We had the good fortune of connecting with Rahmad Hawkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rahmad, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

Over the years I have attempted to be the best at what I do while incorporating my creativity, stretching myself to do things I wasn’t familiar with to assist others, and I’ve found a way to stand out. I would have to say knowing myself is key, what I mean by this is that I know communication and genuine care for others is a natural part of who I am so I use those attributes to build meaningful relationships.

Additionally, besides being self-motivated and goal-oriented I have put pressure on myself to do my best to act as an example for my family.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

What sets me apart from others?

I am authentic – People want to be around others that are real, meaning, I never try to be above anyone else. I believe I am likable, humble, and easy to talk to.

I have integrity – I stand up for what is right in life, even when no one is watching.

I am consistent – I have consistent, positive behavior, affirmative actions, and smart decision-making.

Anyone who has worked with me will tell you that I am compassionate. I put myself in other people’s shoes, think of others, and have feelings for others.

I am resourceful, I continue to find ways to learn and grow. I know ways to help inspire and support others and I give and share resources.

I am kind and look out for others when they need someone most, not just when everything is going well.

I am a connector, I find ways to align like-minded people, and connect with people who have the knowledge or experience to achieve the objective.

I am humble, and I understand that the efforts of the team make things happen, versus what I can individually accomplish.

I am available, I am there for people, available to others to support them always and I go out of my way to make time for others.

What you are most proud of or excited about? Growth, I never focus on what I’ve accomplished only when reflecting briefly but I get excited about what’s next on the list and getting closer to my bigger goals.

How did you get to where you are today professionally? Self-exploration, I found that once I truly understood who I am things got clearer for me in discovering my career aspirations.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? No, not at all, I grew up religious but as I got older I became more spiritual, so naturally I leaned on my faith and beliefs to get me through some difficult challenges along with staying open-minded and positive, a positive mindset changes everything! You will become whoever you believe you are!

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I am just a man who decided to put faith over fear and pursue a life of abundance to provide for my family and to create a legacy.

Where have you been and why :

– My professional career has had a lot of diversity, I had no prior experience in any position that I had ever taken on but I found a way to thrive in them all and overcame adverse situations, I went from working security to teaching, to busting into corporate America arena as an implementation analyst as a contractor on an assignment at NCR when one phone call changed my entire career.

The Call: This was a Wednesday afternoon and I had come back into my office area from my lunch break playing basketball with some guys from other teams and I was asked to hop on a call to assist a client with an issue, I didn’t think that I did anything special besides be myself and I resolved the issue, at the end of the call the client showed great gratitude and even told me “I love you” before ending the call in which later became an office joke. Shortly following the call I was called into a meeting which I thought I was in trouble going into it but I was told that I was needed to help out the Client Service Management team which later became the CSM team for 3 weeks and I did and I never returned to the implementation team.

The Cart: As I mentioned, I started at NCR as a contractor, so I was leaving work one evening and I bumped into a lady that was struggling to carry some boxes to her car, I asked if I could help and she mentioned she had more upstairs on a cart and I offered to assist. After she pulled up to the front of the building and I put the boxes into her vehicle she asked my name and I told her.. and she then told me her name and mentioned that she was just on a call about me and how well my performance had been, later I found out that she was above my boss’s boss and she advocated for me to get hired.

“I have found success by kicking butt at my job, being creative, assisting others, volunteering which opened doors for visibility, and finding a way to stand out.”

What I have learned :

– Security I learned how to communicate with a diverse audience, career ambition and ambassadorship and awareness / Above and beyond award

– Teaching I learned patience, leadership, and responsibility. /Employee of the Quarter

– NCR I learned how to be a professional, stand out, take ownership, build professional relationships, and the importance of volunteering. Multiple acknowledgments

– Livevox I learned teamwork, troubleshooting, identifying gaps, and managing a heavy workload.

– DataSeers I learned how to be my own boss, the importance of LinkedIn, making connections and how to be an influencer in the company. Employee Choice award/Top 100 in the world for CS/Top CS Leader

– Currently at Verifone I can see why all my previous experiences in different roles were necessary for my career growth and progression from all I have learned.

