Through my coaching education, I have learned to move away from the instinct to fix or solve problems, and instead embrace the role of a true partner, one who focuses on drawing out insights that clients already hold but may not have thought to bring into the coaching conversation. I have developed a strong ability to connect the dots, identifying what’s necessary in the moment. And I also know how to stay present in the dialogue until every participant has fully expressed their needs and desires. Connect with me via email if you are a leader, manager or senior executive who’s looking for a thinking partner who listens deeply, challenges constructively, and helps you tap into your own clarity and wisdom.
Adapt with confidence
In today’s coaching landscape:
• Those who adapt, thrive
• Those who execute, win
• Those who wait, get left behind
I think when leaders grow, their teams thrive, so the question isn’t if disruption is coming, it’s whether you are ready to capitalise on it. Send me an email and let me know what you think.
The coaching landscape
I think good sales and marketing is really about commercial teaching. It’s about showing people their options, what’s possible, and then saying, if this resonates, come to us, because this is what we do. Don’t pretend to solve everything, in fact it’s much better to only solve a small part of the bigger puzzle. My product helps bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to be, through structured coaching. But my focus isn’t on your problem, it’s on you. I’ll listen, I’ll ask the questions others might not, and I’ll hold you accountable for moving forward.
Creating equitable spaces
Real leadership is not about avoiding discomfort, it’s about facing it with care. Power dynamics exist in every leadership and coaching relationship, and avoiding them doesn’t erase them, it just lets them operate in the shadows. For leaders committed to growth, the real work is to acknowledge these dynamics and manage them with honesty and integrity. Ignoring power can create unspoken barriers, limit trust, and stifle authentic conversations.
Remember that naming the dynamic doesn’t weaken your authority, I think it strengthens trust. It shows you're aware of your influence and are using it responsibly. Especially when addressing behaviours that clash with your values, the way you engage is critical.
Respect for different cultures
As coaches, much like in sales, we are constantly required to think on our feet, navigating new and often unpredictable situations by relying on our instincts and quick judgment. To be truly effective, we must examine our own biases to ensure we do not discriminate, and approach every interaction with a deep respect for different cultures. I think our values are embedded in everything we do, from how we treat people to how we resolve conflict, both with others and within ourselves.
Take responsibility
In today’s fast-paced world, where many interactions feel transactional, choosing to lead with presence and emotional intelligence is not just courageous, it’s transformational. It requires slowing down in a culture that rewards speed, listening deeply when distractions are everywhere, and responding with empathy even when pressure mounts. Leading this way builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates space for people to show up as their full selves. It’s not about being soft, it’s about being strategic with humanity at the core.
Emotional intelligence helps leaders navigate complexity, manage their own reactions, and foster environments where collaboration, innovation, and accountability thrive. I think in a time when so many are craving connection and meaning, this kind of leadership is more than a skill, it’s a responsibility.
Use this reframe
I think true leadership in relationships regardless of whether they are personal or professional will start with self-awareness. Therefore, the only real shift in any relationship begins with you. When you intentionally change how you show up, not to manipulate or fix, but to create space, you allow others to be who they are. That space invites honesty, reduces friction, and deepens connection. Instead of wishing someone were different, you get to decide how you want to engage based on your values and boundaries.
It's better to show than to tell
When it comes to protecting your reputation, actions speak louder than words. The way you consistently show up in your work, your relationships, and your integrity will always speak more clearly than any explanation you could give. If someone is saying something about you, the emotionally intelligent response is to approach them directly, with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Gossip often stems from insecurity or a desire for control, not truth. As a leader, you have the power to choose your response: is this something worth addressing, or simply information that helps you better understand the dynamics around you? I think in some cases, it’s not about confrontation, it’s about recalibrating your time, energy, and trust accordingly.
Healing takes time
Image c/o Gary Cook
No one really prepares you for how challenging it is to rewire your mind to embrace possibility after living through pain or trauma. Healing takes time, patience, and a deep willingness to imagine something better. As much as we may want to change others, the truth is, we can’t. What we can do is invite reflection, offer perspective, and lead with empathy. As a human-centric coach, my aim is to build bridges towards greater self-awareness, towards others, and ultimately, towards what it truly means to be human.
Change only happens when you are ready
Have you ever tried to change the behaviour of a partner or spouse who had no interest in changing? Or a teenager who just wasn’t having it? How did that work out?
In my coaching practice, when clients are motivated, open, and committed to doing the work, they always move forward, not because I say so, but because they say so. Everything we discuss is 100% confidential. Please note that before our first session, we will both sign a non-disclosure agreement to ensure your privacy and trust are fully protected.
Hire an expert
Leadership development isn’t just about attending inspiring keynotes or completing DEI training programs, it’s about what happens afterward. If your leader returned from such a program and never shared what they learned or how it might influence the team, you likely felt disappointed or disconnected. That silence speaks volumes about your leader.
I think real growth comes from implementation, not just insight. I believe in a leadership development process that is not only proven but practical. One that can be developed, coached, and scaled through partnerships, because leadership isn’t theoretical: you can’t learn to swim by reading a book. The real challenge isn’t understanding leadership, it’s practicing it, consistently and courageously, in everyday interactions.
