Reverend Darrell Goodwin on Building a Faith without Limits - Chief Influencer - Ep. 28
Reverend Darrell Goodwin serves as the first Executive Conference Minister of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. He is the first openly LGBTQ Black person to serve as an Executive Conference Minister in the UCC. He is a member of the United Church of Christ Board, the UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, and the Global Ministries Board. Reverend Goodwin joins Host Anthony Shop to discuss why diversity of all kinds strengthens the foundation of an organization, how to foster mutually beneficial partnerships, and what the power of owning your personal identity can do for leaders.
Takeaways:
- Leaders should start every decision-making process with a focus on inclusion. For example. Ask how an initiative will cater to diverse groups. This strategy helps bring people together and ensure each group feels seen.
- Find opportunities to collaborate with new partners beyond organizational or departmental borders and remove barriers. Leaders should ask who they're not talking to, seek new connections, and explore new possibilities.
- Reverend Goodwin advocates for being transparent and owning your story. Taking this approach not only disarms those who might use your identity against you, but also makes it a centerpiece of your strength.
- Organizations often limit themselves by adhering strictly to known patterns. Growth-minded leaders should question the established norms and be willing to be nimble, adaptive, and innovative.
- Consider opposing viewpoints and open yourself up to criticism and opposition. Listen intently to all the feedback you receive, good or bad. If confronted with backlash for you or your organization’s opinions, it is important to be resilient and stay true to one’s beliefs.
Quote of the Show:
- “Trust fast, fail forward.” - Reverend Darrell Goodwin
Links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rev-darrell-goodwin-58b0967/
- Personal Website: https://www.revgoodwin.com/
- Southern New England Conference of The UCC Website: https://www.sneucc.org/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rev.darrellgoodwin9821/featured
Creators and Guests
Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Guest
Reverend Darrell Goodwin
Reverend Darrell Goodwin serves as the first Executive Conference Minister of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. He is the first openly LGBTQ Black person to serve as an Executive Conference Minister in the UCC. He is a member of the United Church of Christ Board, the UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, and the Global Ministries Board.
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.