Coffee with Kofi

Kofi Kyei

As an Executive Coach my purpose is to Empower and Elevate leaders in their pursuit of Excellence. I provide a safe space for deeper self-reflection and exploration, that contributes to closer connection to your purpose. This channel shares the journeys of leaders from around the world who have answered "the call" to pivot on purpose. By using their unique talents they have found meaningful connection to their chosen paths. Tune in for insights and inspiration.

  1. 10 HR AGO

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Norman Wolfe. CEO, Quantum Leaders, Author of The Living Organization®

    Today, I’m sitting down with Norman Wolfe, leadership coach, author, and founder of Quantum Leaders. Norman has spent decades helping leaders rethink and see organisations not as machines to be optimised, but as living systems built on relationships, purpose, and human potential. This isn’t a hype conversation. It’s a thoughtful one about leadership, mistakes, meaning, and what it takes to build organisations that work for people and perform. So, grab your coffee… and let’s sip into some inspiration. Key Takeaways: * Shift from "Machine" to "Living System": The core idea is to stop optimising organisations like machines and instead nurture them as living systems with purpose and relationships. This shift is essential because the machine paradigm fails to address persistent issues like 70% strategy execution failure and high employee disengagement. * The ARC Framework: Effective change requires addressing three integrated layers: Activity (what people do), Relationships (how they interact), and Context (the underlying narratives driving their behaviour). * Adaptability Over Expertise: In a rapidly changing world, the machine paradigm's focus on static expertise is a liability. Success now requires cultivating adaptability, the willingness to embrace the "novice" state and learn from mistakes. * Integrate Head & Heart: Effective leadership balances objective analysis with subjective intuition. This means not dismissing feelings, senses, or inspiration, even when they can't be logically explained. Episode resources: Norman Wolfe: www.linkedin.com/in/wolfe Quantum Leaders: www.quantumleaders.com Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    59 min
  2. 3 FEB

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Joseph Selimoglu, Global Compensation Senior Manager at BCG.

    Today, I’m joined by Joseph Selimoglu, whose career journey has taken him from Turkey to the UK, across cultures, challenges, and meaningful choices. Beyond professional success, Joseph is someone who truly believes in giving back. He does through mentoring, community, and creating impact beyond his job titles. In this episode, we’ll explore the pivotal moments that shaped his path, what it really takes to build a fulfilling career in a new country, and how following your passions, without losing yourself along the way… can lead to deeper purpose at work and in life. So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s sip into that inspiration. Key Takeaways: Accidental HR Career: Joseph's 14-year HR career began accidentally after a personality test at TÜRK Telekom (Turkey) identified his fit for HR (91%) over his own plan to be a data analyst. Global Role Challenge: His current role as Senior Global Compensation Manager at BCG, covering c. 40 countries, was a significant challenge, causing imposter syndrome. He pushed through by viewing it as a worthwhile investment in growth. Purpose-Driven Work: Joseph finds fulfilment through two channels: 1) His role at BCG, where he drives fair pay and pay transparency, and 2) Extensive volunteering, mentoring, and community work. Legacy of Impact: His long-term goal is to become a Non-Executive Director (NED) to scale his positive impact across multiple companies, driven by a desire to leave a legacy of helping people. Episode resources: Joseph Selimoglu: www.linkedin.com/in/jselimoglu Company of HR Professionals: https://hrprofessionals.org.uk Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    59 min
  3. 23 JAN

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Mark Scott, Football Commentator (BBC's Match of the Day, UEFA etc.)

    Today, I’m joined by Mark Scott, a sports broadcasting professional who’s carved out an impressive career in an industry not always known for its diversity. Over the years he has commentated for Global Media, BBC’s Match of the Day, Premier League Productions, the Champions League, Europa League and major international tournaments, while also commentating for BBC Radio Five Live. In this conversation, we explore Mark’s journey, the barriers he’s had to break, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s get into it. Key takeaways: * Breaks are earned, not given: A chance university connection led to a Capital Radio gig at 19. This experience was the "foot in the door" that enabled his career, highlighting the need to be prepared for and seize unexpected opportunities. * Authenticity is the only sustainable strategy: The industry is highly subjective, with commentator hiring based on personal taste (likened to music preference). Trying to imitate another's style is a "recipe for disaster" that is unsustainable and ineffective. * Proactive practice is essential: To overcome the "chicken and egg" problem (needing experience to get work), aspiring commentators must create their own opportunities, such as volunteering to commentate on local club matches to build a showreel. * Success requires a "one-man band" mindset: A freelance career demands business acumen beyond commentary, including managing finances, marketing, and travel, as well as building strong professional relationships. Episode resources: Mark Scott: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-scott-212a8049 Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    59 min
  4. 13 JAN

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Mimi Gom, Financial Advisor at Lucerna Wealth.

    Today, I’m joined by someone who has devoted her career to guiding people through one of the most important journeys we all take... our financial one. Mimi Gom, Financial Advisor at Lucerna Wealth, brings deep experience across private banking, wealth management, and holistic financial planning. She’s known for helping individuals and families understand, protect, and grow their wealth with clarity and confidence. We get into her path into the industry, the values that shape her client relationships, and the mindset shifts that lead to long‑term financial wellbeing. If you’re looking to build stability, make smarter decisions, or feel more empowered about money, Mimi has wisdom worth leaning into. Grab your coffee and let’s sip into that inspiration. Key takeaways: * Career Pivot: A Lehman Brothers internship, revealed wealth management as the ideal career path, marrying Mimi's interest in people with the financial markets. * Mindset for Success: Overcame imposter syndrome by reframing mistakes as a novice's learning opportunity and using tools like journaling and mentorship to build confidence. * Financial Mindset: Advises clients to shift from fear to purpose by defining their financial "enough" and adopting a long-term perspective to build their financial dream. * Advice for industry newcomers: Prioritise soft skills like relationship-building and networking, as these human elements are irreplaceable by AI. Episode resources: Mimi Gom: www.linkedin.com/in/mimidoo-gom Speak to Mimi: www.calendly.com/mimi-gom Lucerna Wealth: www.lucernawealth.com/our-team Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    1h 5m
  5. 5 JAN

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Robyn K. Bacon, Partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP.

    Today, I’m joined by Robyn K. Bacon, a distinguished trial litigator, investigator, and partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, an American law firm founded in 1962 . Robyn’s career spans nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, where she tried complex criminal cases, argued appeals before the Ninth Circuit, and led investigations into cybercrime, financial fraud, and organised crime. Today, she continues to champion justice and has also taught trial advocacy at Harvard Law School and volunteered with organisations that empower women and young debaters. In this conversation, we’ll explore Robyn’s remarkable career journey, the lessons she’s learned from the courtroom to the classroom, and her insights on finding purpose and fulfilment in demanding careers. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get started! Key Takeaways: * Career Path: Robyn's career has been driven by interest and not a rigid plan. Her supervisor's invitation to the cybercrime unit was accepted on the principle of never refusing a chance to learn. * Confidence: This was built over time by recognising a familiar physical feeling of competence from past successes (e.g., sports, recitals) and actively seeking to recreate it. * Work-Life Balance: This has been essential for maintaining her humanity in high-pressure jobs. Robyn's tip was to have a life outside of work that creates emotional connections and reminds you that your job is not the only thing that matters. * Life Philosophy: Define your own "true north" (what you need and want), then build a life where your career and personal interests fit together to achieve it. Episode resources: Robyn K. Bacon: www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-k-bacon Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    1h 9m
  6. 15/12/2025

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Simone de Gale, Founder & multi-award winning architect at Simone de Architects.

    Today, I’m honoured to have with me Simone de Gale, the visionary architect behind Simone de Gale Architects, celebrated for melding mathematical rigor with striking design, creating unique spaces across London and internationally. Simone’s story begins with childhood memories of watching her family build and create those early experiences ignited a love for architecture that’s grown into an award-winning career, from redesigning Central London townhouses to master-planning large international projects. In this conversation, we’ll delve into her roots, what inspired her to stick with architecture in a space where few people might look like her, the challenges and triumphs she’s encountered, and most importantly what listeners can learn about following their own passions and crafting a fulfilling career. Grab your coffee, sit back, and join us as we journey with Simone de Gale, a force of creativity, resilience, and purpose! Key Takeaways: * Founding Strategy: Launched Simone de Gale Architects in the 2009 recession, leveraging a 10-year network to immediately secure projects, including a major international commission in Bangladesh. * Design Philosophy: Uses mathematical principles (geometry, pattern) to create environments that foster peace and belonging, believing "your environment creates you." * Business Model: Focuses on building deep client relationships, which leads to repeat work across entire property portfolios (e.g., 10 projects on one street) and minimizes business development costs. * Team Growth: Scaled to a 12-person firm by hiring for shared design ethos, enabling effective delegation and freeing up leadership time for strategic work. Episode resources: Simone de Gale: www.linkedin.com/in/simonedegale Simone de Gale Architects: www.simonedegale.com Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    57 min

About

As an Executive Coach my purpose is to Empower and Elevate leaders in their pursuit of Excellence. I provide a safe space for deeper self-reflection and exploration, that contributes to closer connection to your purpose. This channel shares the journeys of leaders from around the world who have answered "the call" to pivot on purpose. By using their unique talents they have found meaningful connection to their chosen paths. Tune in for insights and inspiration.