Open Door Conversations

Executive and Leadership expert Akua is celebrating a remarkable milestone of producing 100 podcast episodes of The Open Door Conversation Podcast.In this episode, Akua reflects on her journey of starting her podcast and how her vision has changed. With being 5 years in business, Akua shares the key lessons she learned professionally and personally. While taking a hiatus from social media, Akua looks forward to continuing her leadership framework and hosting People Before Strategy roundtables, providing a safe space for open conversations, which will be a great place for networking, and she will be answering questions.This episode is a testament to five years of growth, learning, and unwavering dedication.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Highlights in this Episode:Akua is reflecting on the journey of starting her podcasting and how her vision has changed.Akua highlights the key lessons she learned both professionally and personally from producing 100 episodes andShe talks about navigating the challenges of running an online business.Looking ahead about what the goal is for the next phase of her podcast and her business Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Embracing change can be difficult and uncomfortable, but when it comes to the business world, it's a necessary skill for leaders. Executive and leadership coach Akua Nyame Mensah has recently gone through the rebranding process, and in this episode, she shares the importance of evolving and staying relevant as a business leader. If you don't think you need a brand, or you're thinking of rebranding yourself and/or your business, this episode is for you. Akua dives into the specific reasons she wanted to rebrand, including matching her current look, reflecting her image in the corporate world, and more explicitly presenting her offerings. Learn the importance of evolving in your personal and professional life, how to stay adaptable, and why investing in expert support can be a game changer when it comes to a rebrand. Highlights in this Episode:Learn the many reasons to consider a rebrand and why you might be overdue for one.Akua discusses personal challenges during her rebranding journey, including analysis paralysis, unrealistic timelines, and delegation hurdles. Get tips on how to overcome these and other challenges. Understand the benefits of rebranding, including improved brand positioning, enhanced visuals, a well-defined funnel, and alignment with marketing and content strategies.Akua acknowledges the pivotal role of leveraging experts in various aspects of her rebrand, from design and copywriting to strategy. Discover why you should consider your own rebranding opportunities, the importance of authenticity, and how to find genuine fulfillment in the process.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. Links Mentioned in This Episode: Free leadership assessment: https://www.akuanm.com/surveyWork with Akua: https://www.akuanm.com/work-with-meConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

Executive and leadership coaching, at its core, is about creating ease for you as a high-achieving leader. It's about supporting you in leveraging your innate personality so you can learn how to prioritize and maximize your time as well as the time of your team and stakeholders. In this episode, Akua talks about her coaching program and how one-on-one coaching can be transformational for leaders at any stage of their career. Learn how Akua helps clients become sustainably strategic, learn how to ask for help, and set boundaries so that they can build stronger teams and achieve personal and professional goals.If you're interested in hearing real-world examples of how Akua's coaching helps intentional leaders, listen in as she shares two case studies highlighting her coaching approach and methodology. Highlights in this Episode:Identify the difference between tactical and strategic leadership and how being strategic allows you to delegate so you can focus on the future.Akua talks about the types of leaders she supports, including leaders transitioning into new roles, emerging leaders, and first-time founders and executives.Learn about the three stages of leadership: thriving, buoyant, and transformative, and how leaders are constantly cycling through them as they evolve as leaders.Get real-world examples of the transformation 1:1 coaching provides as Akua shares case studies of leaders she's worked with, including one reluctant to have tough conversations and another who was building a new department and needed to gain more support from her team. If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Links Mentioned in This Episode: Ep 97: Your Guide to Next-Level LeadershipFree leadership assessment: https://www.akuanm.com/surveyRead more case studies: https://www.akuanm.com/casestudiesWork with Akua: https://www.akuanm.com/work-with-me Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

If you're a leader considering investing in executive coaching or advisory support, you cannot miss this episode. In it, executive and leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah dives into the world of coaching high-performing leaders, founders, and managers and what sets her apart from the rest.Get a clear understanding of the benefits of coaching and why Akua might be a great fit for you and your team. You'll learn about Akua's unique approach, and she even walks you through a recent case study in which she worked with 50 fellows from diverse backgrounds who were building start-up teams.Akua is unique in her extensive first-hand/diverse experience, from tiny start-ups to multinational companies. Her tailored solutions, commitment to your growth and success, project management approach, and direct communication style ensure clarity and progress toward your success as a leader.  Highlights in this Episode:Discover how Akua's ability to wear different hats adds value to clients while supporting your growth. Akua talks about her traditional training and certification as a coach and her impact as she's worked with instructional designers, facilitators, incredible coaches, and speakers.Explore the importance of tailored coaching and advising solutions to meet your unique needs and goals.Understand that leadership is a skill and an attitude and how coaching can help individuals evolve, make an impact, and build sustainable leadership habits and routines.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Links Mentioned In This Episode: Women's Impact Alliance#IamRemarkableConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking  

