Interview Video
Watch the Jodi Davidson Interview
Guest Information
Jodi Davidson is a leadership coach, consultant, and facilitator devoted to helping individuals and teams lead from the inside out. Known for her deeply empathetic, grounded, and engaging approach, Jodi creates spaces where trust, belonging, and psychological safety can thrive—allowing people to show up fully and do their best work.
With a long-standing executive career spanning human resources, culture, inclusion, and belonging, Jodi has partnered with leaders at every level—from frontline professionals to the C-suite. Her work translates insight into meaningful action, strengthening communication, building confidence, and fostering collaboration that drives both human connection and organizational results.
After decades of corporate leadership, Jodi launched Leader Within LLC, a coaching and consulting practice focused on emerging and mid-level leaders who are ready to step into their authority with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that sustainable leadership begins internally—when individuals honor their worth, care for themselves, and lead with self-awareness and compassion.
A defining influence in Jodi’s life has been her younger brother, Ronald, who is autistic and non-verbal. This experience shaped her lifelong commitment to dignity, empathy, and the inherent worth of every human being. It also guided her career pivot from speech pathology into human resources and leadership development, where she discovered her true calling: holding space for others to grow, rather than trying to “fix” them.
Jodi’s work blends strategic insight with deep humanity. She is especially passionate about mentoring, self-compassion, and helping leaders navigate change, loss, and transition—transforming life’s fractures into sources of strength. She is currently developing a signature framework inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, symbolizing renewal, resilience, and transformation.
Jodi holds a master’s degree in human resources and a leadership coaching certification from Georgetown University. She is also an ADHD-informed coach and a lifelong learner, continually sharpening her craft in service of others.
She lives in Maryland with her husband of 35 years, their three young adult children, and two energetic Bernedoodles who accompany her on morning jogs—no matter the weather. Beyond her professional work, Jodi is a devoted daughter and primary caregiver advocate, bringing both personal experience and compassion to conversations around aging, dementia, and intergenerational care.
At her core, Jodi believes leadership is not about perfection—but about practice, progress, and worthiness. One conversation and one connection at a time.
Testimonial
Jodi Davidson
What happens when confidence is shaken—but purpose refuses to let go? 💭 In this powerful and deeply human conversation inside the You Are Worthy Network, I sit down with Jodi Davidson—leadership coach, consultant, facilitator, and founder of Leader Within, LLC—to explore what it truly means to lead from the inside out. ✨ Jodi shares her journey from a long executive career in Human Resources and Cultural Inclusion to an unexpected layoff this past summer—and the courageous, faith-filled pivot into entrepreneurship that followed. 🚀 What could have been a stopping point became a powerful starting line. We talk about: 💛 Growing up with a lack of confidence and how it shaped self-worth 🗣️ Her early desire to become a speech pathologist—and learning when a dream isn’t your true calling 🤍 Creating environments of trust, belonging, and psychological safety 🫶 Why filling your cup daily is essential, not optional 🤝 Building meaningful relationships that begin with yourself 🏺 Her upcoming framework, The Kintsugi Connector Leader, where broken places become sources of strength, beauty, and connection From frontline leaders to the executive suite, Jodi brings an empathetic, engaging approach that turns insight into meaningful action—helping people communicate with confidence, collaborate with purpose, and contribute more fully to both strategy and impact. This conversation is a reminder that: ✨ You are not behind ✨ You are not broken ✨ And you are absolutely worthy of leading with authenticity and courage
Question & Answer
Jodi, when you look back at your younger self, what originally shaped your desire to help others?
Growing up with my younger brother Ronald, who is non-verbal and autistic, deeply shaped who I am. His presence taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of seeing the worth in every human being. That experience planted the belief in my bones that no one needs to be fixed to be worthy.
You started your career in speech pathology but later pivoted. What did that transition teach you?
It taught me that it’s okay to pivot and change direction. I realized I had chosen speech pathology because I wanted to “fix” someone I loved, and eventually I understood that Ronald was already whole. That awareness freed me to follow my own path and showed me that growth often comes from letting go of what no longer serves us.
Can you share a time when you struggled with your own sense of worthiness?
As a young person, I struggled with confidence and belonging. Growing up in a household with unique challenges made it hard to fit in socially, and experiences like always being chosen last in school sports left lasting imprints. Those moments followed me into adulthood and taught me how deeply early experiences shape our sense of worth.
What led you to launch Leader Within LLC and step into entrepreneurship?
After being laid off, I felt an unexpected sense of freedom. Within 24 hours, I knew I was being called to launch my own coaching and consulting practice. Leader Within was born from the belief that leadership starts from the inside out—if we don’t take care of ourselves internally, no system or strategy will truly work.
How does your work help leaders and teams create meaningful change?
I create spaces of psychological safety where people feel seen, heard, and confident. Through listening sessions, coaching, and collaborative task forces, I help individuals turn insight into action. My passion is empowering emerging and mid-level leaders to believe in themselves and step fully into their leadership potential.
