THRIVE Coaching Program for Leaders of Color

Designed for Leaders of color to build executive presence, achieve influence, help them gain sponsorship, and get ahead in their careers.

Leaders of color face an entirely unique set of professional barriers to success. Challenges can include first generation professionals, internalized limiting beliefs, and lack of sponsorship. Because of these dynamics, relative to their white peers, leaders of color need to remix common success strategies and add some novel ones to get ahead.

Two women of color leaders laugh

Engagement topics:

While I have served clients across a diverse set of challenges, these are the most common engagement topics:

  1. How can I reach the next level?

  2. How can I reconnect with my confidence/ executive presence in this new challenge?

  3. How can I resolve interpersonal conflicts and/or get the team to work better together?

  4. How can I focus my time and energy on the right priorities?

Salima Valji prepares a coaching program for leaders of color

Unleash Forward Approach:

  1. Explore – Start with data gained from 360 assessment and other forms of feedback and set concrete goals to focus on.

  2. Experiment – Hone new leadership skills by practicing new tools.

  3. Execute – Put it all together for habitual and sustainable development.

Two women hug and laugh together

Program Promise:

Bridge the gap from where you are now in your leadership journey to where you want/need to be by overcoming the blocks and barriers, creating an action plan for moving forward, and ensuring that you meet-and exceed!-your career goals.

Woman and man leader laugh together as they participate in leadership program

Program Elements:

  • Leadership Circle Debrief.

  • 1:1 bi-weekly coaching (minimum 6 months).

  • Unlimited 10 min spot coaching / sounding board calls.

  • Pre-session questionnaires for reflection and preparation.

  • Post-session notes summarizing the key points for reflection.

  • Relevant resources, exercises or articles to support learning and growth when it makes sense.

  • Accountability, guidance and action plans to unleash your leader forward.

“I always thought I was self aware. However, our work together, I realized I had created some bad habits over the years. Mainly self imposed standards that had me stuck in procrastination (not starting until it was perfect in my mind) and self talk that discouraged me to be courageous like speaking up, sharing my ideas and leaning into conflict. Through our work together, I've learned that the individuals I look up to have a style of presence that I connect with and that I can see what is possible for me if I identify those strengths I want to develop. I was also reminded that progress is better than perfection so.. JFDI! :) Lastly, when confronted with conflict, I should take a different approach by being more curious about the other persons intentions and expectations and work towards an outcome that benefits both parties. Salima, thank-you so much for creating a space that allowed me to be authenique and dig deep to get to the root of my beliefs. Although too short, I appreciate our time together and hope we can stay connected.”

- Tanya Winterberg, Commerce Lead at Microsoft

Tanya Winterberg, Commerce Lead at Microsoft, smiles at the camera