This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this inspiring episode of Choosing Leadership, Adewale Yusuf, founder and CEO of Alt School Africa, shares his bold journey from humble beginnings to leading one of the most ambitious educational missions on the continent.

He opens up about the tough choices behind leaving a successful business to pursue a purpose-driven vision, and the challenges of carrying the weight of leadership when others don’t yet see what you see.

Adewale’s story is a masterclass in resilience, accountability, and staying true to your mission even when the road gets lonely.

Leaders will walk away with practical lessons on vision, mentorship, and building cultures that value impact over handouts.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with courage while shaping the future, this conversation will both challenge and inspire you.

You can find Adewale Yusuf at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/adewaleyusuf/
• https://altschoolafrica.com/

In the interview, Adewale shares

• “Leadership is a choice—a decision to shape the future, tackle challenges, and inspire others.”
• “Coming from a humble background, I knew education was the key to breaking cycles of limitation.”
• “Alt School Africa was born from a mission—to equip 400 million Africans with the skills for tomorrow.”
• “True leadership is about walking away from comfort to pursue what deeply matters.”
• “The hardest part of leadership isn’t strategy—it’s carrying the weight of responsibility and loneliness.”
• “A leader’s vision must be clear enough to inspire even when others can’t yet see it.”
• “If we want to solve global problems, we must first believe in the talent and potential within Africa.”
• “Impact should never be about leftover handouts—it’s about creating systems where people can thrive.”
• “Leadership is not measured in metrics alone, but in how many lives are empowered through your vision.”
• “My dream is a world where language and background never limit learning, growth, or innovation.”