Everyday Leadership

In this episode, Sope Agbelusi delves into intentional living, emphasising that his current lifestyle results from conscious choices aligned with his core values, goals, and aspirations rather than mere luck. 

He introduces the Decide Framework, a tool for intentional decision-making that involves defining, evaluating, considering, implementing, dedicating, and evaluating again. 

Sope shares a client's story of successfully transitioning from the tech industry to starting a non-profit, showcasing the power of overcoming fears and exploring long-held dreams.

Sope also reflects on his personal journey, from his university experience and mindset of success beyond exam results to a 20-year-old diary entry outlining his aspirations for an international, impactful career. He highlights the importance of unlearning behaviours, fears, and mindsets that no longer serve you, unlocking your gifts and talents, and unleashing your potential. 

Sope stresses the significance of patience and a growth mindset during intentional living. He also discusses the role of intentional living in his marriage, sharing how he and his wife set shared goals and values, have tough conversations when needed, and support each other's dreams and aspirations.

Takeaways

• What is Intentional Living? 

• Living from the inside out and outside in

• The D.E.C.I.D.E Framework

• The Process of Intentional Living 

• Unlearning behaviours, fears, and mindsets that no longer serve you

• Unlocking gifts and talents that are already inside you

• Unleashing your potential into your life

• Intentional Living in Marriage 

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• Email: [email protected]

When I dropped that junk off my shoulder of caring what people thought about me, it was like I'd lost two stones"

I have the pleasure of talking to someone recognised as a top 75 DEI influencer in Europe Shauna Roper, the Global Head of Inclusion and Global Functions HR at HSBC, as we discuss her journey. She co-chairs the EmpowHER program, which reached 30% of Black Heritage Women in the UK within six months and focuses on amplifying their voices and providing tools to navigate bias.

From a young age, Shauna dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but her plans changed when she became pregnant in her final year of college. She talks about how she let people's opinions rule her life and how this impacted her personal and professional growth.

Shauna shares how she lost friends when she started putting herself first and stopped being a martyr. She talks about creating a new circle, setting new boundaries, and shedding her old skin to take on a new identity through unlearning and relearning.

Shauna shares how she created a global network in HSBC's Risk and Compliance department, how data validated the unique challenges Black women face in the workplace and how she made the most of limited resources to create a purposeful and impactful program.

Throughout the episode, Shauna emphasises the power of reflection in personal and professional life and why feedback is a gift. She discusses the importance of giving feedback to friends and family in the right way and at the right time, and how to honour your role when you are on someone's personal advisory board.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to overcome adversity, free themselves from others' opinions, and make a positive impact in their personal and professional lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Motherhood and career can coexist, but it requires finding a balance and being intentional about personal growth.

• Surrounding oneself with a supportive network is crucial for personal and professional development.

• Seeking justice and advocating for others can be a driving force in one's career and personal life.

• Self-reflection is essential for growth and understanding one's values and goals.

• Let go of the need for validation from others and prioritise your own well-being and growth.

• Empower and support women through networks and programs that promote diversity and inclusion.

• Reflect on the lessons learned as a parent and prioritise open communication and nurturing relationships.

• Strive to leave a legacy of impact and change by creating sustainable models of empowerment and support.

Connect with Shauna Roper

• LinkedIn

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•  Email: [email protected]

"Too many women, in particular, are underutilised, whether by their own design or by the design of others, but there's a big disconnect."

In this episode of Everyday Leadership, we have an insightful conversation with Mary Mosope Adeyemi, a speaker, corporate trainer, career strategist, and author of the multi-award-winning book "Visibility of Visible Strengths."

She is the CEO of Visible Strengths Co. an academy that helps early career professionals curate, transition into and thrive in their purposeful, profitable and progressive careers.

Mary shares her inspiring journey from Nigeria to the UK, navigating the corporate world and eventually stepping into her true calling. Mary also highlights the need for personal growth and self-awareness to excel in the workplace. 

She worked as an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs, managing $20 bn of credit exposure, and had prior experience as a vice president at organisations such as Bank Of America.

She shares her journey of changing perspective on the workplace, transitioning to people development, finding purpose and passion, and living a legacy. Her work has impacted professionals at top-tier companies such as McKinsey & Co, Barclays, Lazard, Bank of America, PWC, and IFC.

