Rhonda Hight shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Rhonda, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Definitely good music! Music is my happy place. It brings me joy, comfort, peace, or courage. Whatever is needed in that moment music provides it.
My work often involves air travel. I’ll unwind on a flight home with a playlist. If I’m tired from the trip; I like listening to Hidden Beach jazz compilations, or neo-soul to lull me into a power nap. If ‘m feeling a little pumped up or just excited to be going home, I’ll rock something upbeat and bold. I’ve been told that, “I never let a good beat go to waste.” It’s true! I will rock out almost anywhere to some good music!
Music and dancing…take me away!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the founder and Principal Consultant, of Let’s Talk, LLC; a boutique human resources consulting firm that specializes in business coaching and facilitation of experiential learning programs. As a Consultant, I guide teams through strategic discussions, and behavioral change via experiential learning programs. As a business coach, I work with leaders and individual contributors to achieve their respective development goals. My clients include domestic and international organizations from various industries.
I’m known for fostering collaboration, aligning organizational goals, and delivering impactful solutions tailored to my client’s needs; I have managed and facilitated hundreds of training events, and collaborated on organizational transformation projects designed to assist emerging and senior leaders with building their leadership competencies.
I believe what makes me unique is the authenticity, empathy, compassion, and humor I bring to spaces where learning, coaching, and epoch-making discussions take place.
I’m grateful for the blessings received in this role, and blessings in route. With all of the change and chaos in the world right now, I’m not certain which direction this journey will take me. I am, however, certain that I will continue to Live on Purpose and use my voice to help others reach new heights!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
There are actually two relationships that shaped the way I see myself. They are my mother, Carolyn Smith, and my grandmother, Elizabeth Spivey. Both of these women were entrepreneurs. My mother was a clothing designer and co-owned a dress shop with her best friend. She was known for her timeless fashion creations. My grandmother was the original Uber. She would provide rides [to and from the job] for her co-workers and charge them a weekly fee. She called them her “Riders”. Both of these women were beautiful, smart, wise, talented, resilient, and possessed bold voices. Even though they are no longer physically with me, they are a part of my DNA; literally and figuratively.
When I decided to resign from my position at The Coca-Cola Company to peruse my dream of entrepreneurship, it was their legacy that fueled me. It was their example of what was possible and the wisdom they shared, that shaped how I see myself. Each of them saw the best in me, and made sure I knew it, I stand on their shoulders; it is their example of what a strong and capable woman looks like, that has shaped me more than anything else I’ve experienced. I like to think I’ve made them proud.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I was asked to speak to a group of people that were participating in a program hosted by the Urban League. These individuals were in the process of rebuilding their lives after various hardships. My topic was job readiness. I was in the middle of my presentation, when an older gentleman in the group, asked me to tell them about myself. As I began with my usual elevator speech; he stopped me mid-sentance, and said “No, Tell Us, Who Are You?”
I paused, and my mind volleyed back and forth between sticking with the script; or revealing my own past hardships. I was there to encourage them to continue moving forward beyond their current situation(s) but was hesitant to share my own story of how I had done the same. I took a deep breath…and began. I shared parts of my life that I had kept hidden because of fear of its effect on my business, my brand, professional relationships, and everything that I had accomplished thus far. By the time I finished my story, I was in tears, and so was most of the room. They came up and gave me a group hug, and I hugged them back.
It was this moment that set me free. Shortly after, I began what had been a 20-year goal. I wrote my first book; “Take the Lessons and Leave the Baggage: Stories of a Solopreneur.” No longer was I ashamed of or hiding my mistakes and scars. My past was just that–my past. It served its purpose; and I continue to use those “Lessons” as I teach and touch people around the world!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
For the most part, I would say, yes. One of the things I’m known for is my authenticity. I can go from being extremely professional to silly, or assertive, depending on the environment and the people in it. I still struggle sometimes with adding chaser to my verbal cocktails. I like straight, honest and direct communication. As I’ve matured, I have learned that some people prefer a little chaser with their communication or want to avoid crucial conversations all together. I continue to work on strengthening my emotional intelligence so that I can discern when I need to modify my style of communication to be most effective, when interacting with others whose style differs from my own.
When I am in environments where I don’t see myself represented, or in ones where I don’t feel physiologically safe because of the organization’s culture, I tend to be more guarded. I hide parts of my personality or shut down. The way I pull myself out of that space is by remembering my grandmother’s words: “Never change who YOU are because of who THEY are.”
On a personal level, I share with those close to me what’s going on; but sometimes will not acknowledge just how stressed or challenged I am by a particular situation. Part of the reason is pride; the other part is that I don’t want people that I love worrying about me. Life is life-ing for them too; I don’t want their love for me. to feel heavy. I’ve learned to balance this a bit more, but I’m still a work-in-progress when it comes to being transparent with how heavy or hard certain aspects of my life are [for me] sometimes.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am definitely, doing what I was born to do! From the time I could string two words together, I’ve been a chatterbox; and a sponge for knowledge. I say it’s a God-given gift because it comes very naturally to me, and because of where it was birthed. This Gift, and a desire to share knowledge, have opened doors and took me to places in this world, and placed me in rooms that I never could have imagined being in.
I remember during the last two years of my tenure at the Coca-Cola Company, I was laying the groundwork for Let’s Talk, LLC, and actively working on my exit strategy. During my commute to work, I would often fantasize that I was on my way to meet with a client, or to a speaking engagement. Fast forward to the first year of working my business full-time, I was driving the same route along I-20 that I had taken to Coke for 7 years; however, this time I was a presenter for two separate training events with a client. I found my Earth, Wind & Fire CD and loudly played “On Your Face”, feeling like a baddie all the way there! Right before pulling into the client’s parking lot, I turned the music down, straightened my business suit out, checked my lipstick in the visor mirror, said a brief prayer, and walked into my destiny!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Letstalkllc.com
- Instagram: @Letstalkllc25
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda08/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetsTalkLLC
Image Credits
These are my personal photos
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
