Meet Ken Somers | Independent HR consultant, passionate about making a difference for clients
We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Somers and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ken, what do you attribute your success to?
SImply put, networking. and then delivering high quality results when presented with the opportunity. I was fortunate to discover the value of networking quite early in my career. It’s not rocket science, either. You have to put yourself out there, care about what you can do to help others achieve success, and it is typically returned to you with dividends. 100% of my client base is through referrals.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Without a doubt, the biggest single impact on my career was the family decision to accept our first overseas posting. That began a 14-year odyssey that took us from upstate New York to Singapore, then to Hong Kong, then to Japan, back to Hong Kong, and an eventual return to Japan. At the end of the Singapore gig, it was time to repatriate but I wasn’t ready. So I left the then protective environment of IBM (after nearly 20 years) and jumped into a consulting opportunity. But I really wasn’t ready and the job became a crucible. From it, I emerged more resilient and confident in the knowledge that if I applied myself, I could learn new things and be successful outside my comfort zone. Another pivotal moment came when my direct report team took me out of the office and ripped me apart with feedback for hours. As much as it hurt at the time, I became a much better leader of people. I carry the lessons of that situation with me to this day.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many who have had an impact on my career and the success I have enjoyed. But no one deserves more recognition than my spouse. Through all the ups and downs, relocations – both domestic and foreign, she has been the rock of my existence.
Website: somershrsolutions.com
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
