Growing up in Jersey, my parents instilled within me two critical lessons in the power of possibility. Never once did I ever hear the words “you can’t”. Instead, I always heard, “Danyale, you can do anything you put your mind to; keep God at the center of your life and you will always have endless possibilities.” My outlook on life has always been, I can, you can, we can - lesson one. With everyone I come in contact with, I look to build them up so they too, can embrace a personal reality of “I can”.

The second lesson from mom and dad, was to “use the gifts you have been given to speak words of life into others.” I understood that it’s not just about me. But my voice can be disruptive to defeating mindsets that may try to hold people back and be a catalyst for igniting the innate power that lays within all of us. So we can perpetuate generations who live in faith of what is possible - lesson two.

As I began my professional career, I focused on building skills in the areas of marketing, human capital management, strategic communication, to managing change that I believed would be keys to unleashing talent across organizations. While consulting and advising for the federal government and within the transportation industry, I have partnered with leaders to build internal capabilities so when change erupts there is a system to support their employees.

Since change has become the “new” normal, I have seized the opportunity to coach individuals through the roller-coaster of organizational change in their work environment so their lives while @work can now be one where they believe “I can thrive” instead of just survive!

This is the birthing place for my coaching practice, The Inspire Compass LLC!

Becoming Dr. Hawkins “22”

After six years of determination, emotional stamina, resilience, grit, even some tears, but also lots of laughter ~ in April 2022, I became Dr. Danyale L. Hawkins, and a new chapter has begun.

Here’s my why…

I believe an eminent leadership shift is upon us – how leadership is defined, enacted, influenced, and lived is about to get an overhaul – authenticity in leadership I believe, will be at the forefront with our next generation of leaders (the Millennial and Generation Z cohort). As Millennials become the dominant cohort in executive positions beginning in 2025 and the largest entrance workplace entrance occurs, Generation Z employees, the relational dynamics of “how to lead” and “how to follower” will take new shape coupled with the complexities of the social contexts of a multi-generational workforce that permeate our culture.

 I also believe that rapid disruptive change is the “new normal” creating shock-waves that will either destabilize organizations or be the spark for new innovations. Because of this, I argue that our next generation of leaders need to equip and activated in new ways.

It is my hope that my research, “The Secret Sauce for Rapid Disruptive Change: A Case Study of Millennial Leadership and Multigenerational Followership Identities and Dynamic Relationships” will spark new thinking around next-generational leadership, and amplify the voice of the follower, the people, that are heartbeat of every organization.

My Favs - JUST Enjoy

What’s your favorites? It’s not uncommon to find me: enjoying a piece of chocolate from a chocolatier (Jeff de Bruges, Paris);  eating a cupcake (Yum-Georgetown Cupcake); traveling to a fabulous beach (Love Aruba); reveling in an American treat, a cheeseburger and fries (Good Stuff Eatery DC - Prez Obama Burger, Got To Try It); while listening to smooth jazz.

It is so important to embrace your favorite things – enjoy your life!