Life & Work with Dedra Thompson

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

Hi Dedra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t set out to build a career in leadership and talent development. Honestly, I kind of fell into it.

In the early 2000s, I was hired into a corporate training role at Whole Foods Market. I was so green, and there was so much I didn’t know. But the hiring manager, who I still consider a friend and mentor, saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself, and he took a chance on me. That opportunity changed the direction of my career.

At Whole Foods, I began finding my footing and my voice as a facilitator and coach. I learned by doing, by asking questions, and by working alongside people who challenged and supported me. As my career grew, so did my interest in helping other people grow, too.

As my career progressed, I had opportunities to build learning and organizational development functions from the ground up and help existing teams find a stronger connection to the business. That work taught me to ask better questions, understand what was getting in people’s way, and build development around what they actually needed to be successful.

Working across retail, hospitality, real estate, and other industries also broadened my perspective. I saw how much people could accomplish when they had clear expectations, opportunities to learn, and someone willing to invest in them. I also saw the frustration that came when those things were missing for employees, for their leaders, and for the organization.

Those experiences shaped how I approach my work today. I want to understand what an organization is trying to accomplish and help its people build the skills, confidence, and ways of working that will get them there. I know what it’s like to have to figure things out as you go. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes, learned some lessons the hard way, and had people along the way who helped me become a better leader.

Today, as a partner at Black Licorice Consulting, I get to bring all of that experience together. I help leaders and organizations work through the real challenges they face, whether that means building a leadership development program, strengthening a team, or helping an organization align their people strategy with business goals.

I care deeply about the work I do. I love helping leaders, teams, and organizations see what’s possible and then helping them figure out how to get there. Whether I’m coaching a leader, facilitating a workshop, or working with an organization, my goal is to help people grow in ways that make a real difference in their work and in the lives of the people they lead.

Someone took a chance on me when I was still figuring out what I was capable of. I haven’t forgotten that. And I’m grateful that the work I do now gives me the chance to help other people see what’s possible for themselves, too.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road.

Being a woman in the corporate world has come with its own challenges. There have been times when I’ve had to work hard to establish credibility and find my voice, especially when stepping into situations where change was needed.

I’ve stepped into roles where I inherited teams that were struggling, and that meant making some hard decisions to move things forward. Those decisions aren’t always popular, and they can put a spotlight on you that isn’t always comfortable. I’ve had to learn how to listen, be thoughtful about the impact on people, and still make the decisions I believed were necessary.

I’ve also worked for CEOs with high expectations who challenged me. Those experiences weren’t always easy, but they pushed me to think differently, strengthen my skills, and grow as a leader.

Looking back, I can see how all of those struggles prepared me for my current role in consulting. I’ve been the leader facing tough decisions, navigating change, and trying to figure out the best way forward. Now I get to draw on those experiences to help other leaders and organizations work through their own challenges.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a partner at Black Licorice Consulting, I work with leaders and organizations that want to build stronger teams and create better workplaces. Sometimes that means developing a leadership program or facilitating a workshop. Other times, it means coaching a leader through a challenge, improving the way a team works together, or helping an organization align its people strategy with its business goals.

I specialize in leadership and talent development, but the work usually starts with a conversation. I want to understand what’s happening, what’s getting in the way, and what the organization is trying to accomplish. From there, we can figure out what will actually help.

I love a good conversation about leadership and talent development. Too often, people at all levels are expected to succeed and grow without receiving the development and support they need. I want to help change that by working with organizations to develop their people, strengthen their teams, and build cultures where people and the business can thrive.

What sets me apart is the combination of my experience as a leader and my 20-plus years in corporate learning and development. I’ve led teams, made difficult decisions, built departments, and been responsible for delivering results. I understand the pressure leaders are under because I’ve felt it myself.

But I also bring a deep understanding of how adults learn, how people navigate change, and how to build learning programs that help move a business forward. That means I’m thinking beyond what happens in a workshop. I’m thinking about what leaders need to do differently, how to help them apply what they’ve learned, and how that connects to what the organization is trying to achieve.

What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to have on people. I love watching someone begin to see themselves differently, whether that’s a new leader finding their confidence or an experienced leader recognizing that there’s another way to approach a challenge. And I’m proud of the teams and development functions I’ve helped build along the way.

At the end of the day, I want people to feel more capable because we worked together. If a leader walks away feeling more confident, a team is working better together, or an organization has a clearer path forward, that’s meaningful work to me.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You don’t have to have it all figured out before you take the next step. When I started my career I had a lot to learn. Someone saw potential in me and took a chance, but I still had to be willing to ask questions, try things, make mistakes, and keep learning.

I wish I had known how much growth would come from the moments when I felt uncomfortable or unsure of myself. At the time, it’s easy to think that not knowing the answer means you don’t belong. It doesn’t. It means you have an opportunity to learn.

Find people who will support you, challenge you, and tell you the truth. Pay attention to how they lead and what you can learn from them. And when you have the opportunity, be that person for someone else.

Most of all, don’t underestimate what you’re capable of just because you haven’t done it before.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://BlackLicoriceConsulting.com
• Instagram: @GetBlackLicorce
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dlthom
• Other: https://getblacklicorice.myflodesk.com/social-newsletter