Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Baylor.
Hi Victoria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I come from pretty humble beginnings. I was born into a military family–Army— and I am the middle of 3 kids. We traveled a good deal and I’ve been stationed around the U.S. and overseas. Growing up I was a bit of a tomboy and girly girl–who didn’t live for Barbie? I developed a love for reading and learning at an early age and that’s what took over my life. It was my love for understanding life on a deeper level that took me into my first career in the science arena (Marine Science) and 15 years in research science— an experience that would greatly shape the leadership development and Organizational development work I do today.
But after realizing that work was amazing but wasn’t my calling, I found myself in the middle of an identity crisis. I detail more of that story in my TEDx talk, “You are Who you are, Not What you do,” which can be found here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?
It’s amazing how some of your most challenging moments are the most defining. Once I realized I was stuck I used my own analytical superpowers to get unstuck. Then I started to notice that there were high-performing people just like me that, although they were well accomplished, couldn’t understand who they were. They knew their “what” but not their “who” (watch my TEDx talk for context). And thus my “true calling” emerged in helping others clarify their own identities and unlock their potential and purpose. Out of that my love for coaching was born and I realized I’d actually been coaching all of my life. I’ve ALWAYS been able to see others’ leadership strengths and superpowers. I became/am a Certified Leadership & Organizational Development Coach (ICF-certified training) with an emphasis on mindset growth and high-performance and the rest is history. I partner with organizations and high-performing women to help them reach their goals. My company is Clarity for High-Performance LLC, and I work with clients locally as well as internationally.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh goodness, NO! There have been tons of obstacles (smile)
As I mentioned earlier and in my TEDx talk, it was my own past personal challenges that drove me to help other leaders overcome their mindset blocks.
And of course, Entrepreneurship is paved with obstacles and challenges, but those come with the territory. I’ve been a solopreneur for nearly 9 years and an entrepreneur for 16 years. Fortunately, I started my first business (sewing Custom gowns—I had an obsession with helping women feel/look confident) when I worked in research science, so it was a stepping stone to full-time entrepreneurship. I no longer do that work but it sure jumpstarted my entrepreneur life! My second business, my current one & TRUE PASSION, would start a few years later. As I tell people, entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. You must really love what you’re doing and be driven to make it succeed. At first, it’s like having a perpetual newborn for years. Constant work, losing sleep—everything to feed into the business. But eventually it “learns how to walk, then run, etc.” which is so rewarding. It feels just like parenting LOL!
This is why your vision and strengths are so important. Because there are MANY days you want to up and quit. But your purpose has to mean more than the hard times! You have to realize your voice matters and that you can say something that will forever change someone’s trajectory in the best way possible. The race is never won by the fastest but by the one who endures to the end!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As mentioned before my business name is Clarity for High-Performance LLC and I’m a Leadership Development & Organizational Development Consultant and Coach. I have the pleasure of working with individual brilliant clients who hire me to help them tap into their greatest impact & potential as a leader. I work with organizations that desire the same for their leaders/employees and understand how important good leadership (on ALL levels) is to reaching their organizational visions and goals. If there is a gap between where you or your organization is and where you want to be my job is to help you bridge that gap and create the necessary positive change to help you reach your goals. For some it’s better employee engagement, stronger communication skills, retaining their employees, fostering better employee relationships, strategic planning, and/or increasing profitability. Each organization and leader has different needs!
My holistic approach to consulting, coaching and speaking allows me to work 1:1 or with groups/teams to focus on creating positive change in the areas of communication, navigating conflict, personal branding, energy management, etc. I focus mainly on Mindset & achieving High-Performance. Coaching is an AMAZING tool and process for both. It’s all about connecting with a thought partner who doesn’t tell you what to do but shows you through powerful questioning how to unlock your own answers. I’m a laser coach which means I help my clients quickly achieve clarity and overcome the obstacles hindering their greatness. Coaching allows you to become the powerhouse you were always meant to be.
Part of the work I do with organizations is to help pinpoint and resolve their organizational challenges. I offer engaging workshops & seminars that educate, entertain and empower participants toward positive change. I work with a wide range of leaders from within organizations to business owners–all to include lawyers, realtors, insurance agents, financial advisors, politicians, CEOs, etc. I can work virtually and/or in person.
Simply put, my business is focused on helping successful leaders lead more effectively. In leadership, growth & development are necessary! One of my core values is the belief that everyone is inherently brilliant and has unique strengths and capabilities that will help them reach their strategic goals and those of their organization.
As a TEDx & Keynote speaker, I use the stage to drive the same empowering message. Surprisingly, discovering I was a speaker was a happy accident. I would have never thought to start a speaking career if it weren’t for the positive feedback I always received. This again points to my earlier point— you have more gifts/strengths than you realize. That’s why I love helping others unpack them. It always feels like Christmas. You are a gift! Are you aware of the unique/qualities you have to increase your leadership impact?
My superpower is connecting people back to themselves. Helping them understand how they function, their desires, their why/purpose, and how to create a pathway to achieve those goals. Look, you can’t drive a car non-stop without a tune-up. Many people have been going and grinding and are in need of a mindset & leadership tune-up! Maybe you’ve noticed your confidence isn’t where it use to be, you have more people challenges, you doubt your readiness for advancement, or you just want to not feel exhausted/overwhelmed all of the time. Maybe issues such as insecurities, over-working, lack of focus, impostor syndrome, communication challenges, burnout, etc have manifested. In order to be a great & consistent leader, it’s imperative to work on your development and growth. That’s where I come in.
I’m most proud of the impact that has been made when partnering with my amazing clients. I’ve seen them step up in their confidence, greater opportunities, and focus. I’ve seen clients get elected to higher offices, start+expand their own companies, begin speaking tours, launch books, etc. They start enjoying their families more and engaging in self-care. Leadership development is for everyone!
The more effective and authentic you are as a leader and individual the more impact, joy, and self-satisfaction you will have. It pains me to see frustrated leaders. I was there before! You are meant to work hard but not to the point where there is no work/life balance, enjoyment, or sense of purpose. The game really changes when you know what you come to the table with and that you can leverage your brilliance/strengths for the betterment of others as a servant leader. Leadership is never truly about just us but about bettering those around us.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I wish I could claim just one, but I’ve needed multiple ones to push me to where I am (smile). My grit & determination, resourcefulness, creativity, faith in God, and curiosity have been my lifelines. Most of these are my natural strengths and have always been the extra reserve fuel in my tank at times when I’ve been near “E”.
Grit, I feel, is necessary for anyone to be successful. It’s the ability to stick to your goals despite the obstacles you may be experiencing. It’s that crazy fight when you’re at the end of your rope with tears in your eyes. Grit is the resilience to keep going and keep the faith knowing that you’re living your purpose and the work you do is impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.victoriabaylor.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-
baylor-cpc-cnlp-codc-026aa7b8/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriabaylor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBaylorpage
Image Credits
NaTeneshia Renée Photography and Design
