Inspiring Conversations with Juan Kingsbury of Career Blindspot

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Kingsbury.

Hi Juan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My early career started at Target Training International (TTI) as a support person for consultants in their network. My training at Arizona State University and The Walt Disney Corporation equipped me with an understanding of the needs of business leaders as well as top-notch customer service skills, which helped me win the position, despite the fact that they were looking for someone with a different Motivator profile. At TTI, I was introduced to the DISC assessment via their highly researched DISC manual and immediately saw the dynamic application of this tool and others offered through the company, supported by their onsite research team. During my five years at TTI, I helped consultants use the tools to get deeper with their clients and through this exposure, I fell in love with what it meant to be an entrepreneur. I knew that I had a strong vision for how to help leaders engage ideal talent and leveraging the tools offered by TTI, namely job benchmarking – which tends to intimidate other consultants in the network, I took a step I never thought I would and started my company, Career Blindspot. My first client, Y Scouts, a local recruiting firm, whose founder wrote Built on Purpose, shared the concept of conscious capitalism with me. They hire purpose driven leaders. It is always my goal to have objective conversations with managers and help them identify specific needs when filling open positions or assigning staff to strategic initiatives. Additionally, I was able to share what I know about Motivators – in my opinion, the root of most unnecessary conflicts. My business started small, but as I built confidence through making a big impact with my clients. Their feedback over the years has helped me simplify messages and make ideas bite sized and accessible. In this way, my clients and network can easily pass on the knowledge to their colleagues, direct reports and clients. Although I left my employment with TTI, I have continued to use their best of class assessments and tools as a Value Added Associate (VAA) and even contract with other top VAAs in the network through co-facilitation and coaching. As a minority business-owner, I am proud of the business and network I have built and the opportunity to share my knowledge, experience and create connections while celebrating diverse points of view.

Alright, 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?
It definitely has NOT been a smooth road – but that is expected! Like I said, I didn’t plan or expect to be an entrepreneur – my passion for sharing dynamic tools led me here. At first, I didn’t even have a plan, I just knew I wanted to do this work. That said, some things have luckily always come easily, for example I have never really had to do much marketing due to my strong personal and professional relationships which created a supportive referral network. By partnering with consultants that were older and at a more mature stage in their business, I have been able to experience different ways to set up and run a business. After a while, however, I felt too reliant on those partnerships with little control over the business changing or going away when my partners retired. 2018 was a year of challenge as I severed ties with a lot of the partnerships that had supported my business in the early years, but I was able to take a chance on myself to grow my business on my own terms. Although the learning curve was steep, it felt great to catch my own fish, so to speak, rather than be in a boat that fish just seemed to jump into. To continue the metaphor, at first it felt like for every fish I caught, three would jump out of the boat. I realized I needed to do the work to identify my ideal client – leaders and professionals who needed and were willing to connect and apply the message I was sending. Once I had that piece in place, my passion and my business began to work in sync.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Career Blindspot?
Career Blindspot is passionate about helping develop individuals through the use of proven tools, targeted coaching and constructive feedback. I am focused on moving the needle vs. just going through the motions. It is important to me that people still feel respected even when I challenge their ideas – I respect everyone’s view points and allow them to dig into sensitive topics in a safe environment where they will never feel attacked. Developing my empathy is important to me and ongoing; finding common ground upon which to begin to build relationships. My work leverages tools such as presentations, assessments and activities that seek to Engage Ideal Talent. This breaks down into three main ideas. First – Know Self: a professional looking to grow and connect their talents to their activities benefits greatly from knowing themselves – what are their strengths? What motivates them? How do they communicate and lead? How developed is their emotional intelligence? Second, Know Team: teams seeking deeper collaboration and mutual appreciation – how are you interacting with your colleagues, peers, clients, mentors, and leaders? How are they interacting with you? Is the message connecting? How do you navigate conflict and communicate your message clearly for win-win solutions? Lastly, Attract Ideal Talent: filling open positions – are you crafting your recruiting efforts to fulfill the real needs of the open position? Don’t get me started on the cost of a bad hire. In addition to my formal service tracks, I host a business podcast, contribute regularly to my blog, deliver keynotes and, of course, tailor 60-day coaching solutions specifically designed to accomplish goals that move you toward your vision and values. I’m proud of the network I have built and my ability to teach that skill to others. My ability to still be myself in building relationships and in different rooms with different groups of people. I’ve done workshops overlooking 30 Rock plaza and also have hosted a NASA astrophysicist, Hakeem Oluseyi that had been on a Netflix show on my podcast, The Career Blindspot Podcast. I am diplomatic without compromising my values turning down business that is not a good fit.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have benefitted from many meaningful mentorships early in my professional career such as Bill Bonnstetter, the founder of TTI and VAAs such as Rico Peña, Stacey Harris, Jim Dryburgh and many of the talented global network of consultants. These mentorships have evolved in to partnerships and friendships over the years. Through checking in and intentionally building relationships, I realize I have built a network of mutual value with benefits flowing both ways. Recently, I have started to host the Career Blindspot Networking Happy Hour, designed to help like-minded, career-focused individuals build meaningful connections with mentors and peers that move them closer to their personal and professional goals. The growing community joining this call has reinforced my belief in the power of a strong network and inspires me toward deeper connection every day.

For those unable to join the Career Blindspot Networking Happy Hour at this time, I would advise choosing mentors and coaches carefully. You do not want to take advice from someone who encourages you to do things they themselves do not have the guts to do. Always favor honesty and clarity – if you don’t talk about the issue, it only gets worse. I can be picky in the beginning, following shared passion and vision and tending to gravitate toward those that I admire and wish to emulate. I tend to gravitate toward mentors that are outspoken and are not only unafraid of making mistakes, but are humble enough to admit it. Lastly, mentorship and a strong network are things you will need throughout your career. You do not “arrive” and stop needing mentors, however, some of those relationships will naturally evolve.

Pricing:

• Coaching calls begin at $550/hour – mention Canvas Rebel for a special offer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.careerblindspot.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careerblindspot/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-blindspot
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@careerblindspot?app=desktop