Executive and Leadership expert Akua is wrapping up her mini-series on expectation setting and goal setting in the workplace. In this episode, you'll also learn about the different resources that Akua has on the subject of expectation setting, including valuable blog posts and podcast episodes where you can just dip your toe or dive head first into the deep well of insights on expectation setting. As a leader or manager, it is important to set realistic and achievable goals and to provide the resources and support that others need to meet them. Perhaps most importantly, leaders must remember to provide feedback and to continuously communicate their expectations so all team members can be on the same page.Highlights in this episode: Remember, there is nothing more demotivating for team members than being given an unrealistic KPI or expectation. We don't have to like everything we do. Don't give in to toxic positivity. Be real about your feelings.When setting expectations for yourself, realize things are not always going to be perfect, and sometimes you'll need to ask for help. You and your team need to take breaks and vacations so they rejuvenate and come back motivated and excited to hit their goals.Creating time and space to provide timely feedback, and to reflect and give yourself feedback, is critical. If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeEp 71:  Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 93: The Final Step to Leadership Success: Setting Expectations Ep. 94: A Leader's Guide To Setting ExpectationsEp 95: 3 Overlooked Secrets for Setting Effective ExpectationsBlog Post: We Are Never 100% Happy or Excited to Do Our JobsBlog Post: The Top Six Limiting Beliefs That Sabotage Successful DelegationBlog Post: 4 Reasons You Won't (and Can't) Take a VacationBlog Post: Let's Give Better Feedback Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Want to improve on goal-setting or expectation-setting? This episode is for conscious leaders who want to enhance their approach to goal setting and create a positive and productive environment for themselves and their team. Expanding on her third pillar of leadership, expectation setting/goal setting, host Akua builds on themes from episode 93. She unveils the three overlooked aspects of goal setting, including the "when" or timing of the goal, who is responsible for the goal, and the definition of success. Learn the eight themes to reflect on as a leader as well as themes to reflect on when it comes to working with others! Highlights in this episode: Learn to set clear and achievable expectations that will help you and your team succeed. Utilize the R.A.C.I. framework to clarify roles and responsibilities so everyone knows their responsibilities. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page.Communicate expectations clearly and consistently. Make sure that everyone understands the expectations.Learn the importance of being open to feedback and adjust expectations as needed. If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeEp 20: Check in With Your Goals Ep 28: #AskAkua//Goal Setting TricksEp 71:  Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 93: The Final Step to Leadership Success: Setting Expectations Blog: Three things leaders get wrong about expectation setting Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

In this episode, Akua explores the third pillar in her three-step leadership framework: setting expectations (sometimes referred to as goals setting, OKRs, or KPIs). Akua uses her own experience as a case study to illustrate the importance of setting expectations for yourself, and she highlights the impact of expectations on personal and professional growth.Whether you're a solopreneur, team leader, or aspiring achiever, this episode will empower you to set clear and realistic expectations for yourself, be consistent, find the right support, and ensure that your projects align with your ultimate vision. Highlights in this episode: Explore the distinction between working "on" your business versus working "in" your business and the significance of time management and capacity. Delve into the mindset of a practical thinker and an abundant thinker and how these different perspectives shape expectation-setting and decision-making.Learn the art of breaking down projects into achievable tasks to avoid demotivation and burnout, and don't be afraid to invest in helping to conquer projects outside your wheelhouse.Discover the three often-overlooked elements of expectation setting: timing, responsibility, and defining success.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 28: #AskAkua//Goal Setting TricksEp 71:  Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 93: The Final Step to Leadership Success: Setting Expectations Blog: Three things leaders get wrong about expectation settingConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

This is the first in a mini-series of episodes that will be based on the final step in Akua's three-step leadership framework: setting expectations. Whether you call it expectation setting, goal setting, or utilizing frameworks like KPIs or OKRs, these episodes will transform the way you approach expectation-setting and communication.Leaders and managers will learn the significance of expectations and their impact on leadership and how to set achievable and realistic goals for their team. Importantly, leaders will also learn the crucial step of communicating expectations to their team, which will cultivate a positive work environment and foster growth and success.Akua also talks about how expectations help with setting boundaries, building more efficient processes, and facilitating ongoing evaluation and adaptation. Setting expectations ensures your team is equipped to succeed, and when employees know what is expected of them, they're more engaged and productive.  If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Highlights in this episode:Learn the difference between explicit expectations (specific targets) and implicit expectations (things we've come to expect, assumptions based on bias or stereotypes).Akua outlines four key elements to consider in relation to expectations: what you want, what you want from others, what they want, and what they want from you. It's hard to overstate the significance of explicitly communicating expectations to increase employee engagement, productivity, and satisfaction.Understand the role of expectations in establishing professional boundaries, setting goals, and fostering growth and direction.Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71:  Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

