“Didier was exceptional at holding space for our challenges as a group as well as showing up for us individually. He met us in a difficult place and while the work was often painful, it took place in a deeply generative and safe space and allowed us to have necessary conversations that would not have happened otherwise.
Over our time together there was a good balance of deep thinking and practical tools and he was sure to check in with us about the direction of travel and to make time for what we wanted to cover. Didier went all in on modelling what he hoped for us and I appreciated that professional and personal commitment he gave to all of us, especially given the other stresses happening on the home front during our time together.
I learnt a LOT in that short space of time on many different topics; how to give and receive feedback effectively, and how to create space for the conversations that will transform my and our collective leadership. Honestly I felt like a toddler at times learning to walk.
I particularly appreciated Didier's theory of self / leadership - we were all challenged to bring our full humanity to every conversation. He continually modelled for us "couragous athenticity" - our group challenge.
So now the work continues. I feel uniquely empowered to bring my full self into my leadership in an intentional way. This feels like a privilege. Very grateful!”
“Working with Didier has been nothing short of transformative. Over the course of six months, he guided me through a process of aligning my gifts with my assignment—not only for my role at Giving Gap but also for my personal journey.
Didier has a remarkable ability to ask thoughtful and provocative prompts that empowered me to uncover ideas that were authentic to who I am and what I’m called to do.
Perhaps most impactful was the breakthrough Didier helped me facilitate when I found myself in a place of deep stagnation. His guidance was both compassionate and incisive, leading me to a clarity that allowed me to release what no longer served me and step into a new level of alignment and fulfillment.
If you’re seeking a coach who can help you unlock your potential and overcome what’s holding you back, Didier Sylvain is a truly exceptional guide.”
“I came into my work with Didier with the original goal of conducting a 360 assessment to support my leadership growth, and came out with so much more. One of the first things I asked him was how much we delve into the personal versus the professional in our work together, and he said it was up to me. Traditionally I kept them separated, but through Didier's supportive coaching he helped me realize just how important it was (for me) to consider the two together. He took what I learned from the 360 assessment to effectively guide me through a process of self reflection and loving honesty, ultimately defining how I best leverage my talents to live the life I deserve and want. I am not done, but I feel empowered, in control, and more confident about how I move forward than I ever have.
My last recommendation is to absolutely do the two day workshop Didier offers, in person if possible, it is life changing! I'm forever indebted to Didier and how the work has shaped my professional and personal life moving forward."
ASIMA JANSVELD, CHIEF PROGRAM & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, FRIENDS OF THE HIGHLINE
“Thank you for this journey you invited me into and encouraged me through. Working with a coach is unique and at times specific, but working with you is revolutionary. I was supported, challenged, encouraged, provoked, stretched, and cheered on. I grew - I expanded - I aligned.
Our coaching sessions always left me with something to do or reconsider. Our 2 day retreat shifted my soul. The container of teaching, coaching, listening, pulling and pushing felt like a spiritual chiropractor. You facilitate such a special and one of a kind experience for clients. It is transformative and necessary. Thank you for honoring my whole person and encouraging who I fully am into the space and possibility. Anyone working with you is choosing themselves and their most aligned future as well."
“I've worked with Didier over the course of 9 months and throughout that time, I would say it has been one of the most transformational experiences of my life. There are few people in this world who approach life, career, and community with the vigor that Didier does as he guides you towards your truth.
During our one-on-one coaching retreat, I was able to confront roadblocks in my career and personal life with actionable next steps and ways forward. His giving energy and heart created an environment conducive to learning and acceptance that I will take with me for a lifetime. I would highly recommend working with Didier if your goal is to find and sustain your 'why'."
Tony Hollingsworth, Director Of Strategy at Laundry Service
“Didier’s subterranean coaching got us to some of the deepest roots blocking our growth. Running a business (and a racial equity one at that) is not just an endeavor of strategy and implementation. It’s a relational and spiritual pathway, obstructed by restrictive social contracts that are mostly invisible and deeply internalized. Didier got us to see some of them with 20/20 vision, and there’s no going back. His effectiveness is in his ability to adapt to the style that was effective for our unique needs, and sometimes that took spontaneous dance parties and air horns, and we couldn’t be more grateful!”
“Stepping into space with Didier elevates my being in a way that I have never experienced before. He led me toward unleashing perspectives, insights, and declarations that change the way I move, think and feel. These internal changes feel both subtle and tectonic at the same time, and they ripple across multiple dimensions: work, family, solitude. It's insufficient to say that Didier is a gifted listener and witness with an expansive toolkit and vocabulary for change. He is masterful at what he does and he leads from the heart. I couldn't help but want to do the same--in my own way, of course.”
TIANA THOMAS, Director of Operations, MHR Management, Inc.
“Didier's dynamic presentation was extremely impactful and memorable. During one of the group activities, I learned a lot about myself as a leader and my thinking process, primarily when I reflected on the long, lonely days of Covid-19. I kept my handwritten notes to remind me what makes me more (or less!) effective and what anxieties I have. It was an eye-opening learning experience! I highly recommend Didier's interactive program because this is one you will remember!”
“Didier helped our team reconnect with the foundation and inspiration that made us successful as a brand. His holistic guidance allowed us to articulate our individual perspectives, with a continued goal on helping us identify how we can grow to the next level as an organization. I believe we will look back at his workshop as a pivotal moment in our company's development.”
