Meet Vicki Wright Hamilton

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vicki Wright Hamilton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vicki, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
From a young age, I faced challenges with self-esteem and confidence, particularly regarding my appearance. I wasn’t the conventional ideal; I was chubby and often felt overlooked by my peers, which could have easily derailed my self-worth. However, I realized early on that my true strength lay not in how I looked but in what I could achieve with my mind and intellect. This understanding became the cornerstone of my confidence.

I began to invest deeply in my knowledge, understanding that education and intellect were assets no one could take from me. This pursuit of knowledge opened doors to new experiences, which in turn bolstered my self-esteem. Remarkably, my peers recognized this transformation, as evidenced by being voted the most likely to succeed in high school. This acknowledgment wasn’t just about academic success; it was a recognition of my ability to dream, to take risks, and to leverage the unique gifts I had been given.

My career is a testament to the power of continuous learning and growth. I’ve been fortunate to receive promotions every two years, a clear indicator of my success and the impact I’ve made in the technology industry. As a Black woman in tech, I’ve navigated spaces where I was often the only one who looked like me. Despite this, I never allowed my accomplishments to be diminished or seen merely as fulfilling a quota. Instead, I focused on being humble, willing to learn and listen, and eager to contribute meaningfully to every space I entered.

This journey taught me that confidence and self-esteem are built through embracing our unique talents, being open to learning, and understanding that our contributions matter. By staying true to these principles, I’ve been able to make a significant impact and inspire others to recognize their own potential. This path of continuous self-improvement and contribution to the broader community has been incredibly fulfilling, reinforcing my belief in the importance of respecting and valuing everyone’s unique contributions.

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?
At the core of my professional journey is the philosophy that individuals should never be constrained by narrow perceptions or limitations. My work spans several distinct yet interconnected areas, all aimed at empowering leaders and organizations to achieve their fullest potential. Here’s a glimpse into what I do and why I find it so rewarding:

Technology Strategy and Change Management: This area of my work focuses on guiding organizations through the complex landscape of technological change. But it’s not just about the technology; it’s about the people behind it. I specialize in change management, which involves not just implementing new systems but also supporting leaders and teams as they navigate these transitions. This process often includes leadership coaching, helping individuals grow both professionally and personally, whether that involves advancing in their current roles, expanding their scope of work, or even shifting careers.

Leadership Coaching: A significant part of my service offering is dedicated to leadership coaching. This facet of my work is designed to assist leaders in moving from their current state to where they aspire to be. The focus can range from career advancement to expanding the breadth of their roles or even embarking on new entrepreneurial ventures. My approach is personalized, recognizing the unique paths and aspirations of each leader I work with.

Business Expansion Consulting: For leaders who are CEOs of their own companies, I offer strategic guidance to help them expand their operations and significantly increase their bottom line profits. A key aspect of my approach is demonstrating how to boost top-line revenue by five to six figures without any initial investment. This proposition is not just a claim; it’s something I prove to potential clients before they spend a dime with me. It’s about showing tangible value and building trust from the outset.

What excites me most about my work is its foundational commitment to serving people. Watching individuals and organizations grow, develop, and achieve their goals is profoundly rewarding. I pride myself on meeting clients where they are, rather than where others might expect them to be. This principle of personalized, empathetic engagement is what I believe sets my work apart.

In summary, my brand is about transformation, growth, and empowerment, achieved through a blend of technological insight, leadership coaching, and strategic business advice. It’s about helping leaders and organizations not just navigate change, but thrive in it. As for what’s new, I’m constantly exploring innovative ways to serve my clients better and expand my impact, always with the goal of fostering development and success in every engagement.

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?
Reflecting on my journey, there are three pivotal qualities and areas of knowledge that have profoundly shaped my path to success. Each of these elements not only defined my approach to challenges but also offered a blueprint for overcoming obstacles and achieving excellence. Here’s a deeper dive into these qualities and my advice for those at the beginning of their journey:

1. Self-Determination: My journey began with a deep sense of self-determination. Being underestimated due to my appearance taught me to rely on my intellect and to invest in myself. This unwavering belief in my capabilities allowed me to navigate the world with confidence in my knowledge and what I could offer. Advice: Cultivate self-determination by setting personal goals and pursuing them with tenacity. Believe in your unique value and never let external perceptions dictate your self-worth. Invest in continuous learning and self-improvement.

2. Willingness to Face Challenges and Take Risks: Embracing challenges and calculated risks was crucial in stretching my abilities and growing beyond my comfort zone. This mindset enabled me to undertake opportunities that others might shy away from, always with a strategic approach to minimize potential downsides. Advice: Develop resilience by stepping into challenges, even when they seem daunting. Learn to assess risks intelligently, considering both potential setbacks and growth opportunities. Embrace failure as a learning experience, not a defeat.

3. Observation and Influence: Learning from others, especially those respected in my field, was invaluable. By observing their successes and approaches, I honed my ability to influence and communicate effectively, transcending barriers and biases. This skill was particularly crucial in a field where my racial background could have been a limiting factor, yet it became a testament to my capability and adaptability. Advice: Be a keen observer of those you admire and respect in your field. Learn not just from their successes but also their mistakes. Practice empathy and effective communication to influence and lead, regardless of the audience’s expectations or prejudices.

For those early in their journey, my overarching advice is to embrace these qualities as foundational elements of your growth. Invest in yourself, be prepared to navigate through challenges with resilience, and always seek to learn from those around you. By doing so, you will not only develop a robust set of skills and knowledge but also cultivate the ability to influence and lead, irrespective of the obstacles you might face.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client transcends the specific services I offer, whether it be in technology strategy, leadership coaching, or facilitating CEOs in enhancing their companies’ bottom line profits. The quintessence of an ideal client for me is someone deeply invested in their own growth and transformation, more so than I could ever be. This client is not just looking for change; they are actively seeking to rewrite their narrative to unlock the ‘art of the possible.’

Such a client possesses a mindset geared towards innovation and exploration, always ready to consider solutions and pathways that diverge from the conventional. They are not content with the status quo but are eager to envision and achieve what lies beyond the ordinary scope of their field or personal development.

In essence, whether the engagement is about navigating the complexities of technological evolution, elevating leadership capabilities, or strategic business expansion, the ideal client is characterized by a profound commitment to self-improvement, openness to novel ideas, and a relentless pursuit of their utmost potential.

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