Shows
Leadership Circle PodcastFrom Trauma to Triumph: A Conversation That Will Change Your Perspective with Tesse AkpekiHow do we transform pain into purpose?In our latest Leadership Circle Podcast episode, Tesse Akpeki shares her powerful journey of loss, resilience, and hope.In this deeply personal and introspective conversation, Tesse and I explore the challenges of navigating a complex and often traumatic world. We discuss the importance of selective media consumption, recognizing how constant exposure to negative news can be emotionally detrimental.Tesse shares her personal experiences, including the loss of her brother in a tragic hit-and-run accident and her struggles with feeling overwhelmed by global suffering.The dialogue...2025-04-1052 min
TesseTalksFinding JoyTesse Akpeki says " When I prioritise finding joy in what I do, success follows naturally. Creating balance, addressing a tendency towards workaholism, seeking meaning and purpose as I aim for excellence are important features as I flesh out my pathway to wellbeing. A few years ago I came to the conclusion that I wish to enjoy what I do. Work hard, yes of course, but not at the expense of burning myself out. Exploration, discovery, learning and cooperation feature highly through my lens of what matters. I am ecstatic when the work I do makes a difference to my...2025-03-1307 min
TesseTalksBoundary Boss Review By Erin Randall and Tesse AkpekiTesseTalks review "Boundary Boss", written by Terri Cole - The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free, with special guest Erin Randall who is all about happy people doing great work. Boundaries really matter. In Boundary Boss, Cole models how people can connect with the appropriateness and benefits of putting boundaries in place and begin to apply this understanding to their individual situations. She gives you exercises and scripts to follow so that you can model it first. You can try it out, in your own sand pitted home before you go take this out...2024-01-0426 min
TesseTalksLife Changing - A Map to HappinessLife changing is achieved by a map to happiness. Jane Gunn points to a compass of North, East South and East and West with a link to personal and professional values. N in North, what we're trying to do is to say, what's going on Now? What is the immediate challenge? Essential, even if you're starting up a collaboration. E in East stands for "Explore". Where am I with this? What am I thinking? What am I feeling? What are my own hopes and dreams? You know, we need to really understand ourselves better, and...2023-12-1526 min
TesseLeadsUplifted Under the BonnetUplifted under the bonnet is about bringing your authentic self to life and living. This shines a spotlight on human flourishing, the kindness, compassion, hope and empathy. Our stream of consciousness considers, where we are trying to get to in our journey through life. We reflect on what needs we are trying to satisfy. The reality is that most of us are trying to satisfy very simple needs such as living a peaceful life with our families and going about our daily live in a calm, focused, intentional and meaningful manner. Conflict often arises from unmet needs...2023-11-3029 min
TesseTalksDreams and TriumphDreams can become a reality. The dream you hold is what bears fruit. Tenacity and patience can make a difference to stay with our intention. Shortlisted three times for the Championship Award , for Tesse Akpeki, it is third time lucky. She has been crowned Champion for Governance 2023 by the Chartered Governance Institute for United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. “I would like to thank everyone who nominated me over the three opportunities to become a champion. I am so glad I can serve people and bring a measure of joy as well as competence to what matters to...2023-11-2207 min
TesseLeadsInspiration - Live, Lead, LeaveTaking the time is like slowing down to speed up is the right answer. It is about the legacy we live, lead and leave. Inspiration can be found in how Stephen Sidebottom tells his story. Finding happiness in the place you are, is the thing that matters the most. You have a choice, which is what's your next step, and you have a choice of, am I going to be happy, or do I choose not to be? Success recognises where value is created and takes the time to think and to shape. Everything is...2023-11-0823 min
TesseLeadsFrom Adversity To TriumphAdversity can lead to triumphing in the face of challenges and suffering. Deshauna Barber is doing good in the world from a place of knowing what it's like to serve. She is doing her story, being her story, telling her story. Pretty Ugly Lessons: empowering strategies to transform adversity into triumph by a former Miss USA and Army veteran is a treasure trove. Highlighted is the importance of getting balance in life through strategies for investing our energies and overcoming our fears.2023-10-2718 min
TesseLeadsAdversity - From Knock Down to TriumphAdversity is hard, painful, challenging and unsettling. Confronting crisis, chaotic situations and developments can be overwhelming. One woman, Juliet Lamin used her personal tragedy to find her purpose and passion. From Knock Down to Comeback is her personal story of the steps she took to come back from the ashes of despair. The road is towards triumph. The journey is by no means an easy one. On 5th February 2013 Juliet received the most devastating news any mother could receive. She heard that her adorable and gifted Philip had collapsed while playing football. He was rushed to hospital. W...2023-10-2016 min
TesseTalksBrown Girl In The Ring“Brown Girl in the Ring came from a place of desperation” says Olukemi Ogunyemi. “Though my recollections are pretty harsh, the memoirs reflect my reality. All of us were in some kind of pain. People feel judged sometimes when you ask them to change something without any understanding of why they could consider doing so. If we understand things, we are more inclined to make changes” says Olukemi”. “All of the experiences have been a learning, a deepening understanding to myself. The painful moments are deeply painful. The pain does pass and as it passes, you can understand w...2023-10-1225 min
TesseLeadsRoad Trip“It is a road trip; I feel that I'm at my peak. I'm at my peak because I've had so much experience and now, I can take all this experience from my professional and personal things that I've done and really step it into a higher gear in things that I can do. I feel very optimistic for the direction that a lot of things are taking in the professional corporate aspect”. Max Ekesi describes himself as super excited about a lot of things, and one of those is the opportunity to serve on his "Agile Austin Community" where he's...2023-09-2824 min
TesseTalksPower Of TransformationStephen Sidebottom brings a refreshing take on transformations. “ People are actually extraordinarily adaptable. The idea that people don't like change is, I think fundamentally false. What I think is true is that organizations don't like change. The construct people are asked to operate is rigid and fixed, and the mechanism for adapting and changing those constructs, whether they're social constructs or organizational constructs, are much slower than the mechanisms by which people themselves change.” “ I'm not a big hints and tips person. My approach is often through studying how people work in an organiz...2023-09-0728 min
