Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert H. Johnson Jr.
Robert, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Going way back, I grew up in Miami, FL, raised by a strong single mother. Even though we experienced struggle, my mom always made sure I felt protected, supported and loved. She inspired me to be my best and build a good life. This encouragement led me to become the first person in my family to attend and graduate from college. Attending an HBCU, Florida Memorial University, was one of my most impactful experiences: I learned the importance of having a community of mentors and coaches in my life. One of those mentors, Ms. Athena Jackson, was instrumental in shaping my belief in myself beyond college and into Corporate America.
As I grew and advanced in my career my purpose became clear; I needed more than the paycheck. I wanted to pour into and open doors for others. I was doing challenging and rewarding work with some dynamic people in Corporate America while forging my own path. Eventually, that led to me being one of the youngest people promoted to Senior Vice President. Leaders often asked me “What do you want to do? What’s next for you?” These questions led to amazing opportunities and professional growth.
However, there’s always a point in life, career and business in which you will encounter an antagonist. Those character defining moments. I recall one of those instances; I reported to a new manager who didn’t support me as a person. She was committed to achieving the results but wasn’t interested in helping to develop me as a person/professional. We all need and deserve leaders that are invested in our individual success, not just their positional success. The Corporate Dropout was birthed out of this experience.
I believe God used her to give me the push and faith I needed to become the Corporate Dropout and launch my firm, RHJ Consulting Group!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
All of us have a story and depending on where we are in our lives, those turns and bumps can be harder and or more difficult to manage. Ultimately, the challenges I’ve experienced always revealed another part of who I am and who I’m supposed to be in the world. One of my most pivotal experiences occurred in 2008 when I was branch manager for a top bank. I was in the role for more than three years and was exceeding expectations and goals. However, I needed and deserved something different; new challenges and experiences. I took control of my narrative by meeting with my Marketing Executive. I was honest and raw about what I needed during an emotional conversation. I’m sure she was thinking, “why is he about to cry in my office.”
It’s because my spirit was full and ready to move beyond where I was to where I knew my potential was desiring. Change! That was a significant moment because if I didn’t stand up and speak out for myself, I could still be running a branch and not living my purpose with passion.
The Corporate Dropout and RHJ Consulting Group provide services and merchandise to people at inroads in their lives and careers. As a business owner, I’ve experienced both challenges and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. My traditional business model focused on in-person coaching and speaking engagements, which halted suddenly. I had to reimagine my business and delivery model to attract and serve clients as well as achieve my business goals.
Lessons I teach my clients and encourage everyone to do is honor your intuition, have faith and trust your gut. When your heart, mind and spirit say it is time to move forward, you have to go. Plan for it, expect it and honor it. Your career and business strategy must always include an exit or elevation component. The longer you stay in spaces you’ve outgrown, the more uncomfortable you will become and the more of a disservice you’re doing to your spirit. When you get the sign, start working on your plan. You may not be ready to make the leap today. I don’t encourage jumping without three things: a strategy, savings and a whole lot of faith. If I hadn’t had the conversation and a strategy in 2008, I don’t think in 2020 I’d be the person or in the position to do the things I’m able to do now.
Please tell us about RHJ Consulting Group and The Corporate Dropout.
After building a successful 20+ year career as a leader and executive in Retail and Financial services, I decided to make the leap into entrepreneurship with the Corporate Dropout. Corporate Dropout is a training company and lifestyle brand dedicated to those with a risk-taking mindset. It is a collective for free agents who want to start companies, embrace opportunities outside of the mainstream and successfully navigate Corporate America. As someone who’s had great coaches and mentors, I wanted to offer that experience to others in a substantive and differentiated way. I’m fortunate to have lived the opportunities I enable my clients to experience.
My coaching strategies are informed by the following formula: Real Life + Real Challenge + Real Strategies = Real Success. I recognized that my passion and purpose is to “make the invisible, visible.” I do this by investing in people who are often underrepresented, undervalued and underdeveloped in Corporate America.
RHJ Consulting Group specializes in three pillars: leadership and professional development, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B), and business strategy. The first pillar involves working with individuals as an executive coach and with companies to design practical, yet effective, professional development programs for their employees and leaders. The second pillar is focused on training and building strong culture through sustainable diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives for companies. This area is one that I hold very close because of personal experience as well as the fact that studies and data prove that dynamic leader-driven DEI&B programs contribute to people-centered cultures and increased business outcomes. The last pillar, business strategy, includes partnering with companies in various phases of their lifecycle (concept, start-up and beyond) to design everything from branding to vision, mission and values.
I’m excited announce our newest initiative; The CorporPreneurship Coaching Program. This is a three-month group coaching program that makes quality professional development and coaching accessible and affordable. The program is for anyone ready to reimagine their career or business and achieve the next level of personal and/or professional success!
Ultimately, we operate like a three-legged stool to help individuals and organizations achieve their maximum potential. I’ve built a brand and business that specializes in coaching and building emotionally intelligent and strategic leaders who exceed performance goals and make a positive impact in the communities they serve.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up as an only child encouraged me to have a sense of independence and responsibility. I remember starting my first business washing cars. I would walk door to door, asking neighbors if I could wash their car for five dollars. Looking back on it now, I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit most of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rhjconsultinggroup.com
- Phone: 770.330.7495
- Text: “I’m Ready” to 770.330.7495 to learn more about the CorporPreneurship Coaching:
- Email: info@rhjconsultinggroup.com
- Instagram: @iamthecorporatedropout
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