In organisations becoming increasingly automated, the human element is no longer a given: it is what keeps leadership grounded, coherent, and trusted. As the founder of gifted, a global initiative rooted in authentic growth, and a seasoned coach who has worked with leaders across the UN to private institutions, Salimatou’s journey reflects how deep self-awareness, resilience, and alignment can change lives starting with your own.
Strengthening Identity and Coherence in the Workplace
Salimatou’s work goes far beyond surface-level coaching. She believes that many high-achievers, including leaders, struggle silently with internal misalignment that affects their presence, clarity and confidence. Through gifted, she creates safe, grounded spaces for individuals to reconnect with themselves, shed limited and inherited patterns, and build real coherence between who they are and how they lead (in some cases, this implies addressing deeper wounds that overshadow their identity).
Many renowned experts and recent research have confirmed what Salimatou sees in her work: even high-functioning individuals often carry unresolved patterns that block their full presence. “My work is about going to the root of what blocks someone’s confidence and sense of direction “below the iceberg,” she explains. Her approach isn’t about “quick fixes”. Instead, it is built on rigorous psychological frameworks, a combination of coaching, training and science-backed models, and deep understanding of human psychology.
What Is gifted?
gifted isn’t just a coaching platform; it’s an innovative approach to identity and leadership. It is based on the gifted™ proprietary model and six transformative pillars, neurosciences and adult learning principles, all integrated towards human transformation. At its core, gifted helps individuals (especially adults and leaders navigating setbacks) understand their inner operating modes and patterns (emotional,
relational and decision-making) so they can show up more fully for themselves and others. What makes gifted different is its blend of identity-based focus, trauma-informed support, mindset expansion, and holistic development.It is designed for people who don’t just want apparent success; but want to feel deeply confident and aligned.
Salimatou says, “I often work with people who already have a lot of knowledge, but they feel stuck in embodying it. That’s where gifted comes in, to help them bridge the gap between knowing, and being.
Working With the UN and Global Institutions
Salimatou’s philosophy has made its way into prestigious environments, including the United Nations, NGOs, global education and leadership programs. She has supported individuals navigating high-pressure environments, helped leaders clarify their purpose, and seeks to bring personal journeys and emotional fluency into leadership capabilities.
Her work is both personal and systemic: “One cannot lead well if they are disconnected from their own needs, emotions, and power. When clients reclaim that connection, everything shifts personally and professionally.”
A New Definition of Strength
For Salimatou, strength isn’t about suppressing emotions or personal stories, it is about how to integrate them with authenticity and integrity. She believes the most effective leaders are those who have done the inner work: “Like many, I had glorified hyper-independence and overachievement. True leadership means being grounded, self-aware, and compassionate, and most of all, aligned.”
In her programs and 1:1 sessions, Salimatou focuses on transformation, helping clients navigate setbacks, fear, anxiety or burnout so they can step into deeper confidence and peace.
From Healing to Impact
Her journey hasn’t been linear. Like many of the people she serves, Salimatou has faced personal hardships, periods of identity loss/misalignment, and deep introspection. What makes her work so powerful is how much of it comes from lived experience.
“I had to unlearn a lot of things that kept me stuck. That is why I created gifted, and what we offer: a path to make sense of one’s identity, to build stronger, more resilient, aligned leadership, Her story isn’t just about success. It is about what happens when you finally come home to yourself and use that clarity to uplift others.
Empowering Others to Reclaim Themselves
Whether she is leading a group session, mentoring a young leader, or speaking to a room of global changemakers, Salimatou brings the same intention: to help others reconnect with their own story, path and identity. Her training and coaching sessions are known for being both nurturing and challenging. Participants leave not just with insight but with tools, practices, and breakthroughs that happen to change their lives.
Looking Ahead: A Movement of Identity-based Leadership
Salimatou envisions a future where leadership is less about titles and more about embodiment. Through gifted, she is building a global community that normalizes the integration of personal and professional identities, wellbeing, growth, and self-trust. And as the demand for emotionally intelligent leadership rises, her voice and vision are more important than ever.
Conclusion
Salimatou’s work reminds us that reclaiming our power doesn’t come from pushing harder; it comes from pausing, healing, and coming back to who we truly are. Through gifted, she supports adults and leaders across the world with one mission: to rebuild confidence, resilience, and inner clarity from the inside out.
Salimatou Baldé is a transformational coach, resilience architect, and founder of gifted, With over a decade of experience in education, learning, and development, she has led powerful programs for individuals ranging from marginalized youth to United Nations leaders. Salimatou is also the author of Shard. — Wounds to Warrior, a novel on identity and transformation, and a passionate advocate for trauma-informed, neuroscience-based leadership development.
Step into her world of transformation—read “Shard — Wounds to Warrior” now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6NFR5BV