TesseLeadsRays of HopeRays of hope focuses on how emotions and perspectives can affect our whole being and can go into a physical injury in the body. Self-love and a sense of belonging from blended communities can be healing and restorative. “I thought that I knew who I was as a mother and as a therapist and everything, and I wrote the book and I thought, God, who am I? Cause I didn't really know who I am. I've discovered self-worth, and that's key. If you've got self-worth, you can ask these questions” says Olukemi Ogunyemi.” Writing Brown Girl in...2023-08-2423 min
TesseLeadsColoring LifeInspirational speaker Dr. Alise Cortez spoke with us about “How Loss Invites Us To Live More Vibrant Lives”. Loss gives such a beautiful bountiful connection in ways that ignites purpose, passion, forgiveness and love. The achingly beautiful colour of life does not fade as adversity leads a way towards purpose. We realise we don't get forever, and we don't know when the exit ramp is coming. “With that insight comes an increased urgency around purpose.” We move forward with renewed value and appreciation for life and the love we share with others. Death is a great teacher. We can be...2023-08-0327 min
TesseTalksThe Great Revitalization“I asked an audience what they are passionate about just before the pandemic. Then as well as now, they admitted running the hamster wheel so fast that they have lost complete touch as to who they are, what matters to them, and what they want for themselves in the world. When we can create workplaces where people can feel like I'm doing work that enlivens me. I'm learning, I'm growing, I'm reaching. I can feel myself growing toward my potential, that the playground of life where people really come alive and realize their potential while their organisation does business th...2023-07-2027 min
TesseTalksElements Making a DifferenceHow can elements make a difference? Erin Randall explains how. “Magnesium" is work each person is going to be doing towards crafting better things. Each voice is a voice of a system. What does this system need now? Ad Meliora means to better things. The catalytic question is “what do I want to create? “. The Quest 1.What is the purpose of a system? Is it to protect or is it to create? “If we want empathy in systems, if we want that connection in people, we need to be able to stand in those and shift an...2023-06-2227 min
TesseLeadsGifts in PainRay Martin, author of Life without a Tie, also known as the Daily Explorer brought a "Ray" of Sunshine into the studio,. He's an interpreter and an award-winning business leader, a coach, a mentor, a facilitator, a speaker " In life without a Tie a random unforeseen series of events helped Ray strengthen his inner guidance, deepen his humanity and forge a new authentic path. He shares the highs and lows, the tears and laughter and the pricniples which guided him. Ray·s reminder is stark, ·There are always gifts in pain·. The best gifts don·t come wrapped nicely. Sometimes the...2023-06-0732 min
TesseLeadsAmazing Coach Max EkesiToday we celebrate an amazing coach – Max Ekesi. “I put myself in other people's shoes” recounts Max. Empathy is speaking to courage and boldness and forgiveness and the capacity to be agile and to diversify. I learned to navigate those different cultures.” He connects multi-generationally across the generational gaps.. Max fosters an understanding and a respect for older people. His approach has helped him in taking a more positive and optimistic approach. In tough times he invites us to ask” how can you create an opportunity out of the situation? By helping others it's incredible how much you help yourself.” There is not...2023-05-2533 minTesseLeadsA Treasure Trove and FragranceErin Randall is indeed a treasure trove and fragrance. When asked how she would like people to notice about her, Erin answers humbly “I want to be noticed as the coach who will be with you and stay with you. The coach who reflects back your loveliness so that you can work with that. “Ever the skilled and compassionate coach, Erin reminds us of the work of Caitlin Walker PhD, Director of Clean Learning and the Developer of Systemic Modelling. Dr Caitlin uses clean language, asking clean questions and encouraging clean work. The impact of this approach is to ask...2023-05-2531 min
TesseTalksLife Without a Tie, Finding Your PathRay Martin, author of “ Life Without A Tie, Finding Your Path Amidst the Noise, Chaos, and Pressure to Conform “ says - “I won the Daily Telegraph Business Leader of the Year award, so I had public recognition. So I had all the trimmings and trappings of success. But I have to say that honestly, for quite a few of those years, I wasn't feeling like I was really, truly happy. And I felt like it somehow I'd managed to end up in someone else's life. I was living a life that others expected of me and not life I...2023-05-1027 min
TesseTalksBoundaries and AccountabilitiesErin Randall elaborates on The Funky Monkey. Listening to Erin, the key considerations are: “Whose responsibility is it? How can I hold you accountable? What can you hold me accountable for’’? These questions can bring about alignment in our organisations in our teams and in our personal lives. Why do boundaries matter? Boundaries are essential to build and sustain healthy relationships, to make good neighbours and to act as anchor points for conversations and clarity. Erin is passionate about happy people doing happy works and brings a humble, playful and intelligent outlook to explore how the environments we create and th...2023-04-2730 minTesseLeadsMy Story, My Treasures and My GiftsJane Duncan-Rogers shares with us her story of grief and how it’s become her treasures and gifts to others. “My husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2010. It stops you in your tracks. He got treatment, we hoped for the best, but actually the worst happened and I ended up being a widow.” This was the beginning of Jane’s grief journey. Jane’s greatest fear had come true. She was on her own at age 54. How could she be gifted by this terrible loss? Louise L Hay, author of "You Can Heal Your Life" comforting words "wha...2023-04-1328 min
TesseTalksAll That MattersSade Marriott and Max Ekesi share their views in this recording that shines a light on a post covid world. There has been a raised awareness, especially in the last three years - of the importance of mental health. There is a lot of PTSD. People have gone through one of the most shocking experience with the pandemic They have rearranged their lives, becoming detached from a lot of things that they were taking for granted. There has been a change in focus as people are waking up to what truly matters. Grief and pain...2023-03-2833 min
