Africa's Leading Voices

"Really great questions, and coaches who ask them... these are a few of my favorite things" A question from Michael in a conversation earlier this week sparked this episode. How do we as coaches work with others to generate great ideas and help them turn that into viable action? Through Innotivity of course. As a bonus Michael coaches me in less than 10 minutes on a real live issue I'm grappling with. Unexpected and totally worth it! You can watch the video version on YouTube here.There is a giveaway from the Innotivity Institute that you want to take up now. It's towards Giving Tuesday on the 1st of December. Here's some info from Innotivity and a link to register for that."HELP ENTREPRENEURS GROW and celebrate “Giving Tuesday” with our interactive and participatory masterclass HOW TO DANCE WITH UNCERTAINTY (for 90 mins on Dec 1 at 6 PM SAST).The experience will help you transform your anxiety about uncertainty into an up-leveling life tool. You'll take a challenge you're currently struggling with due to uncertainty and find innovative and creative ways to overcome it. Most excitingly, you'll learn to welcome--and then DANCE with uncertainty - instead of trying to turn it into certainty. After all, both are imaginary. As a thank you for your participation and generosity, anyone who attends the full seminar will get FREE access to our Innovation Explosion training (a $347 value). But the training will be given not to YOU, but in your name to a young entrepreneur who can't afford it. You will be tagged and thanked publicly for this generous blessing. It's your chance to give away something of such high value without having to part with anything!"

This episode on #food was a delight to record. "Wakanda is not only a whimsical dream. What can we create for the generations that will come after us?"My guest is Uzo Bailey Ayogu CTO of Nigerian Agritech startup RELEAF.  Uzo knows his business and tells great stories. As he says, stories are powerful for shifting mindsets and narratives, which in turn change behaviour.  As Uzo told story after story of the first few years growing RELEAF as a business, my hope grew. Grew for their business for sure, but also for Nigeria. We need more young people who will "come home and see what they can do" like Uzo and his business partners Isaiah UDOTONG (CEO) and Ikenna NZEWI (COO). As I listened to his stories of investing, growing, learning, and doing agribusiness in Nigeria, I was struck by how much grace and goodwill covers what must have been a steep and tough learning curve. And this, more than anything else makes me hopeful about RELEAF and confident that they will see this through to the long term. In this episode we explore:Why Food? 3:29The RELEAF back story 6:37"Go and see the land" operating principle 7:33, 10:44There's always a swindler, "shine your eye" 12:11Sustainable linked economy 15:10At the end of the day, it's about making strong relationships 19:06When the factory wins, the community wins 22:35Advice to young bucks who want to do this too: "the risk is in not taking the risk"  25:45Partnerships, relationships and building longevity  32:13Local is lekker: localized industrialization 35:04Quality, tech-based R&D 40:10Western saviours and other things that will not work 43:04Short-termism, mindset, and narrative shifts 44:57There have been wildly successful and rich black nations 50:12

In wrapping up the series, I have three conversations to share. The first is with Mrs. Titi Akisanya. A highly experienced coach and recently outgoing President of the International Coaching Federation in Nigeria. We discuss gaslighting. Yes. Gaslighting from marketers and advertisers and how this isn't a positive coping strategy. We share what some positive strategies might be for easing (back) into life through COVID 19 and post lockdown. "Never let a good crisis go to waste". There are opportunities to be had, even in the midst of economic and physical lockdown. PS: there's a reason why this episode was special to me. Listen to find out. https://www.buzzsprout.com/988609/4471658-a-coach-s-approach-to-re-entry-post-covid-19-lockdown.mp3?blob_id=17532521&download=trueThe second was a follow-up conversation with Roy Gluckman about COVID 19. It seems like forever ago we had this conversation. This is how I know time is different right now. We discuss what Diversity and Inclusion need from HR and Business leaders as we ease back into the workplace. "Being privileged is not always the same as feeling privileged". An important concept to contend with as we become more awake to issues of systemic racism. Listen here. https://www.buzzsprout.com/988609/4475663-what-could-inclusion-mean-for-orgs-as-lockdown-is-eased.mp3?blob_id=17557697&download=trueThe third is with Ralf Schneider. Ralf and I asked ourselves what the questions leaders need to consider in moving from the "I" and operating and an obsession on self-achievement, to the "WE" and collaborative achievement. We believe this is what relational leadership requires and this is what Next Generation Leadership is about. There is inside work and outside work that leaders need to do to innovate and not just improvise through COVID 19. Thinking through what questions to ask is probably one of their most important tasks. https://www.buzzsprout.com/988609/4606370-leadership-post-covid-lockdown-moving-from-i-to-we-and-other-questions.mp3?blob_id=18175427&download=true

