In today’s hyper-competitive job market, technical skills may get your resume noticed—but soft skills determine who gets hired, promoted, and trusted with leadership.

Multiple studies consistently show that up to 85 percent of long-term career success is driven by soft skills, while only 15 percent comes from technical or hard skills. In fact, research also reveals a sobering reality: 46 percent of first hires are terminated within their first 18 months, and 89 percent of those terminations are due to poor attitude, communication, and interpersonal skills, not technical incompetence.

In an era where automation, AI, and rapid change are redefining roles, the ability to communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, manage emotions, and influence others has become a non-negotiable advantage—especially for tech professionals who want to stand out, move into leadership, and sustain long-term impact.

In this conversation, I engaged with Yadi, an organizational psychology practitioner and the host of The Hardcore Soft Skills Podcast, to unpack why soft skills are no longer “nice to have,” but mission-critical for anyone building a serious career in tech and beyond.

About the Guest

Yadi is an organizational psychology practitioner, workplace strategist, and the host of The Hardcore Soft Skills Podcast, where she challenges the myth that soft skills are secondary or optional. She is also the author of Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work with Humans. 

Through research-driven insights and real-world conversations, she helps professionals—especially in technical fields—understand how human behavior, mindset, and communication shape performance, leadership, and career longevity.

Her work bridges psychology and practice, translating complex human dynamics into actionable strategies for individuals and organizations seeking sustainable success.

With special guest: Clare Overmann | CEO, AIEA | Former Senior Director, IIE | Global Education Leader

Clare Overmann has spent her career building bridges across borders—turning higher education into a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth.

From her early days in the private sector in The Netherlands to leading global partnerships at the Institute of International Education, Clare’s journey has been one of purpose and global impact. Today, as CEO of AIEA, she leads a global network of higher education leaders shaping the future of international learning, policy, and partnerships.

Behind the leadership title lies a powerful personal story—what inspired her to dedicate her life to education, how she navigated complex international partnerships, and why she believes universities are key to building more equitable, innovative, and prosperous societies.

This conversation isn’t just about academia—it’s about how education drives economies, transforms communities, and connects the world.

Discussion Highlights

1. From Industry to Impact

How Clare transitioned from the petrochemical sector in The Netherlands to global education—and the moments that shaped her purpose.

2. Partnerships that Power Progress

What it takes to build sustainable, mutually beneficial academic collaborations that fuel innovation and opportunity.

3. Higher Education as an Economic Engine

How universities contribute to workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and international development.

4. Education for Global Impact

How higher education cultivates ethical leaders who think beyond borders and act with integrity, empathy, and responsibility.

5. Leading Through Complexity

Her perspective on the future of international higher ed leadership—and the mindsets required to thrive in an uncertain world.

About the Guest

Clare Overmann is CEO of AIEA, the leading association for senior international officers and global education leaders. She previously served as Senior Director at the Institute of International Education (IIE), where she led the Center for International Partnerships, managing collaborations across 15+ countries.

With a B.A. from Georgetown University and an M.A. from NYU Steinhardt, Clare brings deep understanding of policy, partnership, and people to advance higher education as a force for global good. Her work bridges academia, diplomacy, and leadership—empowering universities to shape a more connected and equitable world.

#TheAtoZPodcast #ClareOvermann #AIEA #GlobalEducation #HigherEducation #BeyondBorders #EconomicDevelopment #SocialImpact #EducationForChange #InnovationThroughEducation

I recently joined Your Ethiopian Professionals Network (YEP) for a dynamic conversation on From Diaspora Dreams to U.S. Business Ownership.

Together, we explored topics that matter deeply for aspiring and existing Ethiopian entrepreneurs in the U.S., including:
 💡 Why buying a business can sometimes be a smarter move than starting from scratch
 💡 Diverse sources of financing to help scale your company
 💡 Investor visa options for those looking to invest in the U.S.
 💡 The most important leadership competency every entrepreneur needs to succeed

And — we uncovered one of the most neglected but extraordinary financing options that too many overlook.

🔥 It was a dynamic, eye-opening discussion, and I’d love to hear your takeaways.
 👉 Check out the clip and share what stood out most to you.

#YEP #EthiopianEntrepreneurs #DiasporaLeadership #BusinessOwnership #InvestInAmerica #Entrepreneurship

We covered a wide range of powerful themes, from aviation and leadership to legacy, purpose, and impact.