This week, leadership and executive coach Akua Nyame Menasah wraps up her series of episodes dedicated to engagement, the second step in her three-step leadership framework. This is a helpful roundup and summary of six of her past episodes on engagement. Leadership is a habit, a routine that you need to cultivate intentionally. Being self-aware is the first step, then you must decide how to engage with your team. Be inspired and learn how to gain confidence and credibility, how to tell powerful stories that inspire, and so much more when you listen in!Enjoy the main points of each episode and then deep-dive into the episodes you need right now! If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Highlights in this episode:Akua gives the highlights of six episodes that help leaders practice engagement.Learn the importance of self-regulation in leadership.Discover strategies to maximize productivity, like when to have a meeting and how to make it engaging for your team.Learn about how Akua's relationship to networking has evolved over time and how yours can too!Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71:  Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 84:  Engagement Starts with Self-Regulation and ManagementEp 85:  Demystifying Executive Presence with Kelly Lynn AdamsEp 86:  GROW Your Leadership by Asking Powerful QuestionsEp 88:  Storytelling for EngagementEp 89:  Network Internally FirstEp 91:  Mastering Meetings: Secrets to Engaging and Efficient FacilitationConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Ever been in a meeting that feels like a waste of time? Of course, you have. That's because many leaders and organizations don't know how to effectively facilitate a meeting that engages team members. In this episode, you'll hear portions of a recent training Akua gave on how to be an effective moderator and facilitator. Learn about the three basic types of meetings (and which one isn't really a "meeting") and why a well-moderated meeting actually begins well before the meeting starts. After listening, you'll be well on your way to leading the most effective, efficient, and productive meetings possible so that all your team members will feel like their time is valued and well-spent!If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. Highlights in this episode:Find out what a good facilitator or moderator does, including making sure there's an agenda, creating psychological safety, listening, and more.Learn the five P's of facilitation: purpose, planning, process, participation, and pursuit. It takes good communication skills, active listening, and flexibility to effectively facilitate a meeting. Akua guides listeners through some exercises that will help your team members engage and communicate in meetings. Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71 - Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 78: Being the Message & Communication Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Creating a high-performing team that is also human and inclusive is possible! Listen as Akua talks with organization transformation expert Joris Merks-Benjamin about how to balance high-performance standards with inclusivity and humanness in the workplace. Formerly Head of Google Digital Academy, Joris became one of the highest-scoring managers of all time. After 12 years with Google, Joris has recently gone freelance and developed the Managing Without Power program. He is an award-winning author of several books, his newest being “Managing Without Power.”In this episode, Akua and Joris talk about the importance of trust, empathy, and communication and how to create a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Learn why the best teams are based on trust and psychological safety and how leaders don't need the power to be effective, but they need to empower their team.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Highlights in this episode: Joris talks about his pivot from a marketing space to learning and development and how he created his own opportunity.Learn about how instructional design gets adults to learn by doing, leading to actual behavioral change. Joris talks about how, in a large company, balancing the performance elements and human elements is the only way to get a genuinely high-performance organization.The two discuss inclusion and diversity, Joris being raised by a lesbian couple, and how intentionality is essential in order to measure progress and enact DEI on a large scale. Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71 - Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkBook: Think and Grow Digital: What the Net Generation Needs to Know to Survive and Thrive in Any OrganizationBook: Online Brand Identity: The Ultimate Guide to Designing Your (Digital) Branding StrategyBook: Intergratie Van Schizofrene Online- en Offline Marketing  (Dutch)Book: Managing Without Power (Dutch) Connect with Joris Merks-Benjaminsen:Website: www.managingwithoutpower.comLinkedIn: @Joris Merks-Benjaminsen Twitter: @jorismerksConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Networking can elicit groans and dread from even the savviest of business leaders. If you dislike networking or feel like you're bad at it, or if you believe you don't NEED to do it, this episode is for you. Akua starts with why networking is important and gives four important things to work on to become better at building connections in business and in life.Learn why reframing your thinking and becoming self-aware about your beliefs around networking can help you build more authentic relationships. Plus, Akua gives some amazing resources (linked below) where you can find additional information to up your networking game. Remember that networking is about building connections and engaging with others, and if done well, it can better your reputation, increase visibility, and create a stronger network.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Highlights in this episode: Akua talks about her evolving relationship with networking and how she went from feeling uncomfortable to actually enjoying the process. There are three types of professional networking: operational networking, personal networking, and strategic networking. Learn about the four critical elements for effective networking: focusing on learning, identifying common interests, thinking broadly about what you can offer, and finding a higher purpose.Find out how many connections you need for peak networking - more isn't always better!Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71 - Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 63 - How to Become a Master Networker with Karen Jaw Madson Ep 43: #Ask Akua // For Reluctant Networkers Inc. Africa Article - How I Changed My Narrative on Networking Harvard Business Review: Learn to love networkingLinkedIn Audio Event: Sponsorship and Networking for Career GrowthConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Today, Akua talks about leveraging storytelling to connect and engage with your stakeholders, whether they're clients, team members, employees, or investors. Engaging with your team is one of the most important things you can do in your role as a leader. Telling stories can be a powerful tool in your engagement toolbox, helping to inspire, build rapport and align and reach goals with your team. Learn the three basic purposes for telling a story, tips on how to incorporate stories into your daily life, and how to know where and when to tell a story.If you're not a natural storyteller, don't use stories in the workplace, or never thought about stories as a means of engagement, you'll want to check out this episode. Highlights in this episode:Learn how stories can help align your team's goals, inspire, and build instant rapport with your team.When deciding on a story, think about your audience, how you want them to feel, and what you want them to know.Keep your stories memorable and relevant.Using storytelling is a great way to set the tone for a meeting or a retreat, and Akua talks about how she can support you in choosing and telling an engaging story.Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71: Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 78: Being the Message and CommunicationArticle: Storytelling Can Make or Break Your LeadershipArticle: What Is Leadership Storytelling, Anyway?Article: The Science of Storytelling: What Listening to a Story Does to Our Brains Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Reaching peak performance as a leader, manager, or business owner takes practice and training, much like an athlete. This week, Akua welcomes Darcy Luoma, the author of the book "Thoughtfully Fit, Your Training Plan for Life and Business," as she talks about tackling barriers and becoming mentally and emotionally fit.Darcy is a triathlete, mother, and CEO of Darcy Luoma Coaching and Consulting. A Master Certified Coach, Darcy has worked in 48 industries, with 210 organizations and 500+ individual clients, to create high-performing people and teams.If you're a leader or manager who feels too busy to strategize, you're stuck in a rut, or wondering what your unique contributions to the world are, this episode is a must-listen. Highlights in this Episode:Darcy talks about her 20 years of political experience and how she made the leap into coaching.Find out how you, as a busy leader, can find time to pause to reflect on what lights you up, gives you purpose, and ignites your passion.Discover the 6-step framework for achieving peak performance in both your personal and professional life using the Thoughtfully Fit® method.Self-awareness and knowing your default mode when under pressure will help you make changes to overcome challenges.Darcy talks about how she is learning to structure her business to have the greatest impact and how she can get out of her own way.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Links Mentioned In This Episode:Quiz: The Thoughtfully Fit QuizConnect with Darcy Luoma: Instagram: @darcyluomacoachingWebsite: www.darcyluoma.comFacebook: @darcyluomaTwitter: @Darcy LuomaLinkedIn: @darcyluomaConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

