We recently connected with Kerry Smalls and have shared our conversation below.

Kerry, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

One of the most important lessons I have learned throughout my career, has been authenticity. Being authentic, genuine, and having a natural drive and interest in what you take up as a “career” can take you much further than simply doing a job as a task. With this, I encourage myself and anyone I have the opportunity to speak with, to fully step into the power that is YOU. Your unique look, voice, personality, style, point-of-view, charisma, quirky “isms” are all what separates you from your peers. These characteristics are also what enable you to stand out in front of clients. Many people water themselves down for the masses, unaware that you are diluting parts of yourself that actually make you more appealing. The characteristics and traits you think may hinder you, could be exactly what your line of work is desperately in need of.

In my previous role, I decided to try a more corporate approach to my work in PR. I was hired for my cultural insights, for the reputation I had built over the years and to be quite honest, I believe my connection to Blackness, which this firm’s clients were aggressively seeking in effort to bolster down DEI initiatives. I quickly noticed upon being hired, that the same qualities I was admired and praised for throughout the interview process….my unique point-of-view, my world experiences rooted in Black or “urban” culture, my style, the tone of my voice, etc. were all critiqued in a passive aggressive manner that almost forced you to change or rather “code switch” as it would appropriately be called. Ironically enough, the very qualities or point-of-view that got me the job were often times, tossed to the side or disregarded but the clients were seeking a more “diverse” perspective, actually wanted my POV and so it always felt like a tug of war. I was being told how a culture operates, one that I live and thrive in, by individuals who do not know how culture operates. Strange times!

I say all this to say, for the first time in my career, a career that had seen heights one could only dream of, I felt extremely small. Like I was never good enough. Like I had to change my style, the way I speak, the way I carry myself – all the “isms” that I had been admired for, it was like I was being forced to let them go, and in exchange, letting go of a real piece of who I am. That vibrant, bubbly, aggressive, enthusiastic, thoughtful, and diligent Kerry that people had come to know was all in question.

Truth is, If I had stayed any longer, I probably would have let it happen. I made my exit, and while I was in a space of questioning my worth, I was met with greater opportunity on the other side. Opportunities that align with my destiny and my DNA. Opportunities where I can walk in the door as my real, authentic self, and let that realization of self, live, and breathe through the work I create. That is learning true power, and that is one of the most important lessons in the workforce that I have learned.

Kerry, 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 an experienced and well-versed public relations professional with success in cultivating creative strategies that build the brand and appeal of clients in print, online digital, broadcast, lifestyle and fashion arenas. I provide extensive expertise in elevating the brand of new and already established client rosters; additionally, crafting and exposing client stories to traditional and unique media niches. What sets my approach apart from others is that I work hard to provide creative consultation to major brands, corporate infrastructures, and entertainers alike – providing timelines that will elevate a brand from point A to B through strategic media strategies that are rooted in organic storytelling. I specialize in concepts that integrate multicultural influence and lifestyle appeal into overall PR strategies.

Any advice for managing a team?

When it comes to managing a team, I learned that autonomy is key – contingent upon your industry of course but this works for me. For a long time, I thought being a leader meant you had to be mean, buttoned up, harsh, direct, stern and all the things you think of when you think of a “boss” right? Wrong! Over the years I have collected feedback and comments from assistants and interns that have worked under me. During those times, I wasn’t really ready to hear or understand where they were coming from, but I as I have gotten older, my heart has gotten softer for humanity in general. No longer is it about creating work horses. To me, it has become about empowerment. Yes, some tough love does still have to happen, but if you show me that you love what you do, you want to work, you are capable of not only doing, but learning and being taught, who am I to stop you from being great?

Giving teams that work under you or beside you the autonomy and freedom to thrive in their work, is truly the greatest way to not only lead, but to maintain morale. Empower your people, take care of your people, compliment your people, pass along connections and relationships, don’t be jealous, stingy or even frightful that someone can come and “take your position.” We all have divine journeys. I am aware and thankful of the leaders that have groomed me and as I work through my career, I can only hope that others who work alongside me go out into the world and say those same things about me!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There were three books that I loved, when I was really out here hustling lol. I suggest you read when you can, even though they are a bit older. There are way too many specifics for me to go into detail around how they impacted my personal work style, but I will say to you, when reading, lean in and see yourself in these books and in these scenarios. What you come out of them with may be different than what I was able to gain and that is ok – I do hope they at least teach you something!

From Intern To President, Make It Happen- Kevin Liles

Outliers – Malcom Gladwell

You’re A Badass, How To Stop Doubting Greatness And Start Living An Awesome Life – Jen Sincero

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ionedigital.com
• Instagram: @kerry.smalls
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-smalls-67630458/

Image Credits
Katherine Mateo