Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Loretta Caldwell-Thompson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Loretta, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” This quote from John Maxwell captures the essence of a pivotal risk in my career. It’s not just a story of a gamble but a transformative journey that reshaped my professional and personal growth.
I founded Caldwell Management Solutions (CMS) with the vision of creating a boutique leadership and management consulting firm. Leaving my role as Executive Director of a nonprofit for many years was daunting. I had built a reputation and received accolades in my field, but the opportunity to impact more lives through leadership and management development called me.
While in Washington, D.C., I took on leadership roles in the male-dominated criminal justice field. As a young Black woman, I faced numerous challenges despite earning accolades like Administrator of the Year and leading my agency to be named Agency of the Year. However, internal conflicts and the lack of supportive business leaders, especially women mentors, led to my departure and the desire to do something different.
This marked the start of a new chapter. I transitioned to a leadership role in my home church, navigating governance and operational strategies that significantly impacted the community and the church. This experience honed my skills and inspired my doctoral dissertation on Senior Pastor leadership in megachurches.
Pursuing CMS full-time was formidable. Support for women of color in business and in the church was scarce. Determined to succeed, I sought collaborative partners and mentorship via memberships in various business, civic and social organizations. CMS started small with workshops, seminars, and coaching, focusing on practical leadership growth. After obtaining my certification as a John Maxwell trainer, speaker and coach, I expanded CMS services to organizational development with am emphasis on strategic planning, HR training, and diversity management.
One of our most transformative organizational development initiatives is The Living Leadership Lab, which offers an immersive leadership training experience. Today, CMS has offices in Washington, D.C., and St. Petersburg, Florida, with a diverse portfolio of clients. The risk I took founding CMS has paid off immensely, allowing me to grow as a leader and help others on their journeys.
Reflecting on this journey, the lessons are clear: resilience, determination, and the power of collaboration while adding value to others are the keys to overcoming challenges and achieving success.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For those who may not know me, I’m Dr. Loretta Caldwell-Thompson, founder and CEO of Caldwell Management Solutions (CMS); affectionally known as The Mgmt. Dr. I enjoy giving leadership and management tips every Humpday of the week on various social media platforms. My journey into leadership and management consulting stems from a passion for helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential.
I began my journey in the nonprofit sector, serving as the Executive Director of an organization dedicated to breaking stereotypes in the male-dominated correctional field. Despite the challenges, I led my agency to numerous accolades, which fueled my passion to create a consulting firm that could support others facing similar struggles.
Later, I founded Caldwell Management Solutions (CMS), a boutique leadership and management consulting firm. Our offerings include workshops, seminars, keynote speaking, and coaching, all designed to foster practical leadership and management growth. Leveraging my certification as a John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker, CMS delivers customized strategic planning, HR and Board of Directors training and proposal development. Our flagship program, The Living Leadership Lab, (LLL) uniquely combines professional growth with spiritual enrichment, encouraging leaders to embrace a purposeful journey.
At CMS, we take pride in our diverse perspectives and extensive project experience, which enhance business outcomes and employee value. Our client portfolio spans federal and state government departments, local commissions, educational institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses.
What sets CMS apart is our genuine commitment to making a tangible impact on our clients’ lives and businesses. Witnessing individuals and organizations grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding. CMS is dedicated to supporting their success, offering tailored guidance for their leadership journey.
Caldwell Management Solutions is more than just a consulting firm; it’s a partner in your pursuit of excellence. We believe in learning from every experience, embracing challenges, and celebrating victories. Our goal is to help our clients achieve their fullest potential and make a lasting impact.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building a reputation in the market is a multifaceted process, and for Caldwell Management Solutions (CMS), several key factors have contributed to our respected presence. This journey has been deeply guided by the philosophy embodied in Doug Williams’ powerful words: “Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is yours, may you have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that you absorbed the loss.”