In order to coach others, you first have to be able to coach yourself. In this episode, Akua dives deeper into the engagement pillar of her three-step leadership framework. Engaging with yourself, also called self-regulation and management, is key to being able to support others as they explore their own areas of growth and boundaries. As a leader, you want to inspire your employees and motivate them to get their work done by making sure they are excited to come to work and problem-solve. While coaching is not always the right answer, using coaching tools and techniques can go a long way, starting with asking powerful questions.Akua explains a popular coaching framework that can be used to help people set goals and create a plan of action. Finally, she shares things that held her back from leveraging coaching tools and techniques, which will surely resonate with leaders, managers, and founders in all industries.Highlights in this episode: Learn the types of questions that lead to effective engagement with team members or employees.Akua explains the GROW model, which stands for Goal, Reality, Options/opportunities, and Will.Learn how the GROW model can help get your team thinking and open to possibilities. Akua talks about the power of pauses, open-ended questions, and reflecting on what YOU need in order to set yourself up for success as you engage with team members.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71: Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 28: #AskAkua // Goal-Setting TricksEp 84: Engagement Starts with Self-Regulation and Management Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Executive presence - all leaders want it, but not all know how to get it. Join Akua as she shares pieces of a recent conversation with Executive and Life Coach Kelly Lynn Adams. They talk about leadership, vulnerability and mindset, and how to regulate and manage your emotions to inspire confidence among your coworkers.Conscious leaders like Kelly Lynn know that leadership starts from within. Kelly Lynn began her journey on Wall Street, climbing the corporate ladder for 18 years before starting coaching and speaking in 2009. Trauma-informed Kelly Lynn helps leaders, visionaries, founders, executives & entrepreneurs break through what is holding them back and elevate to the next level.Kelly gives valuable perspective drawing from her experiences from both the entrepreneurial and corporate worlds on the topics of leadership, vulnerability, mindset, and how to embrace challenges as part of your personal development. Akua and Kelly Lynn also discuss the importance of developing self-awareness and resilience when dealing with difficult situations. Highlights in this episode: Communication is key in building executive presence. The two debunk the myth that vulnerability equals weakness when it comes to leadership. And how to know WHEN to be vulnerable so that your competence and acumen aren't questioned.Kelly Lynn talks about embodiment and how it pertains to executive presence. This means how you communicate with your body language and whether what you say matches what you do.Taking time to reflect on your wins, your why, and the value you add is important and should be built into your routine. If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review.Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71: Learn Akua's 3-step framework Connect with Kelly Lynn Adams: Instagram: @kellylynnadamsWebsite: www.KellyLynnAdams.comLinkedIn: @kelly-lynn-adamsYouTube: @KellyLynnAdamsTV Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

