Lissa Appiah

Certified Career Transition & Job Promotion Coach | Career & Leadership Development Workshop Facilitator | Speaker & Trainer | Canada's Top 100 Black Women to Watch of 2022

Are you an introverted manager or director who’s driving results, developing teams, and still being passed over for promotions? You’re not alone.

Research shows introverts with a bachelor’s degree earn on average $290K less over their careers than extroverted peers and the gap widens to $760K with advanced degrees. Because workplaces too often reward visibility over quiet impact.

I know this struggle firsthand. As an introvert, I used to believe I had to “act extroverted” to succeed. But when I stopped trying to fit that mold and started owning my introvert strengths, everything changed. I earned 5 promotions in under 8 years without burnout or pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

Now, I help other introverted professionals do the same through The Introvert Leadership Method™, a proven career transition and leadership growth system that helps you rebrand, reframe your expertise, and land $100K–$300K roles with selling themselves short.

💡 With this system, you’ll learn how to:
✔ Position your résumé, LinkedIn, and personal brand to reflect your leadership value
✔ Build influence and visibility without draining your energy
✔ Walk into interviews and salary negotiations prepared to secure top offers
✔ Step into leadership roles where your quiet expertise commands recognition and reward

📈 Client Results:

“Shortly after working with Lissa, I received a job offer exactly aligned with the role I was seeking.” — Anna Savelyeva, Director of Programs 

“Lissa’s program gave me the tools to land new roles, negotiate better salaries, and not sell myself short.” — Linda Adwoa Aidoo, Certified Finance Professional 

“Her coaching gave me clarity, confidence, and opened doors to new opportunities I never thought possible.” — Grace Udodong, Founder, Oasis Youth Care 


🏆 Featured in: The Globe and Mail • Fortune Magazine • LinkedIn News • CTV News

👉🏽 Ready to turn introversion into your advantage and claim the career growth you deserve?
📩 Message me here on LinkedIn or book a discovery call at weapply.ca

Founder, Career & Leadership Development Workshop Facilitator

We help organizations develop and retain talent through career and leadership development workshops or programs. As a Workshop Facilitator & Keynote Speaker, my signature presentations are: 

"Building with LinkedIn: Mastering LinkedIn for Career Success"
"Brand You: Unlocking the Power of Personal Branding to Stand Out in Your Career"

All our workshops and coaching programs are customized based on your organizational needs.

My first hire taught me more about leadership than any training ever could.

She had recently relocated to Canada and was applying for an entry-level role.

Her resume stood out.
She was clearly overqualified.

I asked why she was applying for such a junior position.

She said, “As soon as I mention I’m on a work permit, no one’s interested.”

The interview confirmed what her resume hinted at:
She was exceptional.

When she left the room, I turned to the other interviewer and said,
“She’s the one.”

The response?
“She’s on a work permit. That’s extra paperwork. You’d have to justify it.”

I didn’t hesitate.
She was worth it.

She joined my team. She outperformed. We kept her on long after.

Years later, I ran into her again.
She was in tears.

She’d bought a home.
Became a Canadian citizen.
Started a family.

She said, "you gave me a chance and changed my life"

Sometimes leadership means choosing the harder path for the right person.

Because talent doesn’t always show up in the most familiar or expected way.
But when we bet on people, it pays off.

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P.S. I've put together a list of 125+ hidden & remote job boards

Download the full list here → https://lnkd.in/gjAC8V2W

I help introverted managers and directors land $150K+ roles without endless networking | Top 20 Career Coach in Canada | Certified Career & Executive Coach | 400+ client wins | $36K avg. salary increase

Someone at work once told me I needed to “flex” and be more extroverted if I ever wanted to succeed.
 
It’s not about flexing.
 
It’s about knowing yourself and showing up as your true self.
 
It’s about being comfortable in your own skin, interacting with others in a way that feels natural and allows you to be effective.
 
That’s how you’ll set yourself up for success.
 
Being my introverted self has worked for me, and it’ll work for you.
 
There is certainly a time and place to "flex" and step outside of your comfort zone, but not at the expense of pretending to be someone you are not!

That's simply exhausting 😩
 
Are you showing up as your true self each and every day?

