The Courageous Leaders Podcast

In episode 92 of the podcast, I speak with Flavilla Fongang, the Founder and CEO of Black Rise.
Join us as we discuss why as leaders, we need to stop focusing only on financial outcomes and also look at the greater impact we are making on the community and even the planet. In the era of cancel culture, we have to be more socially responsible if we want our organisation to succeed.
We also discussed why it is so important to invest in protecting your peace. There is power in getting comfortable saying no without explanation, and it is something that we all need to embrace more, particularly as leaders.
Key takeaways include:
● The importance of empowering black women in technology
● Why it’s not okay to be the only woman in the room
● What an entrepreneurial mindset really is
● The balance of business impact and leaving a legacy
● Knowing how much money you need to be happy
● Developing a solution mindset so that you can solve any problem
● Why you can’t let the naysayers stop you, and you should always trust your gut
● How the first step to climbing the pyramid is just taking the first step
Flavilla Fongang is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur and an international keynote speaker. She is the author of “99 Strategies to Get Customers”. She is also the founder of Global Tech Advocates – Black Women in Tech, the largest organisation of black professional women in tech.
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website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

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🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
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Azania Stewart - former Team GB Olympic basketball player and international sports commentator. In this candid conversation, Azania shares the importance of preparation, discipline, and navigating the rigorous demands of professional sports and the corporate world.
Learn how she maintained her competitive edge while fostering healthy personal relationships, and why she advocates for a balanced approach to work and life to prevent burnout.
We Cover:
05:09 – How self-belief and commitment drives success
06:36 – Ditching the 5-year goals and focusing on in-the-moment progress
13:08 – The sacrifices made to succeed in sport
14:11 – Success requires going beyond a strict work-life balance and putting in the extra effort
15:03 - The 5 P's - Preparation prevents piss poor performance
16:09 – Don't let your job kill you, remember you are quickly replaced
20:26 – In your twenties, focus on work. In your thirties, learn to separate your professional life from your personal one
24:18 – Great leaders understand their team’s unique styles and adapt their approach without losing their authenticity
28:46 – Coming out of retirement and remembering loving being a leader and winning
32:02 – Experience is valuable, but it’s important to stay open to new ideas and learn from the younger generation
36:43 – The challenge of transitioning from athlete to commentator
40:21 – Saying "no" helps prioritise personal commitments
Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
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This episode was truly inspiring; Kate Tancred is one of the most courageous leaders we have had on the podcast. Kate’s journey, experiences, and the choices she has made demonstrate what true courage looks like in leadership.
Join us as we explore finding the courage to do what is right for you even when it’s one of the hardest things you will do.
I am so grateful for Kate's openness in sharing what it takes to start a business at 24, and then ten years later to have the courage to let it go.
Key discussion points:

• The dangers of tying your identity and self-worth to your business
• How negative emotions are driven from the fear of what people will think
• Confronting shame: The pressure of not meeting expectations
• The need to change the pace of work
• Harnessing COVID's pause and implementing a bold new direction
• Transitioning from solo founder to having a boss
• Letting go of control: the challenge and liberation of now having space for new things
• Driving diversity of talent in the film Industry

Stay courageous and learn what is right for you and what you need and want.
Let us know your thoughts! Please leave us a comment to keep the conversation going.
00:00 "Courageous Leaders podcast with CEO Kate Tancred"
04:42 Started with record players, now in media.
07:31 Exciting industry meetings, no financial commitments, pivot.
11:12 Anticipated video wave, held onto faith.
15:36 Balancing work and family changed my perspective.
18:49 Reflecting on life, making necessary changes.
21:05 Transitioning from doubt to professional opportunities yielded.
23:51 Optimism turns to shame when expectations are unmet.
28:29 Struggle with control is my biggest lesson.
32:37 Found issue, started company to make change.
36:23 Tech industry evolved from lean startups, supports employees.
37:28 Expresses gratitude, invites subscription, promises future content.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

In this episode, Shira Jeczmien, Founder & CEO of SCREENSHOT Media, shares her journey of starting the company at just 27. With “naive optimism” and family support, Shira turned a university project into a thriving media business. We talk about staying adaptable, meeting Gen Z’s expectations in the workplace, and creating a collaborative, inclusive culture.
We Cover:
04:50 – Smart growth through monetising digital content
07:18 – How to connect with the right people when you want to grow a business
12:00 – How being authentic helps you overcome challenges
15:30 – The role trust plays in building a team
17:06 – How to bring collaboration into your culture for growth
19:29 – How to motivate and get the best from a Gen Z team
20:59 – Adapting to hybrid work with a focus on retention
23:41 – Expanding to 45 employees and hiring 11 new roles
27:32 – The unique challenges of being a young, female founder
35:51 – First-time challenges feel overwhelming but become easier with experience
40:32 – Building a network of peers and advisors who share your values
Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.
How The Change Creators Can Help
Looking to back yourself more, bring Courageous Leadership into your team, or explore transformational strategies? The Change Creators offers support to help you take action and drive meaningful change in your leadership and workplace culture.
Reach out to us today to learn how we can assist in your leadership journey and help your team thrive!

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

What's the secret to leading a successful team?
It might not be what you think.
Jessica Hargreaves, CEO of PrettyGreen, reveals her unconventional approach to leadership, sharing powerful insights on risk-taking, delegation, and building a culture of trust.
We Cover:
07:04 - Focusing on people and culture for business success

14:06 - Creating a culture of calculated risk-taking

16:49 - Defining a "fail-safe" culture and learning from mistakes

25:00 - The value of B Corp certification and aligning actions with purpose

30:36 - The "Be More Meerkat" philosophy for team collaboration

33:16 - Advice to her younger self: The value of mentorship

33:54 - A career turning point: Saying "no" and prioritising wellbeing

35:04 - Prioritising your wellbeing and its transformative impact on leadership.
Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/