L2L Leadership Institute

09/11/2026

This morning’s UFSC Virtual Executive Mastermind Session explored a powerful leadership truth: Even the most accomplished professionals need someone who can help them see what they cannot see for themselves.

Using Atul Gawande’s TED Talk, “Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach,” participants engaged in a candid discussion about feedback, vulnerability, continuous improvement, and the role coaching plays in helping effective leaders become even better.

The conversation reinforced that leadership growth does not end when we achieve success. It requires the discipline to remain open to feedback, challenge our assumptions, and intentionally seek people who will help us continue to grow.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a thoughtful and engaging conversation.

Facilitated by Adrienne P. Whitaker and Ditu Kasuyi, Co-Founders of L2L Leadership Institute, in partnership with the Urban Financial Services Coalition.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from L2L Leadership Institute!

Today, we celebrate the people whose hard work, talent, and determination help move our businesses, organizations, communities, and country forward.

Leadership is not only about titles. It is about showing up, contributing, collaborating, and helping create change that matters.

We honor the work. We honor the people. And we celebrate the difference they make every day.

08/14/2026

Leadership is often measured by the big things—titles, promotions, major initiatives, and organizational results.

But during a recent L2L Executive Mastermind session, hosted by the Urban Financial Services Coalition – Richmond Chapter in partnership with the L2L Leadership Institute, we were reminded that some of our greatest leadership moments may be the ones we barely remember.

We explored Drew Dudley’s idea of the “lollipop moment”—a seemingly small act of encouragement, recognition, kindness, or belief that can fundamentally change how someone sees themselves or what they believe is possible.

A few insights stayed with me:

• Leadership is not reserved for people with titles. We lead every day through the impact we have on others.

• Small moments can create lasting influence. A conversation that feels routine to us may become a defining moment for someone else.

• Legacy is created across the whole of our lives. The Double Win reminds us that leadership is not only about succeeding professionally. It is also about how we show up for our families, colleagues, churches, communities, and the people we have the opportunity to encourage and develop.

One of the questions we discussed was:

Where in your life might you be having a greater impact on people than you realize?

I encourage you to watch Drew Dudley’s short TED Talk, Everyday Leadership, and then come back and share your thoughts.

👉 https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership

And here is another question worth considering:

Who has created a “lollipop moment” in your life—and have you ever told them?

I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments.

08/14/2026

What if the key to becoming better at what you already do well is having someone else watch, challenge, and coach you?

This month’s L2L Leadership Institute Virtual Executive Mastermind, presented in partnership with the Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC), explores the powerful idea behind Atul Gawande’s TED Talk, “Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach.”

Monthly executive mastermind session for leaders to re-charge

08/10/2026

Lead with Courage

Leadership courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to do what is right, even when it’s difficult.

Courageous leaders make decisions based on values rather than comfort, speak honestly, embrace change, and take responsibility for both successes and setbacks. Their example builds trust, strengthens teams, and creates a culture where others feel empowered to contribute their best.

Five Ways to Lead with Courage

• Speak the truth with honesty and respect.
• Make tough decisions based on principles, not popularity.
• Embrace change as an opportunity to grow.
• Own your mistakes and learn from them.
• Encourage others to share ideas and take thoughtful risks.

Mark Your Calendar

This September, L2L Leadership Institute and our partners are offering two opportunities to learn, grow and connect with other leaders.

Executive Mastermind Session
Friday, September 11 | 7:45 a.m. ET | Virtual

Join us for our monthly Executive Mastermind as we explore “Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach,” featuring insights from renowned surgeon, author and TED speaker Atul Gawande.

Together, we’ll discuss how coaching accelerates growth, improves performance and helps leaders reach their full potential.

Registration: GetACoach.eventbrite.com

Rise2Lead Summit 2026
Monday, September 28 | In Person

Hosted by the Urban Financial Services Coalition – Richmond Chapter, Rise2Lead Summit 2026 is a one-day leadership experience for emerging leaders preparing for success in college, careers, business and their communities.

