By Sope Agbelusi
5
1313 ratings
The podcast currently has 244 episodes available.
"I embrace the strength that others might label as 'masculine.' Why would I be embarrassed about traits associated with power and decisiveness?"
In this conversation, Sope speaks with Aiko Bethea, founder of Rare Culture and a consultant, about her journey as an innovative leader and experiences navigating different identities. Aiko shares her childhood experiences growing up in South Carolina as a black and Japanese individual and how she balanced both identities. She also discusses her decision to pursue a career in law and later transition into the field of inclusion and diversity.
Aiko emphasises the importance of understanding one's values and fighting for what aligns with those values. She encourages listeners to take risks and not be swayed by the judgments and expectations of others. In this conversation, Aiko Bethea and Sope discuss the importance of accountability in leadership. They emphasise the need for leaders to hold themselves and others accountable with generosity, curiosity, and a focus on growth.
They also explore the challenges of unlearning old beliefs and behaviours, embracing vulnerability, and creating workplace accountability cultures. Aiko shares her insights on leadership and the impact of accountability on personal and professional growth.
Key takeaways:
How childhood experiences shaped Aiko Bethea's approach to navigating power dynamics and standing up for herself.
Embracing unique qualities as strengths rather than deficits in professional settings.
Using your Values as a compass for navigating difficult decisions and maintaining authenticity
Recognise the power dynamics in relationships and be mindful of how they can influence decisions.
Power dynamics and whiteness within philanthropic organisations.
Overcoming the influence of well-meaning loved ones to pursue unconventional career paths.
Reframing failure: How early career setbacks and changes became unexpected blessings and learning opportunities.
Leveraging critical inquiry to drive personal development and foster inclusive environments.
Defying stereotypes, embracing strength: Navigating the complex terrain of being a powerful Black woman in corporate America and being labelled as having "too much testosterone" or "masculine energy."
Connect with Aiko Bethea
Website| LinkedIn |
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"I went from being a statistic to creating a solution for millions."
In this riveting episode of Everyday Leadership, we dive deep into the world of workplace revolution with Molly Johnson-Jones, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Flexa. From her shocking layoff experience to the serendipitous pub conversation that birthed a game-changing idea. With a platform now boasting an impressive 2.5 million users, Flexa has transformed the job search landscape, offering unprecedented transparency into company cultures and benefits.
But Molly's story is more than just a tale of startup success. It's a masterclass in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, from battling gender bias in fundraising to building a high-performance team culture that doesn't sacrifice well-being. As we explore Flexa's evolution through the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Molly offers invaluable insights into the future of work and the critical importance of continuous innovation. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped with fresh perspectives on leadership in the modern workplace.
Key takeaways:
From shock to opportunity: Discovering layoffs via Bloomberg on the morning commute and how early-career redundancy became an unexpected blessing.
From discrimination to determination: How Molly's battle with an autoimmune disease led to workplace discrimination and unjust dismissal, fueling her passion for creating more inclusive and flexible work environments.
Serendipity in entrepreneurship: How a casual pub conversation sparked the creation of Flexa, revolutionising workplace flexibility.
Transparency revolution: Flexa's mission to transform job searching by providing unprecedented insight into company cultures and benefits.
Breaking barriers: Navigating fundraising challenges as a female founder in the male-dominated tech startup world.
Culture by design: Crafting a high-performance team environment that balances productivity with well-being and generous benefits.
Riding the wave: How Flexa capitalized on the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate growth and shape the future of remote work.
Evolve or dissolve: How Flexa's willingness to pivot from solely focusing on flexibility to encompassing broader workplace factors demonstrates the critical importance of adapting to market demands and not resting on initial success.
Connect with Molly Johnson-Jones
Website| LinkedIn | Contact
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"Being the smartest person in the room is fun for a little bit, but you're not gonna grow from that."
Joy seems an unlikely companion in a world where tragedy and life-altering conditions often cast long shadows. Yet, today's guest challenges everything we thought we knew about happiness in the face of adversity. Meet Rebecca Scott, a woman who received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis and, instead of succumbing to despair, chose to dance with joy. Her story isn't about ignoring pain or forcing a smile; it's a raw, honest exploration of finding light in the darkest corners of life.
Prepare to have your preconceptions shattered as Rebecca reveals her revolutionary approach to "microdosing joy." She'll show you how the smallest moments of delight can become a lifeline in a storm and why choosing happiness isn't just brave - it's transformative. This isn't just a podcast; it's an invitation to reconsider your relationship with joy and ask yourself: in your darkest hour, do you have the courage to choose happiness?
Buckle up for a provocative, heart-stirring ride that might change how you view adversity forever.
Key takeaways:
Microdosing joy: Rebecca introduces her concept of finding happiness in small, everyday moments.
Living with MS: Rebecca shares her journey of adapting to life with multiple sclerosis and finding positivity despite challenges.
Career evolution: The podcast explores Rebecca's transition from theater to leadership coaching.
Redefining leadership: Rebecca explains her view of leadership as making thoughtful choices with others in mind. Embracing learning: The conversation touches on the importance of admitting when you don't know something and continually seeking knowledge.
