Press & Media
Meet Gene Folkes | Organizational Strategist & Change Integration Consultant
We had the good fortune of connecting with Gene Folkes and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Gene, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
My thoughts on risk centers on it’s potential to affect positive change. Typically, most of us, when considering risk, mention it in a negative connotation. However, when considering alternatives, seeking solutions, and identifying areas for improvement, risk is necessary to transform organizations, so that, they can improve the products and services they offer to stakeholders, and consumers. In my career as a Management Consultant and Wealth Manager, my responsibility to my clients and my organization was to identify those risk factors that could negatively impact a clients portfolio and to diversify their portfolio to minimize the downside. As a Consultant, our primary function is to assess and analyze potential risk to protect our clients exposure to unforeseen liabilities, identify potential opportunities they can capitalize on in order to increase organizational value and improve internal efficiencies. As it relates to my life, risk is not something to be avoided and it has been a constant companion that I have learned to embrace. Whenever I have taken a personality assessment, I was surprised to discover that I am not risk averse, in fact, it has served as the catalyst that feeds my desire toward being the best person I can be. In fact, I conducted a personal SWOT analysis during grad school, which helped me to capitalize on how to embrace risk and use it to become a better, more vulnerable human being. So, this idea that risk is something to be avoided, has its’ basis in fear, it is something to be assessed and managed, so that with proper application, it can serve to bring about change that positively improves the value that individuals and organizations have to offer their community.
What should our readers know about your business?
Our firm serves as a trusted advisor to Private Equity Firms, Hedge Fund Managers, VCs, and Institutional Investors on how the importance of integrating the value of Human Capital as a resource in analyzing an organization's value. Our research and Change Management Analysis have been integrated by such firms as Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan Chase, UBS, Goldman Sachs, and several other investment banks.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow! There are numerous organizations and individuals that have encouraged and inspired me along the way, So, if I forget anyone, please hold it to the limitations of this interview. There are two books that inspired me, 1. Mastery by George Leonard and 2. The Chimp Paradox by Dr. Steve Peters. I recall reading a book entitled Mastery by George Leonard over a decade ago. To this day, it is a book I return to because it reminds me that whenever I am faced with what initially seems to be a difficult task, I know that it will become progressively easier to accomplish and will actually become enjoyable through practice. One of the key takeaways for me is that there are no experts, only learners, so, this encourages me to seek out those learning opportunities that make me a more effective leader and a better person. The second book that influenced me is The Chimp Paradox by Dr. Peters, briefly, the book is about awareness of controlling our emotions in order to deliver our absolute best, whether that is as an athlete or as a universal tool, the concepts presented in the book can help us live a more productive life. Finally, I must give a shoutout to The United States Air Force Recruiting Academy. When I entered the USAF, I was a scrawny, shy, insecure young man, who had come from an unstable home.
Finally, I would like to give a shoutout to my colleagues and producers who work at BBC Radio, BBC TV, ITV, NBC, BlogTalk Radio, and several other illustrious media providers, who convinced me to develop and design The Folk(e)s Unfettered Show, a cinematic podcast highlighting thought leaders on such topics as political policies, technology. and world events encouraging organizations to go beyond words toward strategic solutions. We have interviewed World Leaders, New York Time Bestselling Authors, Presidential Candidates, Congressional Leaders, and leaders from industries representing Entertainment, Philanthropy, and Academia to collaborate on presenting transformational thought leadership on some of the world's most pressing problems. So, I consider these individuals as a source of encouragement for helping to write my story.
Website: www.mclcapitalmanagement.com
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