We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dawn Christian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dawn below.
Dawn , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
The kindest things anyone has done for me are believing in my vision, holding me accountable, and extending grace. I have had several bouts of imposter syndrome and doubt en route to becoming a business owner. I have a circle of people who provide me with psychological safety and have my back. They have inspired me to do more, even when I did not have faith that I could do it or even know how to get started. My rock is my family, and more specifically, my husband and 4-year-old son are my inspiration. And they are more than that. They are also my accountability partners. They remind me of my purpose and help me to prioritize balance. In addition to my family, I have a few trusted colleagues who will mentor, coach, and guide me. Ultimately, both spectrums will hold up a mirror and remind me of who I am. That’s accountability– which isn’t always comfortable but is necessary. I am a highly functioning person thriving with clinical anxiety. My circle reminds me to prioritize self-care, they see me when I’m struggling and extend me the grace and space to process. Throughout the anxious moments, my circle centers me. They will hold space for me to reflect and ground myself in mindfulness. Ultimately, they each reminded me that my skills were valuable and that I deserved to be compensated for them while living my ethos-driven purpose.
Dawn , 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?
I am the CEO and Founder of Belong by Dawn Christian, LLC, and the creators of the Belonging Conference (aka #BeCon). The foundation of our work is built upon the basic human desire to have a sense of belonging. We specialize in ethos-focused executive leadership coaching and provide thought leadership about belonging as a core competency for leadership and the foundation for creating more inclusive and equitable organizations. We are very proud of our curated experiences. Our tagline is claiming and creating spaces to belong.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source for new clients is your existing ones. The key is to be consistent, follow through, be accountable and respect the most valuable asset– your client’s time. Tim is the one thing that cannot be replaced. Most importantly, prioritize your role as a partner and trusted advisor. This means that you anticipate what’s next and have an execution plan. It also means that you are clear on your services, offerings, and, most importantly, your values. Customers need to know they can trust you. So, never compromise your purpose and values, even if you have to say no or turn down a piece of business. Integrity is enduring, and it can make or break your reputation and your business.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Belonging is a universal human need predicated on authenticity and psychological safety. I’ve built my business and our reputation by prioritizing humanity. We believe that story-telling creates connections and builds trust. We are an ethos-based business. Everything about who matters when you are a leader: so we get to know our clients, what’s important to them, and what their values are– what makes them human. We also show up as whole humans as a practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.belongbydawnchristian.com
- Instagram: @belongbydawnchristian
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnrandallchristian/