Ep35: Desmond Jefferson reCHARGED

Show Notes

How do we push ourselves out of our comfort zone? What does it mean to "pimp the system"? Desmond Jefferson explains all of this and tells us about the moment that changed his life. 

Desmond did the typical thing in college. He partied, he hung out too late...in short, he didn’t take it seriously. One day after being placed on academic probation (which he never failed a class before), he had to make a crucial decision: is it me or is it them? 

He had to choose himself and put himself above his friends. He needed to put his needs first. Easier said than done, right?! Desmond showcased courage and humility during our episode by publicly sharing that he was on academic probation. He had not openly shared this part of his life before our episode. He was vulnerable and wants others to learn from his story. 

You can hit a down time and think it won’t get better, but it will. By the way, he focused on himself and was on the Dean’s list. His great advice: Find out what makes you unique. That is your foundation and then build on it!

Desmond is an experienced leader who has successfully worked in the recreational facilities and services industry. He was one of two directors at St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground, in Charleston, SC, working with children. 

Currently, he is a Sales Support Coordinator at Floyd Lee Locums, which provides an elite concierge experience to physicians, CRNAs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other healthcare providers searching for new career opportunities. Desmond is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Healthcare Administration. In his spare time, Desmond loves to travel, spending time with family, and watching sports.

Connect with Desmond to learn more about him and his background:

• LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmond-jefferson-51549416a/
• Instagram  = @ _desssss15 
• Small Talk by Jerome Smalls = https://www.amazon.com/Small-Talk-Stories-Countless-Lessons/dp/1641370726
• Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny and Kerry Patterson = https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Third-Joseph-Grenny/dp/1260474186/ref=sr_1_2dchild=1&hvadid=77859233980801&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=crucial+conversations%27&qid=1624287858&s=books&sr=1-2

Sign up for our newsletter at https://abbraccigroup.com/. Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about our podcast. Learn more about the CHARGE® model by purchasing the book, The Way of the HR Warrior. Let us know about the moments for you that changed your life trajectory. Drop us a note via our website. 

What is The Breakout – Unleashing Personal Growth?

A #1 Self-Improvement podcast, The Breakout tells incredible stories of personal growth with the smart, hilarious thought leaders from Abbracci Group.

Every day, in big and small ways, we put ourselves in boxes. From jobs to relationships, to entire belief systems, many of us are living by rules that someone else wrote for us. On The Breakout, talent specialists and the founders of Abbracci Group, Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther, dive into the extraordinary stories of people overcoming self-doubt, pushing boundaries, and finding the courage and confidence to get what they want and achieve the success they were destined for.

Every two weeks, our hosts sit down with inspiring change makers and experts who share ways that you can break through boundaries and shift your life into bold new territory, fostering personal development and a growth mindset. With a ton of humor and lots of care, Keri and Kelly also bring their own insights as change experts to every conversation. Their number one desire is that you do whatever the hell you want, and on The Breakout, Kelly and Keri prove you can escape expectations; best of all, they show you how.

Each episode is a lesson in living courageously. The show covers topics on self help, leadership, personal development, building success, setting boundaries, growing confidence, mindset change, overcoming self doubt, and knowing your worth. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters.

The Breakout has charted #1 in ‘Self-Improvement’, #1 in ‘Education’, and #7 in ‘All Podcasts’ for good reason. It’s chock full of impactful guests. From awe-inspiring change-makers and innovative leaders to renegade rule-breakers, Celeste Headlee, Robin Landa, Erica Rooney, Tyler Nehila, Maximina Juson, Liz Alterman, Danielle Cobo, Clint Hatton, , Rob Cross, Jennifer Pestikas, Dr. Brian Davidson have all graced the mic.

Our Hosts:

Meet Dr. Keri Ohlrich. With 20+ years on the front lines of the HR field, it’s safe to say that Keri is considered an expert. As co-founder of Abbracci Group and the co-author of ‘The Way of the HR Warrior’, she continues her mission to share insights from these experiences with others whose passion is to be the best in the HR arena. Keri’s professional roles have led to deep insight and expertise in: leadership and organization development, strategic talent planning and programs, defining and developing culture, change management, team building, employee development, engagement and retention and HR department diagnostics.

And, meet Kelly Guenther. Co-founder of Abbracci Group, Kelly brings a holistic approach to the table when it comes to HR, focusing not only on the organization but on the individuals who create the team. Her unique leadership style allows for opportunities to diagnose needs and offer solutions through a deep understanding of the people, processes, and practices involved.

So, who is Abbracci Group? Abbracci Group is a boutique, results-driven, unconventional coaching, HR management and consulting firm focused on getting the best out of people. The company is on a mission to improve the environment of organizations which in turn improves the lives of employees.​ We help leaders and teams develop increased self-awareness, strong leadership and team-building skills. We transform HR professionals into HR warriors who thrive on creating happier, healthier organizations. We apply a holistic approach when developing sustainable practices and nurturing organization culture. Connect with Abbracci Group at https://abbraccigroup.com/

Keri and Kelly’s new book, Whatever the Hell You Want – An Escape Plan to Break Out of Life’s Little Boxes and Live Free From Expectations, will be out October 2024, and is available for pre-order now! Find it on Amazon by copying and pasting this link: https://rb.gy/0thlel

Dr. Keri Ohlrich’s book, The Way of the HR Warrior is available now.

Do you have a story our listeners will love? Apply to be a guest on The Breakout at: https://abbraccigroup.com/podcast/