Captain Abiy shared how growing up in a family of pilots — with his father among the pioneers of Ethiopian Airlines — inspired him and his brother to follow the same flight path.

He opened up about his decision to become a John C. Maxwell certified leadership coach, and drew fascinating parallels between a pilot in the cockpit and a leader in the workplace — both responsible for lives, safety, and direction.

We also explored how AvDyne AeroServices is serving major airlines like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, while hiring and empowering Ethiopian aviation engineers across the U.S.

And beyond aviation, he revealed what fuels his passion for investing in fintech, building people, and raising the next generation of emerging leaders.

#TheAtoZPodcast #CaptainAbiyMakonnen #AvDyneAeroServices #AviationLeadership #JohnCMaxwellLeadership #AfricanExcellence #DiasporaInnovation #PurposeDrivenLeadership #FromCockpitToCSuite #LeadershipLegacy

With special guest: Dr. Girma Ababi | Founder & CEO of Liyana Healthcare plc, Liyana Digital Healthcare Solutions plc, and Liyana-Oxy Medical Gas Manufacturing | Healthcare Investor | Industry Pioneer

He didn’t just practice medicine – he built an ecosystem. Dr. Girma Ababi has been at the forefront of Ethiopia’s healthcare transformation, pioneering the country’s health insurance industry and expanding its health infrastructure. Through hospitals, digital healthcare, and medical gas manufacturing, he’s redefining access, equity, and quality in one of Africa’s fastest-growing markets.

This episode isn’t just about medicine. It’s about visionary leadership, coalition building, and scaling systems that change lives and entire nations.
Discussion Points
1. From Physician to System Builder
How Dr. Ababi’s transition from practicing medicine to building enterprises reveals the mindset leaders need to scale beyond themselves.

2. Insurance & Financing Models for Growth
The pioneering role of health insurance in Ethiopia – and what it takes to design systems that stabilize organizations while expanding access.

3. Digital Transformation in Healthcare
Why tele-health and digital platforms are more than technology upgrades – they’re strategic levers for scaling services and creating sustainable impact.

4. Coalition Building & Influence
How Dr. Ababi leverages associations, partnerships, and policy networks to amplify his impact – and what leaders everywhere can learn about borrowing influence, building alliances, and expanding their reach beyond their own resources.

5. Legacy, Sustainability & Exit Strategies
What leaders in healthcare – and beyond – can learn about building organizations that endure, attract investment, and leave lasting legacies for future generations.

About the Guest
Dr. Girma Ababi is the Founder & CEO of Liyana Healthcare plc, Liyana Digital Healthcare Solutions plc, and Liyana-Oxy Medical Gas Manufacturing. A physician, healthcare investor, and industry pioneer, he has been instrumental in expanding Ethiopia’s healthcare infrastructure and shaping the country’s health insurance industry.

With over two decades of experience, Dr. Ababi has built hospitals, launched tele-health solutions, and led groundbreaking initiatives in medical gas manufacturing to support clinical operations nationwide. He has also served as Vice President of the National Private Health Facilities Association, led regional healthcare associations, and continues to play a pivotal role in advancing healthcare policy, access, and investment across Africa.

Watch it. Share it with your colleagues. This is a masterclass in healthcare leadership, innovation, and impact you don’t want to miss.

#TheAtoZPodcast #DrGirmaAbabi #LiyanaHealthcare #HealthcareInnovation #HealthInsurance #AfricanLeadership #TeleHealth #ScalingWithImpact #CoalitionBuilding #PurposeDrivenLeadership

With special guest Nick Friedman | Co-Founder & President of College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving | Bestselling Author | Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur

He didn’t just start a company – he started a movement. Nick Friedman co-founded College H.U.N.K.S. with a beat-up cargo van and a bold idea. Today, it’s a $300 million franchise empire with 250+ locations nationwide – built on culture, purpose, and service.

This episode isn’t just about scaling a business. It’s about leading with values, building people-first organizations, and proving that hustle and heart can change industries – and communities.

Discussion Points

1. From Side Hustle to National Brand

How Nick and his best friend turned a college gig into one of America’s fastest-growing franchise systems.

2. Culture as Currency

Why “Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable Service” became more than a tagline – it’s the DNA of a purpose-driven company.

3. Media Spotlight

Lessons from the spotlight of Shark Tank, Oprah, and Undercover Boss – and how to stay authentic while scaling.