My conversation with Ralf just as lockdown started to ease was around what questions we should be asking ourselves as leaders of systems and organizations. As I said to Ralf, this isn't about alchemy for answers. Rather, it's a review of what some of the useful questions are that leaders could be asking to build collective success in this rapidly changing world. In this episode we discuss:New world, same humans 2:00A key question for leadership, how do you newly re-engage 7:14Band-aiding and re-trenching isn't the answer 10:42Asking the right questions is the leader's biggest work right now 12:40Leaders stepping out of internal crisis mode 18:33Alpha personas will not sustain what leadership needs now, vulnerability required 23:55What drives leaders?     - Tension between personal achievement and the collective 30: 41    -  Play lead violin or conduct a beautiful piece of music? 33:56What are my boundaries and from what place is that informed? 37:18As a leader, am I giving myself the space for silent reflection? 39:08Inner independence: a practical not mystical exercise 40:53Covid might help us learn what to cultivate (the inner and outer work)  43:35 

First, let me apologize for the cracking sounds in this episode. I tried hard to get rid of it in editing. In the end, I had to make a choice between discarding the recording or going with it. #learninganddoing*******+*****+*********The question in my head, which spurred this episode is this, as people go back to work in formal workspaces, what does inclusion need right now in this time of crisis? If we were speaking to the leader, that is the leader of a particular system, whether it's HR as a system, managing people, or CE or GM, what would we tell them that inclusion needs right now? In this crisis as we move from levels 5 to 4, to 3 to 2? Will we ever get to 1? Life as it was???In this episode we discussJob Security 12:00Switching on consciousness as a leader 15:24Financial Security 16:00"I can be privileged without feeling privileged" 21:47Being privileged: safer, familiar, valuable, likable 23:00Contract of ignorance 26:42Cues around languaging and systemic inclusion: support for leaders 30:34Leadership really needs to create 'emotional' space 31:45Social justice = sustainable social value 36:18Access to emotional support in the workplace 40:48Progress over perfection   42:45The leaders who are exceptionally good at telling the story, win the hearts of the people 49:41Cultures of survival replicate ugliness 53:33 

I have the pleasure of a special guest with me. Special because she's my auntie. Yes, she is. Anyone who's African knows that an auntie is not only your mother or your father's sister but any female who's dear to you and older than you. And so this is my auntie Mrs. Titilayo Akisanya. I'm so pleased to have her speak with us. She in her own right is a powerhouse. She's a coach of coaches and the outgoing President of the International Coaching Federation in Nigeria. She is also CEO of Teta Alpha Consults https://www.thetaalphaconsults.com This, after years of senior corporate experience with global firms and consulting houses. I've invited my auntie Titi to Africa's Leading Voices to have a coaching conversation about what coming out of lockdown means to our being, as we go into "business as usual". How conscious are we of how we're feeling about it all? Are we coping? I'm asking these questions because if we're not conscious about the strategies we're using to cope with this, we will be gaslighted. We will be fed distraction. We will be made to feel that we should get over it already get back. It's business as usual, we're back to normal. Yay. It wasn't really that bad. It wasn't really a big deal. And you start to question your own sanity, like, didn't I just go through that? Am I not feeling stressed about this? But okay, if everyone's telling you to get over it, then I should. Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you should listen to what your mind, your heart, your body's telling you. Pay more attention to it. In this episode we cover: Resilience and psychological safety 11:54Evident non-health struggles popping up in Africa 14:23Mindfulness  16:38Paying attention 25:23Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets 27:58Be wary of the African "grin and bear it" maxim 38:32EQ and self-awareness 40:32

My guest this week is Jaco Fourie. Jaco who is a Coach colleague is possibly the closest type to a mystic I've ever encountered in my life. He is currently traveling on the back roads of South Africa in a tiny van, facilitating a journey of transformation for individuals, teams, and communities.Equipping and co-creating transformative conversations and coaching with these change agents and pioneers which translate into action in their communities. According to Jaco, along the way, strangers become friends and getting lost means finding a new way. In this #wellbeing episode we explore the idea that to make any meaningful contributions to any cause or issue, you first have to deal with, and prepare yourself. We discuss:meaningful contributions require self-care 5:06closing the gap between intent and practice 9:27the three foundations to self-care 10:02our brains and our mental states 14:00we are all grieving loss right now 16:12spirituality and connection to purpose 18:44the importance of comfort 20:03the movies we watch and out 5-year-old selves 25:00fear and our need to survive 31:00sensing and presencing  32:02agency and choosing 35:34relatedness with others 37:40taking on too much responsibility 39:12 taking on too little responsibility  42:50allowing the future emerge 44:00the sacredness of silence 46:40our disclaimer 53:42THE INVITATION - a wellbeing meditation 57:44

