Meet Diana Williams | Best Selling Author| Leadership Coach| Speaker| Entrepreneur| Founder of SoulFood International

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My thought process re balance is truly unorthodox. I have found a new concept for balance. Originally, I was taught that balance is an even distribution where-in I would split my life giving equal parts of myself to my career, business and parenting. As I got older/ more mature, I recognize that there’s really no great need to find a “balance” as my family will never weigh as much as my external commitments. Instead- what’s now important to me is identifying and completing my “first things first”. This concept has truly allowed me to not “run out of time” as before. If you think about it, time isn’t running away from us, it’s just that we haven’t been able to skillfully map a plan that works in yours, mine and the benefit of others. When I think of giving of myself/my time I also pay attention to the fact that NO is both a word and a sentence that oftentimes doesn’t need an explanation. Important questions I tend to ask myself when I am faced with making a decision of what to do now versus tomorrow are:1. Who will be impacted by this decision? Am I ok with an outcome/ impact of my decision if I am unable to commit? Where does this fair-out on my priority scale? How does this contribute to my overall goal? This helps me to remain poised/ conscious as I tackle my many obligations.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Q1: I am currently the Director of Training for a major corporation in Jamaica. My professional journey has been marked by a passion for cultivating growth and development within individuals and organizations. I have harvested over 22 years of experience in the field of Training Governance, Workforce Development and Recruiting. Today, I am a certified Master Trainer with specialization in content design, delivery, and development.
In the last 10 years I have partnered with multiple Corporations and has launched multiple employee development and skills training programs across the world, i.e. the Philippines, UK, US including Colombia.

Q2: What sets me apart from others is my commitment to fostering and seeing through to completion someone’s transformation. For the most part, our society tends to have a “ready done” mentally hence the need for the “finishers” like myself. It’s easy to kick start a growth plan but can you stay as the individual is being “processed?” Can you remain resolute when progress isn’t immediate? My willingness to partner is an important component to drive success.  I begin with the end in mind- not many people are able to do this, this is what makes me unique- while I am focused on the results I also take note of the process/journey. If you look at it- our lives are really a marathon!

Q3: I am most proud of the release of my book-THE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER’S GUIDE. “The Transformational Leader’s Guide” is a thought provoking, awe-inspiring book that provides fundamental guidance for leaders who have a strong desire to transform themselves and their organizations. This comprehensive guide provides practical insights and strategies that enable Managers to lead with purpose, inspire others, and create positive change.

Drawing from over 20+ years of experience and real-life examples, this book presents a roadmap that is concise to help trailblazers develop their transformational leadership skills. Whether you are a new or experienced leader, “The Transformational Leader’s Guide” is a must-read for anyone who wants to lead with the correct strategies, strategic approaches which will ideally make a difference in today’s changing world.

Q4: I began my career with a solid educational foundation, earning a degree in the field of Social Work. This academic background provided me with a theoretical understanding of training and development principles, Counselling Psychology as well as an opportunity to study Career Counselling. This truly laced the groundwork for what would become a passion for cultivating growth within individuals and organizations.

Early in my career, I seized every opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various training roles. Whether it was creating onboarding programs for new hires, designing professional development workshops, or implementing performance improvement initiatives, each experience contributed to my skills and deepened my understanding of effective training methodologies.
Throughout the years, I’ve pursued professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices. Attending conferences, earning certifications, and participating in relevant workshops have been instrumental in refining my approach to training and leadership.

Q5: Nope-it was never easy.. Leadership requires tenacity, a double dose of humility and a willingness to pour into your own cup as much as you pour into others. Challenges/ battles were won by leaning on the word of God, there were moments I had to remind myself with an important question that usually puts me back on track…What does the word of God say on this matter? Who’s speaking? Who’s speaking may even sound cliche but this usually helps me to find the voice of God in difficult times as one thing I know, no matter the blunder, God never strikes with a stick of condemnation, nor does he dishes from the plate of defeat.

