Meet Jevon Wooden

 

We recently connected with Jevon Wooden and have shared our conversation below.

Jevon, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I was once asked if my optimism was genuine. I am typically a jovial person who likes to focus on the beauty of life and lessons in adversity. I explained to the person who inquired about the genuineness of my optimism by letting them know that hardship is a great teacher.

I grew up in poverty, faced prison time, had multiple brushes with death, and saw others lose or take their lives. On top of it all, I am constantly battling mental and emotional health challenges. But through it all, I’ve learned that pessimism causes undue stress and closes one off to serendipity. Choosing optimism, on the other hand, has helped me find meaning in my struggles, build resilience, and embrace new opportunities even in the face of adversity. It’s not always easy, but it’s a choice I make every day.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Jevon Wooden, the founder and CEO of BrightMind Consulting Group, where we specialize in helping leaders and organizations unlock their full potential through emotionally intelligent leadership, cultural transformation, and strategic growth. My work is deeply rooted in empowering businesses to foster innovation, build high-performing teams, and create workplaces where people feel valued and motivated to thrive.

What excites me most about what I do is its impact on businesses and individuals. Whether I deliver a keynote, host a workshop, or coach one-on-one, the transformation I witness in leaders who embrace emotional intelligence and empathy is incredibly rewarding. These shifts ripple throughout teams, improving collaboration, communication, and performance while boosting employee engagement and retention.

At BrightMind Consulting Group, we’re all about action. We don’t just talk about leadership theory—we help leaders implement strategies that create measurable change. That’s what makes our work stand out. It’s practical, results-driven, and tailored to each organization’s unique challenges.

Currently, we’re expanding our services with new coaching programs designed to help speakers and coaches build thriving businesses. Our Speaker Development Program equips aspiring speakers or corporate professionals who desire to present better with the tools to create compelling content and grow their influence. Meanwhile, our Coaching Growth Program focuses on scaling coaching practices through empathetic marketing, pricing models, and community-building.

In addition to these programs, I’m launching a new podcast called The Empathy Advantage, which explores the role of empathy in leadership, life, and business. This project reflects my belief that empathy isn’t a soft skill; it’s foundational, driving connection, innovation, and growth.

On the publishing front, I’m self-publishing a new book titled From Functional to Phenomenal: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Transforming Your Leadership and Business, which outlines actionable strategies to help leaders and businesses unlock their potential by addressing principles for sustainable growth using my proprietary framework.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey—from facing personal adversity to building BrightMind Consulting Group—I can confidently say that three key qualities were instrumental in shaping my success: resilience, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. These attributes helped me navigate challenges and create a thriving business that makes a meaningful impact.

1. Resilience has been a cornerstone of my story. From serving in the military, facing life-or-death situations, and rebuilding my life after setbacks, resilience taught me how to persevere when the odds were against me. It’s about more than just bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward and using every obstacle as an opportunity to grow.

Advice:

Develop a Growth Mindset: View failures as lessons, not losses. Journaling your experiences can help uncover patterns and lessons you can apply in the future.
– Build Mental Toughness: Incorporate habits like mindfulness, physical fitness, and positive self-talk to maintain focus under pressure.
– Seek Support: Surround yourself with mentors, accountability partners, or peer groups who can offer guidance and encouragement during tough times.

2. Improving my emotional intelligence (EQ) transformed how I lead, coach, and build relationships. Understanding my emotions—and being attuned to the emotions of others—has allowed me to create genuine connections, resolve conflicts, and inspire action.

Advice:

– Practice Self-Awareness: Take time for introspection. Ask yourself tough questions about how you react to situations and how you can respond more intentionally.
– Empathize Actively: Listen to understand, not just to respond. Make empathy a daily practice by putting yourself in others’ shoes.
– Invest in Learning: Read books from thought leaders like Daniel Goleman and seek feedback from trusted peers or mentors to improve your EQ.

3. The ability to pivot strategically—whether in business or life—has been critical. Markets shift, industries evolve, and personal circumstances change, so adaptability has allowed me to stay ahead of the curve and seize new opportunities.

Advice:

– Stay Curious: Always ask, “What’s next?” Read widely, stay updated on industry trends, and learn new skills.
– Plan, but Stay Flexible: Set clear goals but remain open to revising them as circumstances evolve. Flexibility can be your greatest strength.
– Experiment and Iterate: Don’t be afraid to test ideas and adjust as you go. Perfection is the enemy of progress—launch, learn, and improve.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I firmly believe in focusing on honing your strengths and leveraging what you naturally excel at while only working to improve weaknesses that are required for you to be who you want to be and achieve what you want. Our strengths set us apart and allow us to create meaningful impact, and by doubling down on them, we can maximize our influence and effectiveness. That said, there are times when addressing specific weaknesses is necessary—not to become well-rounded for the sake of it, but to remove barriers that might stand in the way of our goals. For example, early in my career, I realized that public speaking wasn’t a natural strength of mine. However, because I aspired to be a keynote speaker and business coach, I knew this was an area I had to develop. I invested time in practice, sought mentors, and embraced discomfort until I could confidently deliver impactful presentations. Yet, I didn’t try to become a generalist in every skill—I stayed focused on the areas that supported my vision and leaned on others to complement my gaps. This approach has served me well, enabling me to build a business and career that aligns with my strengths while intentionally addressing weaknesses that would have otherwise limited my growth. Ultimately, growth isn’t about becoming everything to everyone—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself for your chosen path.

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