They say Nero fiddled while Rome burned. I think it's because he had become so complacent he couldn't react, but also that he had narrowed his ability to "see to care".  These past few weeks have been fraught with heightened emotion, disbelief, empathy, sadness and outrage for me. I have no reaction left in me right now. And it's a conscious choice.  I believe reaction is good as an initial Kickstarter, because it focuses attention and gets things started. But ultimately, it's unhelpful because it has the potential to separate me from my best thinking and true self. I remain convicted that all lives matter. And it's true that depending on where you are physically located in the world, some lives are more immediately at threat, and this must be highlighted. Even so all lives matter. The fundamental cry is for the intrinsic value in every life and in each life to be seen.  Against the backdrop of all of this, it didn't make sense to bring out a podcast episode last week. It seemed a little trite in the face of all that going on. When I came across this social media movement hashtag The show must be paused on Tuesday it resonated. We need to stop and we need to think and we need to process. And yet... because words are how I show care, and it still doesn't quite feel it should be business as usual. I face a conundrum.  This post is an attempt to respond to that conundrum. This is an "UNEPISODE Episode". I have just one train of thought to share. No guests. Just me, sharing this singular idea with you.  Here it goes. If it is true, that our seeing directs our doing, I believe we all seriously need to question through what lenses we see the world right now.  May I invite you today to consider just one of these lenses?  Your "universe of obligation".  My invitation to you today is to consider when and how you drew the lines of your own universe of obligation.  And then the question is always of course. "So what are you going to do about it?"  

If you and I, and every other person who's really interested in a better Nigeria had the opportunity to reimagine a sovereign wealth fund, in other words leaving to our inheritors, a nation that is healthier, wealthier, and wiser in that we increase our applicable knowledge quotient; what would that look like? I'm looking to speak to all sorts of people who are doing interesting and or different things in Nigeria to get us there.My first focus is on #food. Food security, agri-food business, farming. Everybody says agriculture is the next big thing in Nigeria. My question is do we know what we are really saying? I have to admit I didn't really. Until my conversation with my guest, Suleiman Dikwa. Suleiman is many things, businessman, agro and food security activist, avid Africa champion, and long term investor in #projectNigeria. As National Coordinator Officer for the Agric Bureau in Nigeria, Suleiman advocates for a need to synergize the agro value chain in order to avoid looming food supply crises; especially during times of unrest such as with COVID 19.My conversation with Suleiman was in his capacity as CEO of Green Sahara Farms www.greensaharafarms.com Green Sahara Farms is driving the Green Sahara Revolution.  Actively empowering people and harnessing available resources through a social impact investment that establishes ethical, sustainable solutions which include communities and seeks to optimize agribusiness away from traditional patterns of thinking into more sustainable and profitable systems.In this episode we explore:The trap of Rarity: getting sucked into spending on what we don't need 3:29Captial retention is a key thing 4:47Unfreezing our mindsets in Africa for change readiness 7:01Create economies of scale through collaboration  10:07Economic clusters as a deliberate value chain strategy 13:05Connect the dots, ...it's a potential $300B industry 20:59Agro product beneficiation 23:00A mindset change is probably more important than upgrading infrastructure 24:39Debunking the myths about localized management of capital 26:52Mentorship is key 34:54The challenge when big money ignores the farmer in the equation 42:04

Some people just make the best conversation partners. My guest this week, Roy Gluckman, public speaker and CEO of Cohesion Collective, is one. Roy's work focuses on bridging the gap between leaders and the workforce to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workplace. I enjoy dialoguing with Roy Gluckman because of the quality of thoughtfulness and integrity with which he holds this work. Roy's perspective of COVID 19 as a system revealer was refreshing. And..., it made a lot of sense to me. This isn't changing the status quo as such, nor is it bringing up new issues, it's really just showing up and showing us what already "is there".  The Emperor's naked and COVID 19 called it!If we hold that this is indeed a system revealer, what will be revealed as we prepare for work-life post lockdown? How do we ensure that hardwon workplace inclusion gains aren't lost as we press forward? Will we immediately lean into the engines (of capitalism and industry) or, will we give ourselves the opportunity for pause and reflection. The collective we.  In this episode, we explore:Fear will not get us the outcome we want 2:30Anarchy, change agent or systems reveal 4:50It's actually about leadership  10:18...and a lack of trust 12:23Pressing the time out button for a quick chat   12:43The "gift" of COVID? Spotlighted deep inequalities  17:58  Flattening the inequality curve 20:24South Africa's COVID 19 response, a case study in Leadership  24:48Creating social cohesion in workspaces post lockdown  29:54   - financial security   32:00   - spaces for PTS healing 32:41   - check-ins 33:16Stabilizing health, reducing stress 38:13Performance Management 39:40Being kind to self 44:17COVID 19 is a trial run, there's more to come 47:17

