Q. What inspired you to start Total Consulting and Mentoring Collective LLP? A. Total Consulting and Mentoring Collective LLP (TCMC) was born from a desire to give back. After 25+ years in hospitality and education across geographies and leadership roles, I realized my true joy came from mentoring and guiding people. Whether as a GM at Marriott or Group CEO at The Lexicon Group, the best part was seeing individuals and organizations unlock their potential. TCMC bridges strategy and soul. We partner in purpose—not just advise.
Q. How did your son help shape the name and philosophy of TCMC? A. My son Ayaan, then 9, overheard me discussing the venture and innocently asked why I don’t call it what I actually do—“Total Coaching and Mentoring Collective.” His clarity grounded our brand. As we expanded to business challenges, we updated it to Total Consulting and Mentoring Collective, keeping the heart intact. We still operate with that childlike clarity, empathy, and intent.
Q. You’ve moved from hospitality to education to luxury retail—what connects all these dots for you? A. People and experiences. In hospitality, education, and now luxury retail (with A&Co.), the desire to create meaningful impact, legacy, and emotional connection unites all my work. My upcoming book “Grit, Grace and Growth” captures this philosophy through 51 life lessons.
Q. What was the turning point to shift from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship? A. There wasn’t one big moment, but a growing inner clarity. While I led at scale, my deepest fulfillment came from human interactions. A transformative conversation with a young leader clarified my calling: entrepreneurship that focuses on transformation, not just performance. TCMC was born from that purpose.
On TCMC & Coaching Philosophy
Q. Why a four-vertical structure at TCMC? A. TCMC operates across Consulting, Branding, Training, and Coaching. True transformation isn’t siloed—it’s holistic. This model reflects how organizations grow from purpose to performance. It also mirrors my multi-industry experience.
Q. What does “strategy with soul” mean in consulting? A. It’s about combining sharp business insights with human understanding. At NADFM, for example, we built a mentoring framework blending structure with sensitivity. Lasting change happens when strategy meets empathy.
Q. How do you balance data and emotional intelligence in coaching? A. We use tools like the CLEAR framework—Context, Listening, Exploring, Action, Review. Data shows gaps; empathy bridges them. When awareness meets alignment, transformation begins.
Q. What is “destination thinking” at TCMC? A. It means aligning every action with a clear, meaningful goal. With Aciana (health tech), we didn’t just create a go-to-market strategy—we aligned their internal purpose with external impact.
Business Impact & Case Studies
Q. A transformation story from TCMC? A. With Aciana, we began with discovery: user behavior studies, stakeholder interviews, and purpose alignment. What followed was not just a GTM strategy but a complete mindset shift. Another example: “The Joy Equation”—a 12-week wellness program in hospitality combining neuroscience, mindfulness, and emotional literacy.
Q. Learnings from training IDAS officers at NADFM? A. Leadership readiness is about confidence, not just competence. Our Peer to Leader program encouraged officers to navigate transitions with authenticity. Real learning happened in moments of vulnerability and reflection.
Q. How do you customize mentoring across industries? A. We begin with listening. Every industry—health-tech, edtech, hospitality—has different needs. We don’t offer playbooks, we build pathways. Grounded, contextual, and always human.
Transitional Leadership & Growth
Q. Why do you enjoy working with leaders in transition? A. Transitions reveal true leadership. These are vulnerable moments of self-doubt and reinvention. I walk alongside leaders through that fog, helping them realign and reframe.
Q. Top mindset shifts for new leaders? A. From execution to enabling. From certainty to ambiguity. From authority to responsibility. Leadership is about service, not status.
Q. How do you grow as a mentor? A. Growth is continuous. My Master’s in Mediation and Conflict Resolution sharpened my ability to listen and hold space. Golf, writing, and prayer deepen my presence. Listening—truly listening—is my biggest teacher.
Writing, Spirituality & Balance
Q. Tell us about your book, Grit, Grace and Growth. A. It’s a collection of 51 leadership lessons drawn from life and inspired by my mother’s wisdom. It reflects how ordinary moments teach extraordinary truths. Leadership isn’t about being invincible, but about authenticity and grace.
Q. How do writing, prayer, and golf restore balance? A. Writing helps me reflect. Prayer grounds me. Golf teaches humility and presence. Together with family, they restore me for presence, not just performance.
Q. How does spirituality shape your leadership? A. Spirituality isn’t a layer—it’s a lens. My connection with His Eminence Palga Rinpoche taught me that leadership lies in presence, compassion, and calm. I try to lead from that space.
Branding & Storytelling
Q. Why does TCMC focus on storytelling? A. Stories create connection. Strategy aligns minds; stories move hearts. Our client work, brand workshops, and even my book all reflect this principle.
Q. How do you help brands find their voice? A. We begin with listening. Authentic narratives are revealed, not manufactured. For INDSRO, we translated legacy into a forward-looking identity that now anchors every touchpoint.
Q. Most common branding mistake? A. Trying to be everything to everyone. Brands must be clear, not loud. Courage to own your truth is the foundation of brand clarity.
Content, Culture & Challenges
Q. How do you stay relevant in a noisy world? A. We stay rooted in truth, not trend. For a legacy boiler brand, we repositioned them as industrial innovators through content pillars like #FuelEfficiency.
Q. What’s your approach to online engagement? A. Intentionality. We use content to start meaningful conversations. Founders, not just products, take center stage. Authenticity builds character, not just visibility.
Q. How do you maintain culture as a young firm? A. Culture is created daily. Open conversations, ownership, and staying connected to our “why” drive momentum. Our team blends industry maturity with entrepreneurial soul.
Advice & Future Vision
Q. Advice for aspiring consultants/coaches? A. Start with service. Lead with listening. Deliver with integrity. Grow through reflection. Don’t chase credentials; chase clarity.
Q. What does success mean to you now? A. Alignment. Deep impact over wide applause. Freedom to say no to what doesn’t resonate. Stillness when your purpose, work, and self are in rhythm.
Q. What’s next for you? A. Scaling with soul. TCMC is deepening its presence in health, defense, education. A&Co. is launching a spiritual timepiece. My book is launching, and the next one is underway. And I’m working towards becoming a single-handicap golfer. The goal: more presence, sharper purpose.
About Abdul Nasir Shaikh Founder & CEO of TCMC, Abdul Nasir Shaikh brings 25+ years of leadership across Marriott, The Lexicon Group, and now entrepreneurship. His upcoming book “Grit, Grace and Growth” and his luxury venture A&Co. reflect his core belief: strategy must meet soul, and leadership must be lived with clarity, humility, and purpose.
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