As leaders, we need to remember that people can not run on empty, including ourselves. It’s essential that we protect our mental health and that of our teams.

Kevin Dedner serves as founder and CEO of the Washington D.C. based company - Hurdle, which provides culturally intentional teletherapy to eliminate barriers that make it harder for people of color to get mental health care.

Kevin is deeply connected to Hurdle’s mission, having suffered a period of depression where he found the biggest challenge to effective care was finding the right therapist who could truly understand and connect with his struggles as an African American man. 

Kevin recently penned his first book, The Joy of the Disinherited: Essays on Oppression, Trauma and Black Mental Health. 

An award-winning public speaker, Kevin has over 20 years of experience in the public health space. 

Jump into this important episode, and learn how to create space to protect mental health

On this episode:

• Kevin’s incredible story and journey of deciding to use his skills for the good of leadership and his navigation of mental health 
• Learn the value and importance of utilizing the skill of gathering and building consensus among people 
• The pandemic really impacted people’s mental health; did we handle it right? What could we have done better, and what can we do better?
• What we can do as leaders to protect the mental health of our teams and ourselves and create a mentally healthy environment 
• Leaders model behavior for their teams. Vulnerability is a superpower. Ask, ‘how are you feeling in this moment?’ 
• How to be a reflective leader by sitting quiet and truly listening

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership, just like life, is a conscious decision 
• Learn all you can from the wisdom of your elders 
• Allow everyone to be heard
• Leaders need to be conscious of protecting mental health 
• Give yourself space to be tired and take a break - “It’s Okay”
• Sit quiet, listen, reflect 

Tweetable Quotes:

“I just think that’s what leadership is about right now: how do we build consensus? How do we make sure that everyone’s heard and feels heard?” - Kevin Dedner

“I’m really diligent in protecting my mental health… It’s not fair to your brain to go from one thing to the next thing.” - Kevin Dedner

“Any time you move too fast, you’re more prone to making mistakes.” - Kevin Dedner

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn and Twitter. Be sure to visit https://www.hurdle.health/ for more on the leading provider on culturally intentional healthcare.

Resources:

• The Joy of the Disinherited: Essays on Oppression, Trauma and Black Mental Health

Email: [email protected]

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