I'm in conversation once again with Ralf Schneider Managing Partner of Better Business. As the world stabilizes from a public health perspective, curves flatten, and restrictions are eased, what will change, and what will be the same? A magician's question perhaps? If we assume that in a more stable post lockdown world, employees and other stakeholders will increasingly demand spaces that allow for more human, whole-person engagement, what is the leader's work in creating this? How do leaders prepare and support their organizations in preparing for this? How do we create better businesses that are more resilient and outlast crisis?We've generally become better at holding cooperation and collaboration. Are we at the same time limited by our mono focus on efficiency, optimization, or whatever an organization's performance holy grail is? To date, our successes have largely come at the expense of spaces for innovation, courage, and more flexible, sustainable processes, systems, and structures. What we really need organizations, is innovation at the business model level. Listen to find out how this already works and could work in your organization. Enjoy. The Better Business Insitute is offering a free webinar series until the end of May 2020. The idea is to dialogue and innovate towards better business. The webinars explore new ways of being, living, working, and leading in this 'new normal', viz COVID 19.  You can register via this link. https://www.betterbusiness-institute.com/english/Home/In this episode, we exploreA blip on a shift, moving from the old into the new 4:16Dealing with uncertainty and complexity 5:20Lessons from the Arts: jazz and improvisation 6:57How we need to be, moving from the 'I' to the 'We' 10:26Co-creating in fluidity 13:20Question: The leader's work 16:20Ralf's response: the leader's work 18:04Walking and chewing gum, leaders delivering and growing self 23:24The trick of distraction 28:52Next Generation Leaders and role making 31:07The opportunity that COVID 19 presents? 35:35

My guest Ralf Schneider is Managing Partner at Better Business, and part of the Better Business-Institute. He has spent more than two decades in leadership roles of large businesses in the global professional and financial services industries. As a thought leader, consultant and speaker he has been contributing to the development and practice of Responsible Leadership as a new model for Next Generation Business. As a Consultant and Coach, he works with C-suite executives and their teams to build a culture for sustainable performance. He has spearheaded award-winning talent and leadership initiatives linked to building leading global industry brands.The Better Business Insitute is offering a free webinar series until the end of May 2020. The idea is to dialogue and innovate towards better business. The webinars explore new ways of being, living, working, and leading in this 'new normal', viz COVID 19.  You can register via this link. https://www.betterbusiness-institute.com/english/Home/In this episode, we exploreThree chapters in Ralf's career: Airforce, Academia, Global Consulting  1:58COVID 19, blip or shift? 9:04The Realist's response 11:12Drawbridges and old mindsets 15:24Batten down the hatches or show up more human? 17:49Connecting to self, as a leader 20:29Culture, Diversity and Performance 21:04Dichotomy: who we are as leaders vs who we show up as 24:06Defining Future/Next Generation Leadership 28:06Next-Gen leadership as an inclusive, co-creative practice 30:36Leadership as 'energy' 33:34Both control and trust are required  36:04

My guest is one of my favorite people to dialogue with, simply because of the quality of his person, the deep intention and humble intelligence with which he does his work globally. Martin Kalungu-Banda, along with his wife Aggie are cohosts of the Presencing Insitute's Ubuntu.Lab, a six-month applied online-offline learning program for change-makers, emerging and established leaders, and innovators. Join Martin on the 30th of April as he hosts a webinar on Next Generation Leadership, ensuring responsive and responsible leadership in challenging times with Martin Gent.In this episode, we explore How leadership is shifting from those we traditionally expect 6:41The importance of how we are listening 10:00What “paying attention” consists of 15:00How awake are we to the somatic impacts of all that's going on 21:10The thin line between opportunism and opportunity 26:00The hidden danger of “othering” 31:59Otto Sharma's two social fields in one world : “absencing and presencing” 37:34Compassion for leaders, especially political leaders 49:01Leaders as Orchestra Conductors 52:38Liberating our brains to do their best work 53:54Enjoy 

Hello #TTARadio listeners, this is your host Egbe Adeoye. We're back!!!Yep, we are back and we've got new colours. Lol. I've missed connecting via this podcast while we went through our rebrand. #TTARadio has changed, it's now Africa's Leading Voices ALV. Yep. You got that right. Can you pick up my passions in there? Africa, leadership, and amplifying. I am a believer in telling what's good, talking about it, retelling it spreading that news. And that's what ALV is going to be about. Speaking to people on the continent, off the continent, on topics of leadership in whatever way shape and form it comes out. Do you know someone who's a leading voice? Who is creating and resonating this idea that Africa is becoming stronger, Africa is rising higher? I want to talk to them. Please let me know who they are. Let's set something up. If you're off the continent, and you're doing stuff that will impact us. Let me know, as well. Let's talk! 

