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For the Global Minded. Multi-hyphenated. Ambitious Leader.

Go from Surviving to Thriving

 

Akua nyame-Mensah Is a Certified Executive Leadership Coach and Strategic Advisor.

As a former start-up executive, she has experience launching and growing an online business across West Africa's two biggest markets and has recruited, coached and managed diverse teams.

 
 

Let’s Work together

Akua creates safe spaces for leaders to experiment with alternative approaches, gain confidence, connect and ultimately thrive harmoniously with their team.

 
 

Akua on INstagram

This month I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to figure out my niche. It has been slightly scary because it feels like I might be eliminating potential clients (and ultimately money). It has taken a lot of time (and coaching, yes coaches also have coaches) to reach this point and I am sure my thoughts around my niche and ideal client will continue to evolve. I wanted to share some of my first thoughts with you.  Let me know what you think (whether or not it resonates) and feel free to share with someone that might benefit from my work: I create containers of trust for leaders and their teams to rise in confidence and thrive harmoniously using alternative approaches, tools and techniques (because let’s face it, the traditional hasn’t worked). I work with leaders (and their teams) looking to overcome: - Expectations/ Stereotypes, - The Stuck/ Overwhelmed Paradox, and - Firefighting The above doesn’t mean I won’t work with you if you don’t identify as a leader, have a team or are looking to overcome other challenges.  I just have to start somewhere. ----- These images are from a @sew_africa event this month.  I had the pleasure of co-facilitating a session with the amazing wellbeing and brand coach @babs_ofori
One of my favorite partnerships so far has been my Leadership Series @workbox_ng . Each time I spend time with the Workbox community, I leave so excited about coaching and facilitating. So far, we have had conversations about the power of introductions and values. If you understand your strengths and values and can communicate it – especially in a work setting – you will be more productive and engaging. Easier said than done but we are working through it together. If you are interested in any of my workshops or programs, click the link in my bio and follow my Upcoming Events. I love co-creating opportunities for people to connect intentionally and gain confidence, so if you want to host one of my sessions or design a session together get in touch. Warning: If you watch the video - I nod a lot. Lol 📷 @adenthecut
This month one of my favorite sessions was one that was supposed to be a 30-minute discussion. At the last minute, I was invited to the Lagos Hub Global Shaper’s retreat to facilitate a conversation about teamwork. Though our discussion at the retreat was short, it lasted closer to 1 hour than 30 minutes. We were at the Lekki Conservation Center - it was pouring rain, the shelter we were under was leaking, and everyone was still committed to having a conversation and making the best of the situation. We discussed the importance of building relationships first and understanding the ‘why,’ especially in a volunteer-based organization like the Global Shapers. Being intentional with how you introduce yourself can go a long way to increase engagement and build successful working relationships. Thank you again, @lagosshapers (and @imoheboh) for allowing me to take up some of your retreat time and for the amazing photographs. 📷 Christian Chami, Mbiedabasi Etim
When was the last time you did something scary? One of my favorite things I did last month was participate in the International Coach Federation (ICF) International Coaching Week (ICW). It was also scary. One of the sessions I had signed up to run was at a University where everyone would be older and more experienced (in life) than me. As you can probably tell from the pictures, as with most things it turned out fine - These pictures were taken by my fellow ICF Nigeria colleagues at the University before, during and after the sessions. In addition to providing free one on one coaching sessions to employees at a large multinational company during ICW, I led a group coaching session for Heads of Department and staff at University of Ibadan (the oldest University in Nigeria). As a professional coach, I’m a member of the global coaching organization ICF. ICF has a code of ethics and conduct and describes coaching as a partnership ‘between the coach and the client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximize personal and professional potential.’ Over the course of the week, ICW provides individuals with the opportunity to experience first-hand the positive impact coaching can have. As a coach, I also have coaches because I have gained confidence and grown from having the opportunity to talk through my challenges and bounce ideas off of others. I would love to hear about the last time you did something scary. If you want to talk about it, experience coaching or learn more about my approach, click the link in my bio.