Leroy Roberts

Welcome and 2025 Vision

Taryell Simmons: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another episode of Rise Urban Nation, the podcast where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices shaping the future of entrepreneurship, leadership, and community. Today we have a special guest who embodies the essence of leadership, connection, and empowerment. Joining us today is Mr. Leroy Roberts himself. How are you doing today, sir?

Leroy Roberts: Thank you so much, Taryell. Amazing to be here with you and to share on this amazing platform. I am doing extremely well and happy 2025.

Taryell Simmons: Happy 2025. Hopefully you had a restful holiday weekend with the family over the holidays. What are your goals and main focus for 2025?

Leroy Roberts: First of all, Taryell, let me start by thanking you for the amazing job you are doing with Rise Urban Nation. You are doing amazing work, and when we look back on the body of your work, you will be on the right side of history. Part of my goal for 2025 is to share my message. There are so many problems out there that need addressing, and I choose to be a solution to those problems rather than just pointing them out. For anyone who wants to be successful in 2025: find a problem that aligns naturally to your skills and create solutions to solve it. Then 2025 will be amazing for you and for everyone you help.

Background, Caribbean Roots, and Purpose

Taryell Simmons: That is beautiful. You have over eighteen years of experience spanning education, law enforcement, sales, customer care, and risk management. You are director of one of London's largest credit unions, a mentor, and an advocate for financial inclusion, community impact, and leadership excellence. Tell us about your upbringing in the Caribbean and the journey that led you to where you are today.

Leroy Roberts: I consider myself privileged to be born in Jamaica, the largest Anglophone island in the Caribbean. Growing up in the Caribbean was amazing, built on strong family ties, mutual support, and community interests. It was ingrained in us from an early age that when you win, if no one else wins with you, that is not a win at all. Regarding my diverse career, Will Smith once said, forget security and live for experience. Living for experience broadens your horizon, helps you see the world from a different space, and provides life lessons that shape the person you become.

Vision and the Essence of True Leadership

Taryell Simmons: How has that diverse background shaped your perspective on leadership?

Leroy Roberts: Early in my career, I sat in a meeting with a new manager and asked what his vision was for our team. After a long pause, he said it was too early to tell. That taught me that leadership depends entirely on your ability to connect with others. People do not follow leaders they do not know, like, and trust. Many individuals hold positional authority and possess sight, but lack vision and insight. Position and sight do not make you a leader; your ability to identify your purpose and maintain a clear vision makes you a leader.

Taryell Simmons: Many organizations promote managers who execute tasks well but lack genuine leadership and interpersonal skills, leading to burnout and turnover. What challenges have tested you along your journey, and how did you overcome them?

Leroy Roberts: The greatest challenge has been having the conviction to persist when others cannot see what you see. Purposeful leaders possess deep conviction that something broken needs fixing. When I started my consulting business, people asked why clients should choose me over established gurus like John Maxwell. While fundamental principles exist, my rare and innovative perspective—shaped by my unique lived experiences—sets me apart. Just as white sunlight appears colored depending on the angle it enters the eye, my unique background allows me to provide fresh clarity and solutions.

Character, Integrity, and Mentorship from Les Brown

Taryell Simmons: What lessons from your journey are most valuable for emerging leaders?

Leroy Roberts: As the late Dr. Myles Munroe said, leadership is two things: character and integrity; everything else is fluff. In an era where artificial intelligence allows anyone to demonstrate technical proficiency, character and integrity are what make you unique and build sustainable success. You must safeguard your principles and never compromise your core values.

Taryell Simmons: You were also mentored by the legendary Les Brown. Tell us how you connected with him and how that shaped your career.

Leroy Roberts: Years ago while living in the Caribbean, I heard Les Brown's famous motivational speech, You Gotta Be Hungry. His words resonated deeply with my internal struggles, especially navigating uncharted territory without role models. I set a goal over a decade ago to learn from him, and in 2024, I manifested that vision. Working with him was a humanizing experience. He makes you feel comfortable, sees greatness in you, and embodies what true leaders do: develop and mentor others to become even greater than themselves.

Building High-Performing Teams and Emotional Intelligence

Taryell Simmons: You consult with C-suite executives on team disengagement and turnover. What strategies create high-performing, connected teams?

Leroy Roberts: Zig Ziglar said that if you help enough people get what they want, they will help you get what you want. We must reject the transactional mindset that views people only for immediate utility. When consulting with operational teams struggling with productivity, the workers consistently state that what they lack is respect, not just higher pay. Leaders must establish credibility, build trust, understand their employees' individual aspirations, and invest in their development. When morale improves, productivity naturally follows.

Taryell Simmons: What would you say to leaders who claim they are in the technology business rather than the people business?

Leroy Roberts: If they maintain that mindset, they will not survive. With artificial intelligence replacing technical tasks like routine programming, interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence are essential to retain top talent. In our consulting, we use the C3 framework: Credibility, Connection, and Catalyst for change. Leaders must also master executive presence and vocal presence—how you carry yourself and communicate your value clearly to stakeholders.

Taryell Simmons: For someone seeking to develop emotional intelligence, what is the difference between coaching and mentorship?

Leroy Roberts: Coaching provides tailored assessments and targeted roadmaps to strengthen specific areas such as empathy or social communication. Mentorship involves modeling someone who has achieved the specific path you aspire to reach. Warren Buffett famously noted that investing in his communication skills increased his value by fifty percent. Effective communication and public speaking require emotional intelligence to read a room, connect with audiences, and inspire action.

Mindset Shifts, Community Impact, and Next Steps

Taryell Simmons: What mindset shift is crucial for Black and Pan-African leaders breaking barriers globally?

Leroy Roberts: Africa Brooke, author of The Third Perspective, writes brilliantly on overcoming self-sabotage and self-censorship. The most vital mindset shift is recognizing that you are more than enough and that your unique perspective is needed at decision-making tables. Wherever your mind is, that is where your life goes. We must believe in our worth, step up, and choose mentors who embody enduring principles rather than fleeting hype.

Taryell Simmons: What upcoming projects, resources, and programs are you launching?

Leroy Roberts: I offer a free ten-step C-suite checklist for fixing team disconnection, accessible on Linktree. I am also publishing a new book in February, offering executive coaching, and launching a twelve-month virtual mastermind for leaders dedicated to business growth, health, and relationship excellence. Listeners can connect with me directly on LinkedIn.