Humour and resilience: Rebecca discusses using laughter and lightheartedness as coping mechanisms for life's difficulties.
Social media positivity: The podcast covers how Rebecca uses social media as a source of inspiration and awe.
Personal growth: Rebecca shares her transformation from a self-described "Eeyore" to a more optimistic outlook on life.
Connect with Rebecca
Blog| LinkedIn
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"If people say that they're walking into what God has called them to do and they've not had to make any sacrifices, I would question that."
One of the most requested guests and my favourite guest is back as she celebrates her milestone birthday. Of course, I am talking about Shirene Agbelusi, my wonderful wife.
In this episode, we flip the script to learn insights from the past 40 years. Shirene has faced unique challenges and opportunities as a black woman in church leadership. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the sacrifices of obedience, the power of authenticity, and the importance of building a lasting legacy.
Whether you're a community leader, a parent navigating the challenges of raising children, or someone seeking to make a meaningful impact, Shirene's insights offer valuable lessons for everyone.
Key takeaways:
The true meaning of walking in obedience and the sacrifices it often requires
Building a lasting legacy through impacting others' lives
Navigating the unique challenges and responsibilities of being a black woman in church leadership
The importance of empathy and authenticity in both personal and professional relationships
Why consistency is crucial when being a role model, especially for children
How failures can become stepping stones to unexpected opportunities and valuable life lessons
Balancing the demands of pastoral life with self-care and community support
The power of surrounding yourself with a strong, like-minded support network for personal growth and success
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"I've missed numerous school plays, sports matches... You miss stuff, you just miss stuff."
In this inspiring episode of Everyday Leadership, host Sope Agbelusi sits down with Sarah Brodie, a trailblazing commercial airline captain who's changing the face of aviation.
Sarah shares her incredible journey from childhood dreams to becoming one of the few female captains in a male-dominated industry. She discusses the challenges of balancing a high-flying career with family life and her passion for sustainability in aviation.
The episode also explores Sarah's transition from the cockpit to a management role, highlighting the complex relationship between operational and administrative aspects of the airline industry.
Listeners will gain insights into the unique challenges faced by female pilots, including cultural barriers in international aviation. Sarah offers valuable perspectives on leadership, resilience, and the importance of advocacy in creating a more inclusive industry.
Key takeaways:
Sarah's early aviation experiences and their impact on her career choice
Overcoming gender barriers in a male-dominated industry
Balancing family life with a demanding career as a pilot
The push for sustainability and net-zero emissions in aviation
Transitioning from captain to a management role
Cultural challenges faced by female pilots in international settings
Advocating for better conditions for women in aviation
The importance of following one's passion and embracing new opportunities
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"Sometimes the best additions to your life isn't anymore. It's subtracting."
In this transformative episode of Everyday Leadership, host Sope Agbelusi delves into the powerful concept of strategic subtraction and how it can propel you from good to great.
Sope shares his experience of transitioning from a successful consultancy to fully embracing his purpose and creating Mindset Shift. He discusses the challenges and fears associated with letting go of the familiar and stepping into the unknown.
The episode also explores the concept of empty spaces, using Twitter's origin as a compelling example of how strategic subtraction can lead to groundbreaking innovation.
Listeners will learn practical strategies for applying the G.R.E.A.T framework to their lives, including relationships, careers, habits, and friendships. Sope emphasises the importance of courage in this process and offers tips on cultivating it.
Key takeaways:
Introduction to the GREAT framework: Growth, Relevance, Excess, Alignment, Thriving
The Hot Air Balloon analogy: Rising higher by shedding weight
Sope's personal journey of applying strategic subtraction in his career
The power of creating empty spaces for innovation and growth
Twitter's origin story as an example of successful strategic subtraction
The role of courage in embracing the "less is more" philosophy
Practical steps to implement strategic subtraction in your life
Whether you're looking to make a career change, improve your personal relationships, or declutter your life, this episode provides valuable insights on how letting go can be the key to unlocking your full potential.
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"When you're around successful people, you can be around successive people and still feel like the outsider. Even though you're successful yourself, you never truly belong."
In this powerful episode of Everyday Leadership, we sit down with the four founders of the Brown Skinned Girls Network: Nkiru, Anya, Jane, and Jaynee. These remarkable women share their journey of creating a global sisterhood to empower and elevate black women in all spheres of life.
The founders discuss their experiences in overcoming barriers, the power of authentic representation, and their mission to create tangible opportunities for black women worldwide. They also share insights on collaborative leadership, the role of faith in their journey, and the importance of family support in achieving their goals.
This episode offers invaluable lessons on sisterhood, resilience, and the transformative power of united vision. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or someone passionate about community empowerment, this conversation provides inspiration and practical wisdom for making a lasting impact.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from these trailblazing women as they redefine success and pave the way for future generations of black women leaders.
Key takeaways:
Divine Inspiration: The network was born from a spiritual calling, emphasising the importance of faith in its mission and operations.
