Sadia Ghazanfar

Women's Leadership Coach - Bristol

I am an accredited executive coach (PCC with the International Coach Federation), a certified Positive Intelligence coach (CPQC), and an affiliate practitioner and scholar at the University of Michigan. With over 1,800 hours of coaching experience, I’ve partnered with leaders, senior managers, and high-potential individuals globally.

I specialise in working with women who feel held back by imposter syndrome, self-doubt, or their inner critic when stepping into new responsibilities, transitioning roles, or moving into leadership. My philosophy is simple: courage comes first, confidence follows. I help women build courage and self-belief, quiet the inner critic, and take brave, authentic steps so that confidence grows naturally.

As a strategic thinking partner, I draw on my own background in business operations and leadership roles, alongside my cross-cultural experience. This, combined with my coaching credentials, gives me a deep understanding of the unique challenges women face in the workplace, and the systemic barriers that can get in the way.

My mission is to help organisations develop and retain diverse talent pipelines by increasing the number of women and underrepresented groups in leadership positions, and ensuring they thrive once they get there. Over the last seven years, I’ve coached women across the world (UK, Europe, USA, Middle East & APAC) in industries including professional services, STEM, real estate, media, telecommunications, and academia. Clients include Ford Motors, BorgWarner, University of Michigan, Amazon, Booking.com, and Lululemon.

Coaching focus areas:
- Quiet the inner critic and overcoming imposter syndrome
- Build courage, resilience, and emotional regulation
- Develop an authentic leadership style and personal presence
- Creating clarity, influence, and impact without burnout


My coaching style
Clients describe my style as empowering, thought-provoking, and mind-body-centred (somatic awareness). I create psychological safety quickly, and my empathic listening helps clients shift perspective, gain clarity, and open up to new possibilities. Working with the whole person (thoughts, feelings, and behaviours) leads to greater self-awareness, practical strategies, and courageous, authentic leadership.

Outcomes from my coaching:
- Increased self-belief and confidence to step into leadership roles
- The ability to regulate emotions and lead with authenticity and resilience
- Practical strategies to quiet the inner critic and act with courage
- Stronger retention of diverse talent pipelines and the development of future leaders

For organisations, this means retaining diverse talent, building inclusive leadership pipelines, and cultivating cultures where women and underrepresented groups can thrive.

Client examples:
- One client designed a new role that aligned with her aspirations and the company’s goals.
- Another recognised she didn’t need to do everything herself, learned to delegate, and empowered her team — reducing stress and working in her zone of genius.
- A third developed a personalised strategy to unhook from her imposter voice, enabling her to act authentically and sustainably, which improved her performance and resilience.

To read client testimonials, visit my LinkedIn profile.

Interested in working together?
Book a 30-minute consultation so we can explore your challenges and how I can support you.