angela joyner

or as long as I can remember, I have always been highly motivated and believed that I was destined to do great things. Like many women, I was taught that if I worked hard and delivered good results, I would be recognized and rewarded for my efforts. As I climbed up the corporate ladder, I discovered that just working hard and consistently delivering my objectives didn't always guarantee recognition or promotions. I started thinking to myself, “What does it take to break through to the next level?”



It wasn’t uncommon for me to walk into a meeting and realize that I was the only woman leader in the room. I found myself competing with my male counterparts to be heard. There were many times that I left meetings feeling frustrated because I believed I had a lot to offer but I didn’t feel like my contributions were truly valued. I began to change my leadership style so that I could "fit in" and be more like my peers (most of whom were men). Instead of being collaborative, intuitive, and relational, I resorted to being directive, which made me feel inauthentic. While I was aware of the corporate politics, I was not as organizationally savvy as I needed to be. Building relationships and connecting with others had always been one of my towering strengths; however, I was not intentional about using my strategic alliances to accelerate my climb up the corporate ladder.

I have always wanted be an executive and pave the way for other women. When I was promoted to the director level, my boss hired an executive coach as part of my development. I told her while I was passionate about my new role, I felt like I was not bringing my whole self to work or using my natural gifts. As a woman leader, there were times when I didn’t feel like my voice was heard or that my perspective was valued. I desperately wanted to share my brilliance at work. Unfortunately, as a result of my trying to be like my peers, I felt inauthentic and disappointed because I was not bringing my whole self to work.

Her response was unforgettable and that conversation has been one of the most defining moments in my career. She looked me square in the eye and said, "Angela, what are you doing? Why are you trying so hard be someone you are not? You were given unique gifts and passions to serve a purpose. You rob the world of your brilliance when you compare yourself to others or when you try to be like someone you were never created to be! You are a jewel in a shallow pool of black and grey stones. You can’t stand out and shine when you trying to be someone else. Trust me, when you lead from a place of authenticity, you will be more satisfied, fulfilled and more confident. It may seem counter intuitive but you will actually increase your value at work. You were hired and promoted for a reason. Your company needs what you have to offer. You have a voice and you matter.” After that conversation, I felt a shift in my leadership. I learned how to align my heart with my smarts, lead from a place of authenticity, discover how to better navigate the corporate environment and build strategic alliances to further my career.

Now, I am passionate about helping other women shine at work and lead from a place of authenticity. I bring 20+ years of experience and a proven track record of developing high performance leaders. I can’t wait to meet you and help you break through to the next level.