This episode of the Open Door Conversations podcast focuses on the second step in Akua's three-step leadership framework: the importance of engagement. In addition to self-awareness and setting expectations, engagement is a crucial part of becoming a conscious and effective leader in the workplace.As a business leader, founder, or executive, sometimes your biggest barrier to engaging with your team is staring at you in the mirror. Find out how your own thoughts, emotions, and existing habits could be sabotaging your efforts and some simple ways to self-regulate your way to meaningful engagement, influence, and productivity as a leader.Highlights in this episode: Your ability to regulate your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations is crucial to your ability to effectively engage with others. Before engaging with others, you must engage with yourself. Learn some ways to self-regulate, including movement - a powerful way to stabilize emotions and hormones.Listening is an effective way to break the behavior of overthinking or overwhelm. Akua shares an easy breathing exercise to help calm yourself and relax in order to maintain self-control.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71:  Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

If you're interested in learning about a framework that can bring your vision, business, or startup to life, you don't want to miss this episode. It is jam-packed with actionable advice from Tomi Davie (T.D.), who was named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2021 by New African Magazine. Harry ‘Tomi Davies (TD) is Collaborator-in-Chief (CiC)' at TVC Labs, an entrepreneurship support organization in Lagos, Nigeria which he founded. TD is the co-founder of the Lagos Angel Network (LAN), founding President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), and Board Member of the Global Business Angels Network (GBAN).His personal goal is simple to ‘Find, Fund & Follow' African startup founders that are using technology-enabled innovation to create economic value and social impact on the continent. In December 2021, TD was named as one of the ‘100 Most Influential Africans of 2021' by New African Magazine.T.D.'s mission in life is to find, fund, and follow. He is an angel investor, author, public speaker, and a systems analyst turned tech strategy advisor. He is the founder and Collaborator-in-Chief of TDC Labs, an entrepreneur support organization in Lagos, Nigeria. Akua and T.D. discuss his newest book, Investment Worthy Startup, which he wrote to help founders and investors build successful startups.  Highlights in this episode: T.D. explains why supporting innovative startups creates both economic value and social impact. Learn about the POEM framework to build a startup, which consists of Proposition, Organisation, Economics, and Milestones.Learn the three key differences between startups and SMEs.Founders - find out what angel investors are listening for when you pitch them and how to present yourself in the process.Realize that your team doesn't all start in the same place, even though you're all aiming for the same goal. Each member needs something different to achieve the end goal. It's your job to find an aggregate place to meet before you start your journey, so you can all go farther together.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua!  Links Mentioned In This Episode:Book: Investment Worthy Startup Book Link on Amazon Connect with 'Tomi Davies:Website: www.tomidavies.comTwitter: @TomiDee Instagram:@TomideeLinkedIn: @TomiDeeConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