This episode is packed with wisdom, practical advice, and inspiring quotes that will motivate you to take control of your career, embrace your uniqueness, and become the everyday leader you were meant to be.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of self-awareness and understanding one's strengths and interests in making career decisions

• The value of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth and development

• The need to overcome internal struggles and push oneself to take on new challenges

• The role of personal growth and continuous learning in achieving success Change your perspective on the workplace and see it as an enabling environment for growth and development.

• Transitioning to people development can be a fulfilling and impactful career path.

• Find your purpose and passion by prioritising self-awareness and understanding your skills, talents, and values.

• Live a legacy by being an everyday leader and leaving every place better than you found it.

• Create an enabling work environment where people can thrive and be fulfilled.

• Leadership is about positive influence and directing yourself and others towards positive outcomes.

• Work with Mary Mosope Adeyemi through conversations and prioritise self-awareness to align your career path.

• Sharing personal journeys and experiences can have a profound impact on inspiring and empowering others.

Connect with Mary Mosope Adeyemi

"I refuse to feel shame for something that I've no control over

Joanne Conway, Head of Inclusion at DLA Piper, shares her journey from a challenging childhood to a successful career in finance and diversity and inclusion. Her values of fairness and opportunity have guided her throughout her life. 

Joanne emphasises the importance of belonging and its impact on productivity and well-being. She highlights the value of hard work, taking on side projects, and seizing opportunities. Joanne challenges the myth of meritocracy and advocates for creating a more accessible infrastructure. 

She encourages focusing on what is within our control and being patient and kind to ourselves. Joanne Conway, a lecturer and school governor, shares her journey of overcoming shame and embracing her true self. She emphasises the importance of not feeling shame for things outside of our control and encourages others to do the same. Joanne discusses the lessons she has learned as a mother, including patience and picking battles. 

She also talks about the importance of taking time for self-care and reflects on her decision to leave her long-term job at EY and pursue a new role at DLA Piper. Joanne shares her superpowers, such as problem-solving and building trust, and the value she places on mentoring and sponsorship. 

She discusses her goals of finishing her PhD and publishing an article in an academic journal. Joanne's ultimate goal is to make an impact in redistributing wealth, health, education, and work opportunities to create a more equitable society. 

Key Takeaways:

• Values of fairness and opportunity can guide us in our personal and professional lives.

• Belonging is crucial for productivity and well-being.

• Hard work, taking on side projects, and seizing opportunities can lead to career growth.

• The myth of meritocracy overlooks the importance of access and support.

• Focus on what is within your control and be patient and kind to yourself. Don't feel shame for things outside of your control; celebrate who you are and what you've come through.

• Patience and picking battles are important lessons in motherhood.

• Taking time for self-care is crucial for restoring energy.

• Trust is built through authenticity, doing what you say you'll do, and supporting your team.

• Mentoring is a valuable gift that can make a difference in someone's life.

• Leadership is about getting the best out of your team, serving others, and understanding their skills and experiences.

• Joanne's goals include finishing her PhD and making an impact in redistributing wealth, health, education, and work opportunities.

Connect with Joanne Conway

• LinkedIn

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• Email: [email protected]

"Legacy means the ability to serve and create outlets that impact people beyond your contribution"

Akil Hunte is a lawyer, public speaker, socially conscious entrepreneur, consultant, author, and spoken word poet. He is on a mission to challenge the status quo and inspire the next generation of leaders on their journeys through his value-based leadership principles.

Akil Hunte shares his journey of overcoming childhood trauma and challenges to become a successful lawyer, poet, and entrepreneur. He emphasises the importance of authenticity and embracing pain as catalysts for personal growth. 

Akil also discusses the need to dispel the myth of the strong black man and create a supportive ecosystem for lawyers coming up behind him. Through his own experiences, he encourages others to tap into their emotions, share their stories, and find their own unique paths to success. In this conversation, Akil Hunte discusses his journey of building ecosystems for empowerment and creating impact. 

He shares his experiences with NRG Lawyers, a non-profit organisation that helps non-Russell Group students and graduates enter the legal field. Akil emphasises the importance of investing in leadership skills and emotional intelligence to build a strong foundation for long-term success.

