Hidden Gems: Meet Alicia Thompson of Signature Leadership LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Thompson.

Hi Alicia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After thirty years in public relations and corporate communications, I realized a common theme. People often came to me for advice and counsel, including the executives at the companies she supported. A light bulb went off, and I started the path to become a full-time leadership coach and entrepreneur. I launched my company, Signature Leadership LLC six years ago after a layoff. In 2024 I completed my coaching training and I earned my coaching certification in 2025.

I started Signature Leadership because I had a passion for helping other people navigate their career journeys. We work too many hours and too many years to be unhappy. I want to help people find that balance between happiness and working with purpose.

At the end of the day, it’s really about helping people have great careers where they’re happy, they enjoy what they are doing, and they’re making an impact on the world.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to entrepreneurship is never smooth! There’s the inherent uncertainty and risk…income fluctuations (especially early on), client pipelines are unpredictable, and every decision — pricing, positioning, partnerships — carries risk, and there’s rarely a clear “right” answer.

You are wearing EVERY hat — CEO, marketer, bookkeeper, strategist, and sometimes event the IT help desk. With all of this tactical responsibility, it’s easy to get caught in “doing” mode instead of the higher-level thinking that actually drives growth.

And there’s a certain level of isolation that comes along with it. Without a built-in team, you underestimate how much you’ll miss feedback, validation, and camaraderie. Even wins can feel muted when there’s no team to celebrate with or when friends/family don’t fully understand the journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of Signature Leadership LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Signature Leadership LLC helps senior leaders navigate complexity with clarity of thought, grounded presence, and authentic power. I guide leaders to pause, reflect, and realign—transforming self-awareness into strategic impact. Because real leadership isn’t about performing: it’s about becoming.

I work with executives and senior leaders—often recently promoted or stepping into bigger roles— who are navigating change, high expectations, and greater visibility. They’re accomplished but may struggle with self-doubt, presence, or navigating political dynamics, and they want to lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity while building trust and stronger relationships, and aligning personal values with professional impact. I’ve been where they are and successfully navigated the same terrain.

I am most proud that the leaders who work with Signature Leadership LLC tell me they gain the clarity to see, the confidence to show up, and the courage to lead with character. They leave equipped to navigate uncertainty, inspire trust, and deliver results without losing themselves in the process.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions, staying grounded in who you are, and leading with presence that moves people.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One of my favorite coaching podcasts is Coaching Real Leaders with Muriel Wilkins from the Harvard Business Review.

Favorite books include: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier, Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan and Switzler.

As for personal favorites: The Creative Planning Down the Middle and BLK on the Scene podcasts. In terms of apps, I love LazyFit for quick workouts and Zen Color for mindfulness moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.signaturleadershipllc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciarthompson/