Leadership starts with you, and your story matters
I work with individuals and organizations who are willing to slow down, focus on the fundamentals, and take on the unseen work that shapes how we live, lead, and experience the journey.
I didn't come to this work by accident
I live with chronic pain, fatigue and depression, and those realities have shaped how I see leadership, life and what actually lasts.
I've also been blessed with the opportunity to walk alongside individuals, families, leaders and organizations as they face their own challenges. Through those experiences, I've learned something simple and powerful: Each story stands on its own and isn't meant to be compared. It's meant to be shared and learned from.
That belief is what led me to build a framework that uses the story of individuals and organizations to ignite their power to take on the unseen, build from the foundation, and move toward the unknown with purpose and intentionality.
More About Me
The problem I care about
Most people are never taught how to lead themselves. They are taught how to perform, produce, and push forward, but not how to slow down, work on themselves, and build the internal skills that shape how they think, respond, and live.
When it comes to leading others, the same pattern repeats. People work hard, gain experience, earn roles or titles, and are expected to figure leadership out along the way. Being good at a job or good with people is mistaken for knowing how to lead people.
As a result, the “how” of leadership is searched for outside of ourselves. When leadership is formed externally instead of intentionally, people burn out, relationships strain, and teams and organizations struggle to stay healthy and aligned.
What I believe about Leadership
The answers don’t come from doing more. They come from going deeper.
Before you lead a family, a team, or an organization, you have to learn how to lead yourself. Because the moment you step in front to lead others, it is no longer about you.
That means being willing to slow down and take on the work that often goes unseen.
Understanding where you came from.
Understanding who you are and being honest about your present circumstances. And having a clear vision for where you want to go.
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It means recognizing that identity is not a destination, but a constant, never-ending process of learning and growing.
It means learning how you think and communicate. Developing strength through adversity. And taking responsibility for how you respond and show up.
This is where the fundamentals of leadership are built.
When people commit to this work, leadership stops being something they try to manage and starts becoming something that supports how they live and work.
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Performance improves.
The experience changes.
Growth becomes enjoyable and fulfillment becomes possible.
When individuals lead themselves well, organizations gain clarity.
They understand their purpose.
They learn how to align people and decisions to the mission.
And culture begins to change from the inside out, one person at a time, in a positive and lasting way.
Through personal and professional experiences, I created The Leadership Commitment framework to walk with individuals and organizations through challenges and the brokenness in systems by helping them see what often goes unseen and do the foundational work that is too easily overlooked..
If you want to perform consistently and achieve true fulfillment, you have to go below the surface and start with the foundation.
This framework helps individuals and organizations:
- Understand the power of their story, the uniqueness of their identity, and how it relates to their purpose (their WHY)
- Strengthen the fundamentals beneath the surface by aligning to the mission
- Work toward the vision by taking action through how they lead, shaping how they live and work.
It applies personally, professionally, and organizationally.
How this work shows up
This work shows up in different ways, but it is always rooted in The Leadership Commitment, creating clarity, alignment and consistency.
- Leadership coaching and development: working with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations
- Keynote speaking, events, and leadership conversations
- Applying The Leadership Commitment framework in athletics through the Leadership Sports Academy
Where to go next
The Leadership Commitment
If you’re interested in leadership coaching or organizational work, this is where the framework comes to life. This is where individuals and organizations slow down, focus on the fundamentals and go to work on the unseen in order to perform consistently and experience true fulfillment.
The Leadership CommitmentSpeaking and Events
If you're looing for a keynote speaker, leadership conversation or event experience for your organization, team or audience, you can learn more about my speaking here.
Speaking and EventsThe Brad Dempsey Leadership Show
If you're looking for thoughtful, challenging conversations around leadership, identity, faith, performance and the unseen work beneath the surface, you can explore the show here.
The ShowLeadership Sports Academy
Applies The Leadership Commitment framework to athletics, helping athletes, families, coaches and organizations focus on the fundamentals that shape character, performance and the overall experience of sport.
Leadership Sports AcademyTestimonials
“Brad Dempsey gave me the faith to pursue a dream that became a reality eight months later. I am forever thankful to know him and call him a friend. Brad's vision will inspire you, his passion will ignite you, and with his help you will accomplish things that seemed impossible.”
-Sharla H.-
“My life has forever been impacted by Brad Dempsey. The compassion, understanding, and support he showed during the most difficult time of my life motivated me to keep fighting and believe that I have what it takes to succeed in all I do. A phrase he often said was, “Have faith in the process,” and this continues to be helpful for me in all aspects of my life. He helped me realize just how powerful I am, and that believing in myself, trusting others, and asking for help is the most courageous thing you can do.”
-Julie H.-
“Simply put, Brad Dempsey is an incredible man. His genuineness, willingness to help others and drive cannot be matched. He has instilled confidence in me that has allowed me to reach goals I never could have imagined. He always thinks of others and always makes sure his hard work benefits the greater good”
-Dalton G.-
