Meet Dr. Quendrida Whitmore

We recently connected with Dr. Quendrida Whitmore and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Quendrida, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I discovered my purpose during my coaching certification journey. That process pushed me to explore my core values, specifically, what truly mattered to me, and I realized those values pointed directly to my purpose.

My purpose is this: “I’m the eagle that meets you where you are and helps you get to where you want to be.” It’s a metaphor that reflects vision, people, and service, meeting people with empathy, then helping them soar towards their goals.

Once I had clarity on my purpose, I made the decision to live it every day. That choice transformed how I showed up at work, how I led my teams, and how I connected with the people I care about. Purpose gave my leadership focus, and my work deeper meaning.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a leadership coach and consultant, known as Coach Quen. My clients would describe me as a bold, values-driven leadership coach. I transform teams by helping individuals discover their full potential and take ownership of their impact. I lead with clarity, candor, and compassion, always meeting people where they are and guiding them to where they, their teams, and the business need to be.

One thing that separates me is that I’m a coach who has done the job. I grew up in retail and hospitality, spending over two decades as a merchant and operator. I was always a people-centered leader who understood that strong results and strong relationships must go hand in hand. This real-world experience shapes my coaching approach, blending strategic insight with a human-centered leadership approach.

Most recently, I published my first book, The Accountability Advantage: 5 Proven Steps to Build a Culture of Trust, Ownership, and Results. It’s a blueprint for leaders ready to shift from reactive management to intentional culture-building, without sacrificing performance or peace of mind.

Overall, I’m on a mission to “rid the world of bad bosses”™!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three core qualities have shaped who I am today:

A strong sense of inclusion and justice – I’ve always believed that people should feel safe to be themselves, and I’ve strived to be a fair, approachable, and direct leader. Even now, I’m drawn to cultures that intentionally cultivate belonging and equity for their teams.

A commitment to continuous learning – Learning is one of my core values. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to grow and develop, and I hold myself to that same standard, always seeking new perspectives and ways to improve.

A focus on alignment and results – I believe, as Dr. Brené Brown says, that “clarity is kindness.” Everyone should understand the goals, collaborate to achieve them, and reflect on how to improve. This mindset keeps me forward-focused and prevents me from becoming complacent.

One piece of advice I would give: Become self-aware!
Knowing who you are, how you respond, and what you bring to the table isn’t just a game changer for you; it’s a game changer for everyone around you. Whether you realize it or not, you’re always modeling something. Make sure it reflects the leader you aspire to be.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was instill a deep sense of self-efficacy, and that with focus, energy, and effort, I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to. They taught me that obstacles are inevitable, but I should never let others define who I am or what I’m capable of achieving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coachquen.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-quendrida-whitmore