Notable Honors & awards :

Customer Success Leader of 2022 Issued by Customer Success Collective

Top 100 Customer Success Strategists World-wide across all continents Issued by SuccessHACKER

Employee Choice Award Issued by DataSeers

iNCRedible recognition issued by NCR

The employee of the Quarter Issued by Kids R Kid

The Above & Beyond Award issued by Walden Security and St.Ives Country Club

Licenses & certifications

  • Business Management Essentials Certified (BMEC)
  • Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certified
  • Agile Principles and Methodologies – Agile Principles and Methodologies
  • Digital Body Language
  • Project Management Essentials Certified (PMEC)
  • Time Management Bundle
  • Change Management: Understanding Change
  • Coaching Conversations
  • Effective Presentations
  • Ethics & Code of Conduct
  • Leadership Essentials Pathway
  • Project Management Bundle
  • Motivating Your Team: How to keep morale high
  • Anti-Money Laundering Concepts: AML, KYC, and Compliance
  • Digital Banking Masterclass
  • Project Management Fundamentals
  • Certified Customer Success Manager (CCSM)
  • Identity Crisis – The Use of Synthetics to Commit Pandemic-Related Frauds
  • Slipping the Sanctions Net – The Evolution of Sanction Evasion Techniques
  • The AML Act of 2020 – What’s New and What’s Next
  • Notary Public Commission
  • A Toolkit Against Trafficking – Techniques, Tips, and Tech to Take on Human Trafficking
  • Music Business Foundations

and Many More

Volunteer Work :

  • CX Day Celebration Volunteer
  • NCR Corporation
  • Executive Assistant Volunteer
  • NCR Silver Event featuring Bobby Flay
  • CVO (Chief Volunteer Officer)
  • Junior Achievers of Atlanta
  • Care Package Content Creator
  • MedShare
  • Liaison for Google
  • Hackathon
  • Community Development Volunteer
  • Salvation Army Angel Tree Campaign
  • Volunteer
  • American Red Cross
  • Labor Day Parade
  • St. Ives Community
  • Administrative Professional Volunteer
  • NACA – Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I stay in my local area now but in a week I would do the following :

I would do some sightseeing, go to the aquarium, and check out a hawks game, we would have to go to

“Rumi’s kitchen” one night for their grilled salmon, and also would have to eat and hang out at “9-mile station” which is a restaurant on top of the “ponce city market”, they have a great NY strip steak and shrimp and grits.

I am a pretty chill person so we would probably go to “Your 3rd Spot” and find a place to listen to music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

This is tough and I apologize because many people influenced my career; I want to recognize a few people that made a difference in my life and career:

My Father Introduced me to technology: My father is a retired Sr, Architect Engineer and at a young age he introduced me to technology. Back in the mid-1990s my father built computers for people and taught me how to use them before many people had one in their homes. My father was a former lead singer of a successful music group and turned to technology as his foresight led him. As a child, I began my fascination with computers and any electronics that I could get my hands on with wonders of the possibilities that could be done.

My Wife’s Positive reinforcement: There have been many times throughout my career when things have not gone the way I planned them, I have overcome many adversities and challenges but through it, my wife has been one of my positive reinforcements that always knows how to push the right buttons to keep me on track and I love her for that.

My Brother encouraged me to evaluate my worth: Throughout my career, I always strive for the best as I’ve attempted to make a gradual climb in position, career status, and finances to provide for my family. One of many profound moments that stay in my mind with thoughts of my brother is back when I got a job making good money and when I told him about it he congratulated me on the salary but told me he thought I was worth more and at that moment I had to re-evaluate my thought process. I am by no means wealthy yet but I would not be in my current space if it were not for that conversation because he made me aware out loud that I could do better when subconsciously I knew the same.

Ms. Mable’s guidance and Belief Factor: When I was the head of technology and teaching I looked toward Ms. Mable for her wisdom and guidance. At that time on a teacher’s salary, it was tough making ends meet with a young family and Ms. Mable would encourage me, and advise me on different resources and people to connect with. There were many days that Ms. Mable prayed for me and with me and one day, she advised me to connect with a recruiter which lead to my big splash in corporate America.

A few notable books have inspired me: The Magic of Thinking Big, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahmad-hawkins/

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