Collaborative Leadership: The founders demonstrate how successful leadership can be achieved through mutual respect, open communication, and leveraging individual strengths.
Breaking Barriers: BSGN aims to create opportunities and access for black women in spaces where they have been traditionally underrepresented.
Global Vision: BSGN aims to expand worldwide, connecting and empowering black women across continents and cultures.
Balancing Multiple Roles: The founders share insights on managing their roles within BSGN alongside their existing careers, families, and personal lives.
Authentic Representation: The network showcases real, authentic sisterhood and challenges negative stereotypes about black women.
Corporate Partnerships: BSGN emphasises the significance of building bridges with corporate entities to create more opportunities for black women in various industries.
Male Allyship: The importance of male support and involvement in the network
Data-Driven Impact: BSGN is focused on creating measurable change
Connect with BSGN: Website| Instagram | Podcast
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"This isn't a dress rehearsal, is it? We're living our lives now. So I just need to find the happiness and the peace of mind."
In this inspiring episode of Everyday Leadership, we dive deep with Thanh Catachanas, a trailblazing figure in media and advertising as Head of Collaboration and Acquisition at JCDecaux.
From her journey as a child of Vietnamese refugees to becoming a powerhouse in the UK's advertising industry, Thanh shares her unique perspective on representation, diversity, and authentic leadership.
Thanh also discusses the power of representation in advertising, the untapped potential of ethnic minority markets, and her vision for a more inclusive media landscape. Her story is a testament to the impact of authentic leadership and the power of staying true to one's values.
Key takeaways:
Thanh's experience growing up in a Vietnamese household in the UK and navigating two cultures
Her unconventional career path from medical science to advertising
Discussing the immigrant experience: pressure to excel and the "scarcity mindset"
How Thanh is breaking certain cycles with her own children while maintaining high expectations
The creation and impact of the 'Reach' program at JCDecaux, supporting ethnically-owned businesses
The importance of diversity in decision-making and product development
Balancing the pursuit of excellence with effective collaboration
Understanding and incorporating Gen Z perspectives in the workplace and marketing
Thanh's approach to values-based leadership and identifying core personal values
Connect with Thanh: LinkedIn |
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
"When you take your power back, you are in the driving seat of your career."
In this episode of Everyday Leadership, Sope Agbelusi talks to Hannah Awonuga, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Knight Frank, mother of three, wife, and woman of faith. Hannah shares the details of her journey, from experiencing homelessness as a teenager to her first managerial role at a bank to stepping out and working on her own terms now.
Despite experiencing prejudice because of her background and grappling with the gratitude complex, Hannah has advocated for people from all backgrounds and climbed to the peak of her D&I career in the corporate world and wants to see more women of colour at the top as well.
Key takeaways:
The impact of experiencing homelessness at a young age and how Faith during lonely times is an anchor
On-the-spot mentoring and seeing beyond how people immediately present is a key element of leadership:
Ask for the opportunity and it may be given to you.
Leadership is building an environment that makes people feel safe.
Your role as a leader is to serve your team.
You can dial up and down the different roles that youre playing (e.g. leader, husband, wife, parent).
Learning to be still is just as important as pushing forward.
No one comes ready-made, even great leaders continue to refine themselves.
Owning your story, gives you power and control over your own your career:
People from lower social-economic backgrounds grapple with the gratitude complex.
Go when its easiest to stay, stay when its easiest to go.
Leadership is having the ability to create the vision and the pathway to it.
Connect with Hannah: LinkedIn | Website
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-leadership/id1467901267
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0TuBkXzawOIl05yxbEPTIj
Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
In this episode, Sope Agbelusi dives into the realities of the entrepreneurial rollercoaster journey from nurturing an idea to moments of success and the dreaded drop.
While were often shown an entrepreneur's impressive achievements and accolades, the gruelling reality of what happens behind the scenes is pretty obscure. No one sees the late nights, early mornings, painful rejections or projects that fall through the cracks. Yet these moments shape entrepreneurs and allow them to transform into incredible leaders.
Sope explains that the real test begins the first time an entrepreneur experiences that drop and, the best people learn how to come back stronger by using it as a learning opportunity. Those who do make it, learn to appreciate the highs and the lows that happen along the way.
Sope also stresses that the state of your relationships is key to success. No entrepreneur succeeds in isolation, whether you have friends, family or colleagues, they will all contribute to getting you to the next stage of your business and career.
Key takeaways:
Entrepreneurship looks like a glamorous elevator, but it's actually a rickety rollercoaster
Building a business is not for the faint-hearted (90% of startups fail)
To succeed, you have to build a solution that people actually want
Relationships, especially romantic ones, will make or break your business
The test begins at the first drop - the best entrepreneurs learn how to come back stronger
No entrepreneur succeeds in isolation. Friends, family and colleagues are present to help you achieve your goals.
Entrepreneurship isnt for everyone and it's not a one-way ticket to success as it requires plenty of sacrifice.
You must learn to appreciate the lows as much as you appreciate the highs.
Connect with Sope
Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Found this helpful? Like this episode, leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening.
Were always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]
The podcast currently has 244 episodes available.
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