Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Waajida Small. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Waajida, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I am hoping that the legacy I build is one that my family, especially my children can be proud of. I want them to be able to say that their mom made a difference in the world. I know that it may sound cliche, but anytime you make a positive impact on someones life, you change the world. It is a trickling effect. Helping someone overcome an obstacle, find a solution to a problem, help them discover who they are and the impact that they want to have makes their lives better, and in turn makes the lives of those around them a little better too.

I want to be remembered for helping people change for the better. For helping people live their fullest lives and share the gift they’ve been given with the world.

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.

I am an executive and leadership coach and strategist who helps women of color elevate themselves to the level. I work with women who are ready to take the next step in their life or work so that they can make a greater impact. As women of color, the cards are stacked against up. This is especially true in the workplace. Ive made it my mission, and I really see it as my purpose to create opportunities for them and to help them create opportunities for themselves to thrive. I help them secure their seat at the table and if there isn’t a table where they currently are I help then create one. I am in the business of created purpose driven leaders and helping them achieve the success they have often worked hard for and deserve.

By profession I am a Human Resources executive, so I have seen it all. I have also helped organizations make the necessary changes when I see things that aren’t quite right. This has given me a unique insight into how to position women like myself for success. I leverage these skills in my coaching practice everyday. At the end of the day there will always be barriers. Barriers to entry, barriers to advancement, barriers to success. It’s and unfortunate truth, but I know what goes on on the inside and I give the women I coach the inside scoop.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One thing that I have had to unlearn is that my voice doesn’t matter. For much of my early professional life, I was silenced. Told only to speak when asked to, or spoken to. To stick to the script even if the script made no sense at all. To know my place and never question it. And while I know staying silence hindered me and my own progress in a lot of ways earlier on, I used it to my advantage to watch and learn and plot. There were advantages to being let in the room and not speak. I learned how and why decisions were made. Not only decisions that impacted me, but hundred of people and in some cases thousands. I learned how not only to be invited to the table, but to sit at the head of it. I got to where I am today, by discovering that my voice mattered, and in most cases more than everyone else’s. I learned that people were looking for me to speak up. I learned that those who tried to silence me were afraid because they knew what I had to say was far more valuable than and that I would replace them at the table.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Not surprisingly, using my voice has been the most effective strategy for growing my clientele. Whether it is through my audio messages on the Aura Health app which focuses on work wellness, my podcast The Leading with Purpose Podcast, my book “Our Leadership Journey: Shared Stories, Lessons, and Advice for Women of Color” or the articles I write for various outlets. It is through these platforms that allow me to share advice, insight, coach that helps me grow my audience and the clients for my coaching business

Contact Info:

• Website: www.waajidasmall.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_wlsmall/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drwlsmall/

Image Credits
All photos taken by my Waajida Small