Egbe Adeoye host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio) in conversation with Dimple Patidar, Acting Director for Short Courses at Wits Enterprise.In this conversation, Egbe and Dimple discuss how learning and education are changing and why short courses offer an accessible pathway for individuals looking to grow and upgrade their skills in their current jobs. Dimple also shares how the Wits University's short course offerings have provided unskilled, unemployed individuals with an opportunity to acquire skills that render them employable within a short time frame.The short courses unit within Wits Enterprises offers learners the opportunity to deepen capabilities and gain technical skills at a steady pace through a variety of media: face-to-face, blended learning and online university accredited short courses from four faculties; Commerce, Law & Management (CLM), Engineering, Humanities & Health Sciences.Sponsored Series

In this episode Egbe Adeoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio), brought to you by Talenttalks, continues her conversation with Roy Gluckman, the founder, and CEO of Cohesion Collective (CoCo) on some common myths offered by organizations as excuses for lack of inclusion within organizational spaces. Egbe and Roy discuss how some narratives reflect some organizations' refusal to deeply interrogate their thinking. Roy says: “These narratives are being used as a tool to deflect and defer responsibility.” He continues, “These myths are lazy responses to what are the real social, economic, mental, emotional, physical, issues people deal with every day, in workplaces where we say we want the best people.” The idea that “She's a great candidate but does not fit our culture" is sometimes just a proxy for other biases.They also discuss the myth that "black talent is always moving because of money". Roy argues that this is another lazy answer to a more complex problem. The call to action: Through self-introspection, organizations need to identify the real reasons why a specific talent demographic is not feeling at home in the organization.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Where are the good black people? - 02:09Why are they so sensitive? - 03:07Where the narratives come from – 04:53 Not a good culture fit – 05:39 Age discrimination – 07:22The idea of the good blacks – 11:54Young black talent always moves for money – 17:38Myths are lazy responses- 22:32The oblivion of senior leadership- 26:42

Democratizing access to learning is a critical need for Africa's growth. Wits DigitalCampus in partnership with Wits University offers accredited, online, and occupationally relevant short courses. The learning content is developed and delivered by Wits lecturers. These courses accelerate your skills development while improving individual and business performance – trusted accreditation in the palm of your hands.The courses are boundaryless: individuals can access content from any location worldwide where there is a reliable Internet connection. 

Egbe Adeoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio) continues her conversation with Roy Gluckman, the founder of Cohesion Collective (CoCo).You can't talk about talent without talking about representation. As Egbe says, "when I have role models that look, sound like, think like me, I am inspired to be more and do more". In South Africa, we come from a history where 'difference' was used for purposes of segregation to the extent that recognizing the reality that people are different is something often scoffed at. This is the reason why some people believe that the best way to relate to people is to see no difference and treat everyone the same way. However, treating everybody as if they are the same ignores the reality that historically, we have walked different journeys. We were not the same, to begin with, and we are not starting at the same place. Roy puts things into perspective when he says, “privilege and disadvantage transfer.”The call to action: To ensure an environment of equality, treat different people differently in order to give them access to equal opportunities. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE Legislation is a blunt tool to drive change- 03:52 Employment equity and BEE bring up emotion- 05:25The understanding of equality- 08:06People are different - 09:05Legislation as the trusses of the roof- 11:43Legislation supporting change- 12:07Countering the lack of opportunity claim- 13:04Treating different people differently in order to have access to equal opportunities- 14:09Transformation is not about lowering standards-16:21Creation of support- 16:30 Empathy- 18:01 Solutions for inequality- 22:22Using available tools to be more and do more - 25:55 

Egbe Adoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio), in conversation with Tumi Ngqondo, Technology Transfer Manager at Wits Enterprises.Impactful research has to be applied for social cohesion and socio-economic impact. In this sponsored series we explore what Wits Enterprise does and how it positions Wits University to carry out applied impactful researchWits Enterprise aims to build a bridge between industry and academics. The innovation unit is concerned with contextualizing research for the consumer markets and building networks within industry, using a multidisciplinary approach to support the commercialization of Wits Applied Research.Sponsored Series

Egbe Adoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio), in conversation with Corin Matthews. "How can you be curious and courageous about who you are and what might be stopping us from coming together to stir up conscious change? How do we give voice to the ‘no', the disquiet that tells us in our bodies and thoughts and feelings that all is not well?"We have more in common than we think, so why is identity politics on the rise globally? Why do we have xenophobic attacks in South Africa? Why aren't we moving forward on the transformation agenda? Why are we stuck on how to exit Brexit? Why is right-wing politics on the rise in Europe? Why is being black and male in America almost an epidemic? Why don't black lives matter? Why are we caught up in futile cycles of ethnic politics all across Africa? So many questions. One answer could be, "because 'race' isn't easy. even so, we can't afford to be silent? Corin asks, “is this ‘thing' not simpler? Have we not all disappeared into our middle-class existences, wanting to be comfortable at all costs, keeping a bourgeoisie status quo alive? Can we locate the hidden parts of ourselves locked in privilege or lack of privilege, that are in the shadow and hold us back from truly connecting in our thinking, feeling, doing? In his view, "knowing our comfort touchpoints around race, and not hiding with denialism of who we are, this is work we all have to do." A word from ALV host, Egbe. These are the sobering topics Corin and Egbe grapple with, in this podcast episode. It's one of the hardest conversations I've had topic wise. It's also one of the safest. Corin is an exceptional human being. His authenticity to his own growth and learning, the gentle firmness with which he holds himself and others accountable means that there is shying away. We confront ourselves and, when we do the work, we are all the better for it.   Please let us know what you think. Send responses to africasleadingvoices@ncal.co.zaBe blessed.