TesseTalksGifted with Grief“Life cannot exist without death. New life springs up, depending on the time of year. If we all talked about death as much as we talked about birth, the world would be a very different place" says Jane Duncan Rogers, a TEDx speaker , an author and end of life expert. "Life happens and we have a choice to go with it and make the best of it or not".2023-03-1624 min
TesseLeadsFinding My Way - Dealing With BurnoutLisa Hammett talks about how she dealt with burnout and found a way out. “My mother, was bipolar, diagnosed late in life. It was chronic anxiety related. There were periods in my life growing up where she wouldn't talk to me for like a week. If I did something to really upset her, she would just completely shut me out. I developed people pleasing tendencies and hyper achieving tendencies. I was always pushing myself really hard to get good grades and doing everything to please her.” For my mom I would tell myself she's doing the...2023-03-0219 min
TesseTalksFrom Burnout to Best Life“I was highly paid, but I was miserable and my health was suffering. And as I have gotten older, happiness and health and wellness are so much more important to me. I was just miserable” says Lisa Hammett. “Life had no colour. I like to equate it as being devoid of colour. It's just gray. If you don't have your health, you don't have a whole lot. Happiness helps you to just get up in the morning, and live your life to the best of your ability. When you get near or at burnout, you lose the capacity to dream...2023-02-1619 min
TesseLeadsCelebrating Max EkesiPodcasters united cross three countries, United Kingdom, United States and Nigeria. Paula Okonneh, Tesse Akpeki and Sade Marriot joined podcast guest Max Ekesi, President / CEO of the Agile Ausitn Organisation and IT Senior Manager at Paypal. Max has been leading Agile Transformations since 2007 in large enterprises specifically leveraging Agile & Kaizen principles. Max’s 47th Birthday visiting Disneyland California was special. He spent quality time with his family. Turning to work, Max shares how the agile mindset that focuses on value, being fluid, adaptable, purposeful, nimble and committed to making a difference has given so much value to hi...2023-02-0329 min
TesseTalksDance of Co-LeadershipSara Ramsey defines co-leadership as” leaders coming together to make joint decision making and taking shared responsibilities”. Co-leaders may be co-founders, co-CEOs or leaders who jointly support self-managing and self-organizing organizations. “ I get to work with all sorts of inspiring people, you know, wanting to do positive things in the world. They want to try and do things differently as well”, says Sara.2023-01-2624 min
TesseLeadsSara Comes DancingThe choreography of life leads to a growing realisation that dancing in leadership is more relevant as ever. Dance like no one's watching, Sara Ramsey’s love of dancing led her to dance in the world amateur championships at the Royal Albert Hall. During the Covid lockdown she reconnected with her love of dance. Bragging rights? She did her fair share of Fox trotting with Anton Du Beke pre his fame. While people baked sourdough bread, she studied the psychology of dance and has developed a course for teams. “Dancing is really good for connecting people. People danc...2023-01-0523 min
TesseTalksGet On The Bull-Unavoidable FailureFailure's not just unavoidable, it's necessary, important and an unavoidable part of life. This is a common theme of the book, "Get On The Bull” - a giant leadership analogy based on bull riders. They fall a lot. They get thrown off bulls in dramatic and painful fashion. When you’re going to do stuff, you’re going to get it wrong and you're going to mess it up. If you aren't failing, you probably aren't trying enough new things. The statistic for the absolute best bull riders in the world, is on average, 30% success rate when it comes to sta...2022-12-1531 min
TesseTalksForward Facing Podcast Planning Ahead“We are keeping things real by leaning into the context out guests are operating in. We are curious about their situations while encouraging them to find solutions and approaches tailored to them. We are holding this open safe space for them as a mirror where they are arriving at their own solutions.” “We are going online as much as possible because even though we are podcasting, podcasting in itself has changed. Podcasting has gone from just being the audio file that you can take anywhere with you to being a video and audio or sometimes just video. We are...2022-12-0826 min
TesseLeadsThriving on Vulnerability“I just kind of stopped having shame. I thrive on vulnerability. I get to just be me , I get to make mistakes, and I get to learn from people who have a lot more experience. I think any particular wisdom that I might have at this point in my life just comes from being willing to talk about all the things with people, and hear what they have to say” (Trust, leadership and ethics speaker Dallin Cooper, author of Get On The Bull Answers to meeting our goals in life probably depend on trust. We model what we see and reci...2022-12-0128 min
TesseTalksFresh Solutions New ChallengesMax Ekesi’s favourite phrase is, "I never made the mistake of taking life too seriously". Max’s diverse multicultural and multiethnic background and experiences are proving to be core assets to his highly adaptable nature. “ I grew up in Nigeria, but my first language was Italian with a Roman accent. My adaptive mindset is my super power. I am fluid, respectful, able to connect with various cultures and have an ability to help people to feel at home. Integration helps the collaboration.” says Max. He has been a people's manager, an agile coach, a Scrum Master, a programme portfoli...2022-11-1128 min
TesseLeadsSelfless Caring“Emotionally it's very difficult to start seeing the person that you love slip away. This is my second round of caregiving. My heart goes out to all carers of patients with dementia. It's hard for the carers. Really, really hard. It's hard for the person being cared for too. I can't, you can't take care of someone else unless you take care of yourself. I've been out five times in the evening in the last two years without my husband. That's not much. As Frank’s ability to do things has decreased, my need to spend a little more time away...2022-10-2730 min
TesseLeadsThe Accidental DoctorDr Mick Rogers or “the accidental doctor “as he describes himself says "It's all about the people, not just process”. Anywhere people are part of the process, they're the most important part of the process. The soft aspects of people are the tricky stuff, the stuff that you can't apply a model for, or you can't work out on the spread. It requires engagement and trust and risk and exposure with people. This is where story telling matters. Stories are so important because it's how we relate to each other. “We still create stories that help us explain what's going on aroun...2022-09-2127 min
