Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Keon Hill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Keon, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

Trying to please everyone is a recipe for stress, misery, and frustration. During my first year as the principal of New Chapel Christian Academy, I wanted everyone to like me. I shied away from holding our staff accountable and let students get away with disciplinary actions to avoid upsetting their parents. I quickly learned that if you live by people’s praises, you’ll die from their criticism. You have to make decisions that are best for your business or brand and accept that not everyone will be happy. While people may not understand immediately, a healthy organizational culture will develop, and they will respect you as a fair leader with clear standards.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Keon Hill and I am an influential leader dedicated to fostering positive change in the world through the art of effective communication, exemplary leadership, and a steadfast commitment to my faith in Jesus Christ. Raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, as a preacher’s kid, I was instilled with fundamental values of dreaming big and prioritizing God from an early age. Drawing from these principles, I have spearheaded a pioneering approach to educational excellence at New Chapel Christian Academy (NCCA),where I currently serve as Principal.

As a speaker, leader, and content creator, I remain devoted to inspiring individuals to live their best lives while emphasizing the importance of keeping God at the forefront of all endeavors.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team can be challenging, but I truly enjoy it. It takes time to learn about each team member and understand how to motivate and support them in becoming the best versions of themselves.

Over time, I’ve discovered three key components that are essential for maintaining high morale and building a positive culture:

1.) “Celebrate the small wins.”

Small, consistent efforts accumulate into significant achievements over time. It’s crucial to celebrate team members’ accomplishments, no matter how small, as it encourages them to keep going and remain focused on long-term goals. Reminding them that it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and acknowledging their efforts can have a substantial positive impact.

2.) “Rebuke without relationship can be dangerous.”

Building rapport with each staff member allows them to understand your genuine care for both the organization and their personal well-being. When challenges or accountability arise, they will recognize your good intentions and know you want the best for them. This fosters high morale and respect for leadership within the team.

3.) “People rarely remember what you say, but they remember how you make them feel.”

Effective communication is key in leadership, especially regarding delivery and tone. I’ve learned to be mindful of how to handle difficult conversations. The “SBIR” approach has been invaluable in my communication strategy:

S: Situation – Explain the situation, including all relevant details.
B: Behavior – Describe the behavior that concerned you.
I: Impact – Share how this behavior impacted you and/or the team.
R: Response – Outline how you plan to move forward and propose a solution to prevent recurrence.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I firmly believe that leaders are readers. Growing up in a household with avid readers as parents influenced me to adopt the same habit as I matured into adulthood. The following books have greatly shaped my professional and personal outlook on life:

Atomic Habits by James Clear – Personal Development

Relational Intelligence by Dharius Daniels – Relational Development

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer – Spiritual Development

To Be Popular or Smart by Jawanza Kunjufu – Cultural Development

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Keonhill.com
• Instagram: @keondhill
• Facebook: Keon Hill
• Linkedin: Keon Hill
• Other: Tiktok: @keondhill

Image Credits

@goodfor6
@jeffmitchellphotography