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P.S. I’m taking 3 new clients in December, if you’re ready to elevate your career or personal brand, let’s work together >>> https://lnkd.in/gyGrMWVg

I help introverted leaders land $150K+ roles and elevate their personal brand without endless networking | Certified Executive Coach | Top 20 Career Coach & Top 20 LinkedIn Top Voice in Canada | 400+ client wins

Hitting “Post” changed everything.
For months, I doubted myself.
I wasn’t sure my voice belonged on LinkedIn.

But one day, I pushed past the fear and pressed “Post.”
That single moment set everything in motion.

Fast forward 4 years:

▪️ 50M+ post views
▪️ 63K+ followers
▪️ 400+ client wins
▪️ 50+ media features (LinkedIn News, Globe & Mail, Fortune, CTV, Rogers TV)
▪️ 100+ workshops and speaking engagements
▪️ Multiple awards for LinkedIn + career coaching
▪️ And earlier this year, I went full-time in my business

Yesterday, I stood on the WBE Canada conference stage sharing my story, all because of one decision to show up.

The moment you stop hiding your voice, your world starts to open.
Small acts of courage create life-changing opportunities.

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If building your brand on LinkedIn is a goal for you, grab the LinkedIn Profile Cheat Sheet + Masterclass here: https://lnkd.in/enku2cRc

I learned the hard way that no visibility means no opportunities.

At an old job, there was an unwritten rule:
The more junior you were, the further back you sat.

As an introvert, I loved it.
Hiding felt safe.
Even after I became a manager, I still sat at the back.

Then one day, I started hearing a question I didn’t expect:
 “Where is Lissa?”

That was my wake-up call.
I realized people couldn’t recognize my leadership if they couldn’t even see me.

So I did the thing I had been avoiding, I moved to the front of the room.
It felt uncomfortable at first.

But the more I showed up, the more I stopped questioning whether I belonged there.

Here’s what changed:
 👉🏽 Embracing imperfection: Confidence grows through action, not perfection.
 👉🏽 Celebrating wins: Big or small, acknowledging progress builds momentum.
 👉🏽 Borrowing confidence: Pulling strength from the parts of my life where I already excelled.

Your leadership can’t grow if you’re hiding.

If this resonates, you’ll love Leading Quietly, my weekly newsletter with unconventional leadership strategies for introverted managers and directors.
Join 3K+ readers here → https://lnkd.in/enku2cRc

I've missed birthdays, family events and get-togethers.
Because there was an “important” meeting or conference.

Recently, my husband’s cousin was graduating in Windsor.
When I looked at my calendar, it was full: deadlines, client calls, prep for upcoming speaking gigs.

For a moment, I almost said, “I can’t go.”
Then I stopped.
Because there’s always something to be busy about.

I decided this year, I no longer want to be the person who misses the moments that actually matter.

So, I closed the laptop.
Dropped work for three days.
And celebrated with family.

Work will always find its way back to your to-do list.
 But time with loved ones doesn’t come twice.

Being quiet shouldn’t put your career at a disadvantage.
But in many workplaces, volume still wins over value.

I’ve watched brilliant introverts get passed over,
while louder, less qualified colleagues moved ahead.

And the data says the same thing:
 🟡 65% of executives think introverts aren’t strong leaders
 🟡 Only 2% of senior roles are held by introverts
 🟡 Introverts earn $12K less per year on average

That used to be me.
I had the skills, just not the visibility.

Everything changed when I stopped trying to be louder…
and built a personal brand aligned with my real strengths.

Now I help other introverted managers and directors do the same:
 👉🏽 Average $36K salary increases
 👉🏽 Promotions into leadership roles
 👉🏽 More clarity, confidence, and opportunities

Introversion isn’t a limitation.
It becomes an advantage when you learn to leverage it.

Ready to uncover your most marketable introvert strengths?
Take the free quiz → https://lnkd.in/e8TsqSz5

Raise your hand to speak.
Wait your turn to be called.
That’s what we were all taught in school.

But in the workplace, that same habit can make you invisible.
Doing great work quietly doesn’t guarantee recognition.

If you don’t speak up, someone else will fill the silence.

Here’s how to change that:
1️⃣ Own your accomplishments.
 Stop downplaying your impact. Self-promotion isn’t arrogance, it’s awareness.