TesseTalksThe Lens That Make A DifferenceOur guest Mick Rogers a consultant at Client Centred Consulting spoke passionately about the lens that make a difference. As Mick explains, “ Client Centred Consulting leans away from being prescriptive. Instead of asking the question, how can we help and be useful when we're not the expert in the problem or in the subject? Client centeredness is a way of maintaining, respecting and working with the rights of other people. This lens recognises that for us to survive and thrive we need other people.”2022-09-0126 min
TesseLeadsA Home Away Fom HomeA home away from home describes Marta Maretich. Marta was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. “I thought it was the best thing ever. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.” “We had a different background. I always felt different - like we knew about a bigger world. When you spoke to people in Bakersfield, you were met often with incomprehension. They really didn't get it. There is something about being someone like me, where none of it is obvious. If we don't have a conversation, you'd never know. So you have to know me.” “I feel I spend a...2022-08-1120 min
TesseTalksConnecting my Different Worlds“A Beautiful mind connecting her different worlds “are some of the words that can be used to describe Marta Maretich. Marta seamlessly combines her creativity with problem- solving. In many ways her approach shapes order out of messiness. She likens this to coding and building websites. “Behind a perfect website, there's a messy code. “You have to be able to face complexity and know what to do about it.” Marta talks about her work with governing boards, “They're made up of human beings and you can try to be as tick-box as you want. The issues that they have are human system...2022-07-2927 min
TesseLeadsCarole Levy - Skits, Cartoons, and TrustCarole Levy is an avid cartoonist with a unique combination of wit and depth. She loves analyzing the tricks of the human ego on her popular blog. And she's published a humorous illustrated book called "The Bumpy Road To Collaboration" (paperback, Kindle, iBook) She is a culture change partner and a senior executive coach and facilitator. She shares her life map.2022-07-0232 min
TesseTalksMastery: Ego Coaching Transitions“In order to be okay in the world and to belong I need to be certain things. The ego tends to protect ourselves. We want to prove we are extraordinary, and we have to hide our weaknesses. Exploring ego touches on our sole identities and being able to speak about our identities.” Carole’s personal mastery journey helped her to reclaim my voice, her agency, her creativity, and her sense of confidence. Her cartoons and creative writing help her to share her thoughts. “I love helping people. I feel good about myself when I have the impression that I've been useful f...2022-06-2429 min
TesseLeadsFrom Acting to FacilitationAs an actor, I watched amazing people struggle with life. I was interested in helping people see each other through the experience of each other and hope that they are going to now together do really important work in the world. Sharon talks about DEI which stands for "Diversity Equity and Inclusion". “During the pandemic, my heart broke and changed shape. It had more capacity for courage. I had lots of conversations with my courage in 2020. And I invested in the education. I wanted to have bravery and to have a voice, and to take up space, and to know ho...2022-06-1032 min
TesseTalksFrom Acting to Leading“It's about how can we come together to do really good important things in this world " says Sharon Newport. Sharon has authored content, and provided consultation, expertise and facilitation across four continents supporting and inspiring cultural and strategic transformation. Through the experience of being in sync with each other, I am curious and passionate about what are we getting done together. It can be very simple, but quite broad such as Dignity and Love - how that does or does not show up in relationships, in work, in collaboration, in governance in a lot of different ways “ It starts with dign...2022-06-0225 min
TesseLeadsRenee Reisch - my personal storyRenee Reisch’s personal story is honest and vulnerable. Thoughts about care, compassion, and kindness soak through Renee’s voice. “Showing kindness, compassion and caring to yourself is not selfish, it's selfless. It is not possible to pour from an empty cup. You need to you fill your own cup for and then pour from the overflow. Sometimes we need to go within, rather than searching outside of ourselves. The journey is not just about the losses, it's the total picture - what we find along the journey of our life.” says Renee. “ I lost my voice. My voice was a metaphor...2022-05-1218 min
TesseTalksFinding Your Voice“Unlock Your Chains And Unleash Your Greatness. Let's share our voices together”. invites Renee. “You don't have to wait for a new year or a new day. How about the next minute and the next minute and the next minute to do different and be and become different, to who you aspire to be. When you're present in the moment you are stepping into the future, and that very next moment to build the momentum to the next moments.” “Encourage is courage in courage.” What would you do if you lost your voice? And how would you feel if you are isolated...2022-04-2724 min
TesseTalksAn Assured Unitary Governance ModelPhilip Kirkpatrick, deputy managing partner of Bates Wells London LLP offers hope to strengthen governance and balance in expectations of trustees. He feels that an assured unitary governance model offers assurance for boards and organisations they governance. “We all love change as long as it's happening to someone else. No one is very keen to change themselves.” There's not one only one way of doing this, you know. There is a broad structure, and there will be different ways in which people will implement it. Just like there are different ways in which people implement the existing normal charities structures. “When t...2022-04-2023 min
TesseLeadsLoving Better - The Power of Conscious Thinking“ Everybody's life is precious, if we can come from that place to give ourselves a chance to remember that sometimes. Be really generous and kind with ourselves when we don't remember it. “ Becoming human is the phrase that really resonates. Becoming, evolving and developing is something that never stops. Deborah has lived in rural Sussex most of her life. She had her son at 27, and then another two children at the time she was 33. “I've always really valued the family life, and friends, and making meaning.” She has been driven by wanting to make a difference. When I encountered the arts, it...2022-04-1317 min
TesseTalksOur Entrepreneurship SpiritWorking on or in the business? Offering hacks for entrepreneurs, Deborah Barker FRSA, Director at Field and Folk is a natural dyer and works on regenerative Fibre Projects. Deborah makes a useful distinction between working in the business and working on the business. She explains “Working on the business includes anything strategic. It is when you take a step back and look at the bigger picture. What is the vision? What are the decisions you are making and how do these decisions align with the values? Where do you want to go? What are you're doing? What are you being? Ho...2022-04-0729 min
