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Meet Kevin
Kevin D. Phillips
I’m Kevin Phillips. Not the English footballer. Not the American actor. Not the political commentator. Not that exciting at all!
I’ve spent my career leading teams and transforming organizations, and I’ve seen a troubling pattern: Too many leaders chase results at the expense of their people. They push harder, demand more, and in the process, they discourage and weaken — even tear down — the very people they need to succeed. I’ve been guilty myself.
That’s why I created the Build Them Up® framework. It’s a simple but powerful model that helps leaders inspire engagement, tap potential, and win commitment—while creating a culture where people thrive. At its core, it’s about one truth I’ve seen proven time and again: You don’t have to tear them down to build them up.
I currently serve as an executive at an advertising company, where I lead Customer Experience and Creative Operations during a time of transformation. My role gives me a front-row seat to the challenges of leading change, scaling for speed, and creating better experiences for both customers and employees.
Alongside my corporate career, I’ve worked as a consultant, executive coach, and leadership trainer. Over the years, I’ve partnered with executives and business owners to improve profitability, develop leaders, and strengthen organizational culture. These roles have given me both the hard experiences and the human stories behind what makes leadership succeed—or fail.
The Build Them Up® framework grew out of these years of observation, reflection, and practice. It’s not theory pulled from a textbook. It’s tested in real conference rooms, with real leaders, under real pressure.
I believe leadership is always about the people. Strategies change, markets shift, and technology evolves—but the way leaders treat people determines whether teams rise or fall. Trust is earned through consistency and honesty. Relationships are built with intention and care. Communication should be clear, respectful, and effective.
And yes, I believe leadership should also be fun. Humor is a leadership superpower—when we laugh together, we learn, connect, and grow together.
I am from Alabama, home of Golden Eagle syrup (it will change your life, or at least your waist line). I earned a B.S. in computer science from Samford University and an M.B.A. from University of Alabama at Birmingham.
In my spare time, I am more of a wayfarer (bag always packed), shutterbug (camera always nearby), musician (I play piano nightly for therapy).
Affiliations
The KDP Group
John Maxwell Team
John Maxwell Team
Keynote Speaking
Executive Coaching
Leadership Development
John Maxwell Team
John Maxwell Team
John Maxwell Team
Leadership Development
Coaching
Speaking
Training
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How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor
Carmen Jacob asked 27 experts “How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor” and published their replies in UpJourney. I am honored she included my answer. Follow this link to see the insightful answers of others: https://upjourney.com/how-to-ask-someone-to-be-your-mentor.