Meet Corey Wilks

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Corey Wilks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Corey below.

Corey, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?

After spending 12 years to earn a doctorate in psychology and the next few climbing to the top of my field, I found myself working in a high-need area specializing in a niche discipline, so I thought I had supreme job security. Then I got an email from the COO saying, “Everyone loves you–the staff, the patients, everyone. You do a great job and you’re a model employee. But you’re fired. This is your 30-day notice.” Due to COVID-related layoffs, I was out. But because of the bureaucratic nature of practicing therapy, it would’ve taken me four to six months to find another job. I didn’t have four to six months, I had 30 days to figure out my life.

“What else can I use my skillset as a psychologist to do outside of therapy?” I thought. Then I realized the thing I’d always wanted to do–start my own business–was suddenly an option instead of a daydream.

I literally had to Google “How to start an LLC” to get started, but I’ve spent the last five years building my own business using my skills as a psychologist to help founders through executive coaching–I help them navigate fear and limiting beliefs holding them back, clarify what matters, and pursue their own definition of success.

Getting fired was excruciating in the moment, but it ended up being one of the best things that could’ve happened to me because it forced me to stop waiting for “someday” to pursue what I actually wanted to do.

I don’t dread Monday mornings anymore, don’t have to deal with bureaucracy or crappy bosses, and get to let me curiosity guide me on what I work on next. It’s great.

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?

Fundamentally, I help people reach their potential in life and business. Practically, what this looks like is helping them navigate what’s holding them back (which is often fear–like fear of failure, ridicule, uncertainty, and even success), clarify what matters to them (developing their intrinsic definition of success and the impact they want to have), and collaborate with them to pursue their definition of success.

I do this through 1:1 coaching, workshops, and my online community where I offer group coaching and other trainings to help people navigate the mental/emotional aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Business tactics are simple, but dealing with all the psychologist stuff (burnout, fear, waiting for permission, overthinking, etc.) are what entrepreneurs actually need help with most of the time.

Beyond my paid offers, I also share strategies and insights to help you transform your business, your life, and yourself through my newsletter and podcast (Creator Alchemy with Corey Wilks, Psy.D.) where I interview entrepreneurs and thought leaders about their journeys building a business and a meaningful life.

You can find everything at my website, which is coreywilkspsyd.com

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

1. Embracing your authenticity. When you embrace your own authenticity, you give others permission to embrace their own. We all want to be genuine and feel connected, but most of us let self-doubt hold us back from embracing who we really are. Learn to get comfortable with who you are and who you want to be–there’s no shortcut, but with deliberate effort over a long enough time period, you’ll get there.

2. Genuinely wanting to help people. In a world where most people are just trying to sell something or engage in superficial networking, genuinely care about people and wanting to help them instantly stands out.

3. Knowing how to build your reputation. Instead of going for quick wins or following the last trend, focus on doing work you care about, helping people you want to help, and upholding your own set of principles. Everyone talks about building their “personal brand,” but a better way to frame it is building your reputation. So instead of asking, “How does this help/harm my personal brand?” Ask, “How does this help/harm my reputation?” It’ll make identifying the right action way easier.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’d love to collaborate with people building incredible companies who want a partner to come in and help with mindset/emotional aspects of building a business and creating a company culture of excellence. I can talk about human performance, self-actualization, and unlocking your unique potential all day everyday (in fact, I do, haha).

The best place to connect with me is either LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/) or emailing me through my newsletter, which you can find at coreywilkspsyd.com

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