We've heard from leaders who, throughout the year, sacrificed everything to follow their calling—from giving up high-paying corporate jobs to stepping into unknown territories. Their stories remind us that true fulfilment often lies beyond our comfort zone.

Walking in faith isn't always easy, as we learned from leaders who received clear callings but faced difficult choices. Like the business owner who couldn't tell her husband about starting her company because she knew God's voice was clear despite the risks.

We met individuals who transformed their pain into purpose, including a former drug dealer who now gives back making sure others don't follow his path. Their journeys show us that our darkest moments can become our greatest impact sources.

Most importantly, we learned that no one succeeds alone. From the HR manager who saw potential in a hoodie-wearing interviewee to the family members who supported risky business ventures, every success story is built on a foundation of community and support.

Reflection Questions for Listeners:

1. What has been your most significant personal or professional accomplishment in 2024?
2. What challenges have you faced this year, and how have they shaped your leadership approach?
3. If you could define 2024 in one word, what would it be and why?

Connect with Sope

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Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

🔥 Quotable Moment: “Behind every leader, every Founder and every success story is a network of people. No one is self-made.” 

In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I discuss how a ‘fake it till you make it’ mentality will ultimately hold you and your personal growth back. 

Social media is notorious for making us feel like we can’t keep up. Especially around this time of the year. 

It's a constant stream of celebrating successes and people attending industry events and end-of-year parties which can often make you wonder: “Where was my invitation? How do I get to where everyone else is?” 

That’s why we need to drop the facade of perfection and lean into true authenticity and vulnerability, instead. 

In today’s episode we explore: 

✅ Why a facade of perfection can lead to isolation 

✅ Leaning into authenticity and vulnerability

✅ Building your support network for 2025 

Don’t forget to connect:

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. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

🔥 Quotable Moment: “My identity isn’t a job. It’s much more than that. I’m a human being and I have certain values and principles that I live by. If I see injustice, I’ll call it out.” 

In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Leonard Fom, The Chief Value Officer, Fractional CFO and Strategic Advisor. 

Following a successful career in finance and operations with experience in major multinationals, financial institutions and Big 4 consulting firms, Leonard took the entrepreneurial route to set up FinOps Squad, fractional finance support with a difference. 

In today’s episode, we explore: 

✅ Leonard’s upbringing and the source of his ambitious spirit 

✅ Navigating early parenthood 

✅ Climbing the corporate ladder & facing obstacles along the way 

✅ Recognising structural inequities 

✅ Growing through pain and setbacks 

✅ The importance of authenticity & knowing your identity beyond your job 

Don’t forget to connect: 

Connect with Leonard  
LinkedIn | Website | WhatsApp Community

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. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

🔥 Quotable Moment "You can't be pulled forward and pulled back at the same time because if you're pulled in both directions, you'll stay exactly where you are."

After a 20-year career in dance and founding the successful platform "In The Other News," Candace has embarked on perhaps her most impactful venture yet. The Gynae Project emerged from her personal six-year struggle navigating women's healthcare, transforming frustration into innovation.

💡 Key Insights:

• The power of curiosity in career transitions and how it led her from dance to entrepreneurship
• Why handling rejection in creative industries prepared her for business leadership
• The importance of storytelling in changing social narratives around taboo topics
• How building intimate communities can create safer spaces for difficult conversations
• The role of data and research in transforming healthcare accessibility
• How recognising when to close one chapter enables new growth opportunities.

Connect with Candace Oxley | LinkedIn | Website | IG

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Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

“People need to feel empowered in order to propel, especially if they’re young. You need someone that’s going to empower you, show up for you, help you and accept you.” 

In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Shanice Mears, a multi-faceted leader and Co-Founder and Head of Talent at leading advertising agency, The ElephantGroup. 

From her relationship with her older siblings, building her confidence as a Dancer and advocating for her community from a very young age to how those early experiences shaped her career in advertising and the leader she is today. 

Tune into this episode, to find out more about: 

✅ Shanice’s drive to always “do more” 

✅ Building a career in marketing through authenticity 

✅ Why she turned down a huge job opportunity that looked perfect to the outside world 

✅ Advice on building authentic connections and networks 

✅ Learning from failures and rejection 

✅ Her definition of leadership

Don’t forget to connect: 

Connect with Shanice 
LinkedIn | Website | IG

Connect with Sope
MindsetShift | Youtube  | Instagram| 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. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

This week's episode is a masterclass in authenticity. We dive deep into the life of Tommie Edwards, a self-proclaimed introvert who transformed from managing a family business at 16 to becoming a venture-backed CEO of Tech1M but her story isn't just about business—it's about finding joy in life's simple moments while building something extraordinary.

🌟 Highlights You Can't Miss:

• Building a 7 figure logistics empire from feeding her curiosity.
• Losing £400K overnight and turning that setback into a comeback
• Managing a business at 16 while her peers were just starting to dream
• The extraordinary story of using modelling money to fund her UK dreams
• Understanding the crucial difference between "vitamin" and "painkiller" businesses
• Finding harmony between building tech empires and binge-watching Selling Sunset

🔥 Quotable Moment: "Pressure is a privilege. I'm excited to have this pressure, but every single day I have to wake up knowing that I'm carrying this."

Connect with Tommie Edwards

 LinkedIn | Website | Tech1M

Connect with Sope

Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with Sope

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Did you find this helpful? If you like this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who could benefit from listening. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

"I'm strong but I'm emotional... I'm loud and I'm confident. I love meeting people but I'm also really introverted."

This week's episode is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and mission-driven leadership.