The day will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, leadership challenges, career exploration, networking and career vendors. A special mentorship session for seasoned professionals will explore how to find the right mentor—and how to become one.

Registration: Rise2Lead.eventbrite.com

Want more?

Visit L2LLeadershipInstitute.com for the full August newsletter and information about upcoming activities and events.

Connect • Collaborate • Change

08/07/2026

Everyday leadership happens every day.

This morning, emerging and seasoned leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs joined us for another L2L Executive Mastermind.

Inspired by Drew Dudley’s TED Talk on Everyday Leadership, we reflected, laughed, challenged one another, shared experiences, and explored how leadership shows up in the everyday moments that often matter most.

Missed us live? Watch the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments. Then join us for our next Executive Mastermind!

👉 Next Session: Friday, September 11
Special date due to Labor Day weekend
7:45–9:00 AM ET
Topic: Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach
Registration: GetACoach.eventbrite.com⁠
Hosted by UFSC Richmond

First Friday. Every month. One leadership conversation.

Connect • Collaborate • Change.

07/12/2026

We often judge leadership by accomplishments.

The promotions. The elections. The awards. The titles.

But those things are only part of the story.

The true measure of a leader is character.

Character is revealed over a lifetime of choices. It is demonstrated in the quiet moments when no one is watching and in the difficult moments when the cost of integrity is high.

One of the most compelling examples of this came in 1950.

Senator Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican from Maine, watched as fear, accusations, and political intimidation began to shape the national conversation during the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy. She could have remained silent. Instead, she chose principle over convenience.

In what became known as her Declaration of Conscience, she challenged the growing climate of fear and reminded the nation that political success should never come at the expense of integrity. She understood that character is tested most when standing by your principles carries a personal or professional cost.

History remembers Margaret Chase Smith not because she held public office, but because she demonstrated moral courage when it mattered most.

That is the kind of legacy every leader should aspire to leave.

Whether we lead a nation, an organization, a nonprofit, a business, or a family, our influence is never measured solely by what we accomplish. It is measured by the values we uphold, the trust we earn, and the courage we demonstrate when doing the right thing is difficult.

Because character isn’t just about the moment.

It’s about your lasting legacy and how you are remembered.

As you reflect on your own leadership, ask yourself this:

When history remembers your leadership, will it remember your position—or your character?

07/12/2026

What an afternoon.

I want to say a huge thank you to the Office of Financial Empowerment and Education at the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) for inviting me to lead “Built Different: Uncapping Your Leadership in the Age of AI” with this year’s Bank on DC Young Money Managers.

If you’re not familiar — these are young people, high schoolers all the way through recent grads, who DISB trains to bring financial literacy back into their own neighborhoods, families, and schools. They’re already leaders. They just don’t always know it yet.

We spent an hour together talking about leadership and AI, and honestly, they taught me as much as I taught them. A few things that stuck with me:

Nobody in that room has a title. And that was never the point. The second they realized leadership is something you earn through trust — not something handed to you — you could feel the whole energy in the room change.

Growth doesn’t have a ceiling, but it does have a “right now.” We talked about what’s capping each of them today, and watching young people say it out loud, in front of their peers, took real courage.

The best leaders don’t just grow — they turn around and reach back. Every single one of them, without being told to, started thinking about who in their own family or community they’d bring along with them. That’s the whole heart of this work.

To every young leader in that room: I see you, and I’m proud of you. And to DISB — thank you for building spaces where young people get to practice leadership before anyone hands them a title for it.

More to come.

Ditu Kasuyi,
L2L Leadership Institute

07/10/2026

07/08/2026

Grateful to have spent time with our executive coaches and business partners at the Letts Consult Business Summit. Meaningful conversation, shared insights, and strong alignment as we look ahead to 2026 and the opportunities to come. Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support our work empowering leaders and transforming organizations.