What if the setbacks in your life were actually the secret fuel for your success?

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with Shadé Zahrai, award-winning leadership strategist, TEDx speaker, and co-founder of Influenceo Global. Shadé shares her journey from law and corporate consulting to entrepreneurship, revealing how resilience, storytelling, and authenticity helped her build a global brand. She explains the power of reframing challenges, why self-belief is the foundation of success, and how leaders can inspire teams through emotional intelligence.

From navigating uncertainty to building confidence through action, Shadé offers practical strategies for leading with influence and connecting on a deeper human level. This is a powerful conversation about courage, growth, and leading with heart.

In this episode, Darius and Shade will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction and Background

(02:49) Shadé's Origin Story

(05:54) The Journey Through Corporate Life

(08:41) The Importance of Self-Trust

(11:28) Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

(14:38) Building a Personal Brand on Social Media

(17:28) The Power of Visibility and Opportunity

(20:14) The Role of Creative Outlets

(23:20) Overcoming Adversity and Failure

(26:18) The Science of Self-Doubt and Trust

(28:50) The Launch of Influenceo and LinkedIn Success

(31:45) The Big Trust Community and Book Launch

(34:48) Final Thoughts and The Greatness Question

Shadé Zahrai is a behavioral strategist, peak performance educator, and co-lead of Influenceo Global. A former lawyer with an MBA and PhD in organizational behavior, she advises Fortune 500 companies on leadership, performance, and career fulfillment. Her viral content has reached over 300 million views, she teaches more than 7 million students on LinkedIn Learning, and her TEDx talks have inspired audiences worldwide. Featured in outlets like The New York Times and Fast Company, Shadé is dedicated to making high-performance strategies accessible to all.

Sponsored by:

Brevo: Head over to brevo.com/greatness and use the code greatness to get 50% off Starter and Business Plans for the first 3 months of an annual subscription.

Indeed: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/darius.

Shopify: Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/greatness.

Connect with Shadé:

Website: https://www.shadezahrai.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://th.linkedin.com/in/shadezahrai 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadezahrai/ 

Book: https://www.shadezahrai.com/bigtrust 

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708

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