At CMS, resilience and perseverance have been our cornerstone. Overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry has not only reinforced our credibility but also strengthened our resolve. We’ve faced obstacles head-on, never backing down, and this tenacity has been instrumental in our growth.
Our commitment to excellence is unwavering. We consistently deliver high-quality experiences that satisfy and exceed our clients’ expectations. Every project is approached with meticulous care and a relentless pursuit of perfection, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible outcomes.
What truly sets us apart is our personalized approach. We understand that each client is unique, with specific needs and goals. By tailoring our services to meet these individual requirements, we build trust and credibility, forming strong, lasting relationships.
Our diverse expertise allows us to offer a wide range of services, making CMS a comprehensive solution for our clients. From customized strategic planning to HR training and board development, our holistic approach addresses every aspect of leadership and management.
Programs like The Living Leadership Lab are a testament to our innovative spirit. By blending professional growth with spiritual enrichment, we provide leaders with a pathway to embrace a purposeful and fulfilling journey.
Our proven track record speaks volumes. Successful projects with reputable clients have significantly enhanced our credibility. Engaging in thought leadership through speaking engagements and publications positions us as industry leaders, further solidifying our reputation.
Building strong, positive client relationships is at the heart of what we do. These connections lead to repeat business and referrals, a true testament to the trust and satisfaction our clients have in us.
Community engagement is another pillar of our success. By contributing to community development, we earn respect that extends beyond our client base, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive impact on society.
Above all, authenticity and integrity are the foundation of CMS. We maintain honesty and ethics in all our interactions, building a strong foundation of trust that underpins every relationship.
Incorporating Doug Williams’ powerful words, CMS has built a stellar reputation by never giving up, never giving in, and handling our successes with the same dignity we absorbed our losses. By embodying these principles, and with abiding faith, CMS has demonstrated that resilience, collaboration, and excellence lead to success. This journey has been personal, emotional, and filled with passion, driving us to create lasting, meaningful change for our clients and our community.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A profound lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that showing vulnerability as a leader is a sign of weakness. This belief was deeply ingrained in me from the early stages of my career, and it took a series of personal and professional challenges to finally unravel it.
In my early career, I led a nonprofit organization in a male-dominated field. I felt immense pressure to prove my capabilities and maintain a facade of strength. Despite earning accolades like Administrator of the Year, I often felt isolated and unheard. It was a lonely journey, masked by a veneer of success that only deepened my sense of disconnection.
The turning point came when I faced significant setbacks, including clashes with my Board of Directors, the theft of my intellectual property and personal challenges that left me questioning everything I knew about leadership. These events shattered my carefully constructed facade and forced me to confront my vulnerabilities. It was a painful but necessary process of reevaluation.
Embracing vulnerability allowed me to connect more deeply with my faith and use more discernment with others to foster genuine relationships. This shift in perspective was crucial when I founded Caldwell Management Solutions (CMS) and it is still relevant today. At CMS, I embraced a leadership style prioritizing authenticity and empathy. Our flagship program, The Living Leadership Lab, emphasizes holistic leadership development. Sharing my vulnerabilities has fostered a culture of trust and openness with our clients.
One instance where this approach proved invaluable was during a leadership workshop for a federal agency. Sharing my story of professional and personal challenges resonated with the participants, empowering them to share their own stories. Seeing the impact of my vulnerability on others was a powerful affirmation of my new approach.
Unlearning the belief that vulnerability is a weakness has been transformative. It has enabled me to lead with greater authenticity and compassion and build a consulting firm that values genuine human connection and honesty. This lesson continues to shape my approach to leadership, emphasizing continuous learning, in-depth listening and self-growth. The journey has been difficult, but it has made me a better leader and, more importantly, a more connected human being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caldwellmanagementsolutions.com
- Instagram: @themgmtdr
- Facebook: www.facebook.loretta Caldwell-Thompson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-caldwell-thompson-ed-d-76544115