2️⃣ Be proactive, not patient.
Don’t wait for others to notice your value. Market yourself the same way companies market great products.

3️⃣ Leverage your relationships.
Build authentic connections. People promote and support those they know, like, and trust.

You don’t have to shout to be seen.
You just have to speak with clarity, confidence, and intention.

If you’re a quiet leader ready to grow your influence without changing who you are. Join my Leading Quietly newsletter for weekly strategies for introverted managers and directors.

 👉🏾 Join here: https://lnkd.in/enku2cRc

I know what it feels like to be the first.
Because I am that first.

The first in my family to:
👉🏽 Be born in Canada
👉🏽 Earn a degree
👉🏽 Build a career in the public service

But being “the first” isn’t just a milestone, it’s a responsibility.
There’s no playbook or safety net.
You’re expected to lead the way, even while still finding your own footing.

That’s why I started WeApply, to make sure other “firsts” don’t have to do it alone.

This year, I’ve worked with incredible clients who’ve rewritten their stories:

▪️Amanda received 2 job offers and finally stepped into her Senior Director role.
▪️Shawna earned a $25K promotion + a 5% procurement incentive bonus.
▪️Antonio, a VP once labeled as “too quiet,” by his CEO, transformed his communication and leadership presence through coaching after a tough performance review.

Each of them shared one thing in common: they’re also all “firsts.”

Being the first takes courage.
But your courage becomes someone else’s roadmap.

👉🏾 I am hosting 'How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)' on Dec 7 at 3pm. 
Join us here >>> https://lnkd.in/gv5EdJcP

Bad managers don’t always realize they’re bad. 
Some are doing their best, but they’re leading with blind spots no one ever told them about.

So here’s what your team wishes they could say out loud:

1. Stop trying to control everything. 

You don’t need to be in every meeting or copied on every email. 
Set the goals, and trust people to get things done.

2. Stop taking all the credit. 

Your team sees when their work is minimized so you can look good. 
Recognition builds loyalty and silence destroys it.

3. Stop setting impossible expectations. 

Long hours aren’t a badge of honour. 
Respect your team’s capacity and protect their time.

4. Stop preaching what you don’t practice. 

Accountability, transparency, respect go both ways. 
Lead by example, not by pressure.

When leaders grow in self-awareness, teams grow in trust.
And trust is what turns good managers into great ones.

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P.S. I am hosting 'How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)' on Dec 7 at 3pm.  Join us here >>> https://lnkd.in/gv5EdJcP

I’ll take any job.
That was my mindset during the lowest point of my career.

I had 20+ versions of my résumé, sending out hundreds of applications, hoping something would stick.

The stress was real and the silence was louder.
I was getting no call backs or interviews.

Then I did the opposite of what I thought I should do.
Instead of applying to everything, I narrowed my focus:
▪️ Specific industry
▪️ Targeted employers
▪️ Clear role fit

Suddenly, I wasn’t just another applicant.
I was the solution to their problem.

Within weeks, I landed the right role.
That role led to 5 promotions in less than 8 years.

I’ve taught the same approach to 400+ clients.

When you stop applying to everything, you start standing out for the right things.

On December 7 at 3pm, I am hosting a free webinar sharing my 3-Step System for Introverted Managers & Directors to Land $150K+ Roles
>>> https://lnkd.in/gCmMSxJ2

The moment you start comparing your growth, you stop honoring it.
Too often, we chase validation instead of transformation.

But real growth looks different.
It’s intentional and often unseen.

It happens when you stop trying to please everyone and start focusing on who you’re becoming.

You don’t need to compete to evolve. 
Grow for yourself, not for their applause.

She returned from maternity leave to a job that no longer felt like the one she left.

The support was gone.
The workload doubled.

Somehow, she was expected to “catch up” overnight.
They were penalizing her for taking maternity leave.
Her boss said "we have to make up for the lost time"...

That was the moment she knew something had to change.

Together, 
▪️we rebuilt her confidence 
▪️clarified her value, and 
▪️created an exit strategy that didn’t force her to start over or sacrifice the career she had worked so hard for.

A few weeks into working together she landed a new role on a healthier team at her company.

Her career didn’t stall because she became a mom.
It grew because she stopped shrinking for an environment that no longer deserved her.

