Russell Johnson & Associates

At Russell Johnson & Associates, we support our clients in attaining their full potential for fulfillment and self-actualization. Our methodology, tools, one-to-one consulting, and coaching are designed to meet the complex needs of executives and entrepreneurs. 

Our clients develop the clarity, strategy, tactics, mindset, skills, and confidence necessary to achieve objectives ranging from accelerated advancement to major career change. And we provide ongoing long-term support for further career growth.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

We are dedicated to empowering the individual because our world needs the full contribution of us all, and we all benefit from maximizing the value we create. 

Because services such as recruitment and outplacement are funded by employers, they perpetuate a distortion of the balance of power between the employer and the individual. Superficial services focused on employers' objectives leave countless high-potential people disempowered, unfulfilled, and not knowing why. Yet with career paths becoming ever more complex, we all need to see our career as our business and operate with the attributes of a successful business. 

We aim to help make this the ‘new normal’ rather than the rare exception.

WHAT WE DO

We help our clients develop the empowered mindset, vision, clarity, strategy, tactics, self-marketing skills, and confidence to achieve their full potential for contribution and self-actualization.

Our clients become free from the artificial constraints of the advertised job market. Whether they continue on their current paths, change direction, leave their jobs for self-employment, or vice versa, there’s a lasting difference. Through deepened awareness, clarity, and the skills to capitalize on these, they are no longer trapped in unsuitable careers. 

They work for purposes they want to serve and in roles where they can make their full contribution and enjoy the lives they want.

Founder and CEO

Empowered Careers

Empowered Careers helps people in early professional careers who find themselves stuck in unsatisfying roles to create fulfilling futures. 

Our philosophy corresponds to that of Russell Johnson & Associates, the firm through which we provide the extensive one-to-one support that senior-level clients need.

EPR Careers

I founded EPR Careers after a long search for career fulfillment when the experiences of a takeover at Arby's led me to acknowledge that I needed a new and more fulfilling career path than the corporate one I had been on. 

I was attracted to the autonomy of self-employment; however, I committed to supporting the transition to new ownership at Arby's and stayed on for two more years. Then, I left to devote full time to the search for the transformation I wanted.

I sought high-quality career support but was unable to find it in either the US or my home country, Australia. Recognizing that many executives and professionals needed such support, I established EPR Careers, initially with a partner whose experience in owning a recruitment business added another perspective to mine.
  
Over the ensuing 22 years, I developed a team with offices in Melbourne and Sydney, and we provided services throughout Australia and internationally. I led the development of EPR's services, continually refined our methodology, and built the firm into a global leader in its field. 

I focused on developing and refining our unique approach and we helped many thousands of self-funded clients to achieve their objectives. However, the business model needed more work. 

Others saw opportunities in this and the business was acquired in 2014 by a consortium of staff and former clients. They ultimately closed the firm in 2016. Meanwhile, I reflected on the lessons of my 22 years at the helm of EPR and subsequently launched a new firm incorporating those lessons.

Founder and Managing Director

Arby's

Founded in 1964, Arby’s was an established quick-service restaurant chain, part of the Fortune 500 and New York Stock Exchange-listed Royal Crown group. I joined the company as Director of Franchising with a mandate to expand the franchise system after a decade of stagnation and failed attempts to restart it. 

Over the next six years, I built a high-performing team and transformed the attractiveness of the franchise system and the strength of the Arby's brand. 

Led all franchising activities including planning, marketing, sales, administration, site selection and acquisition, financing, construction, fit-out of restaurant premises, franchisee induction and training, ongoing operational support, and relationships between the company and its franchisees. 

The chain was transformed from a laggard in the restaurant industry into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing franchise systems and experienced its golden era. I advanced to Chief Franchising Officer and Senior Vice President, reporting to the CEO as equal number two executive of the company. 

Major Achievements:
•	Developed rigorous systems for franchisee support 
•	Quadrupled the number of franchisees
•	Achieved growth of well over 200 new restaurants annually, making the company one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing restaurant chains, employing over 50,000 people, with over 1,850 restaurants and more than 200 under development
•	Despite the turmoil of a takeover in 1984 and over a year without a CEO, the company was independently and repeatedly ranked in the top ten of the approximately 3,000 franchise systems in the U.S. at the time
•	With a new restaurant opening every 39 hours on average, Arby’s became recognized as the most significant turnaround of the period in the American restaurant industry, and one of the greatest franchising success stories of the era.

