Everyday Leadership – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

🔥 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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

"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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

Leading the change within church

"I was excited by how can I lead, but not in the church space? It felt limiting. It felt like it was repetitive. I was kind of interested and excited by the world, which in my tradition was painted as quite a dangerous place. But I found it quite exciting. - Dr Selina Stone

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

As a Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College, Dr Selina Stone brings together theology and religious studies with an emphasis on liberation through her work as part-time freelance researcher.

She's currently leading the team undertaking research for a project about wellbeing among BAME/UKME Clergy within Church of England institutions.

She was a Christian from a very young age and she grew up with that being reinforced in all areas of her life.

She had a very strong connection to God.

As you will hear in the episode, Dr Selina had a lot of awareness when she was getting more involved in the church.

She knew it wasn't perfect and that things had to be different if she was going to get on with it. And it didn't initially excite her.

But as we always say on this podcast, leadership starts with self.

And Dr Selina is a great example of a leader starting the leadership journey with self.

Particularly when it comes to leaning into that responsibility that we know we have to take to help others first.

For Dr Selina, the theological work that she does around helping people think critically about faith is very much intertwined with these concerns about social justice and having a kind of nuanced understanding life.

The politics/theology works together in all aspects when it comes to defending or discovering more equality for everyone; not just those who are Christian-based but also followers from other religions as well!

The importance here lies within exploring one's own identity while still being committed towards improving society at large - something which can be seen through every aspect including how we approach jobs like hers where there often isn't much room left to manoeuvre.

01m26s - Dr Selina's backstory

05m59s - Having the courage to see things differently

15m33s - What it was like for Dr Selina being a leader

26m10s - Navigating the balance between justice and silence

36m24s - How Selina makes time for herself

46m34s - Coping when prayer doesn't 'work' immediately

56m36s - How Dr Selina Stone defines leadership

Dr Selina Stone on LinkedIn

Dr Selina Stone's podcast "Sunday School for misfits"

Dr Selina Stone's page on the University of Birmingham website

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

If you want to learn more about this podcast, and myself, Sope Agbelusi, you can do so using any of the below links.

Connect with Me

• Website
• 
  Instagram
• 
  LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

Leading the change when it comes to racism in sport

"If someone's doing it, I'm the first to go, they're doing it. Support what they're doing. But there was a space that was completely empty and open. I just thought, it feels like a good idea and it feels like we should be doing something. - Leon Mann

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

Leon is a highly experienced content producer with a background in the media production industry.

He's a skilled screenwriter and film producer.

He's a highly influential character when it comes to the campaign to erase racism in sport, and has been regarded as an influencer in that space.

He's also an esteemed voice in the newspaper of the same name.

Rodney Hinds from The Voice newspaper played a huge part in Leon's campaign against whitewashing in football.

In this episode, Leon explains how the idea of the Football 'Blacklist' came to be.

You'll be absolutely blown away when you learn how much of UK Premier League football owes its existence to the black community (and when you learn how little it's represented at board level!)

And that's just the tip of the iceberg of a conversation we have for you this week.

You'll learn about how Leon uses leadership in his wider campaign of telling stories through his filmmaking.

02m02s - Young Leon's aspirations

04m32s - How did Leon adopt his philosophy?

10m24s - How did Leon get into journalism?

14m32s - Building networks.

20m31s - Leon's 'driver'

36m34s - Dealing with the frustration

42m31s - Which area Leon enjoys the most

46m55s - Leon's views on racism in football

54m11s - How does Leon define leadership?

Leon Mann on LinkedIn

Leon's website

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

If you want to learn more about this podcast, and myself, Sope Agbelusi, you can do so using any of the below links.

Connect with Me

• Website
• 
  Instagram
• 
  LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

Our society still has much to achieve when it comes to eradicating institutional racism...

"You have to be professional to be able to do a good job for your clients. It's no good to my client if I am unable to do a good job because I'm so vexed, I've taken my off the ball.

That's not to say I, I can't be vexed. - Terence Channer.

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

Terence is a lawyer who specialises in actions against the police.

He's a senior solicitor at Scott-Moncrieff & Associates.

He's also a columnist for the newspaper "The Voice".

It seems that there's still a lot of work to do to eradicate racism within the British police force.

Terence has first hand experience through his clients of some of the problematic powers they're in possession of when it comes to individuals on the street.

Clearly, the world as a whole was massively impacted by cases like the George Floyd incident in America.