You don’t have to stay where you’re undervalued.

I’ve helped 400+ professionals leave toxic workplaces, land promotions, and transition into roles that recognize their worth.

If you’re ready to stop waiting and start moving, let’s talk → https://lnkd.in/gyGrMWVg

This year, I’ve spent more time building behind the scenes than celebrating in public.
But every quiet season plants seeds.

And those seeds grew into recognition this year I never expected:
▪️ Top 15 Career Coach in Ottawa 
▪️ Top 20 LinkedIn Top Voice in Canada
▪️ Top 20 LinkedIn Career Creator in Canada
▪️ Top 20 Career Coach in Canada 

Next up: This week, I’ll be leading a workshop at the WBE Canada National Conference.
Topic: Building Your Business on LinkedIn.

If you’ll be there live, come say hello at WeApply Canada Inc.'s booth.

Keep planting. Keep showing up.
The results and recognition will find you.

I’ve seen ideas die in meeting rooms.
But this one didn’t.

I still remember the day Karla Briones shared her vision for helping immigrant entrepreneurs.

Back then, it was just a spark, a belief.
Fast-forward to today: that spark has become a movement.

Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada has changed countless lives, and I’ve met entrepreneurs who credit the community for the momentum that shifted their entire journey.

Next weekend, I’ll be joining them as a keynote speaker, sharing how building a personal brand helped me grow my side hustle into a six-figure business.

It’s a full-circle moment.

Never underestimate where one idea can lead.
What you start today could become the thing that changes someone else’s future.

Things we are no longer doing as introverts in 2026 👇🏾

🚫 Avoid networking at all costs

No more awkward encounters or forced interactions. 

We're now networking with intention, on our terms and building meaningful connections.

🚫 Stay quiet in meetings because you feel like you don't have anything to say

No more silence in meetings because we fear our ideas aren't worth sharing. 

We're preparing ahead, asking impactful questions, and sharing our unique insights. Our voices matter.

🚫 Getting passed up for promotions because we're quiet

This will be the year you'll stop being overlooked for that promotion because you're "quiet." 

We are confidently advocating for ourselves and sharing our accomplishments.

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Ready to learn how to leverage your introverted strengths at work?

Join 3K+ quiet leaders and founders who have taken the Introvert At Work Quiz >>> https://lnkd.in/e8TsqSz5

It’s here!! 🎉

My next live masterclass → How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview).

If you’ve been landing interviews but not the offer, this is for you.

I’ve coached 400+ senior professionals and managers, and the pattern is always the same:
 👉 The problem isn’t skill.
 👉 It’s visibility, positioning, and communication.

That’s why I created this masterclass to teach you the exact system my clients use to land $150K+ roles.

In this 60-min masterclass, you’ll learn how to:
✦ Turn visibility into interviews and offers
✦ Position yourself as a six-figure leader through your résumé, LinkedIn, and brand story
✦ Interview using a simple storytelling methods

Join us on December 7 at 3pm ET
 >>> Register here: https://lnkd.in/gv5EdJcP

View event: How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)

How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)

Most high-achievers aren’t stuck because they lack talent.
They’re stuck because they’re waiting for permission to lead.

That was my client, an introverted director.
Brilliant, capable, and hard-working but quietly hoping someone would finally “notice.”

She considered another degree to feel “ready.”
She stayed quiet in meetings.
She second-guessed herself even when she knew the answer.

Her problem wasn’t skill.
It was the fear of being seen, being wrong, or not being perfect.
Something I see often after coaching 100s of introverted leaders into senior roles.

Then one day, she watched a colleague say exactly what she had been thinking and get all the credit.
That moment changed everything.

In coaching, we dismantled the real barriers:
▪️Fear of visibility
▪️Perfectionism
▪️Self-doubt

She learned to communicate with clarity and stop shrinking herself.

6 months later, she’s leading a team with confidence
and her boss says it’s the highest-performing team they’ve seen since joining the company.

She didn’t need permission.
She needed to step into the leader she already was.

If you’re done waiting for someone else to validate your leadership potential,  and ready to step into the role you’ve already earned. Let’s talk!

👉🏾 Book a discovery call: https://lnkd.in/gyGrMWVg

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