Game Changers: The Conscious Culture Volume 1 Issue 6 | Page 26

Tanya Barnett
the "Real" Wife Coach
Tanya Barnett is the "Real"
Wife Coach as well as a rela-
tionship and an empowerment
speaker. She is the author of
Being a Wife Just Got Real:
Things I Wish I Knew, Before
I Said, I Do". She founded the
Real Wife Movement™, where
she equips single and married
women with tools to create
healthy relationships, marriag-
es and families.
Tanya is an US Air Force
veteran and the founder of
Forever Free Books, which is a
mobile literacy nonprofit. She
has a Bachelor’s of Science
degree in Social Science
from University of Maryland,
University College. She is
a marathoner, triathlete and
an avid book reader. She and
her husband Don have been
married 17 years and have 3
awesome kids.
Please describe your leadership
style
I like to lead with my team
assisting with some of the
decision making. When every-
one feels like they are a part
of something, they are more
willing to give their best. I
also believe in thanking people
publically. In today’s world,
some people just need to be ac-
knowledged or praised for their
efforts. Too often we point out
the negative. I choose to do the
opposite.
Finish the sentence, teamwork
is important because …
Teamwork is important
because one person cannot
effectively do everything.
Personally, I would go crazy
trying to do everything. I opted
to hire a virtual assistant who
is amazing. We work well to-
gether and she likes to see how
the finished product is chang-
ing the lives of the women we
serve. Since she feels like she
adds value, she gives The Real
Wife Movement™ her best
work. This also frees me up to
work on other aspects of our
movement.
What social media platforms
do you engage in the most?
I’m a Twitter and Facebook
chick. I use Instagram but not
as much as I would like to. I
tried Snapchat but I just can’t
wrap my brain around it.
What professional organiza-
tions do you support?
I am a member of and sup-
port The BOSS Network,
Women Veterans Interactive,
The National Association of
Professional Women, NAACP,
Congressional Black Caucus,
etc. I am also an adult Girl
Scout and have been for a long
time.
Describe your net-
working style?
I am the one who
asks women what
their story is. Since
I love to hear
about what other
women are doing,
I am usually the
one who is listen-
ing to other wom-
en’s stories. Once
they find out that I
am a relationship
coach, it turns into
a mini coaching session no
matter where I am.
Name three business leaders
who inspire you.
Maggie Lena Walker was the
first female bank president of
any race to charter a bank in
the United States.
Oprah Winfrey
Cathy Hughes
A favorite quote that motivates
you?
My mission in life is not mere-
ly to survive, but to thrive;
and to do so with some pas-
sion, some compassion, some
humor, and some style. ~Maya
Angelou
-Twitter handle
@RealWifeCoach