Overcoming the Odds: Kidney cancer survivor leads by example, by taking care of people and they take care of the business. 

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Anthony Tuggle.

Senior executive, transformational advisor, and founder/CEO of Tag Us Worldwide. With more than 30 years of leading global operations at AT\&T and other Fortune 10 organizations, Tuggle shares lessons in leadership, resilience, corporate success, personal health battles, entrepreneurship, and the importance of emotional intelligence in the AI era.

His story blends professional excellence with survival, detailing how he overcame kidney failure, a transplant, dialysis, and even kidney cancer—while simultaneously rising to the executive ranks and later launching his own leadership transformation company.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview’s goals were to:

1. Highlight Anthony Tuggle’s leadership journey

From a corporate executive managing global teams to the CEO of Tag Us Worldwide.

2. Share actionable insights on corporate success and leadership development

He explains the importance of foundation, consistency, emotional intelligence, and taking care of people.

3. Discuss the importance of DEI and equitable leadership

Tuggle emphasizes why diverse backgrounds, and diverse thoughts build strong companies.

4. Reveal the personal health challenges that shaped his perspective

His story serves as instruction, caution, and motivation.

5. Promote Tag Us Worldwide

A transformation consultancy helping organizations elevate culture and leadership.

💡 Key Takeaways

1. Success Requires Hard Work, Foundation & Intentionality

Success is not accidental.
Tuggle stresses:

• Education (undergrad + MBA from Emory’s Goizueta Business School)
• Moving 12 times across the country for opportunities
• Consistency and showing up

“Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready” is one of his core principles.

2. Leadership = Taking Care of People

Tuggle explains that high-performing organizations have one thing in common:
Leaders take care of people, and people take care of the business.

He built a reputation for developing leaders who now lead in Fortune 50 companies.

3. Understanding the Rules of the Game Matters

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or corporate professional, there are rules:

• Professionalism
• Performance
• Relationship building
• Consistency
• Respecting organizational culture

Many people fail because they enter the “game” without learning its rules.

4. DEI and Access Are Non-Negotiable for Strong Organizations

Tuggle is a firm supporter of diversity, equity, inclusion, both in culture and thought.
He says he would not be where he is today without people giving him a chance.

5. His Corporate Career Was Truly Global

He managed large teams across:

• The Philippines
• Costa Rica
• Mexico

This global lens influences his approach to transformation and scaling businesses.

6. His Health Journey Defines His Resilience

Anthony Tuggle's story is extraordinary:

• Kidney failure in his 20s

Doctor told him he “should be dead.”
Caused by untreated hypertension.

• 25-year kidney transplant survivor

He received a deceased donor kidney and outlived the typical 10–15-year expectancy—twice.

• Kidney transplant failed again after 25 years

He returned to dialysis (hemodialysis → peritoneal dialysis).

• Kidney cancer diagnosis—found early

While preparing for another transplant, doctors discovered kidney cancer caused by long-term immunosuppressant medications.
He survived it: stage 1, noninvasive.

These challenges fuel his drive, urgency, and refusal to waste life.

7. Faith Was His Anchor Throughout

When diagnosed with kidney failure, he got on his knees and prayed.
He says God told him, “We're not done.”
This became his mantra for survival and purpose. [

8. Tag Us Worldwide: “Together Achieving Greatness”

His company focuses on:

• Leadership transformation
• Cultural elevation
• Organizational outcomes
• Preparing leaders for the AI-powered future

Tag Us delivers impact through:

• Real-world corporate experience
• AI-enhanced strategy
• Emotional intelligence coaching
• Business transformation frameworks

He blends AI + EQ, insisting companies should never rely on AI alone.

9. AI Won’t Replace Humans—But Humans Who Use AI Will Win

Tuggle led an AI organization for four years, and his stance is clear:

• AI is here to stay
• The “secret sauce” is people
• Leaders must embrace change, not fear it
• Emotional intelligence will enhance AI outcomes

10. Legacy = Family + Leadership + Service

He emphasizes shaping his daughter’s worldview and standards.
She graduated with honors from USC’s Marshall Business School.

He believes leaders should create environments where people can win—and that is his mission.

🗣 Notable Quotes (with citations) On success

“I didn’t just wake up and look like this—I put in the hard work.” [

On leadership

“If you take care of your people, they take care of you.”

On preparation

“Stay ready—we don’t have to get ready.” [

On DEI

“You need diversity of color but also diversity of thought.”

On fear

“I faced many obstacles throughout my life… fear becomes motivation.” [

On AI

“Good leaders embrace change. Great leaders inspire change.” [

On resilience

“I am highly favored… I’ve beaten the odds twice.” [

On purpose

“My passion is leadership; my purpose is changing lives.” [

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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