We were lucky to catch up with Leisse Wilcox recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leisse, thanks for joining us today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
The worst investment I’ve ever made lead me to the best one:
I hired a “coach” to help me refine my business, expand my network, and increase my visibility. $50k later (!) I discovered his credentials, testimonials, and expertise were 100% fabricated: he was a very good salesman, and a master manipulator.
Trusting him set me back almost 2 years in terms of operating capital, the direction and strategy of my business, and the ability to trust my decision making.
Through this (very painful) experience, I learned that I already had what I needed inside me, and that integrity and my desire to support genuine transformation in leadership is something that sets me apart not only in my industry, but in our modern business landscape.
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.
Thank you so much for having me! For those who haven’t met me yet, I’m Leisse Wilcox, a future proof leadership expert. As an award-winning speaker, twice bestselling author, and leadership whisperer specializing in emotional intelligence, behavioral change, and high-performance leadership, my mission is to help leaders become the kind of people everyone wants to work with, by blending self-awareness with actionable strategies that create a ripple effect in their teams, businesses, and lives.
My path to this work has been anything but conventional. I began my career as a parent and family educator, guiding families through the joys and chaos of early childhood development. Over time, this naturally evolved into leadership coaching as I realized the fundamental link between how we lead in life, at home, and at work. But the real turning point? Navigating my own life’s crucibles—including surviving cancer, overcoming emotional and financial abuse, and raising three young daughters as a solo parent while building a multiple six-figure business. These experiences shaped my perspective and deepened my passion for helping others create lives and careers rooted in purpose, resilience, and human connection.
Today, I work with ambitious, purpose-driven clients who want to future proof their leadership to lead with clarity, confidence, and courage. Whether it’s through my speaking engagements, group coaching programs, or tailored 1:1 executive coaching, my services are all about turning self-doubt into self-trust and maximizing mental well-being for sustainable success. I also create immersive experiences, such as retreats and workshops, where high performers can pause, reflect, and realign their priorities in ways that foster true growth.
The problems I solve often stem from what I call the “hidden gap” between self-worth and net worth. Whether it’s struggling to make, keep, or enjoy money—or navigating leadership challenges in a world dominated by AI and constant change—my work is about empowering leaders to step into their full potential. By combining emotionally intelligent leadership with practical tools, I help my clients stop playing small and show up as the leader they’ve always wanted to be.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend the strategic with the soulful. I take a trauma-informed, deeply human approach to leadership, meeting people where they are while giving them the tools to expand into who they’re meant to be. It’s about creating long-term change and meaningful impact, not just checking boxes on a to-do list.
I’m incredibly proud of the life and career I’ve built—especially while navigating adversity. From being recognized as the “Marie Kondo of your unconscious” to collaborating with leading brands like TD, AGF, and Aviva, to empowering women leaders in male-dominated industries like wealth management, each milestone represents the heart of my work: helping people lead with authenticity, grace, and resilience.
For anyone considering working with me, I want you to know this: every relationship—whether it’s in life, love, business, or money—starts with the relationship we have with ourselves. My role is to help you strengthen that foundation so you can show up, stand out, and succeed in a way that feels deeply aligned with your values and vision. And yes, I’m a firm believer that tacos, Taylor Swift, and a good laugh can fix almost anything.
If you’re ready to take the leap, I’d love to connect and show you what’s possible when you stop getting in your own way and start leading from a place of self-trust.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that hustling harder doesn’t always lead to success. For most of my life, I believed that if I wasn’t constantly grinding, sacrificing, or pushing myself to the limit, I wasn’t doing enough to achieve my goals. I wore busyness as a badge of honor and equated my self-worth with how much I could produce. But here’s the thing: that mindset nearly broke me.
The wake-up call came during one of the most challenging periods of my life. I was navigating a perfect storm of circumstances: surviving cancer, going through a messy divorce, raising three young girls as a solo parent, and building a business from the ground up. In the midst of it all, I was running myself ragged trying to prove that I could “handle it all” without breaking a sweat.
Spoiler alert: I broke. Not all at once, but in those quiet, lonely moments where exhaustion caught up to me, I realized I was stuck in a loop of over-functioning, people-pleasing, and perfectionism. The worst part? I was doing it to myself.
It took hitting that emotional rock bottom to realize that hustle wasn’t the answer. What I truly needed was rest, boundaries, and permission to slow down and focus on what really mattered. I had to unlearn the deeply ingrained belief that my worth was tied to how much I accomplished and instead learn how to align my actions with my values.
Now, I lead with a completely different philosophy: less hustle, more intention. Whether I’m working with clients or coaching myself through a busy season, I prioritize clarity, ease, and what I call “graceful growth.” I’ve learned that when you slow down and make space for alignment, the success you’re chasing often finds you faster.
This shift didn’t just save my sanity—it changed the way I approach life and leadership. It taught me that true strength isn’t about how much you can endure but how deeply you can trust yourself to pause, pivot, and prioritize. And honestly, I’m a better mom, partner, and leader because of it. Turns out, success isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing the right things in a way that feels good.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Building my audience on social media was never about going viral or playing to algorithms—it was about showing up real, even when it wasn’t polished or perfect. I started my business on Instagram, and what set me apart was my willingness to be incredibly honest, vulnerable, and forthcoming. Whether I was navigating the complexities of divorce, facing a cancer diagnosis, or solo parenting three young daughters while building my business, I shared it all. But it wasn’t just about sharing my story; it was about using my story to connect with others who needed to hear, “You’re not alone, and you’re capable of so much more than you think.”
I walked the talk with grit, grace, and integrity, showing leaders and teams how to transform adversity into empowerment by living the lessons I was teaching in real-time. Over time, that authenticity built trust, and trust turned into community. People came to my page not just for inspiration but for strategies they could apply in their own lives and work. They felt seen, heard, and understood—and that’s where the magic happened.
As my business evolved, so did my audience. The leaders, decision-makers, and high-performers who connected with my raw, emotional honesty on Instagram began to seek me out as a coach, mentor, and speaker. I’ve since expanded to LinkedIn, stepping into my role as a thought leader and helping others lead with emotional intelligence and purpose. On this platform, I’ve been able to bring that same level of vulnerability—just in a different tone—pairing personal stories with actionable insights for leaders and their teams.
My advice for those just starting to build their social media presence? Start with your truth and lead with value.
Be honest and real: People don’t want perfection; they want connection. Share your challenges, your wins, and the lessons in between. The more human you are, the more magnetic you’ll be.
Serve before you sell: Focus on offering value—whether that’s insights, strategies, or just a moment of encouragement. When people feel like you’re speaking to them, not at them, they’ll keep coming back.
Walk the talk: Whatever you’re sharing, make sure you’re living it. People can sense when you’re being genuine versus when you’re playing a role. Authenticity is your greatest currency.
Evolve with your audience: As you grow, your audience will grow too. Don’t be afraid to pivot or expand your focus. Trust that the right people will follow if you’re staying true to yourself and your purpose.
Consistency over perfection: You don’t need to post every day, but when you do show up, make it count. Speak with intention and let your audience know you’re there for them.
This is a long game: Do not be gaslit into believing the myth of overnight success. Building an audience and a brand that lasts takes time, patience, and consistency. What you’re creating now is laying the foundation for something much bigger—and that’s worth the wait.
Social media is about building relationships, not just an audience. Whether it’s Instagram, LinkedIn, or another platform, if you show up as yourself and truly care about the people on the other side of the screen, your presence will grow—and so will the impact you create.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LeisseWilcox.com
- Instagram: @leissewilcox
- Linkedin: @leissewilcox
- Youtube: @leissewilcoxconsulting
