Kenyada “Kiki” Williams (Above)
Q: Talk about a specific time in your business career when you felt fearful and were able to push past that fear. How did you overcome that feeling?
A: Getting behind the mic was the absolute scariest thing I’ve ever done. When I went live for the first time, I had only been practicing on the switchboard for several days, and it felt as if my mentors, Magic Crutcher and Keith Landecker, had thrown me to the wolves. It took some time, but I came to realize that they didn’t want me to fail. On the contrary, they pushed me because they believed in me. I ended up speaking too fast, stuttering over all my words, and pushing all the wrong buttons. I just knew I was going to be fired, but my mentor, who also happens to be my mom, Salica, taught me that I was stronger than I ever imagined. I guess she was on to something because I ended up having a show with top ratings that’s been on-air for almost a decade.
Q: What fear have you overcome that has been crucial to your success?
A: The biggest fear that I’ve had to overcome is that of relying on what people think of me. I’ve also had to come to terms with the fact that I don’t have control over everything. In this industry, there is always room for complications. My strategy has been to not rush, take my time, and just hope and pray for the best delivery that I can give. I’ve had to learn that perfection does not happen overnight, and at the end of the day, we are all only human.
Q: In your opinion, what are some of the pros and cons of fear?
A: Fear is an emotion that can easily control you if you let it, and for some, it’s a source of extreme anxiety that can cause negative outcomes. A good thing about fear is knowing that once you have overcome a fear, it holds no power over you. At that point, it is a thing of the past, and you can move forward living your life with more confidence.
Q: What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a new venture but finds themself paralyzed by fear?
A: Prayer is something that has always worked for me. It also helps to get back to basics and just take deep breaths until you are able to regain focus. Don’t let fear be the handicap that lets an amazing opportunity slip away.