Pausing and reflecting is something all leaders should prioritize. That's why Akua is using today's episode as a recap of the last several weeks as she's talked about the first step in her leadership framework: cultivating self-awareness. Learn to understand better your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and preferences so you can be the most impactful leader possible.  Founders, leaders, and managers will benefit from listening to all the episodes around self-awareness, but If you don't have time to go back, this is where you can catch up and be ready to move on to Akua's second step in her leadership framework: simplifying engagement.Highlights in this episode: Your relationship with time and productivity really starts with your emotions and your feelings.Creating boundaries around your time ensures your stakeholders can best utilize you. There is a common misconception that personalities are static - which is why Akua likes to think of personalities as an Operating System that evolves over time and needs periodic updating.It's important that leaders communicate their way of operating (personality) to others. Here Akua refers to SOPs, also known as a "me manual".To be an effective leader, leverage the four pillars of influence: power, emotions, acumen, and nonverbal signs or signals.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71 - Learn Akua's 3-step frameworkEp 75 - Rebooting Your Operating SystemEp 76 - Time AwarenessEp 79 - Leadership is InfluenceConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

This episode is for leaders who want to have a big impact - and who doesn't? This is the last in a series about the first of three steps in Akua's leadership approach: cultivating self-awareness. Despite what some might think, effective leadership is not only about performance and delivery, or what the sports world would call the “outer game .”Conscious leaders know that self-awareness and mindset, or “inner game,” are just as important and really affect every aspect of their leadership and its impact.Today Akua looks at leadership through the lens of the “inner game approach,” an idea introduced through a book by Timothy Gallway called The Inner Game of Tennis, the Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance. She'll talk about the methodology and how it perfectly applies to the business world and how you can use it to increase your influence and leadership impact.Highlights in this episode: There are three dimensions to the inner game, awareness, alertness, and focus.Like sports, leadership starts on the inside; you can lose before you even set foot on the court or boardroom if you're not in the right frame of mind.Business is full of paradoxes, tensions, and dualities. When you get conflicting information about leadership, remember there is no one “right way” to be. Find out how a leadership coach can guide you in getting your inner game into peak performance mode.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua!  Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep 71: Learn about Akua's 3-Step Leadership Framework Episode 79: Leadership is InfluenceConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Overcome your resistance to change as Akua talks to Ghanaian CEO Alex Bram. Akua and Alex talk about the importance of being self-aware and in tune with your team and the climate around you in order to provide products needed to solve problems. They also talk about the need for authenticity and honesty in leading a company and why it's crucial to make bold changes and mini-pivots in this fast-changing world. This episode will inspire business leaders as Alex talks about co-founding fintech company Hubtel and the pivots he has made, allowing him to bootstrap it to 25 million in just 8 years. Alex is a co-founder of SMSGH (now Hubtel), who has successfully led Hubtel's pivot from a leading SMS messaging provider into Ghana's leading payment services provider with an expanding market share in the growing quick-commerce industry. Highlights in this episode: Learn the importance of authenticity and why people should come first in your business. CEOs face a lot of temptations that can distract from a business's core values. Alex talks about how he stays focused.Be sure to focus on the services you provide rather than too much on the brand. Don't get so wrapped up in doing things that you think make a business that you forget WHY you started the business. If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Connect with Alex Bram:Website: www.hubtel.comLinkedIn: @AlexBram Instagram: @thealexbramTwitter: @thealexbramConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

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: power, emotions, acumen, and non-verbal signals/visuals. You'll learn about each and identify one pillar you may want to improve upon to take your leadership skills to the next level. Highlights in this episode: Akua talks about the ways to increase your power, including being able to adapt, empathize, and be open to listening.Learn the difference between the power approach and the influence approach and why good leaders know when to use which.Strong leadership requires empathy; one way to practice is to cultivate your own self-awareness.To wield influence, one must be able to apply skills and knowledge effectively and in the right way, i.e., acumen.Realize you are always communicating, even if you're not talking. Resources mentioned in the episode: Ep 71: A Remarkable 2022 and What's Up NextFive Steps to Become More Confident and AssertivePower versus InfluenceUnderstand the 4 Components of InfluenceWhat Great Leaders Know About InfluenceInfluencing Styles and How to Use ThemIf you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

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 lessons around communicating as a leader, cultivating our awareness around how to engage while keeping in mind the culture in which we find ourselves. How we communicate or come across is often overlooked, but being self-aware about our communication style and how it is perceived allows more effective engagement and, ultimately, influences our team. Highlights in this episode: Learn the importance of body language and visual cues and how they can affect others' perceptions.Akua defines the three main communication styles and reveals the most effective communication style for conscious leaders. Discover how to overcome someone's preconceived notions of you and your abilities based on superficial traits like accent or gender. A leader's communication style can vary based on the environment and workplace (or national) culture.Resources mentioned in the episode: Understanding Your Communication Style If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

