Meet Benjamin Adkins, ACC

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Benjamin Adkins, ACC. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Benjamin below.

Benjamin, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve discovered my purpose through numerous explorations and iterations. I began my career as a Spanish teacher, then transitioned into human resources, and eventually moved into the corporate tech space. My journey has taken me through digital advertising with Uber, email marketing with Emarsys, and roles in project and account management. Over the past decade, I have gained experience across various industries including education technology, virtual reality technology, email marketing technology, and transportation technology.

My career has afforded me the opportunity to travel extensively through Latin America, Europe, and Eastern Europe, allowing me to meet a diverse range of people. Through these experiences, I’ve come to understand that my true purpose is to mentor, coach, and teach. Often, I was the only person of color in the companies I worked for, which naturally positioned me as a mentor and leader.

I’ve always been drawn to helping others navigate their careers and lives. Today, as a certified Agile life and leadership coach, I am dedicated to guiding individuals towards self-exploration and self-actualization. My friends often turn to me for support in their family, personal, romantic, and professional lives. They’ve told me that I bring them peace, provide space for reflection, and offer a sense of safety.

One of my friends once said, “Ben, you always provide space and safety for everyone.” Whether it’s welcoming people into my home to share a meal or a glass of wine, I believe my purpose in life is to serve and support others.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m excited to share more about my journey and what I’m currently focused on professionally. My name is Benjamin Adkins, and I’m a Certified Agile Leadership Coach and Facilitator, as well as the CEO and Founder of Ben Adkins Coaching Solutions. With a background that spans various industries and roles, I’ve dedicated my career to mentoring, coaching, and leading individuals and organizations towards greater efficiency, productivity, and personal fulfillment.

Professional Focus
Execonline
In my role as a Certified Agile Leadership Coach and Facilitator at Execonline, I guide teams and organizations in adopting Agile methodologies and principles to improve efficiency and productivity. My expertise lies in facilitating workshops, training sessions, and retrospectives to foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration among cross-functional teams. I assess organizational needs, create tailored Agile transformation strategies, and implement customized solutions to drive successful Agile adoption and transformation journeys.

Ben Adkins Coaching Solutions
As the CEO and Founder of Ben Adkins Coaching Solutions, I specialize in improving business operations and processes to optimize customer interactions and drive growth. My coaching approach is deeply rooted in Agile principles, focusing on continuous improvement, team empowerment, and collaboration. I work with businesses to create a culture of agility and guide teams to take ownership of their work and foster effective communication.

In addition to working with businesses, I also coach individuals seeking to advance in their careers, transition to new roles, or make career changes. I offer a range of assessments, exercises, and coaching sessions to help clients identify their career goals and develop strategies for achieving them. My services include building strong personal brands, improving networking skills, refining resumes, and enhancing interview techniques.

What Sets My Work Apart
What excites me most about my work is the impact it has on both individuals and organizations. Seeing clients achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and transform their careers and businesses is incredibly rewarding. My unique combination of experience across various industries and my deep understanding of Agile methodologies allow me to provide tailored, effective coaching that drives real results.

Upcoming Initiatives
I’m thrilled to announce several new initiatives and offerings. We are expanding our services to include more comprehensive leadership development programs, focusing on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and effective communication. These programs are designed to help executives and leaders optimize their performance, navigate organizational transitions, and drive innovation and growth.

Additionally, we are launching a series of workshops and webinars aimed at fostering adaptability and resilience in today’s rapidly changing business environment. These events will provide participants with practical tools and strategies to lead their teams through transformation and achieve sustainable success.

I invite everyone to learn more about our services and upcoming events by visiting my website, benjaminjadkins.com. For those interested in personal, leadership, and life coaching, I encourage you to schedule a free chemistry meeting to discuss how we can work together to achieve your goals.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Being Available

I firmly believe that the universe and God can’t use us until we are fully available to receive. This practice takes time and experiences, but it is achievable. For anyone looking to scale their lives, I would advise being open to the blessings that come your way. You are worthy of good things happening to you.

Step one: tell yourself you are worthy of receiving good things daily. Put it on a sticky note in your bathroom on the mirror and say it out loud every day. It will feel weird, and sometimes you won’t believe it, but keep saying it until you do.

Step two, and it’s the last step: take that image in your mind that you have grown up with and toss it out. The image we have in our minds is what often holds us back. Each of us has our own journey, but we have to be open to receive so we can reach our full potential.

Our lives are like plants in our homes. We are put into planters or pots. Some of our pots are nicer or appear to be nicer than others, and some are actually nicer. We all still grow, but we grow differently. Some plants are being cared for, not just receiving the basics of sun and water, but also fertilizer and good drainage. Some of us don’t have good drainage, and we develop root rot, and some of us die. But if we are lucky, we get cleaned up and repotted, and we are given what we need to survive and grow up to be amazing and beautiful. My point is everyone comes up differently in different environments; however hard our upbringing was, we can still make it. God and the universe will send people into our lives to heal us, but we often reject them because we feel we don’t deserve it. Being open to receiving help is crucial for our growth and healing.

Looking Back

Looking back on my journey, there are three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful:

Resilience: Life presents numerous challenges, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks has been crucial. For those early in their journey, I advise building resilience by embracing challenges and viewing them as opportunities for growth. Practice self-care and seek support when needed; resilience is strengthened through self-compassion and persistence.

Continuous Learning: Another key area has been continuous learning. Whether through formal education, professional development, or personal growth, being open to learning new things has significantly shaped my path. I encourage others to stay curious and never stop seeking knowledge. Engage in activities that challenge your mind and broaden your perspectives.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances has also been essential. The world is constantly evolving, and being adaptable allows you to navigate these changes effectively. To develop this skill, focus on staying flexible and open-minded. Embrace change and view it as a chance to grow and innovate.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is take a deep breath. This simple act helps to calm my mind and body. Then, I ask myself, “What is important right now?” I write down my thoughts and take the time to think about them. Often, I’ll go for a walk to clear my head and really evaluate what is important in the moment. This process helps me to recenter and get back on track.

It’s a challenging practice, but it’s also one of the principles of Agile. As an Agile Coach, I emphasize this approach with my clients. By focusing on what truly matters and taking deliberate steps to address those priorities, we can manage our overwhelm and maintain our productivity and well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://benjaminjadkins.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-adkins-acc/