We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sylvia Baffour. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sylvia below.

Sylvia, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

My hero is Dr Maya Angelou. I had the privilege of meeting her about 22 years ago when I was waiting tables at a restaurant in Washington DC called B Smiths. One of the reasons why she’s my hero is because of the way she treats people and that includes those who can do nothing for her. We had lots of celebrities come and dine at our restaurant but not many wanted to be bothered at all (understandable). But when I met her, all I wanted to do was say hello and leave her alone to finish her meal at the bar. Instead, she wanted to know more about me and what my plans were beyond waiting tables. I told her I was just starting out in the speaking and coaching business and welcomed any advice she had for me. Then she asked me if I had a business card. I always kept some in my apron, which I had taken off and left back in the kitchen. She asked me to go get it for her and said she would give it to someone and if they called me, it might be the best thing that happened to me in my young career. She also invited me to join her family for their annual Thanksgiving dinner in Winston-Salem NC. I was then able to have her mentorship for the remaining 12 years of her life.

Many of us remember the quote she’s most remembered by, that “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.” This was a lesson I learned from her first hand through her actions and in the way she treated others around her. She saw something in me and believed in me more than I believed in myself at the time. I came to understand how important it was to leave what I now like to call a “sweet emotional aftertaste” in the hearts and minds of everyone I come across. Much of this is inspired by how I saw her treat others. We exist in relation to one another and the way we create meaningful connections with others is by caring about how others experience us. Maya Angelou was one of a kind and among the best at showing us how it’s done.

Sylvia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a globe-trotter at heart, originally from the vibrant city of Accra, Ghana. I’ve traveled to over 35 countries, lived in seven and I speak five languages. My global travels have gifted me a lens through which I view and connect with the world and that’s something I treasure deeply. My academic path started in Finance and French, a nod to my father’s influence and my initial career aspirations. However, life had a different lesson plan for me. After a one year stint as a business consultant with a leading global consulting firm, I felt a pull towards understanding the human mind and emotions better. This curiosity led me to become a certified Life Coach in 2001, marking the beginning of a transformative journey.
Today, my world revolves around Emotional Intelligence (EI). It’s more than just my expertise; it’s my passion. I help people harness their emotions to foster stronger relationships, navigate life’s challenges, and truly thrive. Whether it’s mastering change, resolving conflicts, or connecting deeply with others, I’m all about practical, actionable strategies that make a real difference.

What sets me apart, as my clients often say, isn’t just the content of my talks but the heart behind them. I dive deep into understanding the unique needs of each audience, ensuring my message resonates with them on a personal level. I’m all about making EI as accessible and relatable, as possible so people can leverage those skills in their daily lives.

The entrepreneurial road is rarely smooth, but it’s a journey I cherish, especially when I see the impact of my work. Being recognized by HubSpot as one of the top female motivational speakers, in the esteemed company of icons like Oprah Winfrey and Mel Robbins, is a moment of immense pride for me. But more than any accolade, it’s the integrity and authenticity I bring to my work and to every stage I step onto that fills me with the most pride.

My brand, Dare to Care™, mirrors my belief in the power of empathy, connection, and genuine care. It’s a testament to my commitment to not just preach EI, but to live it every day.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Facing a pivotal moment in 2000, I was on the brink of relocating from DC to Toronto for a dream role at Arthur Andersen, my path seemingly paved with promise. My bags were packed, I said my goodbyes, and a new home awaited with views of Lake Ontario. Yet, just as I was poised to leap, the ground vanished beneath me. A sudden reversal at the firm meant my transfer, job, and visa were all abruptly cancelled. I found myself with 15 days to remain in the US legally.

At 22, confronted with this stark reversal—no job, no home, and a visa ticking down—I found myself at a crossroads. It would have been easy to spiral into despair as I sat in the office of the Senior Partner at the firm who delivered the bad news. But in that moment, a nugget of wisdom I once heard spiritual guru Gary Zukav share on an Oprah episode echoed in my mind. Words that reminded me that “you must never use negative emotions to make an important decision in your life and expect to have a positive outcome.” His words steered me away from decisions clouded by negativity.

Choosing resilience over defeat, I understood that even though I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me, I chose to view it not as an end but a redirection. Graduate school became my unexpected haven, offering not just a visa extension but a chance to reshape my future. It was during this period of rebuilding that I discovered my calling as a Life Coach, a decision that eventually led to a rewarding career in professional speaking.

This ordeal, while challenging, underscored a powerful lesson in resilience for me. I realized that when we’re faced with insurmountable odds, the strength to adapt and the courage to envision a new path is what can truly transform our obstacles into stepping stones.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up, I was convinced that readiness was key—that you needed to be fully equipped and prepared before embracing new ventures. But life has a funny way of teaching you lessons you didn’t know you needed. Take my leap into life coaching at 22, for example. Conventional wisdom might say, “Wait, live a little more before you guide others.” But I chose a different path. I dove in, got certified, and poured my heart into building a practice that offered real value. It was about making a difference, not waiting for the perfect moment.

This mindset followed me into my speaking career. Instead of waiting in the wings, honing my skills until they were flawless, I stepped onto the stage, embracing the opportunity to connect and share. This journey taught me the power of action over perfection. It’s not about having all the answers or waiting for that elusive ‘readiness.’ It’s about the courage to start, the willingness to grow, and the resilience to keep moving forward. That’s the lesson I had to unlearn: sometimes, you just have to leap and build your wings on the way down.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sylviaspeaks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylviaspeaks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviabaffour/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sylviabaffour

Image Credits
The only applicable photo for credit is the one of me in the grey blazer and orange blouse is to be credited to Jenn Challis.