We were lucky to catch up with Doris Jackson-Shazier recently and have shared our conversation below.
Doris, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
When your child starts walking the path you once traveled, you see everything differently. Watching my oldest daughter, Justice, graduate with a business degree at just 19 and enter the corporate world was a proud moment—one that also brought reflection.
She saw the anxiety I developed in my career and boldly asked me, “Why did you stay?” That question stayed with me. It reminded me of all the lessons I needed to share—not just about survival, but about thriving, navigating challenges, and standing firm in your value.
“Pieces to Peace” isn’t just a book. It’s my gift to her and to anyone stepping into spaces where their brilliance might be tested. It’s about finding balance, staying true to yourself, and knowing when to hold on or walk away.
I’ve learned so much from raising Justice and from my own journey, which I shared in my first book, Raising Justice: Lessons learned in Motherhood.. Now my upcoming book, Pieces to Peace:Overcoming: Corporate & Covid will share my framework for reclaiming your peace after a toxic work environment
Doris, 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?
About Me
I’m Doris Jackson-Shazier, a leadership coach, management consultant, and author with over 20 years of experience helping organizations and individuals unlock their potential. My journey into this field was not a straightforward path, but it was one full of growth, transformation, and learning. After spending many years in corporate leadership roles, I reached a point where I realized that my true calling was to help others find their path to leadership success while navigating personal and professional challenges.
I’ve always had a passion for people development, and over the years, I’ve honed my skills in leading teams, managing complex projects, and building business strategies that drive growth. However, my transition to entrepreneurship came after I experienced a toxic work environment that forced me to reevaluate my purpose. The corporate world, despite its successes, had taken a toll on me—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Leaving that corporate career was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also the most liberating. I realized I had the power to create a business that would not only help others but also allow me to live on my own terms. I founded Shazier Coaching & Consulting, and that decision was a pivotal moment in my life. I now have the privilege of working with clients in various sectors, helping them overcome obstacles, reach their full potential, and create work environments that foster high accountability and high morale.
My Services
At Shazier Coaching & Consulting, I provide a variety of services that are designed to help leaders and organizations thrive:
Professional Coaching: I offer personalized coaching for individuals who are ready to grow, whether they’re navigating career transitions or aiming to reach their next leadership milestone.
Leadership Training Workshops: I design and deliver dynamic workshops that provide leaders and teams with actionable strategies for navigating challenges and driving performance.
Team & Group Coaching: I work with teams to enhance collaboration, build trust, and create cultures of accountability and high morale.
Management Consulting: I help small to mid-sized businesses develop strategies that foster growth, operational efficiency, and organizational clarity.
Speaking Engagements: I deliver keynote speeches on leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and how to build teams that thrive in high-pressure environments.
Success in a Box Toolkit: This is a comprehensive solution that includes meeting facilitation, support, and logistics for businesses needing strategic direction for team meetings and workshops.
Pieces to Peace – My Upcoming Book
My upcoming book, Pieces to Peace: How I Overcame Corporate & COVID, is a personal and professional guide that shares the lessons I’ve learned from navigating both a toxic corporate environment and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. I offer raw insights into how I rebuilt myself from a place of emotional exhaustion to one of personal and professional peace.
In the book, I discuss my journey from feeling broken by corporate stress and burnout to finding peace, resilience, and purpose. I share the strategies I used to overcome adversity and the tools I believe everyone can use to thrive, no matter the circumstances. The book is not just a memoir; it’s a resource for anyone looking to reclaim their power and transform their challenges into opportunities for growth.
What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart from others in the coaching and consulting space is my unique blend of hands-on leadership experience and my deep understanding of the personal struggles leaders face. I don’t just talk about leadership—I’ve lived it. I know what it feels like to deal with difficult work environments, manage teams under stress, and try to balance high accountability with maintaining morale. My approach combines strategic leadership tools with a genuine, heart-centered approach that’s all about building trust and fostering real, lasting transformation.
I also understand the importance of creating psychologically safe spaces where leaders can be vulnerable, share their challenges, and receive the support they need to thrive. My coaching is individualized, ensuring that each client receives the personalized attention and strategy they need to succeed.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had on my clients. I’ve seen individuals transform their careers, teams shift from dysfunction to collaboration, and businesses grow in ways that were previously thought impossible. Helping people find their voice, become confident leaders, and build healthy, high-performing teams is what drives me.
I’m also incredibly proud of the work I’ve done to build my own business from the ground up. Launching Shazier Coaching & Consulting was a leap of faith, and watching it grow into a thriving business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this company, and seeing the positive impact it has on my clients gives me a deep sense of fulfillment. Lastly, I’m proud to have accomplished this all as a mother of 4, a 19 year old college graduate, 17 year old high school graduate, 6th grader and kindergartener with my husband and college sweetheart of 22 years.
🔗 Connect with Me
I’m always eager to connect with like-minded leaders, organizations, and individuals who are ready to make meaningful change. If you’re looking for a coach or consultant who will support you with personalized strategies, practical tools, and a heart-centered approach, I would love to work with you.
Website: dorisjacksonshazier.com
Shazier Coaching & Consulting: shaziercoachingconsult.com
LinkedIn: Doris Jackson-Shazier
Instagram: @shaziercoachingconsult
Facebook: Shazier Coaching & Consulting
A Personal Note
For those of you who may be considering a leap into entrepreneurship or transitioning out of a toxic work environment like I did, I want to encourage you: you have the strength to create a life and career that aligns with your values. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. I’m here to help guide you on that journey. Whether you’re navigating leadership challenges or trying to create a more positive and productive work environment, know that you don’t have to do it alone.
Through my coaching, consulting, and upcoming book, I hope to inspire others to embrace their personal and professional power and to create a future that is full of peace, purpose, and success.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn—and it took me some time to fully grasp—was the idea that leadership meant having all the answers. Early in my career, I believed that as a leader, I needed to be the one with the solution to every problem, that my role was to fix everything. I thought being seen as strong and confident meant always knowing the next step, always having a clear answer.
However, I learned that this belief was actually a limitation. I was constantly putting pressure on myself to be perfect, and that led to burnout. It wasn’t until I found myself in a toxic work environment, where I felt drained and disconnected, that I realized the importance of vulnerability and collaboration in leadership. I had to unlearn that the best leaders don’t always have the answers. The best leaders ask the right questions, listen to their teams, and know when to lean on others’ expertise.
I remember a specific turning point when I was leading a large team, and I had to admit to them that I didn’t have all the answers to a complex problem we were facing. Instead of losing their confidence, it actually strengthened our bond. They saw me as someone who valued their input and was open to new ideas, which fostered trust and creativity within the team.
Now, I lead with the belief that leadership is about guiding, empowering, and co-creating solutions with others—not about having all the answers. It was a hard lesson to unlearn, but it’s one that has made me a better leader and coach, and it’s something I share with my clients regularly. Embracing humility and the power of collective wisdom has been one of the most freeing realizations in my journey.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
When it comes to managing a team and maintaining high morale, my advice is rooted in the balance of two things: accountability and empathy. I believe that both are essential for creating an environment where people can thrive, contribute their best work, and feel valued. Lastly, never underestimate the power of empathy and understanding. Be a leader who listens, genuinely cares, and is there for your team, both professionally and personally. Understand their needs, their challenges, and what drives them. When people feel heard and supported, they are more likely to give their best effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dorisjacksonshazier.com
- Instagram: @shaziercoachingconsult
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doris.d.jackson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorisjacksonshazier
- Youtube: @raisingjusticemd
- Other: https://www.shaziercoachingconsult.com