Think like a coach
I have written on numerous occasions about both the growth and fixed mindsets, but as I am currently studying for my ICF accreditation, I want to focus on the coaching mindset. Our mindset serves as the reference point by which we interpret our thoughts and frame the world around us. As coaches, having a coaching mindset is crucial. The more awareness we have both of our clients and of the coaching process itself, the deeper and more transformative our work with clients can be.
Increased trust and relatability
Coaching effectiveness is influenced by a variety of factors, and research suggests that racial and cultural alignment can significantly enhance engagement, trust, and overall outcomes. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology found that employees are more likely to trust and actively engage with mentors and leaders who share similar racial or ethnic backgrounds. This shared experience fosters deeper connections and strengthens the coaching relationship. Similarly, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) underscores the importance of cultural competence, emphasising that coaches who understand and reflect their clients’ backgrounds are better equipped to tailor their approach to meet specific needs.
We are all being shaped
As leaders, we are often encouraged to focus on external metrics, for example, visibility, performance, recognition. When we neglect the internal work, we risk losing our centre. Blaming society or systems may feel justified, and it also gives away our power. Yes, we have all been shaped, some may say manipulated by the pace of social media and the pressure to stay constantly "on." And in that, many have drifted from the deeper roots of community whether that’s Church, Synagogue, Mosque, or simply meaningful service to others. In my opinion, you can't lead with clarity if your life is led by everything else around you. I think by reclaiming your focus, values, and connection it isn’t just personal, it’s part of your leadership responsibility.
The importance of letting go
When you face criticism, see it as an opportunity to sharpen your focus and reaffirm your commitment to your vision. There’s a key difference between focus and attachment. Focus is rooted in clarity and intention, it’s about knowing what you want and why you want it. Attachment, on the other hand, is about trying to control the outcome, often driven by fear or a sense of lack. When you're attached to a specific result, you may inadvertently block the very thing you're trying to attract. Instead, practice focusing on what you desire, then release your grip on how and when it will come. Trust that the universe or life itself knows the best way to bring your vision into reality. Be open to possibilities you may not have considered. Focus on the what and the why, and let the universe take care of the how and when.
I think it’s essential to remember that maintaining your focus when things don’t go as planned is just as important. These moments may be invitations to grow, opportunities to become the person who is not only capable of achieving, but also sustaining, what you truly want.
Nature is our teacher
Self-assessment is a superpower as it allows you to challenge and change self-limiting beliefs, giving you the ability to choose your emotional state rather than be at the mercy of it. The more aware you become, the more power you have to direct your focus and attract what you truly want. While humans are self-aware, the contents of our minds differ because we all have unique life experiences. As a result, our unconscious mind is often in a constant state of judging, complaining, liking, and disliking, based on what it believes to be true. I understand that if you grow up rooting for one sports team, you may be told to hate another, but if you consciously observe this belief, you may ask: Why should hate exist at all?
Building interpersonal skills
If you really want to learn more, start by listening more. It sounds simple but listening with the intent to understand and not to reply is one of the most overlooked leadership skills. Real learning begins when we create space for others to speak, and when we resist the urge to fill that space with our own voice. Nobody has ever learned anything new by dominating the conversation or hearing themselves talk. I think listening is where insight, trust, and real connections are built.
““The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.””
Coaching isn’t a quick fix
As a coach, I can share the research, the data, and the average return on investment, but I can’t and definitely won’t promise specific outcomes. There are too many “get rich quick” or “guaranteed weight loss” schemes online. That’s not what coaching is, and it's unethical for coaches to make those kinds of claims. Instead, do good. Seek out opportunities to do good proactively. Here are five ways you can do that:
Educate yourself
Learn about diversity, inclusion, psychological safety, cultural awareness, and access barriers. Stay curious.Self-assess
Ask yourself: “Where am I now?” “How am I doing?” “How am I coming across to others?”I have a leadership assessment form available, just send me an email and I’ll be happy to share it with you.Practice self-reflection
Regularly ask: “What impact am I having?” and “How am I showing up in my actions and words?”Communicate your openness
Diversity isn’t only visual. Ask yourself: “How am I communicating what I value and who I serve?”Expand access
Coaching can be transformative. I constantly consider how I can increase access to it for people who may not be able to afford it.
Consider the power dynamics
c/o Shamillah Wilson ©
How do I, as a coach, embody and demonstrate professionalism, collaboration, humanity, and equity?
There is a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This means recognising the identities of different groups, treating people fairly, and understanding that bias and systemic inequality exist, even when they are unintentional or go unnoticed. Our personal beliefs may say one thing, but our actions, biases, and the systems we operate within may tell a different story. That’s why I think it’s essential to engage in self-reflection, challenge assumptions, and actively work toward creating equitable spaces. What do you think?
Hold space for others
How are you holding space for others to thrive?
I think self-awareness is a key component of success in the DEI space. There is so much nuance and ambiguity in DEI work that many of the necessary skills will develop over time. Much of the knowledge required to become a subject matter expert comes from lived experience, trial, and error. Many traditional frameworks and approaches to DEI have failed in the past…
In a world where everything revolves around technology, we must not forget the crucial role that human emotions play.