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 about the fascinating five-step framework that makes up transaction informatics (the methodology used) for allowing you to always have your finger on the pulse of your target audience's needs. JR Kanu holds an MBA from Stanford University, a Master's in Journalism from NYU, and a BA in Engineering from Calvin College. Highlights in this episode: JR talks about why he began REACH, a company that helps others learn about their finances and where their money is going.Learn how working to solve the problems of your consumers can help you add new revenue streams. Reflecting and being introspective is crucial in building a business, as is going out and engaging with people different from you.  Learn about the five spending personalities and how they fit into transaction informatics.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Resources mentioned in the episode: The 9x9 Annual Retrospective WorksheetFind out your spending personality Connect with JR Kanu:LinkedIn:@jrkanuConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

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 management to become more productive, prioritize better, and protect one of your most precious commodities - your time!Akua walks you through the steps she uses to do a time audit, not just to find out what you do and when, but how you feel during those times. This helps prioritize different tasks depending on the time of day or even the day of the week.Highlights in this episode:Knowing your own personality isn't complete unless you understand your relationship with time.How leaders spend their time is a true indicator of what is truly valued; because everyone is different, they will prioritize their time differently.Akua gives a valuable list of questions to ask yourself about your own personality and how it relates to time management and productivity.Learn how to create boundaries around your time in order for your team members to best utilize you. If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Recourses mentioned in the episode: Blog post:Time is Manufactured in the MindBlog post: The Best Questions to Ask to Quickly Realign With Your TOP PrioritiesBlog post: 10 Exercises You Can Do to Increase Productivity And Practice Mindfulness Every Day as a Busy Business OwnerBlog post: 3 Steps to Prioritize BetterConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

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," listen in as Akua takes you through some exercises that she uses with her clients that will help you become more self-aware and communicate what you've learned to your team so that you can get the support you need efficiently and effectively while avoiding potential conflicts.Highlights in this episode:Akua talks about personality and the common misconception that it is static when it is more like an operating system that evolves over time.Learn some of the key questions conscious leaders should ask themselves to ensure they remain influential and effective while engaging their team and making meaningful connections.While knowing your personality is important, it is essential that you also learn how your team members perceive you by utilizing feedback and assessments.Akua talks about developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for your personality - a way to give others instructions on how to utilize your strengths best. Resources Mentioned: Blog: Top 5 Leadership Lessons You Need To KnowBlog: I'm My Own Worst Enemy: 7 Free Tools to Build Self-AwarenessPodcast Ep 25: #AskAkua: Leadership Lessons Podcast Ep74: Reflections for Conscious LeadersIf you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua!Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

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 inclusion, how to create an environment of psychological safety at work, and why hiring people with differing personalities, beliefs, and experiences is key.Importantly, listeners will discover how to take their reflection sessions (or "headspace sessions") and make them actionable in the workplace. Highlights in this episode: It's essential for leaders and founders to create time to reflect on how they will do things differently moving forward.Conscious leaders recognize their biases and build systems and processes to check themselves. They recognize that diversity challenges them and helps them grow.Learn the three dimensions of diversity all conscious leaders should reflect on and what to keep in mind when it comes to making the most of your team.Get an actionable 3-step process to make it easier to engage and share with your team and create a psychologically safe work environment. Akua shares her Power of Introductions philosophy and how it can help keep you from making assumptions about co-workers.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua! Resources Mentioned: Blog: DEIB in Africa: Beyond Race & LGBTQ - Context MattersBlog:The 4 Most Common Types of Bias in BusinessEp 25: #AskAkua Leadership LessonsEp 14: I Hate Asking For Help, You Probably Do Too Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

