The Authentic Leader: Cece Ojany-Bekhor’s Approach to Coaching & Life

Africa’s 10 Most Influential Women Leaders to Follow in 2025

Cece Ojany-Bekhor, Managing Director and Accredited Coach at The Main Protagonist Coaching, shares her path into coaching and leadership development with a mix of nostalgia and passion. Read on to uncover what drives Cece to do the transformative work of helping leaders and their teams elevate their lives.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in coaching and leadership development?

I began in the corporate world, and from the start, when I attended trainings, I got immense value. I thought: these are the deeper conversations I want to engage in more. I appreciated what I was learning, and I valued getting to know my colleagues, seeing that we’re all just human beings with complex lives. That often gets lost in the busyness of day-to-day work.

When I shifted careers and worked for a founder, I decided to act on this desire. I found a reputable coaching institute, and for 2 years, I studied while working my 9-to-6. Once I got accreditation, I took the plunge and started my coaching and training practice. I told myself that if this didn’t work in 18 months, I’d go back to employment. That was 11 years ago.

Anyone can get a coaching accreditation, but many don’t end up working in this space because you need to be the kind of person who’s genuinely interested in humans, our stories, and helping others solve problems. Teaching is also in my blood. Both my dad and granddad were teachers. It’s an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time and life.

2. How do you balance your personal life with your professional responsibilities?

It’s less about time management and more about managing one’s energy. Rather than “balance,” I sought work-life integration. So, I don’t split myself into “work Cece” and “home Cece.” You use up a lot of energy being different people in different situations. What helps conserve energy is being authentic. I’ll bump into clients (the ones based in Nairobi or visiting) when I’m out and about, e.g., in a shopping mall, and I don’t need to hide. They meet the same Cece even in that context.

I also understand that everything starts with your thoughts & beliefs (the first law of the universe: everything is mind). So, I choose clients, business partners, and even friends mindfully because I can’t afford to be around drainers. It’s too costly. I was also very careful when choosing my husband! We dated for many years before marriage. I wanted someone with whom we could be mutually supportive.

I also give myself permission to say a polite, firm “no” if I see that spending my time in a certain way won’t work for me. I’m very active on social media because I want people to see that I practice what I preach. The goal is to inspire. I do go for long walks in the local forest. I also give myself permission to go on vacations with my daughter. When I travel with clients, I do give myself extra days for relaxation and sightseeing.

I seek coaching and therapy when needed. I’m open about this because it’s important for leaders to remember our humanity. I used to be very hard on myself, a bit of perfectionist syndrome — it makes life difficult. Also, trying to figure everything out by yourself is hard. Ask for help — pay for it if you must. It’ll save you a lot of time. I talk about this in my memoir, and many readers said they resonated with a lot that I shared, especially on topics like this.

3. What are some personal values that guide your leadership style?

Authenticity, fun, creativity, and effectiveness are some of my values. They make my life easier. I’m human, and I remember that I’m working with another human being — someone with goals, fears, responsibilities. I make workshops effective and enjoyable. Spending three days in a room teaching and learning can be hard work for everyone unless you incorporate fun, interactivity, and fresh ideas.

I respect people’s time, so when we engage, I want you to get value and insights that will actually enhance your career, business, and home life. I value collaboration with committed professionals. Even with business partners, I want the engagement to be fruitful.

It’s part of that energy management I mentioned earlier. The days get long and hard if we’re draining rather than energizing each other. I also value growth. “Physician, heal thyself” means to take your own medicine too. So, I consistently work on my own growth and elevation. Coaches who don’t do this can spill their own stuff onto clients.

I’d say this is one reason I have such diverse clients — different nationalities, industries, genders. A respect and interest in humanity is at the center of my work. I believe it’s a natural outcome of also prioritizing well-being.

4. What has been your most significant professional achievement to date, and what did you learn from that experience?

I’m happy to say there’ve been a few because I value taking calculated risks. I recently wrote and self-published my first book, which is available now in stores. That was cathartic and nerve-wracking. It’s an educational memoir, so I tell my stories and share different perspectives for the reader to think about for their own life adventure.

The big thing, however, was leaving employment and starting my own business full-time. I’m elated to say that the business still achieves its goal: helping leaders elevate their lives. I’ve learned so much — and still do. One of the wisest decisions I made early on was admitting that I know how to be an employed leader, but I don’t know how to be a self-employed leader. “I don’t know, and I’m willing to learn” is a powerful statement. So, I invested in business coaching early on. My first coaches gave me sage advice: running a business will be harder than being employed, so you’ve got to love this if you want to last in the game.

I also invested in sales coaching and training. I love sales! Knowing that a person will only improve their situation if you help them buy what they need is a very powerful approach to sales. One coach even said selling is healing (because it solves the problem). I agree.

The biggest learning, though, has been this: oftentimes, it’s just you (your thoughts and beliefs) getting in the way. This can be difficult to admit to oneself. Which is how coaching becomes helpful. Getting you to think differently about yourself, your worth, changing how you view your past and what’s possible for your future. My own coaches have been instrumental in my life, and I’m thankful that my clients say the same about the work we do together.