4. Leadership Without Limits

How purpose, joy, and resilience fuel entrepreneurial success that lasts.

About the Guest

Nick Friedman is co-founder and president of College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving, one of the most recognized and awarded franchise brands in America. He’s a bestselling author of Effortless Entrepreneur, Inc. Top 30 Under 30 honoree, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner, and frequent media guest featured on Shark Tank, Oprah, CNN, and Undercover Boss.

With a mission “To Move the World,” Nick leads with culture, purpose, and impact – showing leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere what it takes to scale with heart.

#TheAtoZPodcast #NickFriedman #CollegeHunks #EffortlessEntrepreneur #LeadershipCulture #FranchiseSuccess #PurposeDrivenBusiness #ScalingWithHeart #EntrepreneurshipJourney

Jake Thompson once described himself as a passenger in his own life, overweight, drinking daily, and drifting without purpose. Everything changed the day he picked up a single book that forced him to confront his truth: “My story sucked, and it was up to me to write a better one.”

That wake-up call sparked a transformation that turned into a movement, Compete Every Day, now inspiring leaders and teams across the country.

Beyond the origin story: Jake took the lessons that rebuilt his life and turned them into simple, actionable frameworks that anyone can use. He teaches people how to define personal standards, stack small wins, and keep promises to themselves when motivation fades. He has worked with companies, coaches, and everyday professionals to build habits that reduce excuses, increase accountability, and make progress feel repeatable. This interview focuses on practical steps you can apply right away, whether you lead a team, run a business, or are rebuilding after a setback.

Discussion Points
1. The Wake-Up Call: How one book jolted Jake out of autopilot and set him on a path of daily, intentional change.

2. Small Bets, Big Shifts: Why committing to 1% improvements every day matters more than grand gestures.

3. Compete With Yourself, Not the World: The mindset shift that makes growth accessible for everyone, not just athletes and high performers.

4. From T-Shirts to Global Impact: How Jake built Compete Every Day from selling shirts out of his car into a brand with a life-changing message.

Whether you are chasing new goals, rebuilding from setbacks, or tired of going through the motions, Jake’s story proves that transformation starts the moment you decide to take the wheel.

About the guest
Jake Thompson is the Founder of Compete Every Day, a keynote speaker, and performance coach dedicated to helping leaders and organizations create winning cultures. Drawing from his own transformation and more than a decade of work with professionals, coaches, and companies, Jake delivers practical frameworks on accountability, resilience, and personal leadership that drive measurable results.

#TheAtoZPodcast #JakeThompson #CompeteEveryDay #ComebackStory #HighPerformanceHabits #LifeByDesign #MindsetShift #1PercentBetter

With special guest: Thomas Scott | Founder & CEO of Stellar AI Solutions | AI Innovator | Business Systems Builder

He didn’t just predict the future of AI, he built it. When Thomas Scott launched Stellar AI Solutions, he tested AI agents inside his own business, and within days, they landed their first client. That moment confirmed what he already believed: AI agents aren’t just coming, they’re here to transform how companies operate today.

This episode isn’t just about how to use AI Agents in real estate alone. It’s about how AI agents can free time, cut costs, and open doors for growth in any industry.

Discussion Points
1. AI Agents as Business Partners
What they are, how they differ from traditional automation, and why leaders should treat them like team members, not tools.

2. The First-Client Story
How Stellar AI Solutions secured a client within days using AI agents – and what that means for entrepreneurs everywhere.

3. Scaling Smarter, Not Larger
Why AI agents allow businesses to grow lean, save money, and multiply output without adding more staff.

4. The Agentic Future
Emerging trends in AI agents and what’s next for businesses that embrace them now.

Why This Matters to You
• Inspiration for Any Industry: Whether you're in marketing, operations, consulting, healthcare, or education – AI agents can reimagine how you work.

• Proof, not Theory: Thomas’s first-client win isn’t hypothetical – it happened fast and reliably.

• Transformation, Not Replacement: This isn’t about job cuts – it's about amplifying your team’s capacity and creativity with intelligent partners.

• A Look Ahead: Be at the forefront of agentic AI’s adoption – not years behind it.

About the Guest
Thomas Scott is the Founder & CEO of Stellar AI Solutions, a company helping real estate businesses – and beyond – leverage AI agents to run leaner, smarter, and more profitably. His work shows that AI isn’t a distant promise; it’s a present-day advantage.

