, the only thing my dad ever told me is that.

Kendra Dodd: In this world you have good people and bad people and that doesn’t it doesn’t matter what environment you’re in you can be in the Church, you can be at a.

Kendra Dodd: You know the College, the state school is in the middle of nowhere that there’s good and bad and it’s your choice and what you see but also is realized that someone is always watching.

Kendra Dodd: And I think as leaders we forget that.

Kendra Dodd: And also thinking, even in the good that can be the bad you know, in that, so that was probably on my mind and looking at that of what made it different, and I did say that it is eulogy not wants to that dickie narrow it down to a group.

Kendra Dodd: Right, he never said women blacks Asians he never he always just said just understand your environment and understand there’s good bad there’s all different, and they all have that same light clock of what their intense our intentions are so.

David Horsager: that’s good.

yeah.

David Horsager: You know I gotta jump for one more question here before we hit the.

Kendra Dodd: lightning because.

David Horsager: i’m not complete without it, either now.

David Horsager: What do you, you know.

David Horsager: What are you learning now what what’s what are you learning and and thinking about the most right now.

Kendra Dodd: i’m honestly what i’m learning now his legacy.

Kendra Dodd: You know I think what’s.

Kendra Dodd: You know even February, you know, we are in the second day of black history month and probably the biggest thing for me.

Kendra Dodd: Is We always talk about the history, the history mean of the past, my that’s always been intriguing so I can tell you tons of quote unquote history of the past.

Kendra Dodd: But I think what i’ve seen and this time for this month is the history of the of the present and the legacy, in which you bring and looking at in a different lens.

Kendra Dodd: is, I think, interesting for me and so looking at it that way, so.

Kendra Dodd: There will always be first I think they’re like when will it stop when we won’t have first it won’t be it’ll be always the first of something but realizing that first does then place a stamp on history.

Kendra Dodd: And so I think i’m looking at what am I doing currently and what is happening now currently that even what happened in minneapolis that is going to be in the history books.

Kendra Dodd: Right and then what am I doing kind of like john Lewis, to be on the good side of history right and try to understand that so that’s probably impacted me more than ever have.

Kendra Dodd: You know, not just the past but the President and what differences that making for the history moving forward hmm great stuff yeah.

David Horsager: wow kendra Dodd so much here.

Kendra Dodd: This is an awesome Thank you.

David Horsager: know we have we have a lightning round you get to get right.

Kendra Dodd: Now I know this is going to be in seat here we go, but before.

David Horsager: That I mean think about this.

David Horsager: Give grace and empathy love the backdrop.

David Horsager: Your emotional as far as your hat key habit was being a part of service or an environment of service journaling.

David Horsager: Think, I really like this, and I think people should look up your set you that the seven chapters from before you’re born to till now.

David Horsager: and significant events and knowing your stuff that kind of goes to our trust shield idea, a little bit the way we use the trust shield to to know yourself as leader and then to share that vulnerability vulnerability.

David Horsager: I love that.

David Horsager: Great coaches there’s.

David Horsager: Two questions for you, from kendra dot one when when you think you know ask one more question and number two is there anything else anything else, that would.

David Horsager: Anything else that would make this feel complete or yes hope you feel complete yes so much more Why am I here.

David Horsager: dad never complain there’s good and bad people so don’t narrow the group love it.

Kendra Dodd: and hold on more yeah.

Kendra Dodd: So yeah.

David Horsager: Yes, thank you well it’s quick fire questions to close this out and then a final question about being a trusted leader but number one what’s a favorite book or resource right now.

Kendra Dodd: i’m the big leap.

Kendra Dodd: i’m still yeah it’s a book it’s called the big leap.

Kendra Dodd: I forget who the author is.

David Horsager: All right, big one sentence about the book.

Kendra Dodd: Oh one sentence about the book is that we have our own self limiting.

Kendra Dodd: Okay, we limit ourselves great.

David Horsager: Something kendra can’t live without.

Kendra Dodd: This is really hard and I thought about it um I can’t I can’t live without reading.

David Horsager: Ah, good like it, I love it and you can’t live without I know your family or faith or a lot of other things, but that is a great one without reading.

David Horsager: Yes, best or just a piece of advice or favorite quote.

Kendra Dodd: If nothing changes nothing changes.

