Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlynn Holbrook.
Hi Karlynn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Originally from San Diego, CA, I began my career at Disneyland in 1995 as a “College job.” After I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with an Organizational Communications degree I joined the Communications team and helped open Disney California Adventure in 2001. After a few years, I got my Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, which led me to new leadership opportunities at work and amazing roles and assignments all over the world including Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disney, Disneyland Paris, and Aulani – A Disney Resort and Spa. I briefly went back to California to work for Disney Television in communications and media.
When I turned 40, I began working with a life coach to dig deep into really identifying my purpose and passion and working on my self-esteem, and setting a vision for my life.
I discovered through that process I am super passionate about developing leaders and helping others find and pursue their passions and path, especially women in leadership. Inspired by my coach Bonnie, I became a John Maxwell certified trainer and coach. I started working as a leadership/career coach and leading a women’s Circle at Disney and now oversee the program. I’ve been sharing leadership lessons and career learnings speaking at schools, guest on several podcasts, and invited to conferences all over the world.
I came back to Florida in 2016 to work as a Chief of Staff in Marketing and rejoined my communications family last year on a new team focused on amplifying the voice and stories of our incredible Disney Cast on social and digital platforms.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I am my biggest obstacle. Our life’s actions are determined by our mindset and our thoughts. I have often struggled with imposter syndrome, especially when getting asked to speak and lead workshops. Why would anyone want to listen to me? What do I have to offer? There’s people way better than me at this.
The negative thinking is real, but we have a choice to listen to it or tell it where to go! It’s a constant mental battle to not listen to those thoughts. I counter the negativity with positive thoughts and actual evidence of what I can and do bring to the proverbial table.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As a John Maxwell Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker, I offer workshops, seminars, keynote speaking, and coaching, aiding personal and professional growth through study and practical application of John’s proven leadership methods. For more than 25 years at a Fortune 500 company, I have seen firsthand how everything rises, and falls, with leadership. My passion for enabling individuals to reach their full potential only grew with opportunities to coach, train and implement effective communication practices with teams around the world. I am motivated by the deficit of leadership in today’s world. My passion is to help develop leaders who can transform their teams and take their organizations to the next level. It all starts with the hardest person to lead: you.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe life begins at the end of our comfort zone, and with intention, whenever I get comfortable, I push myself to go to grow by doing something else that will force me to learn something new.
At one point in my career, I voluntarily took a step down from an executive role to a manager role to do something new and different. People thought I was crazy and it would be a career killer. Of course, it was a hard decision, but I am glad I did it, for if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have learned a completely different function, department and make some of the most amazing lifelong friends I have now.
Every time I make a bold move, I question, fret, have anxiety, what have I done feelings, listen to my inner circle who support, but don’t always agree with my decisions, then most importantly pray for wisdom and listen to my heart. Once I get through the change cycle of it all, I have never looked back once and regretted any decision.
I wasn’t always a big risk-taker. I lived and worked in California never thought I would leave my home state. My husband Todd has been good for me in encouraging me in doing things like moving across the country to Florida when I was offered a job with Walt Disney World. Once you make one big move, it gives you the courage to make more bold moves!
I really believe we will always regret the chances we didn’t take. When we take risks, we learn, we grow, we find out more about ourselves. Even if something turns out to be not what you thought it would be, you now have that information and can always steer onto a new path. Zig-zagging career and life paths are way more interesting that linear, vertical lines.
Contact Info:
- Website: karlynnholbrook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlynnh/
