Meet Dr. Joanna Hale-McGill

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Joanna Hale-McGill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Joanna , really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
A job layoff in 2017 sent me into a state of depression. I’ll never forget, someone I viewed as a friend asked me to come work for her. I left my job in the private sector to come work for her at a state agency and boy was that a big mistake! It actually was the worst experience of my professional career. I’d heard stories about her, but didn’t believe it until I worked for her. Without warning I came to work one day and she was there with her boss and I was terminated. She never looked at me nor was I given a reason why. I left there broken and confused with so many questions. God had to recalibrate me to depend and trust in him during that time. He was repositioning me for my success and I didn’t even realize it. Even during that time I never lacked anything. I didn’t see the blessing in that moment of being released from that job, but I totally understand now and I’m grratful she fired me, lol.

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?
Walmart’s 1st Next Gospel Superstar Winner, Joanna Hale-McGill is a National Recording Billboard Award Winning Artist from New Orleans, LA. Joanna has been the featured artist for the Tom Joyner Family Reunion, at the New Orleans House of Blues, at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and more recently at the 2022 Essence Music Festival. Joanna has made her Television premiere in Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger Season 2 and more recently on BET’s Sacrifice. Although she’s done all of this, Joanna has been told no for years. She’s auditioned for American Idol 3 times, Sunday Best 3 times and The Voice 2 times. Although she was told no each time, she never gave up on her dream. When she was given the yes by Walmart and TV One, she used that opportunity to walk through the open door God had for her. All you need is that 1 yes to change your life and Joanna is living proof that you can do anything you put your heart and mind to. Joanna has now become a national sought after artist.

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?
The three areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey would be: building a trusted team, doing my research before making business decisions and knowing my value. Having a trusted team, people of integrity has been very critical for me. I made some bad choices with people that have been very expensive lessons along the way. It’s very critical to know who’s representing you because everyone can’t go where you’re going on your journey. Research and asking for references was also something I had to learn the hard way. I had to stop trusting what people say because they will let you down everytime. It’s very critical to know your worth and to never devalue yourself. Others will see the greatness inside of you, but its up to you to know who you are and boldly walk in it.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Life happens and curv balls come, but it’s how we respond that’s very critical. Where I am currently, when I feel overwhelmed I have to remove myself from the situation to regroup/restrategize. I’m only one person and can only do so much. I had to stop allowing others to put their stress and pressures on me. That’s not my burden, it’s theirs and I had to really learn that and remove myself.

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