Meet Derrick Wesley

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

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Derrick with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Growing up, my work ethic was profoundly shaped by my father, Ronald Wesley. He didn’t have a college degree or any formal qualifications, yet he woke up every morning, went to work, often took on overtime, and ensured that the bills were paid. We weren’t wealthy, but I always noticed his unwavering commitment and punctuality. He did whatever was necessary to provide for our family, and his dedication and resilience left a lasting impression on me. Seeing my dad’s determination and hard work taught me the importance of perseverance and responsibility, which I carry into my own work today. My mom was the rock for our family and she required us to have high morals, to speak the truth in love, and the importance of faith in God. The lessons I learned from her have been the guiding light in my life and I share these same values with my own children.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My journey is centered around my passion for financial literacy and education. As the founder of Seedlyng Financial Education, my focus is on providing the most innovative financial literacy resources to students, teachers, and districts we partner with. We aim to empower students with essential money management skills that are often overlooked in traditional education.

What excites me most about our work is seeing the tangible impact on students’ lives, as they gain the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions. We’re not just teaching financial concepts; we’re fostering a mindset that can lead to lifelong financial stability and success.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey, I believe the three most impactful qualities and skills have been Social and Emotional Intelligence, Critical Thinking, and Creative Problem Solving. These personal qualities have not only guided my professional path but are also key components of our youth leadership program at Seedlyng Financial Education, where we prepare students for real-world success.

1. Social and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing one’s emotions, and recognizing and influencing the emotions of others, has been crucial in building meaningful relationships and fostering a collaborative work environment. For those early in their journey, I advise focusing on empathy and active listening. Engage in activities that require teamwork and seek feedback on your interpersonal interactions to improve continuously.

2. Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments is invaluable. It has helped me navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions. To develop this skill, practice questioning assumptions, engage in debates, and immerse yourself in diverse perspectives. Always seek to understand the ‘why’ behind things, not just the ‘what.’

3. Creative Problem Solving: Innovation often stems from the ability to approach problems from unique angles and devise effective solutions. This has been a cornerstone in developing our financial literacy programs. To hone this skill, embrace curiosity and experimentation. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and take calculated risks. Engaging in brainstorming sessions and pursuing creative hobbies can also stimulate this kind of thinking.

These qualities are integral to both personal and professional growth. In our youth leadership program, we emphasize these areas to ensure students are well-prepared to tackle future challenges and succeed in any endeavor they choose.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I firmly believe in the philosophy that it’s better to go all in on our strengths rather than solely focusing on improving our weaknesses. This perspective is inspired by one of my favorite books, “Strengths Finder” by Tom Rath, which emphasizes the power of honing our natural talents to achieve excellence.

Focusing on our strengths allows us to leverage what we are naturally good at and passionate about. When we operate in areas where we excel, we are more likely to experience higher levels of engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. This doesn’t mean we should ignore our weaknesses entirely, but rather, we should aim to manage them while investing the majority of our energy in what we do best.

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