Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Darrell Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Darrell, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?
An important experience I had in a job that helped me as a business owner happened after 9/11. Following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, I was selected as one of five key leaders, from 30 senior managers to direct emergency action communications for the Vice President of the United States, to include duties as an Air Force Two Command Representative. The training that was involved was intense and we had a short timeline to become certified and lead this new endeavor. An interesting fact was I did not volunteer for this new role because I was not a fan of not being able to provide my normal team training opportunities, I believed there were others who were more qualified, and there were others who would really enjoy that type of spotlight. When I spoke with the Chief of Operations, Mr. Steve Smith, and tried to withdraw from the program, he stated that I was selected because of my training ability, demonstrated humility, and willingness to share the credit with other team members. Some lessons that I learned were you never know who is watching you and how you handle challenges, so keep providing good leadership and be an example that others can emulate. These are important principles for any business or industry expert. When people know your leadership character, they tend to come to you for assistance and they recommend others to you as well. Additionally, when you make everything about taking care of the team, they will take care of the mission. Finally, if you live the Army values of Leadership, Discipline, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage on a daily basis, they become more than habits, they evolve into conscious acts of who you are and what you stand for.
Darrell, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am the CEO of Alliance Seminars Coaching, which is a veteran-owned, faith-based organization that provides clients with motivational speaking, certified workshops, and coaching services. I bring extensive experience as a keynote speaker, certified facilitator, and master certified life coach by providing individuals with expertise in the areas of leadership, relationships, and purpose. I am also a member of the White House Communications Agency Hall of Fame. I have been involved in life coaching for many years and help clients discern ways to restore and enrich personal and professional relationships. I have been married for over 24 years and cheerfully share time-tested principles to strengthen relationships.
My leadership background includes 30 years of federal service highlighted by my selection as a White House Communications Agency All-Star and Senior Manager of the Year. Additionally, I am a Defense Information Systems Agency Outstanding Mentor and Human Resources Team Lead of the Year.
My leadership coaching is based on a stellar 20-year military career, where I traveled as an Operations and Vice Presidential Communications Officer, leading over 500 White House missions.
In addition to being a master certified life coach, I am a certified facilitator who trained senior managers at the White House Communications Agency Training Academy to travel as Vice Presidential Team Leads, serving as the primary contact for the traveling White House Staff, while simultaneously training mid-level managers to travel as Presidential Operations Team Leads.
I received numerous professional awards to include the Presidential Service Badge, Lacey B. Ivory Service Award, Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award, the National Louis University Reach Award, and the Strayer University Outstanding Alumni Award for my dedicated leadership in the community and Department of Defense. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Management from National Louis University and an MBA from Strayer University.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
There are several things that have helped me build my reputation within my market. One thing that helped was I identified a need within my organization that required an answer. There were managers that were good, however, there was an opportunity to help them become even better leaders. The other thing that I did was to become Level 2 certified coach in order to show customers that I was an industry expert within the field, which made clients more comfortable with utilizing my services. In addition to becoming master certified, I partnered with an established organization within the community and industry, that was known for helping others and not looking for a lot in return. Another thing that I did was to put my leadership on display and show others that I was practicing what I was teaching. When other managers saw how I interacted in my professional relationships, modeled a reproduceable leadership strategy, and made myself available when they were experiencing work challenges, my reputation for really caring about the leadership growth of others began to spread.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
The Servant by James C. Hunter
Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell
Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by John Maxwell
What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
Leading At a Higher Level by Ken Blanchard
The Gold Standard by Mike Krzyzewski
Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven (Ret.)
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://speakerhub.com/speaker/darrell-williams
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allianceseminars
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faeIvfxUB7E
- Other: www.allianceseminars.org
Image Credits
White House Military Office, Defense Information Systems Agency, Strayer University, National Louis University, Chicago Tribune, NAACP