Meet Adam Pendlington

We were lucky to catch up with Adam Pendlington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Adam, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Being around my friends, who are also my collaborators and coworkers, helps me overcome imposter syndrome. It can definitely be tough to feel deserving of such an enjoyable job, like the position is meant for someone better. But being around the right people keeps me grounded, and helps me see myself fairly. Hopefully I do the same for them.

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 work with my best friends in two bands. The most active group is Run Katie Run, and the other is called Highbeams. I love working in both, but Run Katie Run has really been hitting a great creative stride this last couple years. It feels like our hard work is really paying off, and we’re reaching more people at every show.

My focus as a collaborator is on songwriting. I’m not the only writer in the group, but that is how I feel I contribute most. As a band we focus on the show being an unforgettable event for everyone watching, which probably doesn’t sound that unusual. Most live performers want to put on a special performance. The difference with us is our lead singer and songwriter Kate Coleman. We play great songs, but she sets the energy for everyone wherever we perform. There are lots of great musicians, but I haven’t seen many who can also light up a room and change the atmosphere like that.

If I could lead curious readers anywhere, it would be to https://www.runkatierun.com/

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?

I actually got some really great advice about 15 years ago. If you’re already a hardworking and driven person then you don’t need this. But if you’re like me, I was told as a young man that “I have to do something.” For context, I didn’t have any goals, and was just kind of drifting aimlessly. That’s fine for a very short period of time, but life passes quickly. Someone I respect very much, my dad, lovingly said that there’s nothing in life you have to do, but you can’t just let it pass. So even if you aren’t sure about the next step, be carful about waiting too long for things to be just right. You can start heading in any direction you chose, but you have to pick a direction. I think that’s what he meant. And it’s okay to change your mind about your direction at any point, but you will have learned much more about yourself by making decisions. Hopefully I explained that well. So, if you are like an 18 year old version of me, hopefully this advice will be helpful. If you have multiple goals, pick one and start working at it. You’ll find out what drives you much more quickly. At least, I think you will.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents have done countless things to help me. The most relevant thing they did to help me in relation to a career, was giving me the freedom to choose the life I wanted, while also lovingly reminding me that the freedom of choice can also keep people from making decisions. So, I felt like I could pursue whatever path I wanted in life without judgement or disappointment, and I also had the guidance of people with more life experience than me, to make sure the illusion of infinite choice would lead me to not make a choice. If that makes sense. They helped guide me, which I imagine is a hard balance for a parent.

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Image Credits

Cat Harper Photography (Atlanta)

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