Chief Franchising Officer and Senior Vice President

International Multifoods Corporation

Joined the Franchise Division of International Multifoods, a Minneapolis, MN-based Fortune 500 and New York Stock Exchange-listed company in a head office role. After gaining initial franchising experience, relocated to Atlanta GA, managing franchise development in the Southern region of the US. Subsequently declined promotion to Director of Franchising at head office and instead accepted a role at the same level but with greater potential at Arby’s Inc.

Managed development of fast food franchises in several regions of the U.S. and in Canada.
	Selected franchisees and sites
	Assisted franchisees in real estate, financing and construction negotiations

Regional Franchise Manager

Unfulfilling executive career? Transform it before it traps you.

At 14, I was pulled out of school to get my first full-time job by a family crisis.

That disruption sparked a long journey through many industries and layers of the working world.

From office work to construction and self-employment in Australia, study in the UK and ministry in Africa, then from sales to senior executive roles in the US.

At Arby’s, I advanced to Chief Franchising Officer and led its transformation to one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains globally. 

With a new location opening every 39 hours, we were rated in the Top 10 of over 3,000 franchise systems in the US. 

Then, a corporate takeover harmed the culture.

I resigned to find a meaningful new path, then stayed on for a nearly tripled income. 

Two years later, I resigned again, to buy or create a business aligned with my values.

A few months on, I realized I was lost. 

I sought high-level, values and vision-based career support, and couldn’t find that either.

But that experience led me to finally recognize my calling—to fill that market gap.

Since then, I have spent decades helping executives worldwide align their careers with their deeper values and awaken their dormant clarity, confidence, energy and impact.

My colleagues and I have guided thousands through critical transitions, enabling them to align their careers with who they truly are—and with what they most want to contribute. 

I do this work because I believe that society needs more leaders doing work they find personally meaningful. 

And that begins with taking charge of their careers, rather than surrendering them to systems that meet their lower needs but not their higher aspirations. 

If you’re ready to reimagine what your career can be, let’s explore what’s possible.

📅 Schedule a conversation: https://rjacareers.com/schedule-a-call-rj/

Russell Johnson

Stuck in career quicksand? 
 
It's not necessarily your fault. 
 
Consider this: Analysis paralysis is often seen as the villain, freezing us in our tracks. But what if it's actually your superpower? 
 
In a world obsessed with speed, taking your time to analyze might in fact be your edge. 
 
It’s a characteristic of thoughtful people who don’t settle too easily. 
 
Yet too much of a good thing can be harmful. The trick lies in finding the balance. 
 
Start by setting a 'decision deadline'. Give yourself the freedom to explore options, but with a clear end in sight. 
 
Next, embrace the 'good enough' principle. Perfection is an illusion. Aim for progress, not perfection. 
 
And recognize and implement the power of iteration. We are living in times of rapid change. We need to be nimble. 
 
Finally, tap into your support network. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all it takes to break the cycle of overthinking. 
 
Your analytical mind is a gift. Use it wisely. 
 
Ready to turn your analytical inclination into your career superpower? 
 
Let's break free from the quicksand, together. 
 
Engage below if you're ready for a shift. 
 
~~ 
 
𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦, Russell Johnson 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 

#SelfActualizedLeadership #LeadWithPurpose #LeadershipDevelopment

Optum

•	Provide high-quality care for 30+ patients per office day by nurturing trusting relationships, recording medical histories, gathering information, and performing full physical examinations specific to orthopaedic concerns
•	Assist orthopaedic surgeon in the operating theatre and provide patient continuity from operating theatre to office.
•	Order/initiate labs, medications and imaging as necessary
•	Perform orthopaedic procedures, including joint, bursal, and trigger point injections with ultrasound guidance.
•	Translate diagnoses into effective, individualized plans of care; discussing assessments and diagnoses with patients, and integrating patient education and therapeutic communication to aid comprehension
•	Operate in accordance with the orthopedic surgeon and current evidence-based practices 
•	Council patients on appropriate lifestyle modifications to improve overall health and wellness
•	Evolve each patient’s plan of care in consideration of their input, diagnosis, and responsiveness to treatment

Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Provide care for 40 plus patients per day, performing tests, developing differentials, performing history and physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, and initiating treatment when needed.

