Kimbretta Clay is a Florida based author and speaker, with a solid audience and presence across all social media platforms. She is a goal-oriented entrepreneur, and arguably most passionate about transforming the employee experience.   On top of being a mother to an incredible quadruple threat, and a proud big sister, she is a pleased Navy Veteran and Certified Life Coach. In addition, Kimbretta is also the founding visionary of KayAvi Press Publishing Company. Her passion for helping leaders be their best self, has afforded her the opportunity to manage people at various leadership levels for over twenty years. She has an uncanny ability to bring order to chaos and can transform your organization, creating healthy, thriving employees via her groundbreaking training methods.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Kimbretta, Kimbretta?
Kimbretta: My swagher is Uncanny! My confidence is the foundation to all of my accomplishments. Kimbretta is a big deal.
Fancy: Please share a little about your book, Bosses Who Kill: Six Toxic Leaderships Behaviors.
Kimbretta: My new book Bosses Who Kill analyzes and uncovers toxic boss personalities and behaviors that are widespread in the work sectors of our country. I’m here to incite a wake-up call and uncover these bad bosses, by exposing them and provoking change. I am a Bad Boss Destroyer.
Fancy: So you interviewed over 100 people, collecting their thoughts and opinions on good and bad bosses, but what inspired your interest in the matter?
 Kimbretta: My interest in this subject was peaked at a very early age; I know that now that I can look back and connect the dots. When I finally become aware of it in real time, I was working in management. After having the opportunity to work with other bosses, I was able to see first hand the horrible, unfair treatment that was being practiced, nothing short of abuse, and I was moved to do something about it.
Fancy: Do you mind sharing your experience with a bad boss?
Kimbretta: I have had a number of bad bosses. I used to say it was unfortunate, until I realized I was called to do something about it. I have experienced bad bosses like each of the six serial killer boss types I write about in the book, and I share personal stories in every chapter. You guys have to cop the book, to get the juice on that!
Fancy: What are some ways employees can hold bosses accountable?
Kimbretta: One key way to hold bad a boss accountable is; Documentation. When the rubber meets the road and you have the attention of someone who can make change happen, it is usually not done because no one can prove his or her experiences. Even if you never tell a soul, journaling inappropriate behavior goes a long way in proving your truth.
Fancy: Because there’s so much in the news right now about workplace harassment and the #MeToo movement, we’re curious to know if the book touches on any of those subjects.
Kimbretta: Oh my goodness-Yes! Today’s workplace climate is finally being exposed for what it has always been-horrible, unfair, and abusive. I am a #MeToo warrior, a survivor of rape and molestation, so I know that pain personally. In this book I didn’t talk about the sexual harassment abuse in the workplace directly, though the lazy boss chapter does lightly touch on it. My next book, which I’ll start writing next year will be a memoir that delves into the secret world of sexual abuse.
Fancy: To what or whom do you attribute your leadership skills?
Kimbretta: My leadership skills began being developed at an early age, unbeknownst to me at the time. I am the oldest of three children and the oldest of nearly twenty cousins that I had the honor of growing up with. My mom was a single mom, so I had to step up and help her a lot. I joined the Navy after high school and stepped right into a leadership role in boot camp and then again once at my command. So I would have to say my leadership savvy can be attributed to my childhood experiences both good and bad. I learned early how to recognize what not to do by observing other people’s mistakes. My leadership has continued to grow overtime by working within the management sector of corporate America.
Fancy: Do you think leadership styles vary between men and women and if so, how so?
Kimbretta: I believe leadership styles do vary between men and women. They differ simply because men and women are different-period; although there is always an exception to the norm, but different nonetheless. Our entire chemistry, psyche, and emotional make up is different, both possessing their own strengths and challenges. I believe both men and women are equally capable of being awesome leaders, but they both have to work equally as hard at sharpening their challenge areas, those that are a natural result of their male/female wiring, those that are learned behaviors and/or those that are a result of their own brokenness.
Fancy: Are you working on any other projects or do you have any upcoming events that you care to share?
Kimbretta: Yes, I will be unveiling my new branding this year. I will also start writing my second book. I co-host a FB Live Podcast show every Wednesday night at 9pm EST via my Facebook Page. I have several pending contracts for 2018 for in person appearances. Please follow me on IG and Facebook to keep up with my whereabouts!
Fancy: Where can Bosses Who Kill: Six Toxic Leaderships Behaviors be found?
Kimbretta: You can purchase my book Bosses Who Kill: Six Toxic Leadership Behaviors on amazon.com, in Barnes & Noble bookstores/online and in Books-A-Million stores/online and anywhere else books are sold.
Follow and connect with Kimbretta below.
www.facebook.com/kimbrettaclay
-Fancy
