We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LaShawnda Rodgers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaShawnda below.
Alright, LaShawnda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?
The best boss I ever had was named Nicole. She was a stylish woman with confidence, charisma, and knowledge. She knew so much about the banking world. She was my role model and Director over the entire Commercial Loan and Banking Department. One day, I met with Nicole to learn about her journey and to get more acquainted. After that discussion, she was so impressed with my background and knowledge that she gave me access to additional training in my role. She also put me in a position to lead some projects, train new employees, and help her create team-building solutions. I loved working with Nicole. Nicole knew that my manager wasn’t really a good manager and that the company wouldn’t fire my manager because of her tenure. So, Nicole started looking for other career roles for me internally and even spoke my name in rooms I wasn’t in for advancement consideration. It was Nicole who believed that I could be a professional speaker and that one day I would be leading others to success. If it weren’t for her daily support, pep talks, training, and believing in me I wouldn’t be half the person I am today. It was because of her I learned the importance of boundaries and saying No. Having Nicole as a sponsor opened so many doors and showed me how to lead others with empathy, support, and confidence. She helped me see the value of treating all employees with respect and valuing their input.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi, I’m LaShawnda Rodgers. I live in Raleigh, NC, with my loving husband and three amazing sons. My journey began with a passion for business and technology, which led me to study Computer Information Systems and Business Administration in college. Driven by my love for business and marketing, I earned my MBA and accumulated certifications in PMP, DEI, Scrum Master, Cyber Training, Lean Six Sigma, and more.
My career kicked off in Commercial Banking, managing cash vaults and cashiers. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve guided multi-million-dollar global projects and provided technical consulting, coaching, software development, career growth, training, business and data analysis, and stakeholder management. My work has significantly improved customer engagement, leadership development, and employee experience.
Throughout my career, I’ve been known for my engaging personality and ability to simplify complex solutions. I noticed a recurring need for equitable employee development and a lack of empathy and support in workplaces, leading to high burnout and turnover rates. These experiences inspired me to create a solution.
Guided by my faith, I founded Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium. We partner with organizations to create equitable, thriving, and profitable workplaces. Our services include data-driven consulting, technology solutions, and coaching. We empower employees to excel without compromising their values or dimming their brilliance.
In addition to my work with Rodgers Global Leadership, I serve as the Vice President of Community Outreach for Blacks in Technology, partnering with organizations to increase African American representation in tech. I’m also a Microsoft Partner and a member of Microsoft’s Black Partner Initiative. As a Founding Member of Tech Ladies, I mentor women in tech, helping them grow their careers, negotiate salaries, and achieve their goals. My commitment to creating inclusive work environments has led to significant profitability increases for organizations. Recognized with the 40 under 40 Award and featured on platforms like Hired.com, Mentor Me Tech Summit, and Power To Fly, I’m dedicated to uplifting individuals and businesses alike.
What Problems Do You Solve
At Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium (RGLC), we partner with organizations committed to employee growth, development, wellness, client experience, and overall success. Our clients turn to us when they face challenges such as high turnover, low employee engagement, lack of diversity, insufficient development programs, organizational restructuring, and low customer experience scores. We also provide expertise in managing the PMO, technology consulting, and business strategy.
Our approach is holistic and data-driven, ensuring that we address the root causes of these issues. By implementing customized corporate training and development programs, we help organizations foster a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity. This not only enhances employee satisfaction and retention but also drives innovation and profitability.
In addition to working with enterprises, I also support career professionals navigating workplace challenges. Whether it’s improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, or positioning themselves for career growth, I provide the tools and strategies needed for personal and professional development. My goal is to help individuals build sustainable, healthy relationships and achieve their full potential without compromising their values.
What sets RGLC apart is our commitment to creating equitable and thriving workplaces. Our solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered. This dedication has led to significant improvements in employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall organizational success.
If you’re facing any of these challenges or looking to enhance your workplace culture, I invite you to learn more about how RGLC can help you achieve your goals.
What Sets You Apart?
LaShawnda Rodgers brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in various roles and organizations, giving her insights that many lack. She has led global teams, created ERG groups, developed L&D programs, worked to create some amazing tech solutions, and championed success across the board. LaShawnda genuinely loves people and believes everyone can win with the right resources and support. She is a well-sought speaker and known globally for her thought leadership on topics that move the needle forward relative to diversity, equity, leadership, education, and technology.
Her philosophy is that everyone is a leader in some capacity, whether they realize it or not. She believes that many so-called “bad leaders” simply lack proper training and support. What if they came into a flawed system and needed help with their character but didn’t know how to communicate that to their manager? This mindset sets LaShawnda apart as a CEO. As a tech mentor, LaShawnda mentors underserved youth, men, and women, providing them with the necessary skills and resources to obtain a career in their desired field and create economic sufficiency.
At Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium, we believe in the transformative power of people. We are dedicated to showing individuals how amazing they are, removing barriers to their success, providing supreme mentorship, and giving them the resources to grow. Our mission is to make a positive impact that changes not just companies but the world.
