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

Alright, Angela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I am the exact opposite of what Corporate America has convinced the workforce is ‘professional’! I don’t look like the typical leader and my approach is not the ‘norm’ for my industry. I love color, I have tattoos and a nose ring. I’m loud, bold and unafraid to challenge the ‘norm’. My entire purpose is to dismantle the antiquated narrative around leadership. When I speak or lead trainings, it is my true desire to develop, teach and grow the thought-leaders, visionaries and leadership-position-holders of the future. 

To do this, we must examine the current systems, acknowledge the pieces that are no longer working, be willing to listen to our teams and then be bold enough to take action! 

According to PR Newswire, 57% of employees leave their positions due to the leadership within that organization. Others in the corporate world may view this statistic and feel overwhelmed or hopeless. What does this statistic mean to me? It means the Great Resignation is preventable! I 

look at it and see opportunity. Opportunity for change, for growth and the potential to shift the way leadership is conducted within individual organizations. 

Essentially, I encourage facing the challenges of the Great Resignation head-on. I invite leaders to take a proactive approach to changes within their organization. Developing systems with a foundation rooted in equity, safety and inclusivity for all is the way of the future. 

Angela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey! I’m Ange. I’m a devoted partner to James, mom of 2 boys and 3 dogs and a helluva home cook! 80’s and 90’s movies and music are my jam. Murder, She Wrote and tea are my love language. Tattoos, travel, gardening and neat liquor are some of my favorite things. I’m a bold, energetic personality that doesn’t shy away from challenges or take a backseat when it comes to problem solving. I’m a leader in all facets of my life, through and through. 

Like many, my journey to entrepreneurship was born from tragedy. After the death of my nephew in January 2020, I became painfully aware that time is our only non-renewable resource. I knew I wasn’t meant to spend 60 hours a week working at my corporate career missing nights, holidays and weekends with my family. Then, just weeks later, the pandemic that would change the world as we knew it was announced by the World Health Organization.

As panic rose, work days grew longer and my grief was more stifled and suppressed than ever. I had a long hard conversation with myself and decided that it was time to make the leap. In late April of 2020, I left the only career I’d ever known; decent salary, 401k, vacation time etc. and started the business of my dreams. Fast forward a few years and here I sit reflecting on my journey (which looked absolutely nothing like I thought it would), delighted and proud of my accomplishments. 

On my work days, I’m an experienced business consultant (specializing in systems and SOP creation) and public speaker/trainer. It has taken a few years, many failures, soul-searching and fine-tuning to develop my business into what it is now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Helping entrepreneurs and small businesses create structure and systems for their business model is one of my unique passions. I take a hands-on approach in the development of these systems and have developed a signature implementation strategy that each of my clients receives when working with me. 

Having an amazing idea or skillset is just a piece of the puzzle that is entrepreneurship. The work that I do marries the idea/skill with a duplicatable structure and profitable system. I have designed a template that can be applied to any business model (product based, makers, creators, brick and mortar, service providers etc.) and help my clients pull the information from their heads and get it down on paper. 

Their businesses run smoother, see reductions in cost of operations, decreases in turnover and increased revenue. In addition, the entrepreneur is able to buy back their own time and thus create limitless new ideas and revenue streams. It’s a win-win for everyone! Expansion over excuses is the motto here. 

My deepest and truest passion is speaking to groups and audiences far and wide. When we’re able to change as individuals (humans and organizations) we’re able to create massive shifts in the world. It is imperative that the antiquated systems and perceptions of professionalism and leadership within Corporate America are dismantled and redeveloped. 

Transformational leadership is a concept I have based my 3 signature (speaking/training) topics on. Summits, conferences, corporate events and company trainings are just a few examples of places my messages are needed. Whether I’m teaching my signature system ‘5 Steps To Effective Leadership’, or ‘Transformational Leadership: Revolutionizing Professionalism + Cultivating a Culture of Certainty’, my powerful and revolutionary approach can be understood and implemented by any member of the audience. My goal is to get leaders to take action. Let us rise together and create the change we wish to see in the world. 

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

Creating genuine connection with the members of your team is crucial to maintaining high morale. More than ever, employees want to feel seen, heard and validated for the work they’re

doing and the ideas they’re bringing to the table. As the statistic I mentioned earlier shows, people are no longer willing to tolerate toxic work environments or bosses that make them feel like they have to sacrifice their own health or time with their loved ones to be successful or prove their loyalty. 

Take the time to get to know your people. What are their spouses’ names? Do they have hobbies, kids, or pets? Is their favorite sports team proudly displayed at their desk or do they bring a carefully curated lunch to work every day? Taking notice of these seemingly small things allows for organic conversation to occur regularly. When organic conversation occurs regularly, genuine relationships and connections begin to build. 

Honesty, transparent communication, validation and appreciation are not optional. Your job as a leader is to provide the tools and resources your team needs to be successful. Let them guide you, check your ego, listen and act accordingly. 

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Getting clear on my messaging and really focusing on my zone of genius. I read something not long ago that shifted my outlook on ‘niching’ my business. The passage read something like “Not all of your passions have to be profitable” and it hit me instantly. 

When I started my business, I was so afraid of being pigeon-holed. I was afraid of going after one thing, because I was terrified the world would only know me as THAT THING. I thought that everything I was passionate about was supposed to bring me money, and that spark, fire and joy I felt when doing certain activities was a sure sign they weren’t meant to be just for me. What being a multi-passionate entrepreneur did for me was, confuse the hell out of my potential clients and create an unnecessary amount of stress for me! 

It wasn’t until I really unpacked the impact I wanted to have in the world and developed my offers around that impact that I saw change. 

I heard the phrase ‘niche down’ in many forms a million times over. But, no one really talked about what it actually means. To me, getting clear and focused on my messaging became the way to build clientele and grow my reputation in my desired industry. It may feel as though I’m being repetitive, however, people need to see me speaking about and living in my message time and time again to gain their trust. People buy from people. People buy transformation. People are willing to buy back their time. This concept has helped me drastically.

Contact Info:

• Website: angethompson.net (new website coming January 2023: angecaufield.com)
• Instagram: @itsangecaufield
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-caufield/
• Other: Pinterest: @itsangecaufield, TikTok: @itsangecaufield

Image Credits
Britney Brown https://britneybrownphotography.com/