Life: After School

We live in times of several upheavals in several places. For some, it can be life altering. For some, giving up is just they don't want to do, but do not know what to do next. For some, hope is dwindling. Fast. This podcast is not meant to be preachy, but I sense this is meant for a friend, someone out there in the world, who is confused, but is still holding on. I do not know you. But this is for you. Hope.

In this Fathers' Day special episode, we cross boundaries and talk about the importance of insight and foresight. My guest and I talk about the importance of being able to see, in life. We also dig into the critical role Fathers play in our everyday lives. The world desperately needs fathers. Maybe you need one too...

In this episode, I read a snippet of Ben Carson's book, "Think Big". It is a great book with great lessons. We live in a world awash with noise, and information. You will need to dedicate time to acquire knowledge. This isn't about amassing information, which can be rather unstructured. This is allowing your education to continue,structured, at your own pace, fueled by passion, way after school years. No knowledge is ever wasted. And you never can tell when that tiny bit of knowledge you gained can be the tipping point, shifting things to your favor. Making you the preferred. Get Knowledge.

What brought you HERE may not be enough to take you to NEXT. Whether in leadership, in a career, a relationship, a profession or a skillset, change is happening. David got to palace by using a stone and sling. He stayed relevant by learning to use a sword, correctly.  In this podcast, we discuss the need for, and the ways to Anticipate Change, and Thrive when in happens.

In the 5th in the Leadership Ideas Series we need for 2023, we discuss industry leaders who have succeeded in changing the fortunes of companies on the brinks of collapse. Yes, you need an idea, however we show why  execution is more important than the idea itself.  Listen in , and learn how to make things happen for yourself, your career or what is important to you.

They are not bosses. They aren't bossy, or arrogant. They simply serve, and they lead. Unassuming. No big swag. Easy to overlook. Yet, they are custodians of power.  Clark Kent at work. Superman at heart. At their essence, steward leaders are fully invested in something bigger than themselves. They combine both deep personal engagement with a bigger-than-them transcendent perspective that allows them to make lasting impacts in the lives of others. Is that you?

Values are a set of pillars that form your foundation. They are a set of rules you choose to known for and answer to. Question: What are you known for? Do you have a set of values that have almost become synonymous with you? Integrity, kindness, honesty, and financial security are typical examples of personal core values. Others often see these values as your character traits. For example, someone is known for always doing the right thing likely values integrity. Do you have any? Listen...

What's your mission? How do you intend to execute what you've seen or captured in a vision statement?  Taking as guide, Jonathan Gifford's book on 100 Great Leadership Ideas, I discuss several corporate giants mission statements, and how well it's serving them. Your mission statement should be a concise explanation of the your reason for existence. It should describe your purpose and overall intention. The mission statement supports the vision and serves to communicate purpose and direction to yourself, and any team you might be leading. Listen in, and get your mission right.

In the early days, Bill gates articulated the Microsot vision as "A microcmoputer in every desk and in every home running microsoft software. The microsoft vision drove the entire company forward. Google vision statement  is "to provide access to the world's information in one click". Apple vision statement is "we believe that we on the face of the earth to make great products and that's not changing".  Linkedin: to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce. What is your vision? Listen...

Its a New year!!  But is it a New you? With a great year ahead, there are opportunities. Or are there? How can you see them? Where are they? Is there a key to identifying and keying in? In the first of the 4 episode, Opportunity Knocks series, we invite author Toyin Oladele on a ride with her awesome book " When Opportunity Knocks" to shed light on how to see, manage, take advantage of, and maximize opportunities, so you can have a New You in the new year. Let's get right in. And invite a friend along...

How do you recognize an opportunity? What workclothes do opportunities wear? What's their peculiarities?  We are not going to look at opportunities in general, we are tackling your own opportunities; the one that's got your name on it. Maybe your own opportunity is right beside you. Right now. Right here. Let's find out.

As the year speeds to a close, I know you've got loads of things to accomplish. We all do. Wait!! Don't just speed blindly on. Have a strategy for what you want to do.Each and every time, strategy trumps effort. Don't just go; get a strategy.

You've been there before.  You've done all the preparation and analysis. Then paralysis strikes. You don't move or take that step.  Or. you just take the plunge. And then come up gasping for air, almost sunk by the icy waters of unforeseen, and disastrous results. But it worked last time, you muse... Which is better? Where's the thin line of sanity, that makes most sense? Where's the safest or best middle point? I discuss with two articulate young ladies. The answers might shock you. Ladies, listen in.

It's all too easy to blend in, fit in and look nice. Following the crowd is a lot easier. Herd behavior is real: others are doing it, so it cannnot be that wrong!! Standing up and standing out takes courage. Seeing and saying what no one seems to be seeing and saying takes guts. Lots of it.  You know that One person can make the difference between good or bad. One person can be the tipping point. One person, standing for what's right, can set millions free. One person can stand between the living and the dead, averting evil, and saving generations. The world needs that One Man. Or One Woman. Do you have the courage? Can you step up to the mic?  Listen in to what it takes.

Rats don't know the time. Neither do mosquitoes, cockroaches and the famous ants. However, they do understand seasons. They come out at particular seasons, when the signs indicate that the time of action has come. Get an understanding of seasons. Know what is being said in your season. Understand your time of action, and get to know the action to take. Listen in. It just might be your season.

Young people are doing great stuff everywhere.  In this podcast, we speak with an engineer, a multi-instrumentalist, a music producer and a beats maker. And a person of Faith. Plus, he's all this rolled into One!! We get to know how its like to, as christian, produce music for the contemporary industry, and how to be a person of influence in the afro-pop music scene. This podcast is short, snazzy, with loads of laughter (we enjoyed doing this!!), and plenty of points to hit the ground and deploy ASAP. This is fun. Enjoy!!

In The first of its Under-5 minutes series, I speak on a few things we do and use routinely, almost flippantly and definitely carelessly. Interestingly, these things are so critical to our progress in life. They are the small, but mighty matters.

In our last podcast (listen here), we rooted for the absolute importance of understanding. Knowing the why is a must, we concluded. But then, how does a plain person know the why? How do I/can I get understanding? Is there a key, an approach, a strategy, a person to go to? Whether your desire is to understand a subject matter, a course, a chosen discipline, a person or even life itself, this podcast is meant for you. That is what we'll be unfolding in this episode: HOW TO GET UNDERSTANDING. I am soooo sure you will love this. Kindly share. And leave a comment too. I'd love to hear from your side too...

Everything has changed. From education to healthcare to finances... everything. New variables have been plugged into the equation. Interestingly, some bedrock principles remain fixed, like the North Star. Understanding. This is important, most especially at times like this. Knowing the why and the how. Knowing what to do, what to say, how to say. Or what?  Listen in and please share with a friend. 

In this interview with a veteran survivor who bounced back from a major health challenge, we look at how to start something, from nothing, armed only with a word about "a miracle in the house", willing hands and a bold spirit.  Kunle Olaleye is also author of the book "Bouncing Back To Life", where he describes what happened, and the keys to a successful recovery. I also used this episode to kick-start a session on practical encounters on how to pioneer a move, any move. Thanks for Listening. Do enjoy and please share.