Nasima Shafiul: Redefining Leadership Through Presence, Purpose, and Quiet Power
In a world that often mistakes noise for impact, some leaders choose a different path. They lead not with grand pronouncements but with quiet conviction, deep empathy, and a profound commitment to human potential. The Influential Today Magazine is proud to feature Nasima Shafiul as the Most Empowering & Impactful Woman in Coaching for 2025. As the Executive Director & Executive Leadership Coach, AVORYZ Group, Nasima is reshaping our understanding of leadership and transformation, guiding executives and organizations toward a more authentic, resilient, and purposeful way of being. Her work is a testament to the idea that the most significant changes begin not in the boardroom, but within the individual.
The Journey Within: A Path of Intuition and Personal Transformation
For Nasima Shafiul, the journey into coaching was not a meticulously planned career move but a calling that emerged organically over time. “Coaching didn’t arrive with a grand plan it unfolded, quietly and intuitively,” she shared. “I started with one tool, then another, until I found myself creating my own coaching model one that resonated deeply with leaders and executives navigating complexity and change.” Her path was one of discovery, of piecing together frameworks that addressed the real, human challenges behind organizational friction.
While her coaching drew on intuitive neuro-coaching and neuroscience-based methods to help clients see their future forward, her transformation expertise was forged in experience. She began to notice a recurring pattern in her work: “Behind every failed initiative was pain, burnout, or a disconnect between people and purpose.” This observation prompted her to look beyond surface level symptoms and dig deeper into the root causes of why so many transformation efforts fail to deliver lasting results. She dedicated herself to building frameworks that not only functioned effectively but also endured because they were built on a foundation of human understanding.
Crucially, Nasima understood that she could not guide others on a journey she had not taken herself. Her ability to lead with such profound insight is rooted in her own deep, personal work. “To reach that point, I had to transform myself first,” she explained with candor. “It wasn’t glamorous it was hard, raw, and deeply personal. I’ve bled. I’ve healed. I’ve grown. And now, I lead with both clarity and compassion.” This lived experience is the bedrock of her practice. Whether she is guiding a multinational organization or coaching a single executive, her mission remains unwavering: “to help people step into the boldest version of themselves and stay there.”
The Soul of Work: A Vision for a More Humane Way to Succeed
Nasima’s inspiration is drawn from a deeply held desire to revolutionize not just the structures of our professional lives, but “the soul of work itself.” Her vision is clear and compelling. “I envision a world where success doesn’t demand burnout, where innovation and empathy coexist, and where leaders are allowed to breathe, reflect, and lead with presence,” she articulated. This philosophy positions transformation as something that must begin at the very top. She has observed time and again how the state of a leader’s inner world directly impacts the health of their organization. “If an executive is overwhelmed, frustrated, or misaligned, that energy cascades through the entire organization,” she noted. “Strategy falters, culture suffers, people disengage.”
Amid the immense pressure on executives to satisfy stakeholders, teams, and customers, Nasima asks the one question that is too often overlooked: “How are you, really?” It was this focus on the human being behind the title that led her to her calling. Coaching began informally, as she guided teams through uncertain times. A pivotal moment came when an executive told her, “You guided me through the fog.” That simple, powerful sentence resonated deeply and affirmed her path. Discovering the work of famed coach Steve Hardison later helped her articulate the profound nature of her practice. “It’s not just about performance it’s about presence, alignment, and wholeness,” she affirmed.
She sees Agile transformation and executive coaching not as separate disciplines, but as two sides of the same coin, both requiring “courage, clarity, and conscious leadership.” Her work is fundamentally about creating safe, reflective spaces where leaders can reconnect with themselves, renew their energy, and ultimately rise to redefine expectations. For Nasima, the logic is clear: “When a leader heals, the organization transforms. And that’s the kind of ripple effect I want to leave behind.”
AVORYZ Group: An Ecosystem for Holistic Growth
As the Executive Director & Executive Leadership Coach, AVORYZ Group, Nasima embodies the multifaceted nature of true transformation. “I wear many hats executive coach, visionary guide, empowerment mentor, and transformation partner,” she said. AVORYZ Group was built on the belief that meaningful change is never one dimensional; “it touches mindset, systems, and sometimes even the soul.” Her own eclectic background, with experience spanning executive leadership, Agile transformation, fashion, and food, reinforces her understanding that “growth takes many forms.” This diverse perspective allows AVORYZ Group to move beyond simple problem solving. “We don’t just solve problems we ignite potential,” she stated. Her commitment is absolute: “If someone is committed to their growth, I’m committed to walking that journey with them.” (People can find her at avoryz.com and coachnasima.com.)
