Career Shaping Conversations: Kenny Temewo

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Kenny and I look after leadership culture and talent development at Netflix.

I began my career in the creative arts as a musician and singer. After realising how uncertain the music industry could be, I transitioned into teaching creative arts for about eight years, while also exploring my interests in philosophy and religion.

Eventually, I moved into the corporate sector, working across private, public, and third sectors, including consulting. I've had the opportunity to work with companies like Vodafone, the BBC, Rolls-Royce, and Johnson & Johnson.

Later, I trained as a coach and began offering coaching alongside my work, before taking an in-house role at a metaverse gaming company, Improbable. From there, I landed at Netflix a few years ago, and I love being here.

Trusting my gut

’m a person of faith and I think I often let my spirituality and intuition guide me - I follow my gut instincts. And after finishing a lesson at the secondary school I was teaching at, I found myself standing in the playground, feeling frustrated by the rigid structure of the school timetable. I thought, "there has to be more than this."

Although corporate life can also be very structured, it felt less restrictive than the constant pressure of having to be at a specific place at a specific time in a school setting.

I also remember a conversation with another teacher who said that teaching can lead to feeling "deskilled" over time, as you repeat the same tasks year after year. That idea stuck with me, and I realised I had more potential and ambition that I wanted to explore. And I also knew I enjoyed having deeper conversations with adults, rather than teaching kids.

In essence, my journey has been shaped by a mix of distinct moments of clarity and a gradual build-up of thoughts and experiences, all of which motivated me to seek more fulfilling work - for me - beyond the traditional boundaries of teaching.

Understanding my motivation

As I made my move out of the education sector, I did some training in a tool called Motivational Maps, which allowed me to explore coaching as a sidestep in my career. I realised this could be a bridge between the education sector and the corporate world, adding real versatility to my skills.

This was transformative for me, both professionally and personally. It helped me understand my own motivators, breaking them down into nine key drivers. This understanding illuminated why I had felt so frustrated in education, as some of my top motivators weren’t being fulfilled in that super-structured  environment.

This process of self-awareness was invaluable, not only in finding a new career path but in recognising the importance of understanding what drives and motivates us.

For anyone considering a career transition, I believe that gaining this kind of self-awareness is crucial. Knowing what truly motivates you can guide you towards fulfilling work and help ease the shift into a new field.

Seeing myself through someone else's eyes

I remember applying for a job at a well-known creative design agency in central London.After the interview, my wife Bianca called to ask how it went. Even though I tried to sound positive, she could tell it hadn't gone well. And I didn't get it. I was really disappointed.

A few months later, we were at a friend's wedding in Scotland, and I was feeling low, unsure of my next steps and frustrated with my career.

Despite having trained in coaching techniques, I wasn’t really using my skills. In a moment of clarity, Bianca simply suggested, “Why don’t you start your own thing? Offer coaching to people, use what you’ve learned.”

It seemed so straightforward, yet it was exactly what I needed to hear. I'd done further training in life and business coaching, and realised that rejections and setbacks are part of life, but they can also be opportunities.

That conversation became the catalyst for me to launch my own private coaching practice. It was a pivotal moment that pushed me to stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them for myself.

Gaining a valuable lesson

I had a memorable conversation on a regular walk to Pret with Nick Shackleton-Jones. He helped me realise a key lesson about working in corporate environments: people are less interested in the "why" and more focused on the "how"—the practical next steps.

Nick pointed out that, while we might have previously been inclined to debate the theoretical reasons behind decisions, such as why an e-learning module may not be effective, what truly drives action in the workplace is the process.

So instead of questioning why someone wants an e-learning module, it’s better to start by identifying the desired outcomes, understanding the challenges, designing a prototype, testing it, and gathering feedback to refine the solution.

This insight was instructive for me. It shifted my perspective from wanting to engage in critical debate to understanding the importance of focusing on actionable steps and processes.

I learned that, in corporate settings, influencing people is less about theory and more about showing them how to achieve what needs to be done in a practical and structured way. It seems obvious now, but at the time, it was a valuable lesson that shaped my approach to work.

Someone I'd like to have a career conversation with...

I would love to have a career conversation with is the late Dallas Willard, a former philosopher at the University of Southern California.

As someone with a Christian faith, navigating the work environment can often feel challenging. There's a sense of being an outsider due to the tension surrounding religion in today's world, where it is often frowned upon.

Willard, a Christian philosopher, has been an indirect mentor to me, both spiritually and professionally, for many years. His writings and teachings have deeply influenced my approach to life and work.

What draws me to him is the vulnerability of balancing my faith life with my corporate career, something I’ve always struggled with. I’ve long sought someone who could help me navigate this intersection, and Dallas Willard would have been the perfect guide. Sadly, he passed away in 2013 due to cancer.

I feel his wisdom could provide me with valuable insights on how to better integrate my personal beliefs with my professional life. His guidance would be invaluable in helping me find that balance.

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