Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kim Hires.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been fascinated about people reaching their full potential. I genuinely look at people and wonder, ‘What’s your gift?’ ‘What would your life look like if you were operating at full capacity?’ It’s what originally drew me to higher education. After a few years as a professor, I realized that education alone does not equip people to be effective leaders. Effective leadership is far too dynamic and requires more of the person to show up. We all know leaders who hide behind their credentials and cannot connect with their team if their lives depended on it. The most effective leaders are the ones who understand their influence and their responsibility to equip their team to perform at their best. Effective leaders lead with what I call the ‘whole self.’ Everything that makes a person who they are [good and bad] can be used to add positive value to another person.
I started coaching myself – a good coach has to be their own best client. Then I started coaching former students and colleagues. Next thing I know, word got around and soon I had CEOs of healthcare systems reach out to me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. But I wouldn’t trade the challenges. I see challenges and conflicts as opportunities for growth. When I first started and told people that I wanted to coach nurses on how to develop their leadership potential, people just couldn’t see it. To the average person, the perception of nurses does not stir up the image of what leadership ‘should’ like. But I knew better. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I’m Caribbean and pretty stubborn. So the more people told me it didn’t make sense or scoffed at some young person attempting to teach people twice my age about leadership, the more determined I became.
I wanted to be trained by the best, so I obtained my coaching certification from the G.O.A.T. himself, John Maxwell. I then took his training and added my formal training in science research. I use my Ph.D. skills with every client. Gathering information from multiple data sources and data points and synthesizing the information. Then I pull on my nursing background and use motivational interviewing techniques to get to the obstacles and change mindsets.
Please tell us about The Nightingale Firm, LLC.
My company is a global coaching and consulting firm.
I help nurses to step out their boxes and maximize their leadership potential in every setting.
I equip nurse leaders with the skills needed to succeed in leadership and increase their influence. My data driven, evidence-based coaching solutions break through barriers that hold nurse leaders back from building strong relationships with team members and maintaining sustainable work-life balance. The key to effective retention is relationships. I change mindsets to help nurse leaders live intentionally, lead effectively and retain the nursing talent they hire. My coaching programs are designed to help nurse leaders improve their leadership soft skills, gain valuable insights into their behavior, achieve professional goals, and make a positive, lasting impact on the profession.
What makes my company like no other is this isn’t a gimmick. This is life…my life. I lead how I live and live how I lead. My approach focuses on building you up and equipping you at all times. Nursing is hard and no one understands how hard it is except another nurse. I love having a front row seat to the transformation in my client’s lives. It truly is an honor.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I don’t have a single favorite memory from childhood. My fondest memories are spending time with my father. I was such a Daddy’s girl. I followed my father EVERYWHERE! And just being around him taught me so much. I learned everything from how to be handy around the house to how to advocate for people who can’t speak for themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenightingalefirm.com
- Phone: 404-692-2850
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenightingalefirm/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dr_Kim_tweets
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kim-hires-442289109/
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