We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tameka Rushing a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tameka, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I spent 21 years in the United States Air Force. Eight of those 21 years were in Enlisted Professional Military Education. I was selected for a special assignment as the Etchberger Airman Leadership School Commandant at Grand Forks Air Force Base. That had been a goal of mine since attending the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in Germany some years prior. I admired how my instructor presented herself, and by graduation, I knew I wanted to lead in that way. That 4-year assignment and the follow-on assignment overseeing eight schools at eight Air Force Bases is the foundation for my trajectory to Glass Half Full Solutions LLC. After retiring from the military, I landed an internal talent management consultant role for a faith-based healthcare system.
One of my primary roles in that position was training new leaders. That aligned with my passion for helping grow new and emerging leaders. I’ve witnessed how lacking critical and foundational leadership skills can negatively affect employees and the leader. After almost 6 years in that role, I reached an extremely high level of burnout. Within 2 months of entering my “second retirement” and regulating my physical and mental space, I created Glass Half Full Solutions LLC. I still wanted to help change the leadership space, primarily with new and emerging leaders and business owners. I’ve often heard how I’ve entered a very saturated market. To that, I frequently use the analogy of how we walk into a grocery store and see multiple brands of almost every item in the store. What if the company that wasn’t first decided not to enter their perspective space? Their products wouldn’t be on the shelves. This is my approach to those comments. I bring my military background and college-level and corporate experiences, all having achieved many awards and recognitions.
I’ve learned how we react to life’s situations over the years. It comes down to mindset. It’s easy to point out the negative aspects of life, and oftentimes, it’s less of the positive outcomes. This is why I named the company Glass Half Fulls Solutions LLC. It’s okay to acknowledge and reflect on the negative, but I challenge everyone to find something positive for every negative. The same goes for professional development and leadership.

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?

I’m a leadership strategist and founder of Glass Half Full Solutions LLC. My journey into leadership began with 21 years in the United States Air Force, where I served in roles that honed my ability to develop people, lead teams, and navigate change – skills that have become the cornerstone of my business.
After retiring from the military, I transitioned into the corporate world, focusing on leadership development for new and emerging leaders. That experience made one thing clear: leaders often struggle not because they lack talent but because they lack the right tools and confidence to navigate the challenges of leading others. I want to change that.
Glass Half Full Solutions LLC was born to fill this gap. I offer services such as 1-on-1 coaching, group workshops, leadership assessments (like DiSC), and customized professional development programs that equip leaders to excel in their roles. Additionally, I provide eLearning development and virtual facilitation for organizations looking to level up their teams.
What sets me apart? I bring a unique blend of military precision, corporate insight, and a mindset grounded in adaptability and optimism. The name “Glass Half Full” reflects my belief that challenges are opportunities waiting for the right perspective. I help leaders identify their strengths, shift their mindset, and develop actionable strategies to achieve tangible results – whether that’s building cohesive teams, improving communication, or confidently stepping into a new leadership role.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to help people pivot with purpose, lead with confidence, and inspire teams to thrive.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A hard lesson I had to unlearn was the concept of unfiltered or blind loyalty. I know – some might hear that and immediately think, “But isn’t loyalty a good thing?” And it is. Loyalty is a beautiful quality to have, but like anything else, it requires boundaries.
For years, my loyalty to certain people and organizations kept me in spaces far longer than I should’ve stayed. The burnout I faced toward the end of my corporate career was a direct result of this – unfiltered personal and professional loyalty that completely drained me. It all came to a head when I ended up in the emergency room with atrial fibrillation. That moment was my wake-up call – an undeniable signal that I needed to reset and re-prioritize.
I realized I had become a walking, talking example of burnout, and it wasn’t because I lacked the knowledge. In fact, I was out there teaching others about the importance of leadership, boundaries, and self-care, but I wasn’t practicing what I preached. My loyalty to others had taken precedence over my mental and physical health, and it cost me.
That experience taught me the value of saying “no,” setting firm boundaries and prioritizing my well-being without guilt. I’m not ashamed to share this because I know I’m not alone. Burnout doesn’t discriminate – it can happen to anyone who gives endlessly without limits. Now, I lead by example, showing others that loyalty is important, but it should never come at the expense of your health or peace. Boundaries are the bridge between loyalty and self-preservation.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Networking has been the most impactful strategy for building my reputation in the market. As someone whose core value is connection, networking comes naturally to me. I’ve always believed it’s essential for people to see me, hear me, and experience what I bring – not just as a business owner but as an individual.
To date, every client I’ve worked with has come from a personal interaction, a recommendation from someone I’ve collaborated with, or through meaningful follow-up conversations. I’ve heard feedback that I’m “doing it the slow way.” And while I respect that perspective, I choose to move in a way that feels authentic, intentional, and credible.
Glass Half Full Solutions LLC is entering year three, and I’m proud of where we are—even as a small but growing business. This journey has been about more than quick wins; it’s been about building a strong foundation to scale effectively and sustainably. For me, success isn’t just about growth – it’s about ensuring that every connection, partnership, and step aligns with my values and serves a greater purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ghfsolutions.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094512544033
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glass-half-full-solutions/?viewAsMember=true

Image Credits

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