TesseLeadsMy Balancing ActAndy Temte’s take on second chances. Most of us are out of balance, and most of us need that kind of heavy introspection at times, and really need to look inside and ask ourselves questions about who we are, who we want to be, and the impact that we're having on others. “If somebody that's placed me in a box actually spent the time to really understand what makes me tick, they would find a much, much more complicated story. I've only been married to one woman, but I've been married to her twice “Andy opens up. “In my late thi...2022-03-3022 min
TesseTalksThe Light in Your EyesBalancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire reminds us that success without balance is often more disastrous than failure with balance. “I'd rather see a fail and learn something from it. Then I can pick myself back up and do better next time rather than build a huge ego that is going to lead to some future disaster that I don't know yet. So opened Dr Andrew Temte CFA. Andrew likes to coach the younger generation, those that are coming after us. “People are watching that light in your eye. Be aware of the light, of your own light. Being aware of y...2022-03-1828 min
TesseTalksLost In WonderSteve Morris says “If you want a bit of wonder then think about the people who've loved you and who love you. Be kind because your kindness might be the only book people read today. Hollywood might be able to find something that's a bit more sustainable and that might mean having the camera closer in rather than further out”. During the COVID lockdown it was possible to feel more wonder that lasts beyond fleeting experiences. This informs your whole life. Whatever goes on or goes wrong, there is a common childish sense that the world is beautiful. Things are amaz...2022-03-0831 min
TesseLeadsProfessor Kandola Live and UncutAs part of an inclusive environment, how can we start? How can we, how can I create an environment that is inclusive, that is generous, that is caring, that is kind and nourishing and also produce the goods? Professor Binna Kandola admits “This is a process of learning and learning, being self-reflective, getting feedback and actually trying to do better is the most important thing. “I had to educate myself when I was writing the book Racism at Work; the Danger of Indifference. I am learning myself. There's lots of other things that I don't know about. I am lear...2022-02-2318 min
TesseLeadsWhy Relationships MatterRelationships matter to Desire Anderson because as a young recruit Desiree was exposed to fantastic pieces of work where she helped with diversity and equity programmes and leadership development. She was inspired by Nelson Mandela who having been released took the whole quality of forgiveness, collaboration and diversity to a different level. She mirrored this devotion by implementing practices not only in society as a whole, but in organisations. . Forging new relationships and connections with people became part of her DNA, and part of her superpower.2022-02-1631 min
TesseTalksHow Leaders and Teams can avoid BurnoutDesiree Anderson helps others find their purpose in life and their purpose in work and she specializes in business relationships and burnout.2022-02-0926 min
TesseLeadsIf you can dream it, you can be it“Everybody has something to give and you don't have to be a Beyonce or, you know, a Rhianna or someone huge to be able to give, just give what is within, what you have to offer, what you can afford to offer, no matter how small it is, it's still valuable What you think is really small might actually be really huge to someone else. We hear success stories, what we don't know; the story behind these success stories. Often success does not come overnight. There are struggles” says Tomide Awe. Tomide has been raised to find ways...2022-01-1921 min
TesseTalksHow I landed my dream jobTomide Awe landed her dream job with Twitter. We invited her to share her journey. “My motto is always believing yourself. Always, regardless of the circumstance. I believe in myself, I believe that I can get to an answer. Believe in yourself, whatever comes your way, you can do it. “ Tomide seeks out projects to let her employers see her value quickly and then picks up more challenging things and learns more. She thinks about quick wins and works really hard as she proves herself. People who are experienced and seasoned have a bit of a leeway because people know...2022-01-1219 min
TesseTalksAgile TransformationsWe close 2021 with a podcast that made Paula and I laugh so much and learn so much. The amazing Max Ekesi, a superstar, shares with us the importance and impact of agile transformations. Agile Transformations Max Ekesi is an Agile Transformational Leader at Paypal. Max is a problem solver and leads agile transformations. He is pragmatic, energetic, energising, bags of fun and a magnificent Chair. He leads transformations by working with agile mindsets. Changing mindsets is the hardest thing to do. Agile coaches are guides through the change. “If you want to be Netflix rather th...2021-12-2331 min
TesseTalksCelebrating TonyA year ago my beloved brother Tony suffered serious injuries in Dover following a suspected hit and run . He had gone to the Care Home to collect Covid Samples for testing and was walking to his car when the incident occurred. Tony has joked and smiled with the staff and wished them a Merry Christmas. It was the Care Staff who found him. He leaves behind four children, the youngest who was eight years old at the time. Always a man of duty, loyalty and kindness, Tony served his country to the very end. He...2021-12-1728 min
TesseTalksLeadership through a Creative LensLeadership through a Creative lens can be defined as when you're in a leadership role and you feel that the whole team is pushing in the same direction. It's a very rewarding feeling. Rob McCrea reminds us that understanding that in a leadership role, you have to serve the people who work with you. You have to make sure that they have everything that they need in order to be able to do their jobs properly. But also for them to feel fulfilled, to feel part of something that's important to feel connected. As a leader, that responsibility sits...2021-12-0830 min
TesseLeadsResilience through AdversityThe story of Robert McCrea - a successful producer and actor, reads like something out of a Hollywood movie. His personal journey screams “resilience through adversity .” Rob’s father managed to escape from the prison camp. He was a refugee from Burma at the end of the second world war whose reference for fathering was the Japanese prisoner of war camp which wasn’t much fun. His grandfather was executed in front of his father. Rob’s grandmother managed to escape from the women's prison camp with two of her daughters. They managed to collect Rob’s father and h...2021-11-1024 min
