Don't Let The Smile Fool You – Details, episodes & analysis

In this first episode, Uche opens up about her journey from New York to CEO roles across Africa, sharing real and sometimes unexpected stories about her path to success. Growing up as the only girl among three brothers, moving countries, and stepping into major leadership positions, Uche reveals the challenges and lessons that shaped her.This is not another “just work hard and get promoted” story. Instead, Uche discusses being underestimated because of her smile, the reality of career struggles, and why it’s so important to be honest about what it really takes to get to the top,especially as a woman navigating workplaces in both the US and Africa.Here’s what you’ll find in this episode: 00:00 - Meet Uche and her background00:24 - The pivotal letter that jumpstarted her career direction02:00 - Ambition and choosing a leadership role03:07 - From Nigeria to Ghana to CEO03:52 - Why honesty matters in career conversations04:34 - Why you shouldn’t let the smile fool you05:14 - Uche’s hopes for listeners

A few years ago, we set out to make International Women's Day more than a hashtag or a poster; we wanted to turn it into a real growth opportunity for the women in our organization. That is how CEO of the Day began. The idea? Choose a young woman in the company to literally walk in my shoes as CEO for 24 hours.

What started as a small challenge with just 7 companies has now grown to 33 companies joining in 2025. In this episode of "Don't Let the Smile Fool You," I (Uche) sit down with Annick, our 2025 CEO of the Day, and we get real about what leadership looks like when you’re thrown into the deep end for a day.

Annick holds nothing back as she takes us through her journey from nerves and self-doubt to that powerful moment when she learned she was chosen. She talks through the butterflies, the pressure, and the sudden feeling of being a role model for other women. But what surprised me was her reflection on what real leadership means: you don’t need all the answers, you just have to ask the right questions and listen, especially to your customers.

We talk about strategy, confidence, and what it’s really like to have others look up to you. There’s pressure, for sure, but as Annick says, embracing that fear and using it as fuel is what actually leads to growth. This is more than a workplace program—it’s about changing the narrative for young women leaders everywhere.

Chapters 00:00 The Origin of CEO of the Day and International Women's Day 00:50 Meet Annick: 2025 CEO of the Day 01:10 Annick's Nerve-Racking Application Process 03:37 Finding Out She Won & Facing Self-Doubt 04:44 Wings to Fly: Building Confidence 06:08 Lessons in Leadership: Asking Questions, Not Having All the Answers 07:29 Understanding Strategy: The Customer is King 08:00 Becoming a Role Model (Whether You Want It or Not) 09:09 Balancing Pressure & Inspiration as a Visible Leader 12:04 Career Aspirations: Seeing a Path to CEO 13:01 Quick Fire Questions: Surprises, Lessons & Regrets 14:49 If I Could Do It Again: Deeper Conversations with Stakeholders 15:06 The Lasting Lesson: Don't Let Doubt Lead Your Life

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to step into a big leadership role, or if you need a nudge to chase your next opportunity, this episode is for you. Annick’s journey will remind you that confidence is often built, not born, and that mentoring, self-reflection, and learning from each other matter more than ever.

Don’t just listen, think about how you can become the CEO of your own story, even if just for a day. And as always, don’t let the smile fool you; the real growth happens in the moments no one sees.

Have you ever wondered what leadership really feels like behind closed doors? In this episode I open up about the leadership secrets nobody told me before I stepped into the CEO role. If you have dreams of being a leader, or if you are already leading a team, you’ll want to hear the honest truth about what no one warns you about. Here’s a spoiler: being at the top can be downright lonely.I share my own journey—from thinking I was more than ready as a confident CMO, watching my boss make it all seem effortless, to realizing just how different and isolating it actually is to carry the final responsibility. I thought I had it figured out because I was good at strategy, commercial work, and managing people. What I didn’t see was the loneliness that comes with making every tough call by yourself.It wasn’t all negative though. I talk about how I’ve coped with that isolation by building a network of friends outside my company—a support system that has kept me sane through some of the toughest times. I also share what it’s like to lead as a woman, how my less hands-on style has sometimes been mistaken for weakness, and the boundaries I had to set to earn respect without becoming a micromanager.My leadership style hasn’t stayed the same. Over the years, I’ve learned to keep growing, to hold on to my excitement for leadership even when it feels overwhelming. In this episode, you’ll hear my real stories, the lessons I’ve picked up, and the advice I wish someone had given me when I started out.Check out the chapters for a quick guide through my story:0:00 - The Reality of Leadership 0:24 - My Transition from CMO to CEO 1:01 - The Hidden Loneliness of Leadership 2:12 - How I Built My Own Support Network 2:39 - Being a Woman Leader: Boundaries and Leadership Style 3:56 - Personal Growth and Learning as a Leader 4:34 - My Final Thoughts and AdviceIf you’re curious what it really takes to lead, why leadership at the top sometimes feels so isolating, or how to set boundaries without losing yourself, this episode is for you. Thanks for listening to "Don't Let the Smile Fool You." Let’s get real about what it means to lead.