He also discusses his podcast, Leading Your Legacy, and his aspirations for future endeavours, including writing books and working with organisations to support social diversity. 

Key Takeaways:

• Being shaped by his resilience, the support of his village, and his determination to defy expectations.

• Embracing authenticity and unapologetically being oneself

• The importance of building ecosystems of support, like NRG Lawyers & empowering and uplifting the next generation of diverse legal professionals.

• Why his definition of Legacy and greatness has drove him forward

• Navigating imposter syndrome, focusing on taking action and dispelling negative narratives

• Turning pain into purpose

Connect with Akil Hunte

• LinkedIn

• Akil Hunte

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• Email: [email protected]

Pilar shares her journey from university to freelancing in the music industry, highlighting the importance of following curiosity and adapting to new environments. 

She discusses the challenges of pride and rejection and the benefits and drawbacks of being a freelancer. Pilar emphasises the need for financial preparedness and the importance of understanding one's working style. 

She also shares lessons learned about cash flow management and the value of working with recognised companies.

 In this conversation, Pilar discusses her experiences in the production industry, including understanding the cost of production and the importance of being paid last and looking after your team. She also shares her transition into TV and working with ITV, as well as her role as a social creative in TV and the pressure of live tweeting and creating viral moments.

 Pilar talks about her journey into podcasting and producing a podcast, the joy of working with a great team, and the importance of saying no to full-time jobs and pursuing personal projects. She also emphasises the value of working on important and untold stories, leading by example, and trusting your team.

Key Takeaways:

• Being paid last is a common reality in the industry. It is essential to prioritise looking after your team and ensuring they are paid on time.

• Transitioning into TV and working with established networks like ITV can open new opportunities and provide valuable learning experiences.

• The role of a social creative in TV involves both creative work and live tweeting. It requires adapting to different shows, channels, and tones of voice.

• Creating viral moments and engaging content is a significant aspect of live tweeting. There is pressure to perform well and contribute to the show's success.

• Producing a podcast offers the opportunity to explore important and untold stories. It requires building a strong team and taking ownership of the production process.

• Leading by example and trusting your team are essential qualities of effective leadership. Knowing yourself thoroughly and understanding your impact on others is key.

• Building trust and having tough conversations with your team is crucial for successful collaboration and achieving the desired outcomes.

• Saying no to full-time jobs and pursuing personal projects can lead to new opportunities and allow for more creative freedom.

• Working on important and untold stories can significantly impact and shift cultures and mindsets.

Connect with Pilar Nalwimba

• LinkedIn

• Pilar Of Society

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In this episode, Sope Agbelusi celebrates his 40th birthday and reflects on his personal and professional growth journey.

This heartfelt and engaging conversation is a testament to the transformative power of love, faith, and perseverance in facing life's challenges. 

He discusses the importance of curiosity, perseverance, and commitment in his 20s and the challenges of building a family and navigating tough times. 

In his 30s, he embraced audacious goals and stepped outside his comfort zone, leading to significant achievements. He also shares the transformative power of the pause and reconnecting with oneself.

Overall, Sope's journey has been marked by embracing challenges, setting big dreams, and living authentically. In this conversation, Sope Agbelusi reflects on his life as he turns 40 and discusses his goals for the future.

He emphasises the importance of personal growth, helping others, and creating a legacy. Sope also shares how his family and friends keep him young and motivated. 

The conversation concludes with expressions of gratitude and appreciation for the support he has received.

Takeaways

• Embrace curiosity and a willingness to learn and grow.

• Persevere through challenges and commit to your goals.

• Step outside your comfort zone and embrace audacious goals.

• Take time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. Reflecting on the past can provide insights and lessons for personal growth.

• Setting goals and working towards them is essential for personal and professional development.

• Surrounding oneself with loved ones and maintaining a sense of joy and laughter can keep one young at heart.