Yet, there are echoes of that same racist energy in the UK, and Terence is very intentional with his drive to shine a light on them.

In this episode of the Everyday Leadership podcast, Terence shares some of these stories, and explains how he came to grow into his impactful role in bridging the gap between the police and the individuals he vows to protect.

And he doesn't hold back when it comes to holding the problematic police force to account on this still very troubling issue of some elements of the British police and their attitudes to stop and search.

02m07s - Young Terence

05m48s - Navigating from the streets

14m49s - What does it feel like to be a black lawyer?

23m39s - Staying 'sane' when hearing the various injustices.

30m34s - Using the patois

34m41s - Responding in 'those moments' (obvious racism)

40m37s - Leaning in to the role he's there to play

Terence Channer on LinkedIn

Terence's page on the website

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

If you want to learn more about this podcast, and myself, Sope Agbelusi, you can do so using any of the below links.

Connect with Me

• Website
• 
  Instagram
• 
  LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

Leading with love and light

"My purpose, as I understand it, is to spread love and light" - Aggie Mutuma.

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

Aggie is the CEO and lead consulting director of Mahogany Inclusion Partners

Aggie is a passionate Inclusion and Anti-Racism expert, Executive Coach and engaging speaker who excels at partnering organisations to build cultures where everyone can thrive.

Her recent accolades include being voted a top 20 Most influential HR thinker in 2022 by fellow people professionals.

Essentially, they're about helping organisations to get, and stay, inclusive.

"We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive in life. We are actively passionate about playing our part to get the world closer to this place; one organisation at a time."

Aggie believes we are all made of a mix of 'stuff' as she calls it.

Sometimes the stuff is nastiness.

But hidden beneath it can be love.

In this episode of the Everyday Leadership podcast, Aggie explains to us what her own upbringing taught her about humans and kindness, and how she applies that learning to find it in others.

And where it's already present, to nurture it.

01m25s - Aggie's origin story - playground unkindness

04m27s - Leading with love

14m33s - Titles blind us - what does a title create?

21m48s - Balancing work success with parenting success

29m41s - 'Sitting with yourself'...

33m08s - Celebrating yourself as much as you cheerlead others

44m18s - How does Aggie Mutuma define leadership?

Aggie Mutuma LinkedIn

Aggie Mutuma on the website

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

If you want to learn more about this podcast, and myself, Sope Agbelusi, you can do so using any of the below links.

Connect with Me

• Website
• 
  Instagram
• 
  LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

Are you 'unemployable' like Daniella Genas?

"And my dad in particular was always of this kind of idea that you should create your own ways of generating revenues that are not reliant on having a boss."

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

Daniella Genas is a transformative business coach and consultant with experience in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses across all industries.

She adds significant value to solopreneurs, mid-size companies and large enterprises with multi-million pound turnover.

She has accelerated the growth of many six figure earners by leveraging her sharp wit combined with strategic prowess and authority when it comes managing people or making decisions about key aspects such as marketing strategies etc..

The STBVISSA (Shes the Boss) Model for Business Growth and Sustainability is Daniellas powerful framework within which she helps entrepreneurs to be more successful in their businesses.

The model has been developed after many years of consulting with SMEs, which are crucial when it comes to growing your company's profits long-term success.

It works by implementing these five key components: strategy building; operations & leadership development ; marketing automation systems and processes improvement.

With this comprehensive approach you can gain control over all aspects related specifically around growth!

Daniella's story is fascinating and takes us on a journey through starting a pop group, going on a hip hop talent show, becoming the UK's Oprah and starting two businesses.

Among all that, there's theft, tribunals, and nagging parents.

This is a real 'show the scars not the injuries' packed episode, with some inspiring conversation around knowing thyself, and accepting our place in the world when it comes to being employable or otherwise.

01m42s - Hopes and dreams - from pop star to UK Oprah

11m36s - Being 'unemployable' and embracing it

20m53s - Being sued and selling the business

25m55s - Succeeding outwardly but being 'alone' internally (the BBC Women's Hour drama)

37m20s - Feeling like you've 'made it'

41m13s - The importance of impact

49m46s - How does Daniella Genas define leadership?

Daniella Genas Instagram

Daniella GenasLinkedIn

Daniella Genas She's The Boss

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

If you want to learn more about this podcast, and myself, Sope Agbelusi, you can do so using any of the below links.

