We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chenise Upshur a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chenise, appreciate you joining us today. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?

I am extremely grateful and blessed to have had amazing Homeschool, College, and Graduate educations. The most impactful lessons I’ve learned occurred during a psychology course in college when the Professor explained what “stress” was. They said that most of the time there is a gap between what someone wants or expects compared to what their current reality is – that gap is called “stress”. And the bigger the gap, the bigger the stress. Such a simple visual, but something that has played a key factor in both my personal and professional life, and how I approach coaching. The first thing it did was force me to get better at communication. I wanted to make sure I could paint an accurate picture for others so I was not the reason expectations were incorrect. Next, I turned that lesson back on myself by searching out areas where there were gaps between reality and expectations. I then had to assess what needed to be done to close those gaps, did I need to put a plan in place to change my reality or were my expectations just wrong? Lastly, I love sharing this image when working with others. Whether it’s helping others create a plan to close the gap, bringing awareness to the size of the gap, or maybe even removing roadblocks along the path removing stress and ultimately allowing for growth is so rewarding.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Chenise Upshur, and I’m the eldest of 10 siblings and “mom” to a music-loving, soccer-playing high school freshman. I grew up in California, but my family moved to Tennessee when I was 14, and I’ve called Springfield, just north of Nashville, home ever since.

After graduating from Vanderbilt, I started my career in sales with a Fortune 500 company and quickly found myself in a leadership role. I discovered a passion for developing others and eventually took on a role where I was responsible for identifying, training, and mentoring managers. Wanting to deepen my skills, I earned a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, with plans to start my own leadership development company.

That plan became a reality sooner than expected when, just four months after graduation in May 2023, the company I was with underwent a global reorganization. I saw it as a “now or never” moment to pursue my vision, even though I had a job offer on the table. Coincidentally, I scheduled my International Coaching Federation certification exam the same day I found out about the reorganization. It felt like everything was aligning—especially when, on the same day I made the decision to decline the job offer (despite my nerves), I was invited to contribute a chapter to a book.

Since then, things have moved quickly. My book, Awareness Put Me On, became an Amazon Bestseller in six categories, and I’m thrilled to be planning a leadership seminar under the same name in Washington, D.C., on April 4th. I officially launched Cornerstone Coaching and Consulting in December, where I coach new and emerging leaders, helping them strengthen their skillsets and better support their teams. I offer individual and group coaching, create courses on frequently requested topics, and will be expanding into business consulting in 2025.

What sets me apart is my belief that leadership skills can always be enhanced, no matter where you are in your career. Whether it’s identifying areas for growth, preparing for end-of-year reviews, or addressing feedback, I’m here to help clients navigate the journey. It’s been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

At the end of the day, people want to feel heard. They need to know that their voices matter and that you genuinely care about what’s important to them. This isn’t always easy because supporting your team can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. Each person has different needs—some might want opportunities to showcase their skills to senior leaders, others may prioritize stability, and some might be looking to move to a different team to pursue work they’re more passionate about.

Building trust is essential. It takes consistency and being true to your word for your team members to feel comfortable enough to open up about what they really need. I’ve faced challenging times when business was slow, and pressure from upper management was intense. However, because my team saw me actively working to help them achieve their goals and develop the skills they needed, they stayed committed and continued to give their best effort every day.

When your team sees that you’re invested in their growth and well-being, it fosters a positive environment where morale stays high, even during tough times.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Growing up, my mom, an English major, made sure there was always a book in our hands, so reading has always been a part of my life. Lately, though I’ve been getting into YouTube learning and I highly recommend all my entrepreneurs and those thinking about entrepreneurship check out Myron Golden – his insights are incredible.

My favorite of his teachings is “Destroyed by Distractions,” where he discusses the importance of discipline and how to develop it like a muscle. It’s been a game-changer for me, offering practical advice on staying focused and avoiding the distractions that can derail your progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CornerstoneCoachingandConsulting.com
• Instagram: cornerstone.coachingconsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheniseupshur