Everyday Leadership Sope Agbelusi

"I worked incredibly hard for that company up until that time, and I had the receipts. And this is kind of how quickly people can now find you less valuable."

This episode features Kimberly Ofori, a banker turned management consultant, turned successful tech entrepreneur. Having founded and sold two companies in the past decade & working with clientele in the Middle East, Africa, the US and Europe, she shares her inspiring journey and the valuable lessons she learned. Kimberly discusses her early career in banking, the challenges she faced as a young professional, and her decision to move to Dubai, ultimately leading her to entrepreneurship.

Throughout the episode, Kimberly shares her experiences: 
Overcoming the lack of a degree and working hard to prove her worth
Navigating the startup ecosystem
Building and selling two tech startups
Being intentional about your business decisions
Major lessons and challenges both startup exits taught her 
Emphasising the importance of understanding your company's value

She also touches on the challenges she encountered during the sale of her second company and the insights she gained from that experience.

Kimberly also delves into her journey of 
Self-discovery
Embracing her multifaceted personality
Importance of being comfortable with one's layered identity. 

She discusses her passion for driving change in the business world, particularly in shaping the future of education and empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.

She also shares her vision for the future, which involves working with companies prioritising creating meaningful solutions and fostering a more inclusive and innovative business landscape.

Overall, the episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, women in tech, and anyone looking to make a positive impact in their personal and professional lives.

Connect with Kimberly Ofori

LinkedIn
Website

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 Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

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 


Connect with Me
Website |Youtube |Instagram |LinkedIn
Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

"I could not help but write the book because I felt like the Asian perspective was missing from the diversity conversation."

In this conversation, Jane Hyun, a leading authority on leveraging culture and diversity in businesses, discusses her journey of bridging differences and navigating cultural challenges in the corporate world. She shares insights on unlearning and relearning cultural values, the impact of her childhood experiences in Korea, and the importance of embracing authenticity while adapting to new environments. 

Jane also addresses the model minority myth and the need for individuals to bring their full selves to the workplace.

Jane is the author of the groundbreaking book Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians and co-author of Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences, which examines the art of using different leadership styles to leverage differences effectively and drive innovation. She just released her new book Leadership Toolkit for Asians: The Definitive Resource Guide for Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling.

Jane has been featured on CNN, CNBC and NPR, and her insights have been published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Washington Post, the Economist, and Forbes among other platforms.


Key Takeaways:
Jane shares lessons from her corporate career and the inspiration for writing her books.
How navigating cultural differences requires unlearning and relearning 
The model minority myth
Conversation highlights the power of self-reflection in fostering inclusive and effective leadership.
How embracing one's cultural background can enhance leadership effectiveness.
Discusses the challenges of self-reflection and common distractions.
Shares her father's counter-cultural influence in shaping her identity.
Talks about the courage to advocate for others and facing pushback.
Emphasises creating space for self-care and designing a personal leadership model.
Reflects on her legacy and hopes for fostering inclusivity in organisations.
Encourages listeners to embrace their uniqueness and recognise their value.

Connect with Jane Hyun

LinkedIn
Visible Hyun & Associates

Connect with Me

Website |Youtube |Instagram |LinkedIn
Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

"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

LinkedIn
Visible Strengths Co

Connect with Me

Website |Youtube |Instagram |LinkedIn
Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

"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

Connect with Me
Website |Youtube |Instagram |LinkedIn
Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

"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

Connect with Me
Website |Youtube |Instagram |LinkedIn
Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk