We recently connected with Dr. Leili Sadaghiani and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Leili, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I find my purpose in transforming the leadership landscape, especially during today’s climate. After years of working for and with ineffective leaders, I became deeply aware of the profound impact leadership has on individuals, teams, and entire organizations. This led me to write my dissertation about the impact of the hubris behavior of executives on mid-level leaders. My experience and my dissertation shaped my career mission: to tackle poor leadership head-on and prove to the world that good leadership is not only possible but also essential for lasting success.
My purpose is twofold:
Developing Good Leaders: I am committed to helping leaders understand that they can drive meaningful change, inspire their teams, and achieve extraordinary results without resorting to hubris or authoritarian tactics. Good leadership is about empathy, strategy, and courage—not arrogance or intimidation.
Supporting Those Navigating Bad Leadership: I also dedicate my work to equipping individuals with the tools and strategies to navigate challenging leadership environments, ensuring they can thrive even under difficult circumstances. I believe the misconception that only hubristic leaders can bring about significant change is both damaging and false. My purpose is to demonstrate that compassionate, thoughtful, and ethical leadership is not only achievable but is also the most effective path to success.
Research supports this belief. According to a 1994 Harvard Business Review article by James L. Heskett, W. Earl Sasser, and Leonard Schlesinger, organizations with high-trust and ethically led cultures are 2.5 times more likely to be high-performing and achieve greater profitability than those with poor leadership practices. Good leadership drives profit, productivity, and a sense of purpose within organizations. It also increases the practice of innovation. This is the message I am passionate about sharing and implementing in every role I take on. I want to show the world that leadership, when done well, creates not only better businesses but also better people and communities.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a change consultant, leadership coach, and organizational strategist who is deeply passionate about creating environments where both leaders and teams can thrive. My work centers on driving transformational change for organizations while ensuring the people within them are empowered to adapt, grow, and succeed. What excites me most is helping leaders realize that great leadership isn’t about power or control—it’s about empathy, vision, and the ability to inspire others to bring their best selves to work every day.
What makes my work special is its focus on combining measurable business results with meaningful human impact. I specialize in aligning people strategies with business objectives, transforming complex challenges into clear, actionable paths forward. Whether it’s leading global change management initiatives, developing talent strategies for future organizational goals, or coaching leaders to navigate transitions with confidence, I bring a balance of analytical rigor and a human-centered approach.
About My Brand (www.invivoleadershipstrategies.com)
My brand is about leadership transformation—not just at the organizational level, but at the personal level too. I aim to show leaders that good leadership is not only possible but also the most effective way to achieve sustained success. Through InVivo Leadership Strategies, I provide services like change consulting, leadership coaching, and customized training, empowering leaders to meet their goals without compromising their values or the well-being of their teams.
What’s New?
Currently, I’m working on several exciting initiatives:
Podcast Launch: I have launched a podcast, InVivo Leadership Strategies, aimed at leaders in their roles who are struggling with confidence, anxiety, and imposter syndrome. It’s a space to unpack leadership myths and offer actionable insights.
New Service Offerings: I’m expanding my coaching services to include a focus on women in leadership, particularly addressing the unique challenges senior managers face in advancing their careers.
Upcoming Publications: I’m writing as a co-author of a chapter that is in the works. I am also working on my book sharing my development in leadership and ways to navigate the bad behavior of leaders. The books weave the personal and professional journey of leadership, offering lessons on how to lead authentically in a world that often rewards the opposite.
The Heart of What I Do
Ultimately, my work is about proving that leadership can be a force for good. I want to empower people to believe that leadership doesn’t require hubris or ruthlessness—it requires integrity, self-awareness, and the courage to lead with humanity. That’s the legacy I hope to leave, and it’s the mission I bring to every project, team, and leader I work with.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three Qualities I Have Worked on:
1. Adaptability- The ability to embrace change and pivot when necessary has been critical throughout my career. Whether leading global change initiatives or navigating personal and professional transitions, adaptability has allowed me to remain effective even in unpredictable environments.
2. Empathy- Understanding others’ perspectives has been instrumental in my ability to lead, coach, and influence. Empathy is the foundation of effective communication, trust-building, and leadership.
3. Strategic Thinking- Being able to see the big picture and align actions with long-term goals has been one of the most impactful skills in my journey. Strategic thinking has allowed me to design effective change initiatives and navigate complex organizational dynamics. I have been fortunate to teach the Strategic Management course at California State Fullerton. I always tell my students that with business, oftentimes there is no “right” answer. This is what I love about strategic management. You find ways to analyze and predict the future, but so many factors come into play and push you to be better and tweak the strategy. When you have learned to navigate without being shaken, you have truly learned how to think strategically.
Advice for Those Early in Their Journey
1. You Cannot do this alone, so seek out mentors: Find people whose work and values you admire and learn from their experiences. Mentors can provide guidance, open doors, and help you avoid common pitfalls.
2. Be Curious: Never stop learning. Whether it’s through formal education, certifications, or self-directed learning, staying curious ensures you remain relevant and innovative. Most leaders think they know all the answers. A good leader knows they can learn more, no matter where they stand in their organization.
3. Invest in Relationships: Build a strong network of peers, mentors, and collaborators. Relationships are often the key to new opportunities and invaluable support.
4. Just do it, and Start Small. Do dream big, but know small steps will get you there. It’s okay to start with small and build incremental changes. What matters is that you have a vision and work consistently toward it. Execution, execution, execution. Most people do not put their goals into action. Be the minority who does!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely! Collaboration is at the heart of my work, and I am always looking to connect with like-minded individuals or organizations passionate about leadership, change, and transformation.
I’m particularly interested in partnering with:
1. Organizations or Leaders in Transition: Companies undergoing significant change, whether it’s a transformation, a strategic realignment, or leadership transition. I can support these efforts through change management consulting, leadership coaching, or strategic planning.
2. Leadership Coaches and Educators: Those focused on developing innovative approaches to leadership training, especially for women and mid-level managers. Together, we can co-create workshops, courses, or content to support emerging leaders.
3. Podcasters, Writers, and Creatives: Individuals who are exploring topics like leadership, organizational change, or personal development in their work. I’d love to collaborate on episodes, articles, or other media to amplify important messages.
How to Connect
If you’re reading this and feel our missions align, I’d love to hear from you!
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leilisadaghiani
Website: www.invivoleadershipstrategies.com
Email: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.invivoleadershipstrategies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invivoleadershipstrategies
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/leilisadaghiani
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2h1mMmpqd9TDOJfapD9cxd?si=e952f0941be04bf9
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/ryangallagherphotography/
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