Exclusive Interview With Denise Ledi – Empowerment & Executive Coach
- Brainz Magazine
- Nov 16, 2021
- 6 min read
Denise Ledi is an Empowerment & Executive Leadership Coach based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, serving clients across North America. With over 20 years of experience as a leader in addiction & mental health, forensics, and correctional healthcare, Denise knows firsthand how complex and challenging it can be to lead in ever-changing environments.
Denise integrates real-world leadership experience with her experiences as a coaching client, expertise as a certified executive trained coach, Certified Mentor Expert in Diversity +Inclusion +Equity and Master’s trained Criminologist. She uses her unique, innovative, and integrative perspective to help her clients gain clarity and strategies to achieve the measurable results they're looking for.
Denise Ledi, Empowerment & Executive Leadership Coach
Denise, you’re an Empowerment & Executive Leadership Coach, Diversity + Inclusion + Equity consultant, leader in one of the largest health care authorities in Canada, speaker, and author. In fact, you’re one of Brainz Magazine’s 2021 CREA Global award recipients. Congratulations! What is your purpose and mission?
Thank you! I believe that our highest potential is reached by helping others reach theirs. My primary mission is to empower others to become their best selves, access their whole potential, and make an extraordinary impact on the world! I help leaders break through their current crisis to achieve the results that support their personal and professional goals and live a life they truly love by walking alongside them… to empower them to reach for and meet their goals… to help them live a life without regrets.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your story? What led you to become a coach?
Sure! I’ll start right from the beginning. My parents were new immigrants to Canada from Jamaica & Ghana respectively by way of the UK. My mother died when I was age 8. A devastating loss without words, however? I learned a valuable life lesson very early and it’s this: when you have the right people around you? You can move through ANYTHING and soar to your greatest heights.
We had many family & friends step up, care, support, and guide us. I’ve never forgotten all the roles they played in my life or the impact of it. In turn, I’ve always wanted to do the same for others. To walk alongside them in their hour /time of need… to be their anchor, support, and more… pushing them forward… so that they can go on to live their purpose, and as the best version of themselves.
I pivoted from studying for a career in criminal law when I realized my idealistic views of the law didn't align with this vision. When I moved into the mental health field, I loved working with patients/clients, but also, with my colleagues. From day one I was always an informal leader & coach.
My final step towards coaching came upon the heels of this question: Have you ever had professional success yet wanted more? Feeling stuck & quietly dissatisfied, but not really knowing why? Upon first glance, you seem fine on the outside, but in reality? You're silently screaming each and every day... thinking, is this it? THAT was me! Doing the 9-5 and more grind; climbing the ladder in high-stress environments and positions; managing teams of all kinds. I worked "hard" to build my career, but the higher I climbed, the more unfulfilled and unhappy I became internally.
My solution at the time was to dive into leadership and personal growth books, attended conferences, workshops, anything I could think of to help me move forward. I worked harder than ever before, earned a solid 6 figure income and the respect of my colleagues yet I was STILL dissatisfied. I knew I could lead myself and others differently regardless of the struggles I was experiencing. I knew this came down to a matter of choice: choose to remain where I was? Stuck and miserable or choose something different for myself.
I chose myself. I hired my own Executive Leadership Coach and have never looked back. Working with a coach changed me. I knew I had a lot to give, but I just didn't know how to get there. I launched Ledi Coaching & Consulting last summer. I fully appreciate that the biggest myth in life? Is that we have all the time in the world. You could say I’m one of the many who had a pandemic awakening call for sure, but it’s all good.
How do you relate your background in Mental Health Care to being an Empowerment & Executive Coach, or do you?
I do! I know the struggles that go with leading people, balancing competing priorities, and all that goes with it. That's universal and the norm. So in many respects, I bring the coaching culture & approach with me. I tried my utmost to give my managers support and guidance rather than instructions; stretch and challenge their thinking, and intentionally engage in developmental conversations. I do the same with my clients to unleash fresh energy, ideas, perspectives, and more.
What are some of the things you see leaders today struggling with the most?
I see many of the same things I struggled with: a lack of confidence, self-doubt, feeling inadequate – any combination and version of this. Not living up to the standards they set for themselves, realistic or not. Fearing they are not good enough, therefore, letting their teams and superiors down. This really boils down to a fear of failure; feeling unfulfilled and not knowing why or how to move past this.
Other things I see is communication, giving and receiving the same, and maintaining a work/life balance. I think I would be remiss in not mentioning COVID-19. The pandemic has served to create, exacerbate and or expose existing struggles in leadership in ways that have been nothing short of extraordinary. Leaders were bombarded with questions in the face of unprecedented uncertainty. At the same time, dealing with inconsistent and or untimely communication from above to below; therefore, feeling behind the eight-ball and feeling responsible all at once. Transitioning to predominately virtual formats; remote/ working from home; and remaining connected, engaged, and effective; maintaining positive morale were and continue to be real challenges. Many were and continue to burn out trying to be everything for everyone; doing and doing and putting up a brave front when they too are struggling with the same feelings and emotions their staff are. This includes dealing with the “great resignation” occurring; retention and hiring; AND dealing with their own desire for change. Imagine trying to cope and lead through this if you already were experiencing self-doubt, fear… what have you. This experience has been massive for all of us. In terms of leadership, I can only hope this serves as a catalyst for transformation beyond the old paradigms into something new.
What’s next? What’s your vision and future plans?
Helping more people! This includes launching my group coaching program for emerging and new leaders,” From Peer to Leader” in addition to my 1:1 coaching services. More speaking engagements on various leadership topics and more writing! I'm thrilled to announce that I am a co-author in Uncover Your Light: Volume 2: Empowering Stories of Hope and Resilience. I also plan on building upon the success of hosting my first 2-day summit: Diverse Conversations, Wisdom from Professional Coaches this past September. It was a blast! I had industry leading coaching experts and influencers united purpose; helping inspire together in conversation; representing key areas personally and professionally. It’s something I’m going to do again next year for sure. Who knows, it may be Ledi Coaching & Consulting’s signature event!
Denise, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Yes. I encourage EVERYONE to embrace your why and go for whatever it is you want in life. It's all there for you. Leave room for no regrets, especially for not living a life with greater meaning. You have everything in you; you need to achieve what this may be for you. When there is fulfillment and meaning to what we do? Success just flows. It’s in us and all around us.
Many thanks. How can our readers connect with you and or find out more about your
services?
Reach out to me here for a free consultation.
To your success!
