Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Kylie Victoria McBride. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Dr. Kylie Victoria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.
My leadership journey has not lacked mistakes. Anytime one ventures to do something as meaningful as impacting lives through leadership, they will make numerous errors. The most recent mistake made and lesson learned centers on my negligence regarding appropriate boundaries. While leaders should be personable, they must be intentional about setting boundaries. Priding myself as a team player, I failed to lead decisively, leaving too many decisions to the group. This dynamic fostered a congenial atmosphere, much like siblings or cousins. I carried the title of leader, but my interactions with the team reflected a very different story. I altered my course as I realized this power vacuum and its negative impact on the organization’s growth. I began recalibrating my leadership approach and strategy. While the results for the organization were favorable, the team could not adjust to the changes, and we ultimately parted ways. I was devastated by their departure after starting the organization with that group of people. Over time, I confronted personal issues, such as fear of rejection, abandonment, and people-pleasing, that motivated my faulty approach to leadership. I have learned so much about myself and the work involved in being a great leader. Leadership excellence is a lifelong pursuit, and I am committed to that pursuit. As the organization thrives, I am more focused than ever on being a top-tier leader and teaching others to do the same.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Writing, teaching, pastoring, and coaching have been avenues through which I have impacted people. With over twenty years in secondary education, primarily in an alternative education setting, I have been afforded the opportunity to interact with an eclectic mix of people. Schools are unique in bringing together individuals from varied backgrounds and challenges for a singular purpose. As a teacher, one must aid in transforming that cacophony of factors into a flourishing environment that facilitates education and growth. It took me a while to recognize how my work as a teacher helped me become a better leader and coach. Working with teenagers fosters empathy, compassion, and tolerance necessary for every leader. These are the qualities that I endeavor to communicate through my work as an author. We are all on a journey to better. Regardless of the starting point or obstacles, the objective is the same – peace. The mission of Pieces to Peace, LLC is to help individuals take all the pieces, good, bad, and indifferent, and use them to build prosperous lives. No part of our experience should be wasted; every experience is a piece of all that equals the sum of who we are. The words I write in my books, the lessons I teach my students, the messages I minister to my parishioners, and the strategies I share with my coaching clients are all inspired by my deep belief that life can be great and that God uses every experience of our existence to facilitate that greatness. Nothing is ever lost!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of my work as a leader and author is the opportunity to share life lessons and success strategies. As an author, I am fortunate to create a perpetual record of experiences (mine and those of others) that have facilitated my growth. I do this with the hope that I can help others avoid similar pitfalls. Unfortunately, life does not come with an instruction manual. However, authoring books provides a platform through which experiential knowledge can be passed to future generations. Realizing that I am creating an indelible artifact containing lessons, strategies, and anecdotes every time I publish a book is humbling. Knowing the potential impact causes me to approach my work with reverence and intentionality. Making a difference is a reward greater than words can describe.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
The one thing I wish I had known at the beginning of my creative journey is the importance of self-care. This terminology has become somewhat trite, but that does not detract from the fact that self-care is vital to the longevity and success of any career. I formerly subscribed to the ‘grind until you die’ culture. My calendar was always booked, and I rarely took breaks and had poor sleep hygiene. The result was low productivity, despite long hours and late nights. The result was the opposite of what I had anticipated. Instead of receiving the hint, I doubled down, slept less, and ran harder. I pushed my body until it stopped cooperating with the excessive hours, poor diet, and lack of attention to primary relationships. Health challenges and depression motivated me to rethink my methods. I learned that scheduling time to relax, reflect and rejuvenate is non-negotiable. I incorporated routine counseling sessions, and scheduled dates with friends. Learning to prioritize my health, wellness, and peace has changed my life completely. I now experience increased productivity, happiness, and peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drkyliespeaks.com
- Instagram: @drkyliespeaks
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/drkyliespeaks
- TikTok: @drkyliespeaks
Image Credits
Sincerely Yours Photography Columbia, South Carolina