DERRICK Interview with Transformational Speaker Charmaine Hammond

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Charmaine Hammond, MA, BA, who is an international transformational speaker, best selling and award winning author and radio host, and is a leading trainer in corporate North America helping transform workplaces. An expert in Conflict Analysis and Management, she opened Hammond International Inc. in 1997, a mediation and training company.  For the past 8 years she has been speaking and consulting with business and community organizations.

D is for Dream. What is your dream and what have you achieved?

I have had many, but the underlying theme is to make a big difference by how I show up in life, and to make our world a kinder place to live. My dog inspired me to be an author, and his books have helped me accomplish this dream through his story.

E is for Encourage. What encourages you?

People encourage me. Animals encourage me. And, I am also a cheerleader for myself.

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that makes you unique or stand out?

One of the reasons I might stand out or be memorable is that I bring others to the table with me. I am a champion for others. I believe in supporting others and bringing them with me while I climb towards my goals.  This creates what my friend Shawne Duperon calls a Cycle of Reciprocity.  Others become champions and connectors for me.  And, I believe that one resource I bring, that is memorable, is our dog Toby and his story. His presence created experiences for people that lasted long after the speaking event. Interesting point is that I am a corporate speaker and trainer that speaks on leadership, resilience and business success strategies. Interesting how our dog has found his way into my corporate world.

R is for Ready. When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

I think I knew I was ready when I was a little girl, I just had to catch up to the dream, which took about 40 years. 🙂

I is for Individual. Name at least one person that you know that you feel others should learn about and why?

Oh, I have a huge list.  Others should more about my friend and musician Justin Hines. His music helped me write, and has inspired millions. And he is a terrific example of a person who shows up in life with a dream!

C is for Continue. When you fail, things look bleak or are not optimistic what makes you want to continue?

I give myself a short time to be disappointed or sad but then I change my mindset to look at a) what did I learn, b) what can I do differently next time and c) what other opportunities are there for me now. I avoid self blame (and blame of others), it only reduces your confidence and commitment to be optimistic

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

One key is to ASK! Many entrepreneurs struggle through unnecessarily because they don’t ask for help.  When you learn to be comfortable with asking (and receiving) the world opens up.

Is there anything that we did not touch on that you would like to inspire others with?

I’m an award winning and bestselling author of On Toby’s Terms (Bettie Youngs Books, Sept. 2010), Toby The Pet Therapy Dog – and his hospital friends (Bettie Youngs Books, Aug. 2011), and Bounce Forward (Hammond International Publishing, April 2011), and has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul- What I learned from the dog (Sept. 2009)

Visit Charmaine Hammond for more information.