Shows
The Life and Leadership PodcastEP033 Authentic Leadership with Stephanie Ezechukwu (Pt 2)In Part 2 of our very insightful with Stephanie Ezechukwu, Head of Prosecutions and Quality at the DVSA, we explore how vulnerability can be one of a leader’s greatest strengths.Stephanie shares an incredibly moving story of having to break the news of a colleague’s passing to her team—despite being the newest member. Her authenticity and willingness to lead with vulnerability not only made her the obvious choice for the extremely difficult task, but it helped her navigate that difficult moment with empathy and grace.We also dive into the rol...2025-06-2742 min
The Life and Leadership PodcastEP032 Authentic Leadership with Stephanie Ezechukwu (Pt 1)What does it really mean to lead with authenticity?In this inspiring episode, Stephanie Ezechukwu, Head of Prosecutions and Quality at the DVSA, takes us through her extraordinary journey—from starting as a 23-year-old court clerk to now leading three teams handling some of the UK government's most critical prosecution work.Stephanie shares how humility, character, competence and compassion shaped her rise, and why those same values are essential in effective leadership. From being unexpectedly promoted in her first year to leading teams that represent the agency in major courts, her story is on...2025-06-1332 min
The Life and Leadership PodcastE031 Breaking Barriers and Leadership Legacy with Dr Ibilola Amao (Pt. 2)In this powerful conclusion to our conversation with Dr. Ibilola Amao, Principal Consultant at Lonadek Global Services, we dive deeper into what fuels her extraordinary journey.Dr. Amao shares how she turns obstacles into opportunities—not only to rise above challenges but to create lasting, positive impact for others. Her leadership mindset can only be described as one of transformation, legacy-building, and bold innovation.She also shares how she manages to achieve a sense of work-life integration, and the "superpower" that enables her to continuously break barriers and uplift others despite a staggering list of pr...2025-04-0430 min
The Life and Leadership PodcastE030 Breaking Barriers and Leadership Legacy with Dr Ibilola Amao (Pt. 1)Dr Ibilola Amao’s journey is one of breaking barriers and defying odds. From navigating challenges as a black woman in a male-dominated industry to building a thriving engineering consultancy, in this episode, she reveals the bold strategies and leadership mindset that has fueled her success, how taking what many would see as a demotion and drastic pay cut became a game-changer for her career and how she is empowering thousands of young talents along the way, leaving a legacy of empowerment, innovation, and transformative leadership that continues to inspire the next generation.Tune in for an ins...2025-03-1431 min
The Life and Leadership PodcastE029 Leadership and Work Life Balance with Michael Wood FIH (Pt 2)In the final part of our conversation with Michael Wood FIH on Leadership and Work-Life Balance, Michael reveals his top three traits of an effective leader, how he navigates moments of failure, and the single most important piece of advice he has ever received. Plus, he shares what every new leader must embrace to truly succeed.Prepare to be both inspired and empowered by Michael's profound insights!Subscribe here to be notified of new episodesMichael Wood FIH is General Manager and Director of Hempstead House Hotel and spa based in...2024-09-2719 min
The Life and Leadership PodcastE028 Leadership and Work - Life Balance with Michael Wood FIH (Pt 1)In the 24/7 world of hospitality, achieving work-life balance might seem impossible, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Safe to say if the elusive work-life balance can be achieved in the industry, it is achievable in any industry. In this episode of the Life and Leadership podcast, we delve into this crucial topic with Michael Wood FIH, General Manager of Hempstead House Hotel in Kent, United Kingdom. Michael not only shares his personal strategies for achieving work-life balance but also explains how he tries to ensure the same for his team. He also emphasizes th...2024-09-1331 min
The Life and Leadership PodcastE027 Cultivating a Culture of Trust with Zachary Jones (Pt 2)In this episode of the Life and Leadership podcast, Zachary Jones, Security Advisory Director at CNA Financial Corporation in Chicago, underscores the importance of perspective for leaders, emphasizing that the process of achieving objectives is far more crucial than achieving the objectives themselves.Zach explains that reaching a goal at the expense of trust, relationships, and employee enthusiasm is far more costly in the long run. He also sheds light on his concept of work-life integration, highlighting the pivotal role trust plays in making work-life harmony possible, especially for leaders.Zach also shares how he...2024-08-3027 min
The Life and Leadership PodcastE026 Cultivating a Culture of Trust with Zachary Jones (Pt 1)Trust is the foundation of team success and a vital asset for any leader. In this episode, Zachary Jones Security Advisory Director at CNA, a Financial Corporation based in Chicago explains why trust is so crucial and how its absence can hinder productivity and progress. Zach highlights the key differences between low-trust and high-trust cultures, offers insights on identifying where your organisation stands, and shares his strategies for building what he calls his "dream team"He also discusses how leaders can foster a culture of trust and suggests alternative approaches to handling common issues that m...2024-08-1629 min