Connect with Me

• Website
• 
  Instagram
• 
  LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

Are you doing what you're called to do?

"My grandmother told me, this is my father's mother. If you have a talent and you're not using it, it's a sin. She went to a small country church, so that set the bar really high."

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

Trusted advisor and business expert, Dr. Grant Tate has written a book to help people find freedom in their careers: "Hand on the Shoulder: Finding Freedom in the Confluence of Love and Career"

It's the story of his life experiences as an entrepreneur with over two decades worth or operational experience at top levels across organisations from small businesses all way up through multinational corporations and even politicians.

The stories all combine seamlessly into this memoir which provides insights not only about what it means be successful, but also, how do you get there?

That's a core theme of this episode, as Sope delves deeply into the mind of this inspirational leader.

And it turns out, the book is quite central to that question.

"About a year ago, publisher called and said, hey, I've seen some of your writing out there. Have you ever thought of writing a book? And I said, well, sure, everybody has. Then that person and I had three different meetings... and I finally decided I didn't want to write the 50,001st business business book because that's how many are published every year. But let's examine my experiences. And then that got reinforced because I asked a lot of my friends and contacts, if I'm writing a book, what would you like to see? And they said, how did you get to where you are?"

It's not just strictly business in this conversation.

As usual, Sope uses his expert leadership skills to guide Dr Grant Tate through his vulnerability and share some of his less favourable personal experiences, and the lessons gleaned from them.

The topic of friends and relationships carries an impactful insight punch.

All in all, this is one of our most important episodes for anybody wanting to get a grasp on the role leadership can play when it comes to family and relationships.

01m31s - Stepping out of your comfort zone and the questions Dr Grant Tate asked that led to the book

04m50s - Key lessons from being the little kid in class

07m20s - Family responsibilities

12m50s - Criticism over IBM choices and the recession

20m45s - Avoiding meeting fatigue and using the time

24m29s - The willingness to unlearn and relearn

33m56s - Understanding influence isn't always hierarchical

39m10s - What is Dr Grant Tate called to do? And the explanation of leverage.

41m48s - The impact of career on personal relationships

45m28s - Identifying the person who can do what you need

48m19s - How does Dr Grant Tate define leadership?

Dr Grant Tate's book

Dr Grant Tate's LinkedIn

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

If you want to learn more about this podcast, and myself, Sope Agbelusi, you can do so using any of the below links.

Connect with Me

• Website
• 
  Instagram
• 
  LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

What do you prioritise?

"Sometimes how we phrase or the language we use can really throw us off when it comes to what it means to prioritise..."

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

Ayokunu Oduniyi is the founder of 4:12 Men. Its vision is to see men gather and grow together as they navigate what it means to be a Godly man in today's society.

Ayo is a leader who transposes many avenues, with his eye in the camera viewfinder and his hands on helping his fellow man.

In this episode, we will discuss the importance of prioritising and how Ayokunu Oduniyi applies this principle in his work with 4:12 Men.

Totally 'on brand', 4:12 MEN derives its name from the bible:

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Ayokunu Oduniyi is a leader who understands the importance of prioritising.

In his work with 4:12 Men, he focuses on doing the harder things first.

This principle can be applied to many areas of life, including our personal lives, our work lives, and even our spiritual lives.

In our personal lives, we often find ourselves putting off the things that we should be doing first.

We procrastinate on our health, our relationships, and even our own happiness.

We tell ourselves that we'll start tomorrow, or next week, or next month.

But the truth is, if we don't start today, we may never start at all.

And, in our spiritual lives, we often find ourselves putting off the things that God is asking us to do.

We tell ourselves that we're not ready, or that we don't have enough faith.

But if we don't take action on what God is asking us to do, we will never experience the fullness of His plan for our lives.

In this episode, Ayo speaks to this.

Loudly.

01m13s - What's in a name?

07m00s - The plan when Ayo was younger

10m20s - The photographic eye

30m25s - The biggest thing that helped build trust and safety

34m20s - Substance vs appearances

36m30s - The biggest lessons from marriage

44m56s - What kind of father does he want to be? And his thoughts on what leadership means

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

If you want to learn more about this podcast, and myself, Sope Agbelusi, you can do so using any of the below links.

Connect with Me

• Website
• 
  Instagram
• 
  LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: hello@mindsetshift.co.uk

I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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 hello@mindsetshift.co.uk