Egbe Adoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio), in conversation with members of the WE Research & consulting Support Unit, Tendani Nevondo, Snr Biz Dev Manager; MacDonald Wanenge Biz Dev Manager, as well as Andrew Hope-Jones.Research in service of what? Impactful research should connect communities and provide sustainable socio-economic benefits.  Wits Enterprise was established to provide a seamless, less bureaucratic platform for Wits academics to commercialize their research. The primary aim is to provide access to funding, innovation support, business development and commercialization in a way that facilitates turning Wits research and knowledge creation into socially relevant, problem-solving solutions, designed with users and communities in mind.Sponsored Series.

Egbe Adeoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio) continues her conversation with Roy Gluckman, the founder of Cohesion Collective (CoCo).In this episode, Egbe and Roy unpack the organization as a house. Maybe “we've been doing it”, but are we clear what we have been doing and for whom? Inclusion is practical and action-based. It doesn't end with our intentions, noble as they may be. It is also about impactful, self-reflexive practices to interrogate how much of our comfort we are willing to give up so that others can contribute stronger.

Egbe Adeoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio) continues her conversation with Themba Chakela. Themba describes himself as Humanologist, Digiteer and Change Management maven.The first conversation was like walking “through the looking glass”, in all the best ways. Moving from idea to idea, we talked about what's changing in the people practice space. I like Themba's positioning of HR as People People. If as Themba says, “people are the last frontier in business”, what do we need to do, be, know, feel, as People People so that employees can thrive and business is optimized? Well, the first thing we certainly need to do according to Themba is 'decolonize HR'. I agree. We also spoke about symbolic shifts and finding hidden wisdom. Curious? Listen to find out more.

One of the joys of hosting a podcast is that I get the opportunity to have conversations with really interesting people. If you've not yet had the pleasure, I'm delighted to introduce you to Dr. Martin Kalungu-Banda. Martin is an original, in the best sense. Fully present and at the same time deeply in tune with what's emerging, Martin has intense qualities of depth and lightness that make him quite remarkable to engage with. Over the next few months, we will share a few episodes where I'm in conversation with Martin. Author, master facilitator, global change maker, host of Ubuntu.Lab, a passionate believer in humanity, lover of Africa, partner to Aggie and father to Bobo and Neo; these conversations with Martin are not to be missed. Enjoy.

Egbe Adeoye, host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio), in conversation with Cebile Xulu, CHRO, Mondelēz Sub-Saharan Africa. As Women's Month in South Africa winds down for 2019, with the euphoria of celebrations and the adrenaline from debates waning, it's appropriate to think about good practice. Who are the people doing some of this ‘good stuff' we hear about? Well, Mondelēz is, for one. In this interview with CHRO Cebile Xulu, we discuss what it takes to retain women, both young and experienced, in a competitive, commercial space. Enjoy!

Egbe Adeoye host of ALV (formerly #TTARadio) in conversation with Yomi Jemibewon, author of Risk and Return and founding Partner at CardinalStone Financial Services.Doing Business in Africa is not for the faint-hearted. But, for the brave who approach it with curiosity and courage, and are in for the ‘long game', in the interest of both Africa and their own individual success; personal and business gains abound. Not always in dollars and cents either.This is the message at the heart of Yomi Jemibewon's book, Risk and Return. It's the personal insight of someone who is in the trenches so to speak. It was a pleasure to read a story that lays the entrepreneur's challenges bare and still has the optimism to keep going. This book is important. As more and more of us Africans decide to ‘come back' and build #theafricawewant it is books like these, and stories like Yomi's should be part of any young African entrepreneur's booklist.Enjoy this conversation with my homeboy, a man who has taken then time to reflect on the quality and impact of his actions and is recalibrating for what's next. Risk and Return.

One of the joys with hosting a podcast is that I get the opportunity to have conversations with really interesting people. If you've not yet had the pleasure, I'm delighted to introduce you to Dr Martin Kalungu-Banda. Martin is an original, in the best sense. Fully present and at the same time deeply in tune with what's emerging, Martin has intense qualities of depth and lightness that make him quite remarkable to engage with. Over the next few months, we will share a few episodes where I'm in conversation with Martin. Author, master facilitator, global change maker, host of Ubuntu.Lab, a passionate believer in humanity, lover of Africa, partner to Aggie and father to Bobo and Neo; these conversations with Martin are not to be missed. Enjoy.