TesseLeadsSwitched On with Compassion AccountabilityDuring the pandemic, a new meaning came to Dr Nate with compassion mixed with accountability. This is even more valuable, and the work with clients is more important at that time, when compassion needs to be reconciled with accountability. Every day with Covid -19 opens a different chapter. The need for balance has never been more important as every day it takes on a new meaning. Dr Nate admits that his personality is not naturally compassionate or naturally empathetic. “I'm self-centered. I want to work on things. I prefer to work on tasks than be with people by...2021-11-0325 min
TesseLeadsPoetry in MotionLife can be Poetry in Motion as Kate Hammer invokes the call of Madonna ( as mother ) “not about performance or conformance, the invitation is to walk, step in, or step out with compassion, care, soothing and empathy. “ Inside the rings that Kate and her husband exchanged were the letters WWO the number 2 and the letter B, which stands for where we ought to be from a Quaker song based on the tune of an old Anglican hymn called "simple gifts". “I can turn and turn and come down just right. If I am lucky and find where I ough...2021-10-2733 min
TesseTalksSoaring through Analytic Coaching“Find the rooms and the conversations and the friendships and the love affairs, where that intuition can blossom into inquiry. You can deliberately choose the risks you want to face and that you're resourced when life blind sides. Dr. Kate Hamer touches on the importance of dialogue and reflects on questions the world is asking of us. How can we respond? Each of us wakes up and rises from our beds. “We take ourselves; we throw ourselves; we trip and stumble into the wider world”. Existential analysis is a process supporting that dialogue. “ Through Care Sleeves, Kate explored the possibility of other...2021-10-1330 min
TesseTalksCompassionate AccountabilityCompassionate accountability means that feelings matter, thoughts matter and behaviour matters. The associated tools are helping physicians and surgeons deliver bad news to patients in a compassionate way, helping boards of directors lead their CEO's more effectively, supporting negotiators do a better job, turning regrets into commitments for the future. The applications are really infinite. Compassion is my passion admits Dr Nate Regier. Compassion isn't about what we do to other people, it's what we do with them. And that life is struggle, but struggling together makes it meaningful, it makes it productive, it makes it purposeful. We don't ever...2021-10-0629 min
TesseLeadsSelf Love MattersSelf love matters! Nancy White tells us why. It not only empowers us, it also helps us to be able to love and empower other people. We're all unique and different. If we can't love ourselves first and foremost, we can not love anybody else. Part of self-love is those things that are not only in our physical and financial arena, but in the spiritual and emotional arena. Whether it's setting goals, going through healing processes, making these things a priority in this season in life, self-love is the fuel that enriches our lives. Sometimes poor self image gets...2021-09-2220 min
TesseTalksSelf-care is not weakness - it is being human.Self-care is not weakness. It is being human says our guest Nancy White, an entrepreneur of 35 years. It is being accountable to ourselves first and foremost. Not yo-yo diets, but more of the sustainable, healthy lifestyle with choices will keep you well as you age, mature and weather each season. Everybody needs to be lifted and acknowledged for the good things they're doing. The power of negativity should not ever go unnoticed or taken for granted. This matters because it takes seven positives for every one negative that we either speak to ourselves or somebody speaks to us. We...2021-09-1518 min
TesseLeadsEsua Goldsmith and Being An OnlyAward winning author, Esua Goldsmith grew up “being an only “ in a white working class neighborhood in the 1950s in south London. She was the mixed race daughter of a white single mom and a Ghanaian father who she never knew as a child. Often being “an only one”, Esua describes the feeling of being “an alien dropped from outer space”. This pervasive emotion ran like a thread throughout her life. She did not see herself, in books she read , or on the television, or in stories told or anywhere else. Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith (Esua) was the first and only woman of...2021-09-0829 min
TesseTalksThe Space Between Black And WhiteEsua Goldsmith has always been a writer. Her memoir "The Space between Black and White" Illustrates the painful, lonely existence of a mixed race child growing up in Britain as an “only “. That child was Esua. Life can seem like a whole series of random events that don't make any sense, but it's only when you write them down that you can see that they form a pattern. It was almost to tell her story to herself that Esua wrote her memoirs. As a child she was lonely and felt a need to to explain her “onlyness” In a boo...2021-09-0137 min
TesseTalksDesign Thinking - Melody SongDesign thinking helps you to understand people’s needs to look holistically at interactions and constantly iterate the way forward. Focusing your efforts on the most impactful design moments creates new and sticky experiences. Imagine meeting and exceeding your customers' needs and expectations. Imagine what you can achieve by understanding the interactions people have, surfacing problem areas, exploring opportunities through designing a more accurate, updated and relevant customer journey map. You can make happy people even happier. Their joy can lead them to become advocates. Design thinking can remove frustrating barriers. By visualising and isolating negative moments, brainstorming and ideating...2021-08-1628 min
TesseLeadsIn Search of MeaningIn search of meaning, looking for new experiences, moving to new place, having fun, learning new languages led Chinese born Melody Song, co founder of Do Good Here to Canada and then to Berlin, Germany. Her mum, a translator for cultural ministries took her to ballet as a child which gave her access to ballet shows. She lived in Canada for 20 years, 15 of those years she served as a fundraiser at Alberta ballet. To Melody names matter ‘You’re given a name for a reason. Learning how to pronounce someone’s name correctly I think is the first step of empa...2021-08-1126 min
TesseTalksWhen Standing Out is About Standing In!According to Sade Marriott host of the Banana Island Podcast, standing out is about standing in! Sade's personal take on life and wellbeing is thus " I'm happy about being comfortable in my own skin now and being a bit more self-aware and a bit more conscious of other people's emotions and less careless of other people's emotions. Yeah not tangible material stuff, I mean those are transient. But I want to be able to look in the mirror and not be embarrassed at what I've become. I don't want to be that person who's self-congratulatory and look a...2021-08-0428 min
