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...[I]f one in three [managers] are not feeling like there are enough opportunities and resources for their growth..that's a fairly big risk for a company...you need middle management to actually execute...

-- Chris Suzdak, Founder of CoffeeChat

This past Friday, we discussed the results of two CoffeeChat surveys focused on leadership development and access. Though the surveys were taken by African-based managers and L&D professionals, the data collected provides valuable insight to anyone int…

Whether you work with two people or 2,000 people, influence is a key leadership skill. Some might even say influence is synonymous with leadership. In this episode, Akua helps you recognize the importance of leveraging your influence and the role of self-reflection and communication in the process. 

This episode is for you if you're a first-time manager, an established leader, or just feeling invisible in your current work environment.

Listen as Akua dives into the four pillars of influence: p…

Do your words match your actions? Are you “being the message?” How you communicate with others (and yourself) is key when it comes to being a conscious leader. This week Akua, an executive and leadership coach, talks about the importance of reflecting on your communication style and aligning what you say with what you value. 

Akua dives into what she means by “being the message,” a popular mantra among coaches and advisors. She also explains the three main communication styles, as well as three…

Today's guest, JR Kanu, is an entrepreneur, design thinking coach, and the author of "Money Brain: Career and Money Management in Your 20s and 30s." He is also the founder and CEO of REACH, working with businesses to understand their consumers and helping individuals who want clarity on their personal finances.

In this episode, host Akua Nyame-Mensah talks with JR about the evolution of his business and how self-awareness and reflection have ensured growth and continued success. He also talks a…

Last week we invited Anemari Fiser to share more about her experience and perspective on successfully building a career in tech.

(Listen to the entire conversation here)

Her number one piece of advice was to make sure that you give yourself the opportunity to master soft skills.

During our conversation, she also shared that:

The best way to find your next role is through networking, tech communities, and spaces:

First because we are people...We react based on human interaction...By talking …

Do you feel stressed, busy, and short on time? If so, it's time to get a handle on what you do and when you do it. Here, Akua expands on last week's episode, cultivating self-awareness and presenting your personality in the form of SOPs to team members. This week, Akua focuses specifically on how to be more time-aware as a conscious leader and how it can help you move from fire-fighting mode into strategic leadership.

Find out what questions to ask yourself and how to reflect on your time manag…

Wellness starts with self.

Wellness starts with having conversations.

Last week we hosted a conversation with wellness expert and practitioner Krystal-Joy Williams.

(Listen to the entire conversation here)

When asked about the relationship between self-care and wellness, she shared:

It all begins with self-care. So before beginning to thrive in wellness, or even focus on wellness… self-care is where it begins…[U]ntil you're caring or care about yourself, how could you possibly thrive in a…

Cultivating self-awareness in order to become a conscious leader is essential. In this episode, Akua guides you in reflecting on your communication style, decision-making style, and how you respond in stressful situations and how this relates to your innate personality.

She'll also discuss the concept of personality and how it is not set in stone but constantly evolving. Like an operating system, it is continually updating and can be influenced and changed.

If you're ready for a "reboot," list…

"AI is a tool…What is happening already with our tools, with these algorithms and with AI is that it is already based on a dominant identity group, and it's built by the dominant identity group…"

- Workplace Equity Strategist Olanike A. Mensah 

Last week, we had a wide-ranging conversation about AI with Workplace Equity Strategist Olanike A. Mensah.

(Listen to the entire conversation here)

Why?

We use artificial intelligence anytime we open our laptops or use phones.

Understanding the in…

Taking time to reflect is essential to being a conscious leader and moving forward effectively. In this episode, your host Akua dives deeper into how founders and leaders can reflect, what specifically to consider when reflecting, and how to make the most of the people around them who can help get them to the next level. 

If you're wondering how to use reflection to surround yourself with inspiration, innovation, and the best people, this episode is for you. Akua talks about diversity and inclu…