David Horsager: So true.

David Horsager: that’s i’m writing that down right now.

again.

Kendra Dodd: yeah.

David Horsager: If nothing changes.

Kendra Dodd: Nothing things.

David Horsager: Change is so true Okay, and one thing left on the bucket list or one hope for the future.

Kendra Dodd: When hope for the future.

Kendra Dodd: I have gotten the Internet one hope for the future.

Kendra Dodd: Is that everybody can be one step further out of their comfort zone.

Kendra Dodd: I think that would make a difference in the world.

David Horsager: Okay i’m jumping off the, off the grill here again and saying.

David Horsager: Are you doing that, how are you getting one step off, but you know I, I have the latitude I can go off the quickfire question.

Even though.

David Horsager: it’s like hey we’re out of time.

David Horsager: Well, how are you doing it, you know, we need to figure out how to do this, how are you having one step further out of your comfort zone.

Kendra Dodd: You know what that can be every day, David I think what’s helping me do it is I have accountability partners.

Kendra Dodd: mm hmm right like there’s something you literally can be one step out of your comfort zone every day.

Kendra Dodd: And I i’m doing that i’m i’m having someone that I have to be held accountable to I think that’s the key it’s like having accountability partner.

David Horsager: love it we talked about it, we need it healthy accountability can transform teams and individuals.

David Horsager: exactly for that before our final question.

David Horsager: Where can everybody hear more or find you where’s the best place to find more about kendra Dodd.

Kendra Dodd: Well, I think the best place to find me is, if you have a linkedin account is going to linkedin kendra q.com that’s a whole nother podcast for the Q David.

Kendra Dodd: But you can go there also instagram is more personal you can go on instagram if you want to know what my professional work looks like you can go to kendra q.com if you don’t remember K end or a q.com or fulfilled to be calm.

Kendra Dodd: And my work.

David Horsager: yeah we’ll put that this show notes fulfilled.

David Horsager: Because it’s spelled really cool.

David Horsager: It didn’t spend as much time as i’d like on this, but.

David Horsager: I know there’s a big backdrop here, but can you give us a glimpse fulfilled to be tell us about it.

Kendra Dodd: Actually it’s about legacy.

Kendra Dodd: And so my father’s name was phil so I did a play on words so you know for phil.

Kendra Dodd: And that’s you know this is for him, he did a lot of things and pioneer and things so fulfill and then to be at that time, when I started the organization is both of my two children.

Kendra Dodd: With the name be and so it’s all about legacy and looking at it from what he wants and what I want from them, so now, I have three b’s.

Kendra Dodd: But it’s to my bees to my children that I want to leave behind so it’s all about legacy that’s what it’s about and the fulfill is looking outside of your you know it’s spelled differently, but it’s not spelled wrong.

Kendra Dodd: it’s just in the UK version, and so I intentionally did that, as well, so thank you for asking.

David Horsager: Yes, and that will be in the show notes just trusted leader show calm you’ll find everywhere, you can connect with the amazing kendra Dodd.

Kendra Dodd: So it is.

David Horsager: The final question.

Kendra Dodd: Oh okay.

Kendra Dodd: let’s see.

David Horsager: Here we go.

David Horsager: The trusted leader show.

Kendra Dodd: was a.

David Horsager: leader you trust in why.

Kendra Dodd: You know I i’ve thought about all the leaders in my life there’s mentors in my life, their leaders, but the Leader right now that if I was you know I don’t like crowds.

Kendra Dodd: But I would stand in line to really see that I think has done amazing work as indra nooyi with PepsiCo she was the President she just retired last year.

Kendra Dodd: And what amazes me about indra is she was very transparent and real of the challenges and her life.

Kendra Dodd: And that’s the first time I saw a leader do that unapologetically but also truthfully of what the challenges are and so indra nooyi, I think, is what PepsiCo when I see a leader and what I would like to live up to be is her.

David Horsager: I wrote about her and I couldn’t agree more fantastic example.

David Horsager: Well, this has been a special treat kendra Thank you.

Kendra Dodd: Thank you.

David Horsager: Thank you for sharing with our audience thanks for being a trusted leader and thanks for being a friend.

David Horsager: awesome this has been interesting work.

David Horsager: Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so appreciate that this has been the trusted leader show until next time stay trusted.