What sets RGLC apart is our commitment to creating equitable and thriving workplaces. Our solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered. This dedication has led to significant improvements in employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall organizational success.
What are You Most Proud of?
While I’ve been honored with the 40 Under 40 Award and featured on platforms like Hired.com, PowerToFly, MentorMeCollective, SAS, MetLife, Fuzia, and many other media outlets for my thought leadership and international speaking engagements, what I am most proud of is the impact I’ve made on individuals from underserved communities. The best feeling ever is seeing a smile on someone’s face when they tell me they never saw themselves being successful, but now they do. This is what truly drives me and makes me proud.
What I Want Readers to Know?
I have faced and overcome significant challenges, including abuse, suicide, depression, poverty, workplace trauma, and lack of self-worth. Growing up I was told I had no voice or opinions besides the ones adults gave me. Now people pay me thousands of dollars an hour for my thoughts and to speak on global stages. I battled low self-esteem in the beginning of my career which caused me to play it safe by only applying for roles I could do instead of roles that challenged me. For a long time, I tried to live up to everyone’s expectations and be who they wanted me to be, which, in the end, caused me to lose myself. But through prayer to God, support of my husband Michael, my friend Shureka, therapy, and deciding to no longer be controlled by others I reclaimed my identity. I spent time understanding who i was, what i liked, what my strenghts, weeknesses were, and what kind of life I wanted to live. All the negative experiences helped shaped my mission to support others in their journeys and understand them on a deeper level. Since forming partnerships with Wake County Public School System to volunteer with various schools for Career Exploration, Financial Literacy Events, and Career Days. You see My passion for education, technology development, wellness, and creating inclusive work environments and communities drives everything I do. My work extends locally and globally, providing career development and opportunities for BIPOC communities to ensure they can compete and achieve financial stability. My commitment to creating equitable, inclusive work environments has led to significant increases in profitability for organizations. I believe that everyone can thrive in a supportive and inclusive workplace, and I’m dedicated to making that a reality.
If you are an enterprise organization serious about increasing profitability and creating a culture where everyone is excited to come to work and make an impact, reach out to us. At Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium (RGLC), we believe in creating equitable environments where everyone, including the organization, thrives and delivers memorable customer experiences. You can schedule a consultation by clicking here: https://calendly.com/born2lead/business-followup
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
As a book lover, I’ve found immense value in several books that have shaped my approach to leadership, personal growth, and professional development. Here are some of my favorites:
The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann This book is my all-time favorite. It taught me invaluable lessons about customer service, loyalty, treating every customer with excellence, leadership, and authenticity. From the moment I picked it up, I was hooked. I recommend it to everyone, regardless of their title, as it will change how you lead both in and out of the office.
I Love It Here by Clint Pulver This book reassured me that my desire to create an environment people never want to leave wasn’t crazy. It offers a fresh perspective on managing and coaching teams, emphasizing the importance of understanding your employees, listening to them, being fair, and working together for the company’s success. Every leader, manager, and aspiring manager should read this book.
Build the Damn Thing by Kathryn Finney This book is a must-read for anyone building something great and feeling misunderstood. It’s like having a best friend in a book, filled with relatable stories of overcoming obstacles, stepping out on faith, and building against the odds. As a startup founder, I gained valuable insights on bootstrapping, pitching, client acquisition, self-assurance, and stepping out of my comfort zone.
Project Management For the Unofficial Project Manager by Kory Kogon, Suzette Blakemore, and James Wood If you’re constantly tasked with managing projects and feel lost, this book is for you. It’s also great for project managers needing a refresher. It provides excellent examples of different kinds of projects, effective communication strategies, and how to close projects with excellence.
Fervent by Priscilla Shirer This book has been a source of strength for me during challenging times at work and in my personal life. It addresses the spiritual aspects of life’s battles and equips you with a strategic prayer plan. It’s a powerful read for anyone needing encouragement and direction.
These books have profoundly impacted my life and work, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to grow personally and professionally.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn the belief that everyone has to like you for you to grow and that you can make people like you. Some people, intimidated by your success, won’t like you simply because others do. I recall working for a major company where I was the only Black person in a corner office and in leadership. I often helped colleagues upskill and communicated effectively during meetings. While upper leadership valued my input, some team members didn’t. They had issues with my confidence and high salary.
One manager began avoiding me and giving me unnecessary work. When I confronted her, she accused me of having an attitude and being negative, though she had no proof. Despite my attempts to apologize and find a solution, it became clear she was jealous of my success and salary. She stopped casual conversations and treated me differently.
This experience taught me not to apologize or dim my light to make others comfortable. I vowed to stay true to myself and not seek approval from those who don’t appreciate my worth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.equippingleaders2soar.com
- Instagram: iam_lnrodgers, luvmysmiles, rodgers_global_leadership
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodgersglobal
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashawndarodgersmba, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodgers-global-leadership
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/m2ywuMNKQjrun-Hver6IaA
