We recently connected with Melani Dziire and have shared our conversation below.

Melani, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

At Desired Outcomes, we help leaders sharpen their executive presence, make better decisions, and build stronger teams. But what truly sets us apart is how we help leaders, teams, and organizations navigate major transitions through Transition Intelligence (TQ) Coaching.

Most executive coaching focuses on leadership skills, which I absolutely do, but leadership alone isn’t enough when a company is restructuring, a team is struggling with change, or a culture shift is underway. Change creates uncertainty. Uncertainty leads to resistance. And without the right support, even the best leaders can get stuck. That’s where TQ Coaching comes in.

Why This Matters

I worked with a senior executive who had built a strong career but felt completely lost when her company went through a shake-up. She wasn’t just updating her resume; she was questioning everything about her leadership and future. Through TQ Coaching, we rebuilt her confidence, reframed her leadership brand, and showed her how to lean into uncertainty instead of fearing it. A few months later, she landed a leadership role in a completely different industry; one that aligned with her strengths and passions more than her old job ever did.

TQ Coaching isn’t just for individuals. I recently worked with a leadership team at a fast-growing company that was struggling with internal misalignment and rapid change. They had the talent, but not the trust. We worked on communication, alignment, and shared vision. Instead of feeling like they were being pulled in different directions, they became a united team, able to move forward with clarity.

Change is inevitable. Growth is a choice. I help leaders and organizations choose growth.

Melani, 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?

Executive coaching wasn’t the plan. I spent over 20 years as a senior executive leading internal audit, risk management, and governance teams for Fortune 500 companies. I worked closely with senior executives, helping them navigate tough decisions and complex challenges. But what stood out to me wasn’t the technical side of the job; it was the power of leadership. The strongest leaders weren’t just experts in their fields. They knew how to adapt, influence, and inspire. That realization changed everything for me.

I launched Desired Outcomes to help leaders and organizations grow and lead with confidence. My work includes executive coaching, leadership development, bespoke training, and organizational consulting. Some clients come to me for one-on-one coaching, looking to sharpen their leadership presence or break through challenges. Others are teams and organizations developing future leaders, strengthening collaboration, and building cultures that support both performance and growth. Whether it’s coaching, consulting, or hands-on workshops, I help them move forward with clarity and impact.

What I love most about this work is seeing real transformation. I recently coached an executive who had been with his company for years but felt stuck and undervalued. He was ready to leave. By shifting his approach, he gained visibility, strengthened his leadership presence, and landed a role that fully recognized his expertise. Instead of walking away, he stepped into a higher-impact position that played to his strengths. Moments like that remind me why I do this work.

Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about how you show up, especially when things get tough. Whether you’re stepping into a new role or trying to build a stronger organization, growth doesn’t happen in isolation. That’s where Desired Outcomes comes in. I help leaders trust their instincts and lead with confidence.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

A team’s energy comes from you as the leader. If people trust you, understand where they’re headed, and feel valued, they’ll stay engaged and loyal. If they don’t, morale will slip, and by the time you notice, it may be too late.

Think about the best leader you’ve ever worked with. What made them stand out? Chances are that authenticity played a big role. Authenticity builds trust, and trust is the glue that holds teams together. People don’t expect perfection, but they do expect honesty. If you make a mistake, own it. If you set an expectation, follow through. Be the leader you would want to follow.

Keeping people engaged starts with making them feel seen and heard. No matter their role, everyone wants to know they matter. When leaders ask for input, listen, and make space for new ideas, teams respond. People invest more and stay longer when they know their voice matters.

Purpose is fuel. Without it, teams disengage. That doesn’t mean every day needs to feel life-changing, but people should understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture. A simple, “Here’s why this matters,” can make all the difference.

And then there’s grace, the piece most leaders neglect. People make mistakes. Projects go sideways. Stress builds. How you respond in those moments defines your culture. Do you create space for learning, or does your team shut down at the first sign of struggle? The strongest teams aren’t the ones that never face setbacks; they’re the ones that feel safe enough to keep going when things get tough.

At the end of the day, morale isn’t about perks or pep talks. It’s about trust, clarity, and how people feel when they show up to work.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Lately, I’ve been reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, and it’s completely reshaped how I think about entrepreneurship. Running a business can feel overwhelming. There’s always another idea, problem, or goal demanding attention. But this book reinforces something simple but powerful: progress comes from small, consistent actions.

The 1% rule resonates with me most. The idea that improving by just 1% each day leads to steady growth over time has changed the way I approach both goals and challenges. It’s easy to get stuck in big-picture thinking, but Atomic Habits has helped me focus on daily systems rather than just outcomes. Instead of setting broad, ambitious goals without a plan or searching for one big fix, I now ask myself, “What small action can I take right now to move the needle?” That shift has helped me work smarter, not harder.

One habit I’ve implemented is a simple end-of-day reflection. Before shutting my laptop, I take five minutes to assess what worked, what didn’t, and what I can tweak for tomorrow. It’s a small habit, but over time, it keeps me aligned and focused.

Atomic Habits is a must-read for any entrepreneur or leader. It reinforced a lesson that has stuck with me: you don’t rise to the level of your motivation; you fall to the level of your habits. Leadership, business, and personal growth all come down to daily choices. Master those, and success will follow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.desiredoutcomes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desired.outcomes.coaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesiredOutcomesCoaching/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniwalkerdziire
• Other: Email: [email protected]