➜Act as liaison between patient and patient´s primary provider to provide best care for their acute problems.
➜Suggest lifestyle modifications and council patients on best ways to prevent illness and improve overall health and wellness.
 ➜Refer patients to specialty providers when needed.

Nurse Practitioner

Envision Healthcare

Provide comprehensive care to 20+ patients per day with acute and sub-acute presentations, developing diagnosis, performing appropriate physical exams, ordering diagnostic, and initiating treatment where needed.

➜Refer patients to appropriate specialties where needed, to continue treatment, provide additional wellness support and improve overall health.
➜Work in conjunction with attending MDs, RTs, RNs, and other ancillary staff to provide best care for patients and ensure wellbeing while in care.
➜Experienced in advanced procedures.

Baptist Health System KY & IN

Responsible for providing comprehensive care to post open-heart surgery patients and ICU patients.

➜Manage ventilated patients, intra-aortic balloon pumps, SWAN-Ganz catheters, pacemaker manipulation, CRRT, and chest tube maintenance and removal, gaining experience in all areas of cardiovascular care.

Registered Nurse

Air Methods

Deliver critical care in air transport through a community-based service, collaborating with multiple areas of healthcare, including medic partner, pilot, local EMS, hospital staff, and members of the community.

➜Provide care in aircraft/ambulance/scene, air medical resource management (AMRM/CRM), weather minimums, night vision goggle (NVG) operations, and radio operations, participating in both interfacility and scene transports to ensure efficient and effective care for patients,

Flight Nurse

IU Health LifeLine

Accountable for providing critical care medicine to a variety of patients with different conditions in-air and on-ground, collaborating with a team of medics, RN partners, pilot and drivers, and staff to help assess and plan patient care.

➜Participate in both interfacility and scene transports.
➜Experience in procedures and monitoring, including RSI/intubation, cricothyrotomy, chest tube insertion, central line placement, arterial line placement, cardiocentesis, IABP/VAD use, intracranial monitoring, ventilator use, ultrasonography (F.A.S.T.), transport blood administration, intraosseous line placement and invasive line monitoring (arterial line, CVP, Swan), among others.

Registered Nurse, Critical Care Transport Rotor/Ground

IPI Travel Company

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HOSPITAL, Albuquerque, New Mexico                                                                                                        
	   Neuroscience Critical Care Unit – ICU, Registered Nurse
PROVIDENCE ALASKA MEDICAL CENTER, Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                                                
	   Emergency Department – ER, Registered Nurse

IU Health Methodist Hospital

➜Independently responsible for up to two critically ill patients on a 34 bed unit at a Trauma 1 teaching hospital
➜Provide family-centered, competent care to neurologically impaired patients
➜Experienced in use of central lines, external ventricular drains, intra-cranial monitoring, hemodynamic monitoring, drug titration, bedside procedures, ventilators, and patient assessments

Riley Children's Health

➜Provided comprehensive, appropriate care to primarily pediatric patients and their families in a Pediatric Trauma 1 teaching hospital.
➜Experienced in pediatric medication dosing, pediatric care and pediatric disorders
➜Effective in interpersonal communication with all team members including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, EMTs, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and supporting staff

Don't think I have always been fit or known what I want to do (sometimes I still don't know)

For 4+ years I struggled with loss of direction, no purpose, ignoring my health, abusing my body, and lack of intention.

After obtaining my first college degree, I decided it wasn't what I wanted to do and started working skilled labor jobs.

With some help, I was able to escape the negative spiral, become more intentional and disciplined, and move towards my vision.

My results:
→ obtained my second bachelor’s with honors (this time in nursing)
→ worked with patients all over the country from Alaska to New Mexico to South Carolina
→ obtained my master’s in nursing in acute care and family nurse practitioner
→ completed a fellowship with wild health in precision medicine and health coaching
→ got in the best shape of my life
→ began coaching others on their health journey with massive results

My Mission: Use my experience and education to help professionals live healthy, functional lives.

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Russell Johnson

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