Member of the Week for March 21, 2022
Darren Ford

ABOUT DARREN FORD, CSP

I’m an Okie. Born in Tulsa, I moved around the country (Los Angeles, little town in middle of Oklahoma, Chicago) growing up until we moved back to Tulsa where I went to high school and college (University of Tulsa).

My entire career has revolved around helping people find personal and professional success and gratification. Much of that work has been done in the corporate HR world with titles such as Director of Talent Development and VP Culture & Engagement. One little-known fact about me is that I spent four years in Bulgaria as the Headmaster of a small English-speaking school.

I earned my Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) in 2012 and my CSP in 2020. I recently was leading the Learning & Development efforts at Trinity Industries, a large industrial manufacturer. Starting April 4 Darren will joining Ken Blanchard organization as a Director of Client Solutions for Texas and surrounding states.

What audiences you speak for?

My current keynote presentation centers on building corporate cultures where employees are heard, respected, and valued. Given this content, I often speak in front of HR professionals, especially HR association conferences. However, my talk has broad appeal to all audiences including organizational leaders responsible for building great teams as well as individual contributors within organizations. This gives me the opportunity to also share my message directly to corporate audiences in different settings.

What led you to this career?

I’ve been speaking since I ran for Student Council in 5^th grade. While I didn’t win, I knew I enjoyed speaking in front of an audience. In both professional and personal activities, I often find myself speaking in front of audiences so several years ago, I decided to turn my speaking and training skills into a business.

What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?

Video content. It’s been on my list for a while so I’m taking the early steps to begin creating good video content.

What’s your go-to productivity trick?

Planning and lists! Every year, I develop a work strategy that starts with yearly goals and themes. I then break that into monthly and weekly strategies. Finally, every Sunday night, I make a plan for the week, listing goals and daily activities. And then I start working that plan. I love crossing items off my To Do list!

Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?

My dad was the consummate professional who displayed a great work ethic. I learned how to work from him. I watched him work hard and build strong relationships with everyone he met and worked with.

My dad taught me several strategies that have helped me throughout my career. In fact, I turned these strategies in a book called 3 + 4 Equals Success.

Success requires three skills: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, and Valuing People. If you do those well, you will be successful.

To supercharge your success, ask yourself these four questions:

Am I willing to be a continuous learner?
Am I willing to work hard?
Am I willing to work hard?
Am I willing to work hard?

Of course, the answer should be yes to each question!

What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?

I waited too long to get started.

I’ve had building a speaking business on my mind for years but just never did anything about it. While I’m now ramping up my business, I have a long way to go. So I should have jumped in years ago!

What’s the ultimate message? Procrastination is bad!

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?

I worked with Hilton Reservations to move their reservations systems from two brick-and-mortar call centers to a national reservations operation. Their original request was to simply have remote agents within 25 miles of their offices. But as I worked with Hilton, I pushed them to think bigger which ultimately led to building a national remote workforce. It was a large, complicated project that had a great ending!

What being a member of NSA-NT means to you?

I’ve learned so much about building a speaking business. Yes, NSA-NT has helped me refine my actual speaking skills, including the ability to craft a good story and presentation. But I’ve learned so much more! I’ve learned about all of the pieces needed for a speaking business: systems and processes, contracts, marketing to associations, selling, building a home video studio, book writing, and the list goes on.

More than anything, though, it’s the friendships I’ve made and the wisdom I’ve gained from the other NSA-NT members. This has certainly been the most valuable part of being an NSA-NT member.

Something personal you want us to know- can be about family, a vacation, a favorite food- anything you care to share.

I have had five different wedding roles:

Groom (just once – been married to Pat for 34 years)
Best Man
Groomsman
Officiant (I have performed 5 ceremonies – all of the couples are still married!)
Wedding Singer (I’ve contacted Adam Sandler about The Wedding Singer, Part II)

Contact Info and Social Media info:

Email: darren@darrenkford.com

Phone: 972-854-1960

Website: www.darrenkford.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenkford/

Twitter: @DarrenKFord