I learnt multiple lessons along the way. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the courage to own your error, when there is a blunder it’s important to own it-there’s no need to cast blame on others with the intent of making yourself look good, I learnt here that this is a key component when building trust and respect from your peers. Another important lesson is the importance of choosing collaboration over conflict. Once you are working within a group, you should expect disagreements, as a matter of fact, this is a healthy opportunity to learn about and from each other. I find that leaders usually waste time in corporate fighting over things they have control of and are able to change- what a time waster huh!
Additionally- staying open to feedback and constantly seeking ways to innovate or reinvent myself has been crucial to staying relevant.

Q6:
My story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and education. Born and raised in the inner-city community of Mount Salem in Montego Bay, I faced the harsh realities of a neighborhood plagued by crime, violence, and high rates of teenage pregnancy.

Despite these challenges, my journey from that environment to becoming an Author, the Director of Training all while running my own company is a narrative of resilience, hard work, and a commitment to my dreams.
Growing up in a community where success seemed like a distant dream, I understood early on that overcoming these circumstances required unwavering determination topped with faith. I was determined to break the cycle, I was also determined to be great, and education became my opportunity of hope. It’s funny how my meaning of greatness evolved overtime too, from wanting to secure a steady income then to now understanding what it truly means to be financially free. Graduating high school was not just a personal achievement but a significant milestone in defying the odds that were stacked against me. not because I didn’t carry the ability but by virtue of the timing and location of my birth, see- where I’m from, if your address is listed it’s a definite “No” for anywhere that had an office or handled cash.

The path to success was far from easy. It required sacrifices, countless late nights of studying, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. University became my gateway to a broader world of possibilities. Completing my degree was not just a personal triumph but a testament to the belief that, indeed, you reap what you sow.
My brand and story carry a powerful message: success is not an overnight phenomenon. It is the result of consistent effort, resilience in the face of adversity, and an unyielding belief in the transformative power of education in partnership with being embedded in a community that understood what excellence looked and felt like . I want the world to know that regardless of where you start, with dedication and hard work, you can rewrite the ending too, I want the world to also know, that some beginnings are also endings in disguise as a willingness to close the door on the “old”  will oftentimes birth purpose, you must understand that God is your only limit.

At SoulFood, we believe in the power of leadership to transform not only individuals but entire communities. We’re not just a brand; we’re your gateway to a world of inspiration, growth, and impactful leadership.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Considering that my area is on the quiet side. I would take my friend to the Museum of Illusions in NY.

Day 1: Arrival and Local Flavors
Morning: Welcome your friend with a leisurely breakfast at a local cafe.
Start the day with a stroll to see what’s in scope or walking distance, i.e food, shopping etc
Afternoon: Order lunch (Delivery)
Evening: Take a casual walk to a nearby restaurant

Day 2: Museum of Illusions and Cultural Evening
Morning: Visit the Museum of Illusions in New York for a mind-bending experience. Capture a lot of fun photos and enjoy the interactive exhibits.
Afternoon: Have lunch at a nearby cafe. Spend the afternoon exploring a local art gallery or historical site.
Evening: Enjoy a cultural evening with a performance at a local theater or a live music venue. Grab dinner at a cozy bistro

Day 3: Outdoor adventures
Morning: Breakfast- possibly Continental
Afternoon: Lunch (Street Food)
Dinner: Enclosed Restaurant

Day 4: Ice Cream/ Shopping Excursion
Morning: Breakfast on the go (take out)
Afternoon: Popular Ice-cream or sweet treat location
Dinner: Continue shopping spree or unwind with a stop at a local winery or trendy restaurant

Day 5: Rest and Relaxation
Morning: Breakfast
Lunch: Continuation of spa treatment
Dinner: Laid back restaurant that has a live band

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to Crystal Daye of DayeLight Publishers for her exceptional work as my publisher. Her dedication, professionalism, and keen understanding of the industry has made the publishing process not only smooth but a truly enjoyable one.

As my mentor-her expertise has not only shaped my work into its best possible form but has also been instrumental in navigating the intricacies of the publishing world, for this I am grateful.

Website: dianaawilliams.com

Instagram: SoulfoodInter

Linkedin: Diana Williams

Facebook: SoulfoodInter

Image Credits
I have the rights and credits for all photos