By building intelligent systems that automate tasks, optimize funnels, and amplify results, Thomas is proving that AI agents are the new competitive edge for entrepreneurs, executives, and organizations across industries.

Invite a friend. Don’t miss this one.

#TheAtoZPodcast #AIForBusiness #FutureOfWork #AgenticAI #ScalingSmart #InnovationLeadership #BusinessGrowth

With special guest: Jeremy Beland | Off-Market Real Estate Expert | 450+ Deals Closed | REI Freedom Coach

He didn’t just flip properties – he flipped his life. Jeremy Beland traded his comfort zone for a coaching program, downsized his living space, and bet it all on himself. Fast forward, he’s not just closed 450+ off-market deals and generated $10 million in gross profits – he’s become the voice inspiring others to redefine their own pathways to freedom.

This episode is not just about real estate deals. It’s about the deals we make with ourselves to chase freedom, build resilience, and create a life that pays dividends far beyond money.

Discussion Points

1. From Air Force to Investing: Discipline in Reinvention

How military values like discipline, adaptability, and persistence shaped Jeremy’s path from service to entrepreneurship.

2. Stage-Ready: Inspiring Live with Real Talk

Bringing energy, authenticity, and actionable insights to audiences nationwide.

3. The Business Architect: Building Brands with Purpose

Lessons from scaling NH Home Buyers, Coastal Florida Home Buyers, and REI Freedom into seven-figure ventures.

4. Empathy Over Hustle: Serving vs. Selling in Coaching

Why leading with empathy and human connection creates lasting success.

About the Guest

Jeremy Beland is a real estate investor, coach, speaker, husband, and devoted father of five. After serving in the Air Force, he entered the real estate world at 40 – selling his home, moving into a modest apartment, and investing in a coaching program to start his wholesaling journey. Since then, he’s completed more than 450 off-market acquisitions across wholesaling, flipping, and rentals – generating over $10 million in gross profits.

Today, Jeremy leads multiple seven-figure ventures – NH Home Buyers, Coastal Florida Home Buyers, and REI Freedom Coaching – and travels the country inspiring others with his no-nonsense blend of strategic insight and emotional authenticity. His mission is simple: help people rewrite their stories with discipline, purpose, and freedom at the core.

#TheAtoZPodcast #FromTinyApartmentToMillions #REIFreedom #InvestorMindset #LeadershipInLife #PurposeDrivenSuccess #VeteranEntrepreneur #HighPerformanceHabits #BuildingFreedom #ScalingWithPurpose #RealEstateJourney #LifeByDesign #WholesalingSuccess #FinancialFreedomMindset #EmpathyInBusiness

The Power of the Shark Mindset with Hall of Fame Speaker & Former NBA Athlete, Walter Bond

From NBA locker rooms to the global stage, Walter Bond shares the raw truth about peak performance, personal greatness, and what it takes to win in life and leadership.

What separates high achievers from everyone else?
It’s not talent. It’s not luck.
It’s mindset, preparation, and belief.

In this empowering conversation, I sit down with Walter Bond, former NBA player turned Hall of Fame speaker and Next Level Coach, who has impacted millions through his electrifying keynotes and performance frameworks. We dive deep into his journey, his turning points, and the “Shark Mindset” that transforms ordinary people into extraordinary performers.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why “No One Can Stop You But You” is more than a quote – it’s a lifestyle
• How Walter went from being undrafted to making the NBA
• The mindset top performers share across sports, business, and leadership
• Why motivation fades – and what to replace it with
• How to lead yourself first before leading others
• His powerful “SHARK” Performance Philosophy that helps leaders and teams dominate their space

If you prefer to watch the full interview: https://youtube.com/live/ek6jJXiT-rw

About Walter Bond:
Walter Bond is a globally recognized performance coach and motivational speaker inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame. As a former NBA athlete, Walter took the same discipline and resilience he used on the court to ignite audiences in the boardroom. Today, he helps teams and leaders unlock their "next level" through his keynotes, books, and signature Shark Mindset philosophy.

🎥 Watch his sizzle reel
📂 Explore his marketing kit

#NoOneCanStopYouButYou #MindsetOverEverything #PeakPerformance #SharkMindset #LeadershipGrowth #HighPerformanceHabits #NextLevelLeadership #MotivationToAction #MindsetMatters #WinningMindset