In this episode I get to speak with Dr Morne Mostert from the Institute of Futures Research at Stellenbosch University. Go Maties!Morne is a powerful combination of intelligence, humour and intentionality. Nothing ‘'just happens'' and yet everything comes together in a seriously fun way. I laughed hard and learnt a lot. Discerning the future or should I say ‘'futures'' is serious, but it should not be faced with fear. There are skills we can all develop. We become what we put our energies towards. Where is your head at? In understanding what's already been? In the now? Or, in imagining and creating what could be? Listen to find out what Dr Mostert recommends as the ideal ratio. Enjoy.

One of the joys with hosting a podcast is that I get the opportunity to have conversations with really interesting people. If you've not yet had the pleasure, I'm delighted to introduce you to Dr Martin Kalungu-Banda. Martin is an original, in the best sense. Fully present and at the same time deeply in tune with what's emerging, Martin has intense qualities of depth and lightness that make him quite remarkable to engage with. Over the next few months, we will share a few episodes where I'm in conversation with Martin. Author, master facilitator, global change maker, host of Ubuntu.Lab, a passionate believer in humanity, lover of Africa, partner to Aggie and father to Bobo and Neo; these conversations with Martin are not to be missed. Enjoy.

One of the joys with hosting a podcast is that I get the opportunity to have conversations with really interesting people. If you've not yet had the pleasure, I'm delighted to introduce you to Dr Martin Kalungu-Banda. Martin is an original, in the best sense. Fully present and at the same time deeply in tune with what's emerging, Martin has intense qualities of depth and lightness that make him quite remarkable to engage with. Over the next few months, we will share a few episodes where I'm in conversation with Martin. Author, master facilitator, global change maker, host of Ubuntu.Lab, a passionate believer in humanity, lover of Africa, partner to Aggie and father to Bobo and Neo; these conversations with Martin are not to be missed. Enjoy.

Mimi Kalinda, Group CEO of the Africa Communications Media Group ACG, and a Forbes Afrique top 40 under 40 for 2018 is a powerhouse. And she's serious about Africa and African narratives. When ACG says ‘'we know Africa'' it's neither idle or ‘'just marketing'', it is real With operations and a footprint of partners covering all 54 countries on the continent, Mimi is all in. This amazing woman continues to lead her firm, breaking barriers and busting myths about what is possible and what excellence is on our continent. I'm a Mimi fan, can you tell? We discuss doing business in Africa, the good, bad and ugly. We also tackle the narrative #AfricaRising and discuss ‘'who's narrative is it anyway, and in service of what?''I think you'll really enjoy this one. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Egbe (Bebe) Adeoye in conversation with Paolo GiuricichPaolo's voice as an emerging thought leader on the Future of Work is made much stronger because it comes from his lived experience. He's walking the talk. I love his take on career architecture. If you didn't know career management is out. Are you designing your career experiences? For who's benefit? We talk about this, the gig economy and more. Enjoy!

Inclusion within organizational spaces. Roy breakdown the components of the CoCo “DIE pie” and we talk about the multiple dimensions of Diversity, Inclusion and Equality and its links to micro-culturalism. The topic of Insiders and Outsiders, and how we are all often both “in and out of what is valued” at the same time, in different contexts, is also discussed. Using the metaphor of organizations as houses, both explore how comfort, which CoCo defines as inclusion, is fundamental to productivity. How is comfort (Inclusion) affected by what happens socially, both internally i.e., within the house, and externally in the broader cultural context? Listen as we explore how the foundations of organizational houses often manifest in the South African context. Workplace productivity, or the lack thereof, is also explored against the three fundamental pillars of the organizational house: talent, leadership, and culture (TLC).In this episode, we explore:The Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Pie (05:28)Race and the levels of DIE (07:45)Micro-culturalism (10:00)Organizations as houses (12:20) TLC: Talent, Leadership, and Culture Comfort in the workspace (27:07) Organization value gap (30:50)Meritocracy (36:04)

Egbe (Bebe) Adeoye in conversation with Mohamed Mohammed Shaheen Senior Vice President at Schneider Electric and expert in energy automation and management for Industry, Speaking with Mohammed is always a pleasure. His optimism about business and the ‘'big opportunities for growth'' on our continent shone through in this interview. What gives Mohammed hope for our continent? Hope! And the will of the ‘'everyday citizen'' to push for development that makes a visible difference to him. Listen for an insider's take on how technology is literally changing the game for us here in Africa ….. and this is a good thing!

We've been doing it ……….. or have we?This one is for the youth. Yes, you. If you're between the ages of 15 & 35, this one is for you. And to be honest for the rest of us too. In this episode, I talk to Dr. Karina de Bruin the MD of JvR Academy who is an accomplished academic in her own right. We discuss the future of work, and, as it's youth month, we focus on the youth. Karina's only slightly joking when she says “we start preparing for our careers the minute we are born”.Why? Because when we step back, we realize that the things that make us “work ready” in this 21st Century workspace, are skills we've been tacitly learning from a very young age. Making it work for the world of work so to speak , is really about being aware of what you have and building on it. Dr de Bruin provides very practical après for building these skills and strengths. I particularly enjoyed her 5 steps for building EQ. Enjoy.

