We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Conde a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
John, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.
Being in the military exposed me to various leadership styles, but most of my commanders were respected because of their position, rank, or the fear of consequences. The boss who truly inspired me was a social worker. She encouraged us, on tough days, to take an extended lunch or leisurely stroll until we were in better spirits to return to work. The rationale behind this policy was that if we were in a better state of mind, we could better serve our clientele without worsening their situation. Interestingly, nobody abused this privilege, and everyone always appeared genuinely happy to be at work. Another memorable moment was when my social work boss brought a guest to a meeting who asked us to guess our bosses’ favorite food. Despite many attempts, none of us guessed correctly. After our boss revealed the correct answer, the guest explained that all we had to do was ask her! Like in customer interactions, we often guess what they want instead of simply asking. It was an impactful moment for me. As a result, I strive not to assume what other people want and always ask when the opportunity arises.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a teacher, father, and licensed social worker residing in Marietta, Georgia. I started writing books as a response to challenges faced by students, such as anxiety, bullying, and the need to build confidence in the learning environment. My journey into storytelling began from countless interactions with students and colleagues on a personal level, which inspired me to reach out to those who may benefit from my work on a broader scale. “Malique” is the protagonist in my children’s book series. In “Malique Returns to School” and “Malique Defeats the Bully,” Malique, like many students, reflects on his morals and values, especially during moments of conflict. He’s kind, courageous, thoughtful, and fearlessly uses his voice to stand up for himself and others. I’m proud to share Malique’s adventures with the world and provide literature that’s not just entertaining but socially beneficial.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
To best support artists, one can start by writing a social media post or a Google review. Something as simple as recommending a book to a friend, leaving reviews, or donating your favorite book to the local library can greatly benefit artists in numerous ways.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A story from my journey that illustrates resilience happened after I decided to self-publish my second book. Several brick-and-mortar stores refused to give me, a self-published author, space on their retail shelves, citing their preference for established authors and concerns over unsold inventory typical with self-published works. After politely thanking everyone for their time, I pursued an unconventional path and approached an Atlanta record store called Criminal Records. They gave me a warm welcome, placed my book on the shelf within a couple of days, and we’ve since forged a collaborative partnership.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.academicfm.com
- Instagram: john.conde6
- Facebook: John Conde
- Twitter: @JohnCond42057722
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su-Zp8QSSF8