TesseLeadsWhen It’s Make or BreakFor Sade Marriott, Podcast Host at Banana Island Living it was either make or break It was either break down and cry. I was the only Black woman in my village. It was lonely. I had a little baby, so I volunteered, I reached out, I made connections and I cared for other people. I genuinely felt most people were positive because I am determined to find positivity wherever. I became part of my village community. Providing solutions rather than problems is key. If there's anything I've learned is humility. When I did my PGCE...2021-07-2721 min
TesseTalksOur Capsule EnvironmentCapsule environments are environments that are isolated and confined – a challenge to leadership. The external conditions of capsule environments are harsh and dangerous. Our guest Binna Kandola talks about this. The typical features of a capsule environment are social isolation with the same group of people with sensory restrictions. Star Trek, Voyager, Dr Who, the Big Brother House and Space Travel demonstrate the features of capsule environments. This becomes relevant to leadership who need to consider the impact this way of working has had on us. Due to lack of sensory stimulation people can start to...2021-07-2127 min
TesseTalksIt's All About Love - Nadine Robson“My mum was all about love and loving” says Nadine Robson. We learn from an early age that what helps is being open and comfortable with energising conversations. Energising is about not getting stuck in that place of feeling in despair or feeling overwhelmed, having a glimmer of hope. Nadine learnt the importance of mental health and getting alongside people, understanding those experiences and deepening the empathy for ourselves and others. Supporting people with their mental health encourages people to know that whatever it is they are going through. They build the confidence that they can...2021-07-1324 min
TesseLeadsNadine Robson-Mum’s Inspiration LivesNadine Robson’s mum’s inspiration lives and is the theme of her conversation today. At heart Nadine’s mum was all about love and just being a mum. That was what she really wanted to be. She went through her own experiences of mental illness. Unfortunately, through some of those experiences, she made some decisions that were really difficult, and she made some poor judgment calls. The side effect of that was that Nadine was taken into care when she was 11 years old and taken out of the family home. This meant she di...2021-06-3018 min
TesseTalksTesseTalks Meets TesseLeadsIn this episode of “TesseTalks Meets TesseLeads”, Tesse and Paula want to say “A big thanks to our social media community that gathered family gathered around TesseTalks and Tesse Leads showing their support . I was touched by the thousands... and there were thousands of people who showed their care and empathy through their messages, their prayers. Tony’s death is a very sad moment for the Akpeki family and friends. The love shown proves that diversity and inclusion are alive. People care for the suffering of others giving generously of their time and saying a compassionate farewell to beloved brother...2021-06-1826 min
TesseLeadsMy Delicate, Balancing Act-Sarah GilesSarah Giles’ delicate, balancing act is the constant juggling of motherhood, career and everything else. After a 15 year plus career in HR she quit in the lockdown, resigning from her head of HR position. “Looking from the outside, I probably looked like I had it all together, but inside I didn't. I have to set clear boundaries, focus on being a mum and have time for myself as well. “When you are so busy looking after other people it’s very easy to lose yourself in the process. We put our own self-care off I’ve learnt so much ab...2021-06-1118 min
TesseTalksSarah Giles - Awesome YouAwesome You, Stepping out of the shadows is Sarah Giles’ nudge for us to stop standing on the sidelines and step out of the shadows, confidently, owning who we truly are and taking our place in the world. This starts with understanding ourselves a bit better enabling us to better support others. Pace matters. We may need to stop, take the moment to pause and be still. How about the fear we face? Fear starts to disappear when we are so focused on our purpose, and our journey. We naturally start to feel more comfortable and confident to...2021-06-0420 min
TesseLeadsChanging The World With WellnessWe all want to change the world with wellness, but it helps to remember that “Resilience helps us to stay grounded no matter what happens to us” - Resmaa Menakem “My Grandmother’s Hands. We close our expectation gaps by actually acknowledging each other, acknowledging ourselves. We acknowledge what we do well and learn what we do not do so well. Rather than see failure as something that is bad, we see failure as something that helps us to do even better. In fact, some people say of failure that it's the first attempt in learning. Agility is using...2021-05-2721 min
TesseTalksFuture Focus-Wellbeing and ResilienceFuture Focus is all about remembering that life is not always negative even though it may seem like that. It is worth remembering that when we are in a hard place. The dark tunnel is like being in a valley, it's tough, it's dark, it's painful. But it will not always be like that. It is not a permanent state.2021-05-2019 min
TesseLeadsBonnie Marcus - Not Done YetBonnie Marcus, author of Not Done Yet recalls her first big job “I had no qualifications what so ever for that job. I was barely managing my own check book, let alone running a business with 30 doctors. I somehow did really well in the interview, convincing them that I was the right person; or let me say that I was smart enough to learn. And they hired me. And a year and a half I ran eleven centers up and down the East coast in the U S for that company. And that was the beginning of my...2021-05-1314 min
TesseTalksNot Done Yet - the Value Of AgingThe value of aging is a topic Bonnie Marcus touches on frequently. Paula. and I talk with her about “Not done yet - the value of aging". Bonnie reminds us that we need to be mindful of our own bias and our beliefs that may sabotage the life that we want to have. “Age-ism happens, it’s not just about getting older. A lot of young people face age-ism”. Entrepreneurs need to understand how they may be holding themselves back thinking they don’t bring as much value as somebody younger and that needs to stop. “ We...2021-05-0523 min
TesseLeadsPeople’s Precious Lives Matter“People’s Precious Lives Matter” says Steve Morris, Vicar of St Cuthbert’s, North Wembley. “I made a decision when I became a Vicar that I actually would not cover up the fact that I've had problems in the past, sometimes with depression and anxiety, I just wasn't. I was going to be honest about it, cause I didn't want people thinking that I was some kind of superhero and I found it one of the most useful parts of my ministry is just to say, if you're feeling bad, talk to me about it, tell me wh...2021-04-2832 min
TesseTalksPerfectly Imperfect - It Starts with ActionFellow podcaster Presence Plumb whose podcast , “It starts with Action”, draws on The acronym for ACTION - Awareness, Confidence, Tenacity, Intention, Openness and Now (Presence) . Being Perfectly Imperfect, Presence admits that fear of failure and fear of success has held her back. Her proudest moments have been showing vulnerability and being open . “This just whom I am”.2021-04-2128 min
