Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Darling.
Hi Jonathan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I became passionate about leadership and leadership development after experiencing the negative effects of poor leadership.
When I started my journey, I began writing articles and blogs discussing sales and leadership, when I was met with lots of hostility from a previous employer. The CEO and CFO at the time, would make up fake email addresses and write really derogatory comments on my blog and articles. It really hit me hard, but I was determined to push forward to show the others what true leadership looked and felt like.
After a few years of dedication to writing, I was asked to come to speak at a local networking event. That day changed my life and showed me what I was truly created for. Communicating and encouraging positive action in others.
I began applying for TEDx events so that I could share my message of Love & Leadership on a larger scale but kept getting rejected. After my 15th rejection, I decided that I would take matters into my own hands and create a speaker series that focused on our Knoxville community. The idea was to bring local leaders and experts together to re-invest back into our community. We would sell tickets to the event and then donate those sales to a local nonprofit.
Impact Knoxville was created and after two successful events, has morphed into a developing coaching and mentoring organization that works with local companies and professionals to develop leadership skills, regardless of age, position, or profession, that makes a Massive Impact on their teams, companies, and communities.
We work to help improve the leadership development within organizations and individuals to help them increase employee engagement and cultural health, knowing that how we love and care for those around us will ultimately determine our success.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been challenges along the way.
Just getting our first speaker series off of the ground was difficult. I had never done anything like this before, and I was cold calling speakers off of Linkedin, sharing my vision, and asking them to come to give their time for free. Up until the night before, I didn’t even know if people were going to show up.
From there, for the second event, we had to deal with the pandemic and move from 2020 to 2021 and decide whether or not we would hold the event live. We ended up giving alive an online option, which allowed us to open up the attendance to anyone. We ended up having people join from all over the United States, Ireland, England, Australia, and Germany.
There has also been the challenge of shifting mindsets. Not everyone looks at love as the foundation for successful and impactful leadership. It’s hard for people to see past the emotional, romantic idea of love, versus the truth, which is the action of love. Anytime you are shifting the traditional paradigm of an established market, it takes time and effort.
No matter what obstacle has come, I’ve been able to work through it thanks to the support of those who share in and support my vision. I want Knoxville to be the hub of leadership development. Not just for the chosen few, but for everyone, helping them build the understanding that we call all lead when we love and care for others. It’s not positional, it’s not based on status or title, but on the heart.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have worked in the packaging and automation space for almost 15 years now. I just published my first book, “Double Your Sales In 12 Months.
The Stupid-Simple Playbook for Packaging Reps” focuses on helping packaging supply and equipment companies and professionals learn how to build wider and deeper relationships with their customers, to truly understand their goals, challenges, and pains so that they can ultimately help them achieve those goals, overcome those challenges and alleviate those pains.
This is the first of many books that I have on deck, the next being focused on how to build and nurture the Ultimate Performing Team. Everything I do is focused around helping others learn how to love and care for those around them so that we can thrive in this world, not just survive.
I just finished my MBA with a focus on Organizational Leadership and am a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach. The online Impact Leadership training program is also about to launch soon for individuals and companies alike.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in effort.
When you consistently show up, do your best and have fun, amazing things can happen.
I also know that I have been called to this. God has always provided for me and is always with me. This is his vision for my life. I’m just giving my best effort.
Contact Info:
- Email: jonathan@jonathandarling.net
- Website: www.jonathandarling.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/thejonathandarling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Jonathan-Darling
