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

Davia, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

In June of 2021, I walked away from a 15-year full-time career in communications. While I was very blessed to maintain employment at the height of the pandemic, I became increasingly frustrated with my professional life. While I achieved success through job offers, promotions, speaking opportunities, travel and awards, I was also suffering trauma in the workplace due to the intersection of racism and sexism. In the latter half of the 15-year period, I reached a turning point where I rejected the internalization of what was projected onto me and began to reclaim my time. I began to stand up for myself and hold people accountable. In 2021, however, I reached a breaking point with workplace toxicity. I used to joke with one of my best friends that I was going to quit my job. Then those jokes became legitimate conversations about an exit strategy. I had the financial means to walk away as well as credentials to get another position. Submitting my resignation gave me personal and professional freedom. I’d always played it safe but by taking this risk, I was able to take a monthlong break from working for anyone else in July 2021. In August, I’d secured teaching jobs, an assistantship to cover tuition for my PhD program, and expanded my services as a marketing contractor and consultant. More than one year later, I continue to work on my own terms and my quality of life has improved!

Davia, 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 launched my first business in 2018 at the encouragement of a good friend. The Lassiter Firm (thelassiterfirm.com) provides services for resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn writing and design. I also serve clients with copywriting and marketing consulting services. I launched my personal brand, iamdrlassiter.com, in 2021 as a platform to provide insight and advocacy related to BIPOC women in professional spaces. I blog and also serve as a speaker for conferences and panels. I am a faculty member for WomenLead in Business at Georgia State University where I am also working on my PhD in Public Communication. Last, I teach mass communication and public relations courses at the University of West Georgia. Teaching on the collegiate level was always my end goal as a communications practitioner, so to be able to fulfill that goal while completing my degree program and growing as an entrepreneur is fulfilling beyond words!

Any advice for managing a team?

Leadership has been core to my career. I thrive in leadership positions because I care about my team. It can be challenging juggling different personalities, idiosyncrasies, and communication styles … but I love it! I believe in the mullet: Business in the front, party in the back. As a leader, it’s a given that things need to get done. There will always be budgets, deadlines, deliverables, etc. But at the core of any business are live humans! Therefore, having a people-first leadership style cultivates an environment of support. I’d tell my teams, “I’m your biggest advocate but I will always hold you accountable — and you should hold me accountable.” In short, I lead the way I’d want to be led. By being flexible, compassionate, and respectful, people enjoy working for you and with you. As a result, they take ownership of their responsibilities. And just like that, the work (business) gets done! Embrace the mullet: It will work every time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a business owner, I thought I always had to be “on” — meaning that I was putting the business first instead of my own well-being. I was burning out at the end of 2021. I’d had a wonderful year on the revenue front but I was exhausted. Then it dawned on me: I have autonomy as a business owner so why not use it?! I took a “winter break” by removing the “add to cart” on my website as well as scheduling social media posts to announce the break. I also revised my services to make things more efficient on my end which results in an enhanced customer experience. Last, I began to automate more tasks and limit my availability for consultations. I relaunched in 2022 and definitely experience more balance and peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: iamdrlassiter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdrlassiter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamdrlassiter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davia-lassiter/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamdrlassiter
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamdrlassiter

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