Rene Byrd is a Singer-Songwriter, Ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund UK, Online Influence Awards Finalist 2020, International Women of Empowerment Finalist 2021 and Co-Founder of Online Who AM I Talk Show. Rene- intro. After making time to support others during the pandemic, she shifted her mind from realising that she couldn’t release her music and decided to use the time to serve.
She is the latest R&B/Pop songstress whose vocal talent has invited the attention of associates of the legendary Quincy Jones. Rene has performed at some of the most talked about international venues and on behalf of a European Prime Minister.
Rene Byrd comes from a corporate background, which funded and elevated her exciting musical career from boardroom to stage. With her unique voice and engaging live performances, Rene has been creating a social media buzz with an online video that amassed over 50,000 views.
How would you define leadership?
Leadership is about you, as well as the others you lead. Some of the most powerful leaders in their personality, their balance and the respect that they give is what they receive. So giving a good example when I think of my role models and leadership are the likes of Mr. and Mrs. Obama. They were educated, they were summit, they personified elegance and class. They were respectful of all, but they stood for what they spoke about. So what I mean, they had the standing to be able to lead. Their journey, they could relate to so many different people in the world because of their humble beginnings to then become leaders. There was nothing and up to this day, there will never will be any sort of backlash or any naysayers about what could be going on the background of them as a couple. They stood for so much as the first people of colour in that position. That is leadership to me. What you are as a person what your standing is and where you’ve come from, and how you connect. And there’s not been a lot of leaders have been able to do that with your people, if you’re leading a company. Not that they’re going to be your friends but you want them to respect you and to respect the vision that you have for the organization. There’s nothing better than when you’ve worked for people or had business partnerships and you actually feel connected to the person that you’re working with. And you respect them when you respect them. When you respect them, they want to work for you or to do things with you or have relationships with you. Equally, there’s another part of leadership where there are times things go wrong, and being humble and acknowledging that element is also equally important. So there’ll be times where things have gone wrong and somebody’s apologized because when you are in that position, you’re under more scrutiny. So it’s been accountable for things that are good or bad, and just being real. Because so much people are living in different guises. So try your best to be as authentic as you can.
What kind of leadership style do you use?
I’m very open. Open door, Open Door. You know, there are times that you have to pull back because I said if you had to let somebody go, they’re your friend. It’s even harder, isn’t it? But it isn’t. I don’t want anyone to feel they can’t come and ask a question or come to me if there’s something concerning. What you don’t want is secrets around an office. It’s nothing worse because it breeds contempt. And people can start doing things which are unlawful as well as unethical, so if they feel they can come to you before it blows up if there’s any issue, they can actually deal with it at first base as I call it. Some quite open you know, but there’s lines but there’s an openness that you should be able to come in and share because that one person could give me something that could change your world. And sometimes we can as leaders or people who are on top feel that they can’t be told anything or there’s no way for innovation or change. Everyone in your team has something to add and to share. So, openness is maybe too open sometimes but very open.
What are some of your memorable lessons that you can from your leadership journey, experiences that you think another woman could benefit from?
Be open and curious. Don’t think you know it all because you don’t, that’s for sure. You’re always learning you’re always growing. And definitely surround yourself around people who have either walked the journey or walking the journey so you can tap into each other as you’re going along.
Any particular woman who has inspired you to be the stellar woman you are?
Wow, I’d say my mother was the first because I came from her. She epitomizes strength. You know, black women has a lot of strength. They have a little bit more resilient than some. Yeah. She just encouraged me and inspired and showed me that there’s nothing impossible.
With all of that that is going on in your life Rene, how do you get this balance, work –life?
You have to be strict. I think I’ve been told by lots of people who are successful. You’ve got to schedule your priorities. If you have more than one thing going on or you’ve got multiple projects or multiple things being pulled at you, you’ve got to say I am not doing this at this time.
Leave a challenge for the stellar woman magazine readers to be great leaders that they are called to be?
Right, a challenge I want to present to these women is open and it’s not easy for everybody. Open your book because everyone has it. They have people that they know and think of someone you can help, help and inspire so it’s a paid forward. I’m really big about that. We too often do what we’re doing but we don’t think or mentor, we don’t hand it over to somebody else. So, in your network, ring up your network of friends, whoever they may be and just ask them is there anything I can do for you. And they’ll go, what are you talking about? but ask them and I bet you they’ll go, yeah actually, and see if anyone in your network you can hand over something to help and it doesn’t have to be a business. It could be just anything. Try and get into that habit. Yep, that’s my challenge to you.
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