In boardrooms and procurement offices across the country, Tiffani Barton has built a reputation as a strategist who delivers. With more than a decade of experience selling to government entities, she has scaled contracts into the nine figures, sold nearly two billion dollars in goods and services, and partnered with public officials to address some of the toughest challenges facing cities, schools, and counties.
But ask Barton what really drives sustainable success, and her answer may surprise you: self-awareness.
“Too many of us, especially women, try to lead others without first understanding ourselves,” Barton says. “We put on a brave face at work, but inside we’re battling patterns that hold us back. Until you do the inner work, you’ll likely feel like you’re building on sand.”
Barton speaks from experience. Despite her outward success in public sector sales, her personal life was once shaped by disempowerment and self-doubt. That all came to a halt when she faced a debilitating illness that left her shaken to her core. The recovery process required her to confront the foundation she had built her life upon and rebuild it, this time with strength, clarity, and purpose.
That rebuilding process ultimately led to her book, SHED, which offers women a guide to self-leadership and empowerment. Through her mentorship programs, Barton now teaches women the skills she had to gradually learn herself: how to negotiate, how to set boundaries, and how to show up fully for themselves in every room they enter.
Tiffani’s mission has grown alongside her career. She now leads online workshops, group mentorship sessions, and partners with professional groups and networks to help women bring self-awareness into leadership. Through her Blueprint mentorship program, she teaches practical strategies that connect personal growth with on-the-job performance. Women who join her program learn how to negotiate with confidence, communicate with purpose, and lead from a grounded sense of self rather than fear.
Photo Courtesy: Tiffani Barton
Her sessions are often described as feeling less like lectures and more like conversations: open, honest, and rooted in lessons from high-stakes corporate life. Barton also joins panels and virtual events, sharing her insights on people skills, workplace boundaries, and what it means to lead yourself before leading others. Many of her clients describe her coaching style as direct yet supportive, combining candor with care.
What makes Barton’s approach stand out is her belief that real change does not require a complete overhaul. It begins with one honest decision at a time. She reminds her clients that growth is not about perfection but progress. “When women start leading themselves first,” she says, “they no longer wait for permission and can start creating the opportunities they deserve.”
It is no coincidence that these same lessons seem to resonate in her corporate career. Whether navigating dense stacks of government contracts or mentoring women through her Blueprint program, Barton’s approach is rooted in the same principle: clarity creates power. “When you know who you are and what you stand for, you stop wasting time on noise,” she says. “You may make decisions faster, lead with more confidence, and inspire others to do the same.”
For Barton, empowerment is not about slogans. It is about building habits that can withstand real pressure, whether it’s a multimillion-dollar contract for a school district or a woman learning to say “no” for the first time without apology.
Her message is simple: self-awareness is not optional. It is the cornerstone of leadership. “I’ve seen women experience transformation in their careers and lives when they start leading themselves first,” she says. “And when women rise, everyone rises.”
In both sales and mentorship, Barton continues to prove that success is not just about strategy, it’s about strength of character. And that is a lesson worth spreading.
Connect with Tiffani Barton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffanibarton
Disclaimer: The content shared in this article reflects the personal experiences and insights of Tiffani Barton. Any claims or statements made regarding leadership, self-awareness, or empowerment are based on her perspective and should not be considered as universal guarantees of success. Results may vary depending on individual circumstances. Always conduct your own research or consult with a professional for advice tailored to your specific needs.