Trust me, the journey is a lot lonelier and more complex than most people think, and sometimes the only way to get through it is to build strong infrastructure around yourself. I’m sharing a story from a few years ago when I faced a major work challenge - and how one conversation with a friend changed everything.

We talk about what leadership infrastructure means, why you can’t go it alone, and what it actually looks like to build your own personal ecosystem of support. I open up about the three pillars of my own leadership infrastructure: having an executive coach, committing to physical health with a trainer, and leaning on close friends who understand the pressures of leadership.

If you think leadership is just about powering through on your own, let this episode show you a different way. You’ll hear why top leaders never do it alone, how to figure out what support you truly need, and the importance of community and connection for women in leadership positions. I’d love to know: What does your leadership infrastructure look like?

Chapters/Key Moments:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:45 The Work Crisis That Changed My Perspective
01:56 The Truth About Leadership Infrastructure
02:34 Why Every Leader Needs a Safe Space
03:31 The Role of an Executive Coach in My Journey
04:24 The Value of a Fitness Trainer (and How I Stay Motivated)
05:06 Customizing Your Own Infrastructure – What Do You Need?
06:14 Mentors, Therapists, and At-Home Support Explained
07:18 How Friends Feed the Leader’s Soul
07:52 The Power of a Supportive Community
08:54 Final Thoughts and Your Turn

If you’re just starting out as a leader - or you’ve been at it for years - this episode is for you. Let’s talk about why no one should climb this ladder alone, and how building the right infrastructure makes all the difference. Drop your thoughts about leadership infrastructure in the comments. Thank you for listening.

I want to let you in on a moment from my own journey. Picture this: you’ve just been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. This should be an occasion for celebration but instead, you find yourself sitting in an executive meeting, head down, not confident, questioning whether you’re truly good enough. And it does not stop there. Doubts can come both from within and from those around you, sometimes from colleagues who bluntly tell you to “play to your strengths”—code for “you’re not good enough for this.” The voices in your head start questioning your suitability, your skills, and even your personality.We talk about how easy it is to be pulled into a spiral of imposter syndrome and self doubt, especially when performance dips or someone plants a seed of uncertainty. But as you’ll hear in this episode, there is a way forward. Preparation, constant learning, and recognizing the difference between constructive feedback and undermining comments are crucial. Preparation isn’t only a buffer against criticism; it builds the confidence that carries you through rough patches and quiets that inner critic.This episode is for anyone in leadership—or aspiring to be—who’s ever wondered if they truly belong. I share the challenges, setbacks, and, most importantly, the mindset shifts that helped me build resilience as a leader. We also discuss the role of supportive bosses, how small wins matter, and why both self doubt and external doubt need to be managed, not ignored. Whether you’re feeling “not commercial enough,” too “high maintenance,” or worried about how to bounce back from criticism, there’s something in here for you.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction – Leadership and the Realities Hidden Behind the Smile 00:33 – The Big Question: Have You Ever Felt Not Good Enough? 00:48 – How Leaders Manage Self Talk and Imposter Syndrome 01:25 – The Promotion Story: From Head of Brand to Chief Marketing Officer 03:50 – When Colleagues Cast Doubt: “Play to Your Strengths” 05:58 – Performance Dips and the Spiral of Self Doubt 07:11 – The Role of Supportive Bosses in Overcoming Doubt 08:54 – Turning Things Around: Driving Growth After Setbacks 09:46 – Preparation, Learning, and Recognizing Constructive Feedback 11:38 – Self Doubt: Why It’s Normal and How to Train It 12:36 – The Power of Small Wins and Celebrating Your Progress 13:56 – Why a Healthy Level of Doubt Matters for Leaders 1Whether you’re in your first leadership role or navigating a challenging season at the top, remember this: self doubt is normal, but it doesn’t have to control you. Use it to sharpen your preparation, celebrate your progress along the way, and surround yourself with the right support. Dive in for more stories, tips, and motivation straight from the leadership trenches.If you find this episode helpful, please like, subscribe, and share your experience battling self doubt in your leadership journey. Keep smiling—and don’t let that smile fool anyone, especially yourself.