• Expressing gratitude and appreciation for the support is important in building meaningful relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Birthday Celebration

01:16 Reflecting on the First Birthday Celebration

03:29 Navigating Challenges and Building a Family in the 20s

04:48 Learning Perseverance and Commitment in the 20s

06:18 Overcoming Challenges and Shaping Identity in the 20s

09:31 Setting Audacious Goals and Embracing Challenges in the 30s

11:21 Running and Finding Clarity in the 30s

12:45 Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone in the 30s

15:11 Embracing Challenges and Achieving Big Dreams

25:21 The Power of the Pause and Authentic Growth

25:39 Reflections on Turning 40

28:30 Setting Goals for the Future

35:30 Staying Young at Heart

39:46 Quick Fire Questions

41:44 Expressing Gratitude and Appreciation

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• Email: [email protected]

"I've been very comfortable in the shadows for many years. The fact that I wasn't bold enough, I wasn't confident enough. And I questioned myself a lot."

Discover the inspiring untold story of Jane Doherty, CEO of Trinity Healthcare Plus, a multi-seven-figure award-winning healthcare organisation, board trustee, and Philanthropist. 

Jane is a mother and a wife who defied expectations and built a purposeful life and business empire. In this exclusive episode, she shares her resilience, faith, and leadership journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Overcoming challenges: Jane shares her journey of becoming a teenage mother and how her parent's love and support helped her navigate this difficult time, ultimately propelling her to defy expectations and pursue her dreams.

• Corporate success and finding purpose: Jane felt unfulfilled despite climbing the corporate ladder and achieving financial success. She took a leap of faith to start a healthcare business aligned with her values and desire to serve others.

• Building a business with compassion: Jane and her mother built their healthcare staffing business from the ground up, focusing on providing excellent, compassionate care. This approach helped them foster a loyal staff and client base, despite the challenges faced as a new entrepreneur.

• Expanding impact to Ghana: Driven by a desire to create sustainable change, Jane and her family established a foundation in Ghana that provides healthcare, education, and sanitation initiatives. They also opened a clinic that offers free care to those who cannot afford it, funded by revenue from private clients.

• Embracing self-love and empowering others: Throughout her journey, Jane learned the importance of investing in herself and embracing self-love. She now uses her platform to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and empower other women to step into their purpose and live authentically.

Connect with Jayne Doherty

• LinkedIn

• Trinity Healthcare Plus

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Jane Doherty

03:42 Jane's journey of finding her identity and purpose

07:58 The turning point that led Jane to prioritize herself

12:17 Growing up as an ambitious youth in a strict African household

19:55 Navigating teenage pregnancy with the support of her family

28:02 Climbing the corporate ladder while raising her daughter

34:24 The pivotal moment that changed the course of Jane's career

42:25 Taking a leap of faith to start a healthcare business from scratch

52:11 Overcoming challenges and setbacks as a new entrepreneur

1:00:32 Scaling the business while maintaining quality and core values

1:06:31 Expanding into Ghana and creating sustainable impact

1:17:13 The importance of networking and supporting other Black women

1:21:43 Introducing a new venture - Afreek Vodka

1:24:56 Jane's lasting legacy of amplifying marginalized voices

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• Email: [email protected]

"I like to start there because some of the sort of wonky ways that we find our way into the things that we love matter and make us who we are."

In this episode, we explore Nick Eagleton's wonderfully creative and unconventional mindthe "Playful Saboteur" and co-founder of Sabatura. Prepare to have your perspectives challenged and imaginations unlocked!

Key Takeaways:

• The magic of an artistic education - Finding your tribe and the freedom for self-discovery through creativity. How art school taught Nick to question rules and conventions.

• Drawing as a way of thinking - The power of scribbles, doodles and sketches to capture ideas, memories and unlock the imagination, even in corporate meetings.

• Escaping the Matrix - Nick's brave leap from the corporate world to co-found Sabatura, a revolutionary brand experience company with no job titles or hierarchy.

• The importance of curiosity - Keeping a childlike sense of wonder, asking "why?" and being open to life's surprises as fuel for creativity.

• Balancing rational and intuitive - Navigating the polarities of process/freedom, structure/messiness to allow space for unbridled ideation.

• Redefining leadership - Nick's refreshing take on "reluctant leadership" - focusing on inspiration over authority and making it about "us" not "me."

• Finding your "mischievous saboteur" name - A fun exercise to tap into your creative spirit! What adjective unlocks your imaginative side?

• Stay playful and don't be afraid to question norms. As Nick shows, a little subversive creativity can spark magic in work and life. Let your artistic mind run free!

Connect with Nick Eagleton 

• LinkedIn

• Saboteur

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• Email: [email protected]