Kendrick Jones
Implementation Manager
Express Scripts Holding Co
In short, what do you do?
I am responsible for managing new client (employers) relationships throughout their onboarding into Express Scripts. In addition to managing the day to day relationship, I manage all aspects of the client’s onboarding, including capturing their benefit intent, and providing custom solutions and products that best meet the needs of their members.
Most of your professional roles have involved teaching. Have you always had an inclination toward teaching and training others, or did it evolve over time?
My desire to teach others most certainly evolved over time. When I accepted my first role, facilitating information to others, over 10 years ago, I was focused on knowing as much as possible about processes and procedures. Though I saw solid results with that approach, something was missing. As I matured, better understood the art of dynamic facilitation, and began focusing more on the people than the content, I noticed a greater desire to teach others because I was no longer focused solely on results. In addition to results, my approach focused on providing people with the skills necessary to do their job and be able to provide for their families.
What is the most valuable professional lesson you’ve learned?
“You are always on stage.” Those five words transformed my way of thinking and helped propel my career forward. The lesson in those words is that we have to remain aware that someone is always listening and watching how we conduct ourselves, even when we think they are not. Therefore, we must always be mindful of the words we speak, how they come out, and how we interact with others. When I embraced this way of thinking, my relationships with direct reports, peers and leaders improved, and as a result of that, I was able to grow professionally. Understand who you are, and behave in a manner that is consistent with that image because when you’re true to yourself it shines through in your communications and everyday relationships.
Tell us about your involvement with GO! St. Louis.
Go! St. Louis is an amazing organization that promotes reading-proficiency, community and physical fitness for children (K-5). Each year I volunteer in various capacities for the Read, Right, Run marathon, presented by Express Scripts, which challenges children to Read 26 books, Right the community through 26 good deeds, and Run 26.2 miles over 6 months. It is a rewarding experience to see the excitement in children’s faces about doing something that benefits themselves and their community.
You’re also a volunteer for the Boys & Girls’ Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and you chaired the community outreach committee for one of Express Scripts’ employee resource groups. How did giving back come into focus for you?
Giving back truly came into focus as a result of my involvement in Express Scripts’ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). I am a member of 3 of those groups, of which one I was given the opportunity to chair the community partnership committee of one. Through the ERGs, I was able to see the positive effect that volunteerism has on children, and non-profit organizations. It is particularly important for me that children of color see positive images of business professionals that not only look like them, but care about their development and growth. I didn’t see much of that growing up, so when I realized I could be that image for someone else, it only seemed right to get involved when I could in whatever capacity is needed.