TesseLeadsWhen It’s Ok Not To Be Ok20 year old Presence Plumb inspired Tesse and Paula as she talked about when " it is ok not to be ok." Presence Plumb launched her podcast “It Starts with Action” in a spirit of curiosity and an intention to bring about change. Presence charts her journey from the United Kingdom where she was born to Hong Kong. What was meant to be a short stay turned into a seven year stint, with young Presence being bullied for poor grades. She become obsessed with fitting in and with becoming excellent. She was criticised for ‘being fat’. It was no s...2021-04-1426 min
TesseTalksCreative Thinking That TransformsTesse and Paula talk with serial entrepreneur David Taylor-Klaus about Creative Leadership and the Thinking that Transforms. We can see creative thinking that transforms in this statement - “I celebrate even the harshest critiques and I hold and support people with amazing strength as they walk through their darkest night. My strength and my power come from fully embracing my humanity – my messiness – in all of its glory”.2021-04-0233 min
TesseLeadsThe Magic of Thinking and TransformationOur guest today is David Taylor-Klaus and we will be talking about Experiencing the Magic of Thinking and Transformation. David Taylor-Klaus (DTK) in a spirit of vulnerability, authenticity and high level of self-awareness, shares with #TesseLeads his relationship with depression, suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, high levels of anxiety, limiting self-belief, workaholism and inappropriate diet. 2021-03-2540 min
TesseTalksThe Value of Knowledge - Jason J Briggs.Jason J Briggs tells #TesseTalks the value of knowledge and the importance of robust debate, having alternative ways of listening to views you don’t agree with and keeping an open mind that can strengthen decision making. “Vulnerability and authenticity make for a successful and authentic organization. Board members excel when they are transparent about the process they followed in how they arrived at the course of action. The organisation I served on as a board member raised £1.2m for a capital project. We succeeded because we believed we could and so did the people we served. 2021-03-1827 min
TesseLeadsLisa Richards - Resilience Finding HopeLisa Richards talks about Resilience. As a grief specialist, Lisa enables business people to thrive rather than to be weighed down by the pain of loss following any life change.
Lisa shares stories of loss and courage to give comfort to those who mourn. May those who have loved and lost be comforted. We all suffer loss and experience grief in different ways. Life happens as we lose people through death. Covid-19 has snatched people from us. 2021-03-1042 min
TesseTalksKeeping momentum In an Ever Changing EnvironmentAndy Martin builds on his thoughts on Achieving Results in Unpredictable Times. Andy encourages us to show up as our best self every day to set up a winnable and compellable game. A habit of renewal is crucial combined with a positive mindset and intent. The three buckets or the real issues leaders confront, the evidence that is presented and the impact of actions and companion behaviours for success.2021-03-0327 min
TesseLeadsTesseLeads LaunchesTesseLeads was inspired by Tony Akpeki , the late brother of Tesse Akpeki. It is a safe, sensitive, supportive place and space to share, hear and tell your stories and experiences.2021-02-2411 min
TesseTalksOur Tony is DeadOur Tony is dead! His inspiration, energy and leadership lives on. Tony, my beloved brother was a visionary, easily the face of love, gentleness and care. . He believed that if there was a vision, a will, connection, empathy and commitment everything is possible. He gave people a sense of power with kindness, encouragement, lifting them up, being authentic and making people who felt invisible feel valued, visible and heard.2021-02-1025 min
TesseTalksAchieving Results In Unpredictable TimesAchieving results in unpredictable times means having an effective leader like Andy Martin, enterprise client partner for Franklin Covey Europe. Andy sees potential in someone so clearly that the person sees the potential in themselves.2021-02-0340 min
Chatting with The Experts with Paula OkonnehDream Believe Achieve with Tesse AkpekiTesse Akpeki dreams, believes and achieves as an immigrant woman in the UK. Her story on how she was able to achieve success and become the CEO of Tesse Akpeki Associates Limited makes a compelling listen.2021-01-2945 min
TesseTalksCarol Weisman-Onboarding Practices and Boards“I take my work on governance seriously but not myself” says Carol Weisman, president of Board Builders. Given that Carol has served on 40 Boards and has been president of 9, she knows a thing or two about strategies, techniques and tools that enable boards to be effective, efficient and better able to meet their mission. In this podcast Carol heralds the importance of Onboarding practices to raise awareness of individual and collective board roles.2021-01-1338 min
TesseTalksDebra Allcock Tyler - It's A Battle on the BoardDebra Allcock Tyler talks about her new book " It's a Battle On the Board: The No Fibbing Guide for Trustees ". Tesse and Paula ask Debra about understanding the trustee role, working with fellow trustees, working with the CEO, dealing with information and finance, the psychology of decision-making, managing risk and handling crisis.2020-12-2642 min
TesseTalksA Tribute to Maggie JohnsonTesse Akpeki pays tribute to Maggie Johnson- a gentle, kind, compassionate leader who passed recently after a brave battle with cancer.2020-12-1416 min
TesseTalksTesse Talks with Laura GatesTesse Akpeki and co host Paula Okonneh talk with Laura Gates about Leading with Purpose, Collective Genius in teams, finding our zone of genius, and leading through chaos and crisis.2020-12-1128 min
TesseTalksTesse Talks LaunchesTesse Akpeki and co host Paula Okonneh talk about what inspired them to create a podcast that encourages leaders, board members and management to take action in today's world. Leave a rating and review for TesseTalks2020-11-2420 min
It starts with ActionEpisode 41 : It starts with Action - Action starts from believing with Tesse Akpeki , founder of the Wellbeing and Resilience Leadership InitiativeHow do you shift from saying you believe in yourself to actually believing in yourself?Have you ever felt like you say you believe in something and you really wish you did believe it but at the same time in your heart you don't 100% believe in it? And other times when you 100% believe in something you just know and you feel a burning desire to take action to achieve what you believe in?It was a really interesting topic Tesse Akpeki and I discussed on the most recent episode.Another topic I loved...2020-08-0958 min
Chatting with The Experts with Paula Okonneh003: Tesse Akpeki | Governance Coach and FacilitatorIn this episode , Tesse Akpeki shares about working with organisations, groups and individuals to achieve their highest potential and to create futures that make a difference.2015-01-0214 min