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

Alright, Dr. Jeremy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

One of our most significant differentiators is our “Leadership Quotient” program, which integrates emotional intelligence, resilience, executive presence, innovation, inclusive leadership, and motivation into a cohesive development experience. This holistic approach ensures that leaders are not only effective in their roles but are also empathetic, innovative, and inclusive—qualities that are essential in today’s business environment.

A story that perfectly illustrates our approach is our engagement a mid-sized startup company we partnered with recently. They were experiencing rapid growth but struggled with maintaining a cohesive culture and retaining top talent. Instead of applying a standard leadership training model, we conducted in-depth assessments and customized our program to address their unique challenges. We incorporated interactive workshops, one-on-one coaching, and peer learning groups tailored to their specific needs.

One particular leader, who was initially skeptical about the program, shared a powerful testimonial. He described how the focus on emotional intelligence and resilience helped him navigate a critical project during a time of personal stress. By applying the techniques and insights gained from our program, he not only successfully led his team through the project but also fostered a more supportive and collaborative team environment. This transformation had a ripple effect throughout the organization, leading to improved morale, higher productivity, and reduced turnover.

This story highlights why our divergence from the industry standard matters. By prioritizing personalized and experiential learning, we can drive meaningful and sustainable change within organizations. Our clients see the difference in their leaders’ capabilities and, ultimately, in their overall business performance.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey into the consulting and organizational leadership space is deeply rooted in my experiences both academically and professionally. I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration from Ole Miss, followed by an MBA from the John Sperling School of Business, and later, a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. My research focused on the lived experiences college sports leaders and how to ensure they become fully immersed in their roles, with an emphasis on emotional intelligence and transformational leadership—areas that have become central to the work we do at Canvas Firm.

Prior to founding Canvas Firm, I served as Global Director of Culture and Engagement at Dell Technologies, where I led initiatives to enhance company culture, employee engagement, and corporate social responsibility. This role allowed me to collaborate closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, redefining core values and driving the company’s future trajectory. My earlier career at Ernst & Young (EY) provided me with the opportunity to shape the First-Year Experience strategy for all US regions, a role that earned me the Facilitator of Excellence recognition twice.

At Canvas Firm, we specialize in helping organizations remove growth bottlenecks that stem from challenges related to leadership, employee and client experiences, and organizational culture. Our services include tailored consulting, coaching, and workshops that are designed to address these specific challenges. Our flagship program, the “Leadership Quotient,” is a comprehensive development program that helps leaders enhance their emotional intelligence, resilience, executive presence, and innovative thinking—key qualities that are essential in overcoming these bottlenecks and driving sustainable growth.

What sets us apart is our commitment to delivering personalized, experiential consulting solutions. We understand that every organization is unique, so we take the time to fully immerse ourselves in our clients’ environments, understanding their specific challenges and goals before designing tailored strategies that lead to real, lasting impact.

One of our most significant successes came when we were tapped to lead the way on navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of sports for a major sports symposium. This event featured NFL presidents, Senior College Administrators, and an array of sports leaders. The sports world is known for its high pressure and fast-paced changes, and organizations are facing challenges related to leadership and team dynamics during a period of intense change.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made in helping our clients break through the barriers that were holding them back. At Canvas Firm, our goal is to empower organizations to unlock their full potential by addressing the root causes of their challenges. Whether it’s through leadership development, improving employee and client experiences, or fostering a positive organizational culture, we’re dedicated to helping our clients achieve greater success in business.

In summary, Canvas Firm is more than just a consulting firm—we are strategic partners committed to helping our clients navigate their most pressing challenges and achieve extraordinary results.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Lead with Emotional Intelligence: It’s all about connecting with your team on a human level. By understanding and managing emotions—yours and theirs—you create an environment where people feel valued and supported, which naturally lifts morale.

Keep Communication Open and Empower Your Team: Make sure your team knows they can speak up and that their ideas matter. Giving them the freedom to make decisions not only shows trust but also keeps them engaged and motivated.

Celebrate Success and Balance Work with Life: Don’t forget to recognize the wins, big or small, and make sure everyone’s taking care of themselves. A little appreciation goes a long way, and when people have a good work-life balance, they’re happier and more productive.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that you always need to wait for full approval or get every piece of the puzzle perfectly in place before moving forward with an idea. In corporate America, there’s often a lot of red tape—layers of approvals, long decision-making processes—that can really slow down progress. I used to believe that the only way to get something done was to wait until all the lights were green.

But over time, especially in my role at Canvas Firm, I realized that waiting too long can actually be more detrimental. There’s a real power in moving quickly and decisively, even if everything isn’t 100% figured out. I started to shift my mindset and approach by gathering feedback rapidly, crafting a solid plan, and then executing it in a matter of days rather than waiting weeks or months for full approval. It was about being agile and trusting the process while also being willing to make adjustments on the fly as needed.

For example, when I was leading an initiative to enhance employee engagement at a previous company, I initially followed the traditional approach—multiple rounds of approvals, meetings, and revisions. But the process dragged on, and we started losing momentum. I decided to pivot, gathering input from key stakeholders in a single day, crafting a plan that same week, and launching the initiative soon after. Not only did we maintain energy and enthusiasm, but we were also able to make real-time adjustments that led to a much more successful outcome.

This experience taught me the importance of balancing preparation with action. Yes, it’s crucial to have a plan, but it’s equally important to not let the pursuit of perfection or the need for full consensus slow you down. Sometimes, you just need to take that leap and trust that you can work out the details as you go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://canvasfirm.com
• Instagram: @justjhud (personal) @thecanvasfirm (business)
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetjeremychudson
• Twitter: https://x.com/JustJHud

Image Credits

Black Sports Business Symposium
Atlanta Culinary Creations