Maine J. Buchanan, Strategic Partner at Everyday People
“Powerful. Transformational. Inspiring. These are the first few words that come to mind when I reflect on my time with Didier Sylvain. He is more than a coach - he is a spiritual guide. His two-day workshop is perfectly designed to promote self-discovery across personal and professional planes. It is an experience that gifts clarity and purpose and I am eternally grateful.”
Nick Tedesco, President & CEO at National Center for Family Philanthropy
“Didier redefines what's possible through training with a career and life alignment coach.
Working with Didier is not ‘self-help’, but rather a curated experience that facilitates exploration of the past, present and future —all in service of shifting old patterns into new practices and feeling safe, secure and healthy.
He has many gifts — including a remarkable ability to connect with, energize and prompt transformation within another human being. I'm grateful that Didier is willing to share his portfolio of wisdom and resources in order to equip me for a life long development journey.”
Alex Lebow, Director, Partnerships and Engagement at Nike
“This process has put me at peace. The amount of emotional ground we’ve walked together is surprising and answers the biggest questions I came with. The connections we’ve drawn feel complete and allow me to embrace what’s next with clarity on why, how and what I will do. The guidance has been spacious, gracious and unique. Didier has a true gift for seeing and meeting people where they are without judgement, but with firmness when needed.”
"Working with Didier on building a Life Plan was like no other experience I've ever had. What an immense privilege to be in a space so artfully facilitated that allows one to share their full story... warts and all. The space is safe and brave all at once and prompts deep self reflection, illuminates patterns and identifies your unique superpowers. This isn't executive coaching, but rather a holistic deep dive exploration of our life's journey; what has shaped who we are; and what "upgrades" we might need now to manifest our greatest leadership potential in service of the impact we seek to have in the world. Didier honors your story and your moment to moment needs with grace, respect and generosity and has a gift in connecting threads, seeing possibility and helping one to design a pathway forward. The entire experience exceeded my expectations. Thank you Didier for helping me to launch this next chapter."
Kelly Davenport Nowlin, Principal at KDN Philanthropy Consulting
“I am so grateful for the gift of these two days, so excited to bring these learnings into my life, and can feel my boldest dreams magnetically drawing me just as I feel the wind beneath me from Didier. I cannot thank him enough and recommend this journey to any and everyone.”
“Didier is like a mirror with x-ray vision. I feel grateful and blessed to have been able to go on this journey with him. The phrase “leadership accelerator” might sound hokey but the results are anything but. I feel a hundred years younger, a thousand pounds lighter, and more well rooted than ever. When it comes to strategizing about the future, there is no better partner than Didier.”
Laura Tamman, Founder and CEO, Greenlight Media Ventures
“Meeting Didier was an unbelievable blessing at a time when I was in real need of a shake up in my way of thinking. There are so many things that make working with Didier an extraordinary experience: the detail and care he puts into preparing for the session; the generosity with which he welcomes you in and ignites a connection; the sensitivity with which he reacts to you during the process and adjusts to your needs; and the partnership he brings to the development or realization of your assignment. This is not a cold, objective experience of adhering to a robotic or rigid process — but a very warm, personal, and genuine adventure of two people searching, discovering, reflecting, debating, and laughing their way toward decisions, realizations, and meaning. I've already seen the hints of new possibilities in my first day of practicing this new alignment, and am very excited for the follow up component that will help me practice and stay accountable to the commitments I've made going forward.”
“Bertha Foundation staff found a stellar facilitator in Didier. He has a calm presence and deep understanding of group dynamics. He harbors a natural instinct for guiding conversations. Thanks to Didier, we moved through our staff retreat smoothly in a supportive environment. He ensured that everyone felt comfortable participating and developed a structure that allowed everyone's ideas and comments to be heard. The upfront work he did in understanding our common objectives paid off in how he was able to help shape and guide the process of working to achieve our stated objectives for the retreat.”
"Didier’s talent is second only to his heart. His ability to hold space and support one’s examination of one’s life and purpose, to reframe one’s journey and the next steps so that one can make the most of their gifts, is a true gift. Didier is a life surgeon. With powerful distinctions and delicate reframing, one’s sense of purpose is organized into a manageable and empowering framework for action and being.”
Topaz Adizes, Founder and Executive Creative Director of Emmy Award Winning The Skin Deep
“I was most amazed at the deft skill Didier used to weave all my stories into a coherent understanding of why I act, how I act and how I want to fulfill my purpose. I learned more about myself in two days than months of therapy and as a result, have formed a new partnership with the Presence Project that I am certain will accelerate my personal growth as well as my career and business aspirations.”
Toni Griffin, Founder of Urban Planning and Design for the American City and Professor in Practice of Urban Planning at Harvard University
“For those figuring out how to deploy themselves for what they care about most, the process is a true gift. It is smart. It is focused. It lingers. Didier helped me develop a set of skills that combine different modes, talents, learnings and evidence. That is a powerful combination. Through creating decision-making criteria specific to my values, I have gained clarity, sharpened my direction, and grounded my feet in the work ahead of me.”
Brenda Coughlin, Award-winning Documentary Film Producer