Meet Karen Dumas

 

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

Hi Karen, 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?

I have been “released of my duties” twice in my career. Each time was with a government entity. First, it was my second job out of college. I was 24, making $45k annually as the Director of Public Information/Press Secretary for the Mayor of Highland Park, MI. It was the turning point for me towards entrepreneurship. After leaving, I interviewed for a few other jobs, only to be offered less than I was making and told I would be responsible for bringing in a certain amount of new business. After hearing it three times, I figured if they thought I could bring them new business, I could do it for myself. I started my own company–Images & Ideas, Inc., which I ran successfully until I was invited to serve as Chief of Communications for the City of Detroit under former Mayor Dave Bing. It was a highly visible and powerful position, which I enjoyed. I brought an entrepreneurial approach to getting things done and that same expectation of others. A disgruntled employee that I inherited from another colleague decided to sue me, the City of Detroit, and the mayor saying I created a hostile work environment. I wanted her to work. After being dragged by the media for weeks, I resigned and returned to my company. The reputation I had built over the years was my landing pad. The accusations of one surrounding the lawsuit paled compared to who I was and my solid reputation. The day I left I held a press conference in my living room (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQoZq6TmSAc)
to address any concerns. I left with my head up, my reputation stronger than ever, and my next steps and future in my own hands. https://www.hourdetroit.com/community/mayor-bings-ousted-chief-communicator-karen-dumas-speaks/
People say I landed on my feet, but you must fall to land. I never saw myself as falling…or failing.

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 feel like the abstractness of my presence and my contributions are appreciated and impactful, but perhaps indescribable.

In addition to using strategic communications to enhance operational efficiency for organizations, I also do so the same for executives who are looking to be better leaders. I have one-on-one calls weekly with a few C-suite leaders to help them navigate personal and professional roadblocks.

I do a lot behind the scenes. Sometimes, even some staff are unaware of my participation as my role is to compliment internal efforts, not compete with them. I seek results, not credit or attention.

Writing—op/eds, position statements, speeches, and public/media statements for those who have found themselves dealing with a faux pax and providing guidance. I have resolved community issues between residents and small business owners when situations reveled a lack of understanding, communication and connectivity. And I resolved a complex issue for a COO who shared the same name as someone who had made derogatory public comments about the community. The company and CEO were taking a hard hit as a result. Social media, media, internal issues, etc.

I am a secret (i.e. confidential) weapon of those I work with and combine PR, politics, and personal relationships to deliver results.

Not liking to talk about myself, I usually say “I get sh*t done, and just keep it moving.

I’ve always enjoyed the variety and complexity of what I do, which spans industries and individuals of various professions. It prevents monotony and boredom.

My media footprint has included print, TV and talk-radio, which I love.

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

I think the three strongest qualities were–and remain–the ability and willingness to communicate: being trustworthy and delivering results. Staying connected and being honest during and engagement matter. Clients shouldn’t have to ask or guess what’s going on. Being trustworthy is extremely valuable. Your secret is safe with me and has put me in conversations with a wide variety of people and topics. Knowing that conversation and information will not be shared by me has earned a valuable and irreplaceable trait–trust. And delivering results. Promises don’t yield profits; progress does.

I am a huge proponent of business acumen, which I encourage everyone to embrace the basics–bring on time (early actually), keeping your word, being honest and up-front, not a BS’er. And be yourself. Don’t try to be the “next” anyone. You have everything you need to be the best YOU possible. Never stop improving and growing. That prevents stagnation.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Being busy is a blessing, and a burden. Time management and organization are the key to not being overwhelmed. That along with not procrastinating, which only allows demands and responsibilities to build. This means prioritizing responsibilities, managing expectations and saying no when it isn’t beneficial. It’s also important to distinguish being busy and being productive, as they are not the same thing. I referenced earlier an entrepreneurial approach to doing and taking care of business. That means being productive and not just present. People occupy an office for 8 hours, but those 8 hours aren’t always productive. As an entrepreneur, if I am not productive, I am not profitable and bring broke isn’t an option. So, I balance my time, prioritize my responsibilities, stay organized and engaged. I can get more done in the morning alone that many do all day. That works for me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Khary Frazier
Tony Motley
Snuggles, Inc.

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