Today we’d like to introduce you to Diondra Filicetti

Hi Diondra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

It was my early twenties when I started my first corporate job after graduation and I couldn’t have been more excited. I was ready to put my skills to great use and to work on projects that would make a difference in the company. Reality however, fell short of my expectations. I thought I had the ability to make a difference, but I was up against a huge slow-moving corporate machine that was already set in its ways. The confounding problem was that the function of my role was to bring about change and increase efficiency. In my attempts to do just that, I was met with roadblock after roadblock, some by the system, and some created by people! To make things more difficult, there was a culture of fear and a general sense of disengagement in the company. For me, the writing was on the wall, and I knew that if I stayed, my engagement, enthusiasm and passion would die a slow death.

It left me wondering how many people had lost their engagement when they entered the workforce. Then I wondered what the root of the problem was. Was it a result of having not identified their passion? Was it a result of not knowing how to choose an environment in which that passion would thrive? Was it a lack of self-efficacy? Was it a lack of empowerment? Was it a lack of knowledge? Whatever the reason, I wanted to prevent the future unnecessary death of passion and to help people thrive.

My business Driven By… was born out of a mission to help build more engaged and motivated teams/individuals who were aligned with their passion and able to reach their potential. So today I conduct workshops, team building programs and I also have a Self-Awareness journal called “Illuminate Your True Self” (available on Amazon) to help people get to know themselves better and to identify how to thrive. The idea is that it all begins with self-awareness, or identifying what you’re driven by. From there we support people through our workshops and team building to give them the skills and awareness to build an environment that supports their engagement.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The road has been nothing but smooth, but no worthwhile journey is. At the beginning of the journey of starting my business, I wanted to solve every problem that people shared with me, and I lost the core purpose of my business. I found myself acting as a Career Coach, a Business Coach a Consultant, an Editor, basically offering support to anyone and everyone for everything. I quickly became burnt out and struggled to communicate my mission. Today, I’ve learned that having a sharper focus not only prevents scope creep, but also helps your clients better understand the value that you provide.

The most significant struggle that I recall, was battling imposter syndrome. In particular, when I worked with institutions in the public sector, I often got asked about my educational background and whether or not I had a Masters degree. Despite having the skills and experience to deliver the results I promised, this line of questioning, brought me face to face with imposter syndrome. In these situations, I learned to recognize that not everything can be taught through formal education. I know many highly educated people who are not able to conduct a large scale workshop that keeps 100 participants engaged. Now, as I have matured into my business, I lean into the work I have done and the experience that I have had, making me better able to articulate and demonstrate the value that I bring.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

At Driven By… Co, we build engaged and motivated teams and individuals through our personal and professional development workshops/keynotes, courses and team building programs. Our mission is simple yet profound: to inspire, educate, and empower individuals and teams to discover their true potential and thrive in both their personal and professional lives.

I am a professional workshop facilitator, instructor and speaker in the personal and professional development space. I have worked with colleges, universities and small businesses in Canada to deliver engaging educational and transformational learning experiences that empower participants to make material changes in their lives. I would say that I am known for the ability to connect with others and understand their needs while also creating valuable learning opportunities for them.

In 2024, I delivered two TEDx Talks that break down the key characteristics that make up an engaged and motivated team. The TEDx Oshawa talk entitled, “Unlocking Team Success: 5 Crucial Environmental Factors for Peak Performance” focuses on how building the right environment can truly help a team thrive. The TEDx Etobicoke talk entitled, “The New Hierarchy of Needs for Engaged & Motivated Teams” provides a framework for leaders to satisfy the needs of their team in order to support their engagement and motivation.

Although I am certainly proud of speaking on stages and speaking to many people, I am truly most proud of all the success stories from the people that I have worked with. The people that have told me that they started businesses, changed jobs, or improved their confidence. The teams that say productivity is up and the team is gelling together better. These things tell me that I have made a material impact in someone else’s life and that my job has been successful.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?

Over the next 5-10 years I think my industry will grow significantly, because there is an increase in choice and an increase in uncertainty. There are new jobs being created every single day that didn’t exist 10,15 or 20 years ago.

In the past, after graduation, people chose a job that they would likely be doing for the next 25-30 years. Today, the rate at which people change jobs or careers is much more frequent. With that in mind, I think businesses will be seeking to invest in team engagement as a retention strategy for talent, and individuals will also be more willing to do what it takes to find a position where they feel engaged and motivated. With that being said, I look forward to working with many more teams to help build environments that help people thrive and facilitate peak performance.

Connect with me at drivenbyco.com to see how I can support your team!

Pricing:

• Illuminate Your True Self Journal – CA$16.99 on Amazon
• Workshops and Team Building – Pricing Depends on Needs

Contact Info:

• Website: https://drivenbyco.com/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/drivenbyco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrivenByCo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/drivenbyco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiWolo8cM_McaxL7IFA4Lpg
• Other: https://www.amazon.ca/Illuminate-Your-True-Self-Self-Awareness/dp/1739078209

Image Credits
Jay Kana – Modern Mississauga