The Art of Transformation: Balancing Strategy with Empathy
When fostering adaptability and resilience within teams, Nasima’s approach is one of sophisticated balance. “The key is balance between strategy and empathy, business outcomes and people’s well being,” she explained. Her focus is on aligning strategic planning with human centered leadership. While driving business success is paramount, she insists it must “never at the cost of burning out our teams.” Instead, her coaching empowers teams to thrive under pressure, to “deliver more without losing themselves in the process.” She achieves this by combining clarity of outcomes with an authentic connection, believing that leadership “isn’t about being shrewd; it’s about being present.”
This human-first philosophy is the essence of how she integrates human centered design principles into her work. “It begins with creating a safe space where people feel heard, respected, and free to be honest,” she said. “I lead with empathy, deep listening, and psychological safety, because real change doesn’t happen without trust.” For her, this means understanding people’s fears, values, and motivations before any process is even considered.
She acknowledges that promoting cultural change is often fraught with challenges, particularly when leaders lack authenticity or when organizations prioritize rigid processes over real people. She addresses this resistance by “creating space for honest dialogue, challenging surface level thinking, and coaching leaders to model the change they expect.” Ultimately, she believes, “Transformation begins when leadership becomes transparent, trust is built, and people feel seen not managed.”
Leadership as a Ripple Effect: Inspiring Growth from Within
Nasima Shafiul’s journey serves as a powerful source of inspiration, particularly for other women aspiring to lead. She has reached her position not by conforming, but by staying true to her own path. “I’ve honored my boundaries, faced the unknown, and stayed true to who I am,” she reflected. “My journey is a reminder that leadership isn’t defined by titles or stereotypes, but by showing up with grit, integrity, and a willingness to grow.”
The impact of her coaching is best illustrated through the success of those she guides. She shared the story of a senior leader who was navigating a major organizational transformation. “She was skilled but hesitant to fully own her voice in executive spaces,” Nasima recalled. “Through our sessions, she gained clarity, confidence, and the courage to lead boldly. Within months, she was promoted and began driving change across the organization.” This story powerfully demonstrates Nasima’s concept of the ripple effect. “What started as personal growth became a ripple effect improving team culture, communication, and performance. It was a powerful reminder: when one person rises with purpose, the entire system begins to shift.”
An Inner Compass: The Philosophy of True Integrity
When asked about her guiding life lesson, Nasima shared a simple yet profound phrase that serves as her compass: “Who I am when no one is watching.” This principle, she explained, is the very essence of integrity. “It speaks to the version of us that exists beyond titles, accolades, and curated moments.” She believes that the most significant impact is shaped in the unseen moments, in “how we respond in solitude, how we hold ourselves accountable when there’s no one to impress, and how deeply we stay anchored to our values.”
This philosophy is the cornerstone of her coaching and leadership. “This principle has taught me that true leadership begins in stillness. It’s about presence over performance, intention over image.” She holds her clients to this same high standard, guiding them to lead not from ego but from a deep alignment with their own vision, truth, and humanity. In her words, “Because when no one is watching and you still choose to lead with grace that’s where legacy begins.”
Guidance for a New Generation of Leaders
Looking ahead, Nasima is excited about the rise of AI supported coaching and the shift toward trauma informed, psychologically safe leadership. She sees a future where coaching becomes more accessible and deeply embedded into daily leadership practices, elevating people with “empathy, precision, and purpose.” For emerging coaches, her advice is clear and resonant: “Start with yourself. Do the inner work first.” She encourages humility, curiosity, and a commitment to non judgment. “It’s not about having answers but creating space for others to find theirs.”
Nasima Shafiul is more than a coach or a consultant; she is a visionary leader who understands that the future of work depends on the wellbeing of its people. Her empowering and impactful work reminds us that true strength lies in presence, that transformation is an inside job, and that the most effective leaders are those who have the courage to heal themselves first.
(For More Information Contact her at avoryz.com and coachnasima.com)
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