5. What was a major challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

There’ve been a few over the years — ha-ha! All part of the life adventure though, right? One was the burnout so many of us started to experience during the Covid years and the aftermath. It hit me too. Work was going great (I’d been working remotely since 2019, I was working on the book, which was a very exciting project). But then, one day I stopped looking forward to client sessions — and started feeling really drained after. That unnerved me, if I’m honest because I love what I do.

I got through things by asking for help. With this particular experience, it was in therapy that I learned that my well-being routine had remained the same, even though stress levels had increased. But when stress goes up, you have to up the well-being routine (in terms of time it’s given and the activities engaged in). A lot has to be paused. You say, “My mental and physical health are the priority.” And if that means disappointing some people — then so be it. This can be hard for committed leaders to do because you feel you need to be there for others, to be the exemplar. So, without realizing it, I too fell into that hole.

You might think, “Well, as a coach, you should know this, Cece.” But those years were a new thing for us all. Admitting this gave me the courage to tell clients to be kind to themselves too. Life can slap you in the face. It doesn’t always mean you’re doing something wrong. It’s just part of the life adventure. I talk a lot about this too in the book.

I’m happy to say such experiences have made me more committed to self-love and self-care. I believe it’s one reason clients enjoy our time together. I help you get to where you want to go without judgment. I offer you the grace I give to myself. Getting through that tough time is one reason I believe I’m excited about 2025 and the future.

6. How do you ensure that your clients stay motivated and aligned with their goals?

There’s a lot for a coach to do in the background if a client is to succeed. That’s why it’s important to get the accreditation and to understand the business side of things so that you can be fully present for your client. Too many coaches don’t practice what they preach, people see this, and it’s one reason many people are still skeptical about the industry and the effectiveness of coaching.

Some things that help me in my work include:

  1. To be working on my own stuff too: Are you a coach who also receives coaching? And if no, why not? You’re human too, and if you’re not careful, your “stuff” (e.g., judgments and triggers) can get in the way of a productive coaching session. Sharing my own experiences, where relevant, I have found also builds trust and rapport. My coaches did the same for me. I prefer not to have sessions that feel too transactional.
  2. Developing the capacity to listen for what’s not being said (but is influencing the client’s mindset) and to hold space — i.e., allow the client to be themselves with you, emotions and all, without fear of judgment. A client should not feel the need to posture with their coach. Come as you are. I invite clients to be totally honest about their desires — no matter how unconventional. I’ve had clients create their own compelling job descriptions, sell that, and get a yes from their future employer. If you genuinely want the goal, you’ll stay the course.
  3. Honoring the client’s unique personality and co-developing strategies and tactics that resonate. If the client prefers to think and then talk, I’m fine with moments of silence during sessions. If the client is verbose, that’s acceptable too. Not everyone likes yoga. If you prefer bike rides as exercise, do that. There’s no right or wrong. The powerful question is: does this work for me? Again, if it speaks to you, you’ll most likely stay the course. It helps if your coach understands that.
  4. Giving grace: If the client is stuck, the coach can’t assume it’s because they’re not committed. It’s for you to help the client get to the bottom of what the block is.
  5. Keep your own tools sharp: Ongoing professional development is essential if your work is to remain fresh and effective. I work with very smart people, so this is a must for me.

7. What initiatives are you involved in that support and inspire future generations?

My open workshops and events are free to attend and have high-quality content. People get surprised by this; however, it’s a deliberate strategy. I’ve kept it this way for years. “Open” means any leader can attend (organizational workshops are closed to members of that particular organization or team).

I get to do what I love — teaching and engaging in meaningful, rich conversations. I get to meet interesting, diverse leaders doing impactful work. This inspires me and also helps me grow my network and following. As part of social impact and responsibility, I’ll also say “yes” to invitations to teach and train younger professionals, at no charge, at organizations like Rotary.

I get to share with people the value of receiving coaching and training — something that has greatly helped me in my life. People also get a chance to meet me and work with me for the long term, either individually or via the organizations they work for.

8. What advice do you have for aspiring leaders in your industry?  

I would advise to take a five-step approach. Firstly, get accreditation from a reputable organization. Even if you know your stuff already (e.g., you’re a business coach with experience running a profitable business), accreditation helps you learn how to coach others. Second, take the time to learn what your preferred style and area of focus are. Coaching is a broad industry.

Thirdly, be open and responsive — your ideal clients may not look like what you initially thought. Fourth, take the time to develop your own unique coaching programs. It’s good for your own professional development. Last but not least, seek business coaching to help you with the business side of things, including how to remain authentic (this is part of your USP), and also seek coaching for your life outside of work. In other words, take the medicine too.

You can reach Cece at:

www.themainprotagonist.com

www.linkedin.com/in/ceceojany

Social media: @coach_ceceojany