Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Cole.
Hi Joshua, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey in education began in Detroit, where I taught in a high-need school and saw firsthand how powerful caring adults can be in shaping a child’s future. That experience grounded my belief that when people feel seen, valued, and supported, they can overcome extraordinary obstacles. I later continued this work in Chesterfield County Public Schools as both a teacher and principal, striving to build school communities where every student and educator could thrive. During that time, I was deeply honored to receive the Milken Educator Award, a moment that affirmed both the impact of our collective work and my commitment to educational excellence.
My career eventually expanded beyond a single school system. Through leadership roles in higher education, including serving as Executive Director of Strategic Engagement where I completed my doctoral research at Virginia Commonwealth University. My work focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion and on helping institutions better serve all learners. I have also worked in and partnered with nonprofit organizations across the country to support leaders working to strengthen their communities.
Along the way, I became an author as another way to extend this work. My leadership book, Clearing Your Road: A Parable of Educational Leadership, shares lessons about removing barriers that keep us from becoming our best selves, while my children’s books, The Character Club: It’s Time to Power Up! and Meet the Character Club are designed to help young people develop character, confidence, and social-emotional skills in ways they can understand and apply.
Today, I lead my own organization, A NEW Angle, where I provide leadership coaching, professional development, and keynote presentations. My work centers on empowering people to be their authentic selves so they can live out their purpose, whether they are individuals seeking clarity, teams navigating change, or organizations working to grow in meaningful ways. Looking back, each step of my journey has been guided by faith and desire to help others grow, lead with integrity, and create positive ripple effects in the lives of those they serve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. In many ways, some of the work I’ve felt most called to do has also been the most challenging. As a white, cisgender male leading diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism efforts, I have often encountered skepticism from critics, internal self-doubt, and moments of imposter syndrome. At times, I have also experienced the loss of positions due to shifting priorities, budget constraints, or the scaling back of DEI initiatives, difficult moments that forced me to reflect, recalibrate, and recommit to my purpose. Carrying the stories, needs, and pain of others can lead to compassion fatigue, which has at times been emotionally exhausting.
What has sustained me through those seasons is both perspective and purpose. My wife and our two sons, Silas (8) and Levi (7), are my greatest sources of strength. Silas lives with a rare genetic condition called Weidemann-Steiner Syndrome, and watching him navigate the world with courage, persistence, and joy has deepened my understanding of what true inclusion means; not as a concept, but as a daily practice. Levi, in his own way, leads with remarkable empathy and emotional awareness, constantly reminding me of the power of kindness and human connection. Together, their strengths inspire me to keep growing and to be the best version of myself for them, my family, and the communities I serve. I feature both of them in my book “Meet the Character Club” as 2 of the 17 superhero kids based on their character traits.
These experiences have also shaped my leadership philosophy. I believe authentic servant leadership is about building systems that recognize and cultivate people’s strengths, gifts, and talents; not just fixing problems but helping individuals and organizations become who they are capable of being. Rather than allowing obstacles to harden me, they have refined my empathy, resilience, and clarity of purpose. Ultimately, the challenges have become motivators, pushing me to lead with authenticity, compassion, and hope, and to work toward communities where every person feels valued and has the opportunity to live out their purpose.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a teacher. I’ve had the privilege of working with learners from Pre-K through PhD doctoral programs, and that experience has helped me realize that no matter our age or title, we are all trying to figure out who we are, what we’re meant to do, and how to live with purpose. Today, through my organization, A NEW Angle, I provide leadership coaching, professional development, and keynote presentations designed to help individuals, teams, and organizations reconnect with their purpose and redefine success in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
I specialize in growth strategies at the individual, team, and organizational levels. That might look like coaching a leader navigating change, facilitating professional learning for educators, or helping an organization align its culture with its values. What people often say sets my work apart is that it’s both practical and deeply personal and that I provide concrete tools, skills, and frameworks, but I also create space for honest reflection so people can take aligned action and grow with intention. Ultimately, my focus is on empowering people to become their authentic selves and live out their purpose, wherever they are on their journey.
I’m also an author, and my books are extensions of that mission. My leadership book, Clearing Your Road: A Parable of Educational Leadership, is especially meaningful to me because it’s rooted in seven lessons I learned from my grandfather. The story unfolds as a parable, inviting readers to reflect on what may be blocking their own road, whether that’s fear, expectations, burnout, or self-doubt, and to clear a path forward with courage and integrity. Leaders across sectors have told me that the story feels both deeply personal and universally applicable, which is exactly what I hoped for.
My children’s books grew from a similar desire to reach people earlier in their journey. Meet the Character Club offers families and educators a creative way to talk with children about the social and emotional skills we all need to thrive with skills like empathy, perseverance, teamwork, and self-belief. Through relatable characters and storytelling, the book helps kids recognize the unique gifts and “superpowers” they already possess, encouraging them to define success not by comparison, but by who they are becoming.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition such as the Milken Educator Award and to partner with schools, nonprofits, and organizations across the country. But what I’m most proud of isn’t any single accomplishment, it’s the moments when someone says, “I see things differently now,” or “I feel more like myself again.” Those are the impact moment that matter.
If there’s one thread that connects everything I do (coaching, speaking, writing, and teaching) it’s a belief that people don’t need to become someone else to succeed. They need the courage, clarity, and support to become more fully who they already are. Helping people do that is both my work and my calling.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe the choices we make about who we surround ourselves with matter tremendously. Mentorship and networking aren’t just about advancing your career, they’re about shaping your mindset, your character, and ultimately your trajectory in life. My advice is to focus on what you can control: your effort, your attitude, your openness to learning, and the environments you choose to step into. There will always be negativity, noise, and people who doubt what’s possible. Don’t let that pull you off course. Seek out people who challenge you to grow, who tell you the truth with care, and who model the kind of life and leadership you aspire to.
I also don’t believe mentorship has to come from just one person. In fact, some of the most meaningful guidance in my life has come from a network of mentors to include people who influenced me in different ways at different times in my life. In my book Clearing Your Road, the section “Joshua’s Journey” highlights more than a dozen individuals who shaped my path through their wisdom, encouragement, or example. Some were formal mentors, others were colleagues, family members, or leaders I simply observed closely. Together, they helped clear obstacles I could not have moved alone.
What has worked well for me is approaching relationships with humility and genuine curiosity rather than asking, “What can this person do for me?” Instead, I try to ask, “What can I learn here, and how can I contribute?” Mentorship is most powerful when it becomes mutual and when it’s grounded in trust, respect, and shared growth.
Ultimately, if you want to grow, be intentional about your circle. Spend time with people who expand your thinking, strengthen your character, and remind you of who you want to become. Over time, those relationships don’t just influence your success they shape your purpose.
Pricing:
- Free Coaching Consultations: www.joshuapcole.com and service packages based on needs
- Clearing Your Road: $12.95
- Meet the Character Club: $9.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joshuapcole.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuapcole/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuapcole/