Meet Dr. Dupe Burgess: former NHS doctor, ex-BCG consultant, and now founder and CEO of Bloomfall, an AI-driven solution revolutionizing women's health.

Dr. Burgess' journey is a testament to the power of embracing change and following your true calling. Her story will resonate with anyone who's ever felt trapped in a prestigious career, battled imposter syndrome, or dreamed of making a bigger impact.

Key Highlights:

1. The emotional toll of leaving medicine and navigating a career pivot

2. Overcoming imposter syndrome as the only Black female consultant among 400

3. Why health tech is one of the hardest startup sectors - and why that's exciting

4. Reframing failure as an essential part of the entrepreneurial journey

5. Balancing roles as a founder, mother of 3, and LinkedIn influencer

Whether you're considering a career change, battling self-doubt, or looking to make a bigger impact, this episode offers invaluable wisdom and inspiration.

Tune in to hear how this self-proclaimed "machine" manages it all while advocating for women's health and sharing daily wisdom on LinkedIn.

Monthly Masterclass Q&A with Dupe Burgess

Dr Dupe Burgess is an award-winning founder, speaker and thought leader in women’s health, leadership & entrepreneurship. Dupe shares insights & knowledge from her startup journey in a free monthly Masterclass Q&A. For more information, to join the next one, or to be kept in the loop please complete this form.

Connect with Dr. Burgess 
LinkedIn |

Connect with Sope

Website | Youtube | Instagram | 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. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

"Innovation isn't a department, it's a mindset. And it's high time we started treating it that way."

In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I explore the game-changing concept of intrapreneurship and how it interacts with technological advancement and AI adoption.

Intrapreneurship is more than just a buzzword; it's your organisation's innovation engine. This episode challenges us to rethink how we foster creativity, harness untapped potential, and create environments where groundbreaking ideas can flourish.

Whether you're a leader looking to ignite innovation in your team, an employee with entrepreneurial aspirations, or simply curious about the future of workplace dynamics, this episode will equip you with the mindset and strategies to turn challenges into opportunities for extraordinary growth and impact.

I share powerful insights on:

Why innovation is critical for growth, yet so few executives are satisfied with performance

The cognitive abilities, people skills, and character traits of successful intrapreneurs

How fostering intrapreneurship can rewire your team's brain for success

The four types of potential intrapreneurs in your company and how to identify them

Real-world success stories of intrapreneurship, including Sony PlayStation and Google's 20% policy

The neuroscience behind innovation and its impact on motivation and engagement

Five actionable steps leaders can take to cultivate a growth mindset culture

My personal journey as an intrapreneur, generating over 1.5 billion in my corporate career

This episode is a masterclass in harnessing untapped potential within your organisation.

Connect with Sope

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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

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. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

"Embracing your multifaceted nature isn't a distraction; it's your competitive advantage."

In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I sit down with Dr. Anastacia Awad, Executive Director and Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Novartis, a powerhouse transforming the pharma industry from within.

Anastacia's journey is a testament to the transformative power of adversity and the profound impact of staying true to oneself. Her story challenges us to reexamine our paths, find strength in our uniqueness, and harness our experiencesboth triumphs and tribulationsas catalysts for change.

Whether you're at a crossroads in your career, facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or seeking to ignite meaningful transformation in your sphere of influence, this episode will not just inspire you - it will arm you with the mindset and strategies to turn your challenges into launchpads for extraordinary growth and impact.

Anastacia shares powerful insights on:

Embracing curiosity as a driving force for innovation

Recognising and acting on your body's warning signals

Staying true to oneself while adapting to new environments

The emotional journey of pivoting from a lifelong career path

How challenging environments are crucial for personal growth

Valuable leadership lessons learned from her research mentor

Leveraging diverse backgrounds for innovative problem-solving

The importance of knowing the rules of the game you're playing

Integrating DEI principles into scientific research and clinical trials

Connect with Anastacia

| 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

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. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]

"I realised that in losing myself, I had the opportunity to redefine who I truly wanted to be."

Sabrina Ben Salmi, a multi-award-winning business person development consultant, public speaker, UN delegate, author, publisher, and mother of five, shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. She emphasises the importance of embracing all of our talents and not hiding ourselves from the world.

Sabrina discusses her childhood dreams of serving others and bridging the gap between the wealthy and less affluent. She also opens up about her experience with dyslexia and how it has shaped her perspective on intelligence and labels. Sabrina talks about the turning point in her life when she asked herself, 'Who am I to myself?' and embarked on a journey of self-discovery and purpose.

Key takeaways:

• Sabrina overcame numerous challenges in her life, using these experiences to fuel her personal growth and mission to help others.

• Authenticity is crucial, with Sabrina encouraging others to embrace their true selves and multifaceted nature.

• As a single mother, Sabrina created an environment where her children could explore their interests and develop unique talents and raised the Fantastic 5 TEDx Speaker, Founder, UN Women UK Activist & Distinguished Korean Wave Representative who are all Authors, Publishers and International Keynote Speakers.

• Sabrina balanced personal growth and parenting by integrating her children into her development journey, creating learning opportunities.

• Asking questions and maintaining childlike curiosity are essential for fostering growth and understanding. Leadership, according to Sabrina, is about activating others and serving authentically to help them realise their potential.

• Developing a family blueprint and integrating children into a long-term vision beyond material possessions is crucial for creating a lasting family legacy.

• Sabrina's mission is to help families thrive, recognizing the power of strong family units in preventing societal issues and promoting individual growth.

Connect with Sabrina Ben Salmi

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

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. 

We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts, send us an email at [email protected]