Prior to his role as CEO of Icarus Consulting LLC, Shelton Goode, a highly decorated Air Force veteran, had served the country in times of war, defending the country during the Panama conflict, Bosnian War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His accomplishments earned him five meritorious service medals and an appointment to the State Bar Ethics Investigative Panel by the Supreme Court of Georgia.
He soon found himself working in six different industries in 10 different positions and became an HR trailblazer with Forbes selecting him as one of the Top 10 Diversity and Inclusion Trailblazers by 2019. He continues trailblazing at Icarus Consulting LLC.
Icarus Consulting LLC delivers actionable, objective HR and DEI insight to executives and their teams. The tools provided by the firm enable faster, smarter decisions and more robust HR and DEI performance to support an organization’s business-critical priorities. As a veteran and minority-owned company with over two dozen associates, Icarus Consulting is a trusted partner with 50+ client enterprises across all primary functions in every industry and enterprise size and boasts 100+ years of seasoned experience.
“At Icarus Consulting, we tackle real-word issues, not just theories, and apply battle-tested techniques and tools,” said Goode. “Our approach to solving complex problems is anchored in a systematic and comprehensive methodology designed to navigate the intricate challenges faced by organizations.”
As a leader, Goode adopts attributes of courage and authenticity. “A courageous leader is paramount in navigating the complex terrain of the business world,” he said. “An authentic leader sets the tone, shaping the company’s culture and influencing its future.”
According to Goode, both qualities directly impact employee passion, performance and productivity. These attributes served him well during the COVID-19 pandemic economic downturn. “We successfully leveraged the platform for change and to gain an advantage,” he said. “Although the pandemic severely disrupted other businesses, it allowed Icarus Consulting to unlearn old habits and adopt new ones.”
Looking forward, Goode said the firm will continue to develop several tools and resources that will help clients thrive in fast-paced and demanding environments that require constant decisiveness, energy and speed.
If he could provide his younger self with advice, Goode said it would be to dare to live a life true to himself and not the life others expected of him and believe in himself much sooner than he did.