The Included Podcast has been designed as a tool to bring the practice of inclusion into the forefront of how we do business. In this episode Egbe (Bebe) Adeoye host of Talenttalks Africa Radio talks with Thembela Njenga and Cheryl Jacob.Thembela and Cheryl are two women deeply passionate about creating experiences for women in the workplace that are successful and cater to who women are and what they need. A lot of people “talk the talk”; these women are real; all chips in. Their desire is that workplaces are reimagined to truly include women. Their “find you, start to like you” approach to personal transformation is refreshing. Their call to women is to like all of ourselves and not just parts. Their research has led to a book about women's lived experiences and how they are overcoming and learning to show up authentically.

Siphiwe Moyo is multitalented and very evidently self-directed in a positive way. His natural leadership shines through all he does professionally whether as a businessman, lecturer, or internationally sought after motivational speaker. His particular “get over yourself” brand of inspiration and motivation is refreshing; more so when balanced with the other part of the story “prepare yourself for success”. For Siphiwe, being authentically yourself is first in any real leadership journey. We discuss what this means at the start of a career and different critical points thereafter. I enjoyed our conversation. As Siphiwe says, ”leadership is cultivable, it is a conscious act that's teachable”. This is good news! We can all get better with practice. With nuggets like “excellence takes input over time” and “self awareness: not everyone will like it when you find it”; you don't want to miss this episode.

The Included Podcast has been designed as a tool to bring the practice of inclusion into the forefront of how we do business.This episode explores letting go of the need to understand those who are different to us. Roy proposes interesting alternatives: trust and, automatic belief in others and in their experiences as shared. They discuss privilege and is and how this lies in contrast to the emotional work that those who do not fit traditional categories of privilege have to do to show up in the world. The call to action is repurposing privilege and use it to create access and more space for those whose voices in that context are not automatically legitimized.Issues explored include: The Subjectivity of “Truth” – 12:50Whose truth is more important? – 14:05The Concept of Both/And – 16:35Privilege and raceoWhite privilege – 19:50Analogy of what privilege is – 20:44Black people having to work harder that white people – 22:50What privilege “actually” is – 27:00Privilege Plug points and intersectionality – 28:35Repurposing Privilege – 35:10Unwilling vs Unsure – 38:50

The Included Podcast has been designed as a tool to bring the practice of inclusion into the forefront of how we do business.We ask and try to answer, “is the world changing, or have we been “doing this”?” Are we “consumers” of change? What's our role as people interested in inclusion as a practice in driving change, rather than assuming it is happening? They tackle these questions by exploring some organizational myths that prevent real discussion and opportunities for actually changing and becoming more inclusive. Roy shares the Cohesion Collective Layer Cake model, a lens for understanding how we deal with, or not deal with fostering and driving greater compassion and understanding among people. They both explore the three layers to this “cake” and end with this question as a call to action: how do we begin/continue to create relationships of trust with our colleagues and fellow human beings?In this episode we explore:The “Changing World”: Fourth Industrial Revolution, Disruption and Millennials.. What is REALLY changing? – 02:22Future Work Skills 2020: social intelligence and cross-cultural competency (LINK) – 5:40Forces of “Change”: #MeToo – 07:07Pretoria High School for Girls Hair Policy Saga – 07:40A society, school, and organizations beyond zero for diverse identity people – 13:35The myth of being “professional” – 16:07Employees Fight, Flight or Freeze response in organizations - 21:30The Layer Cake – 24:00Delegitimizing emotions and experiences – 30:17Power and rank – 32:00The South African foundation of mistrust – 38:10

Nozipho defines herself as a conversation strategist, and it fits. She is multi-talented and singularly focused on excellence. Authentic and ‘present', Nozipho talks about conversation as the birthplace of action as words are framed and reframed for growth. In our conversation we discuss African Excellence, what it is and what our custodianship is in this generation; holding difficult spaces with grace; and working from purpose.

The Included Podcast has been designed as a tool to bring the practice of Diversity Inclusion & Belonging into the forefront of how it is that we do business; because of who we are. Egbe and Roy set the foundation for the Included Podcast. They seek to unpack what Diversity Inclusion & Belonging actually mean to individuals, leaders, and organizations. 

‘'What is happening in the Tiger Brands HR space?''  

Egbe Adeoye in conversation with Debbie Goodman-Bhyat, CEO of Jack Hammer

Mechell Chetty, Unilever Vice President of Human Resources in Africa speaks to Talent Talks #TTARadio #TTA

Egbe Adeoye in conversation with Sarah Fontaine and Jacqui Jooste about Coface's exciting company culture unfolding.

Bebe Oyegun-Adeoye in conversation with Njabulo Mashigo, Director Human Resources at Heineken

Bebe Oyegun-Adeoye in conversation with Michaela von Guilleaume,BASF Crop Protection Market Approach Strategy Manager, South Africa#TTAradio #TTA