If you're a leader who is constantly firefighting and feels like you're not as effective or influential as you'd like to be, today's episode is for you. Learn how to go from a reactive to a proactive leader by clearing more headspace so you can be a more conscious leader, able to see the big picture in your business. Executive and Leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah gives you insight into her See Better Method, the key to having more headspace and the capacity to make more strategic, rather than tactical, decisions. This episode will be especially helpful if you are a high-achiever in business, a founder, or a proactive leader in the corporate or service provider space who feels like you've hit a plateau and aren't as effective as you'd like.Highlights in this episode: The subconscious mind makes up more than 90% of our brain power and includes things like bodily functions and making memories.Why it's important to create headspace to be a more conscious and strategic leader.Self-awareness is the first step in Akua's 3-step leadership process, called the “See Better Method.”Cultivating our self-awareness and making more headspace is a cyclical process. As leaders, you always need to be open to reflection.Akua talks about the importance of building a routine around self-reflection and actively scheduling the time.Find out how to hold yourself accountable when it comes to reflection and being more conscious.To move forward and grow, you may find yourself needing to first slow down a bit, and that's okay!Akua has limited spots available for 1:1 executive and leadership coaching program for proactive leaders who are ready to take their Leadership to the next level. Resources mentioned:Getting on the Balcony to Get a Bird's-Eye ViewIf you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to build social wealth and relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact so many leaders around the world.*Be sure to screenshot your review after submitting it, share it on social media, and tag Akua!Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Personal finance guru, Oluwatosin "Tosin" Olaseinde talks about growing into her role as CEO, her growth as a leader and founder, and how it's okay not to have everything figured out. Founder of financial literacy and investment platforms Money Africa and Ladda, Tosin aims to democratize access and means of wealth-building for the long term. Tosin is famous in the world of personal finance in Africa as she helps others build their knowledge about finances and build their wealth through smart investments. In this episode, Tosin speaks with host Akua Nyame-Mensah about the lessons she's learned, how her keen self-awareness has benefitted her in business, and why liking yourself is so important.Highlights in this episode: Tosin reflects on her recent accomplishments, including receiving an award from the Nigerian Stock Exchange for investor education and financial inclusion.Learn why acknowledging your strengths allows you to address weaknesses.The importance of setting up structures in your business so it can run without you. You don't have to have all the answers; it's okay to learn while doing.Find out about Tosin's background, including her work as a senior financial analyst with CNBC Africa (Lagos) and Bloomberg TV Africa. Learn the economic issues Tosin believes are important for leaders and founders to keep in mind in today's financial climate.How does Tosin make time to share her teachings and thoughts on social media?Tosin talks about her company's future plans, including releasing an app to educate children about money. If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to expand her network and build relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact many leaders worldwide.Connect with Oluwatosin OlaseindeMoney AfricaWebsite: https://themoneyafrica.com/Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tosinmoneyafrica/Twitter: https://twitter.com/themoneyafricaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyafrica/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/812950645554339LaddaWebsite: https://getladda.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladda.ng/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getladdaTwitter: https://twitter.com/getladdaConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

It's a new year and a new season of the Open Door Conversations podcast. In this short episode, Leadership and Executive Coach (and your host) Akua Nyame-Mensah, talks about her accomplishments over the past year and shares what you can expect from the upcoming season! Akua will start the season by welcoming top leaders in their respective industries to talk about the first pillar of leadership, cultivating self-awareness. She'll also incorporate space for guests to celebrate their accomplishments with you. This empowering practice is important, especially for underrepresented groups, who often shy away from flexing their self-promotion muscle. Akua talks about how she gained the confidence to promote herself through an initiative called #IamRemarkable,  a group for which she is now a gold-tier facilitator. Highlights from this episode: Akua "walks the talk" by celebrating some of her success throughout the past year, including supporting more than 600 business leaders worldwide!Akua supported 100+ International Coaching Federation members and was a finalist in the first-ever global #IAMREMARKABLE Awards.Learn about the three pillars of leadership, cultivating-self awareness, simplifying engagement, and setting expectationsDiscover why Akua believes self-awareness is key to successful leadership.Find out what to expect in the coming year on the podcast, including successful leaders who will share how they motivate themselves to engage with others and accomplish great things.If you've enjoyed the Open Door Conversations podcast, please leave a review. When you do, you'll receive Akua's 15-minute Thought Leadership LinkedIn Checklist.* It's the routine she has used to expand her network and build relationships on LinkedIn that have directly contributed to her ability to impact many leaders worldwide.Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workBook Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

It's the last episode of 2022, and Akua is going over having a New Year, New Team. There is always the opportunity to reintroduce yourself to your team. People aren't robots, they evolve and change, and in order to keep your leadership relevant and influential, it's always a great idea to periodically reintroduce yourself. Akua calls it the "power of introductions."Akua works primarily alone when doing facilitation and coaching. But recently, she has been joining many new teams for short engagements, where they must come together quickly and not only work together but teach, coach, and facilitate dozens of important leaders. And do it immediately. So her recent experience has been a great reminder of important lessons for engaging a team. As you end your year and make goals for the next, listen in to find out how to create a stronger, better, and more connected team.Highlights in this episode: Akua talks about the 3-step process with which she supports leaders, including cultivating self-awareness, engaging and experimenting, and setting expectations for yourself and others. New teams need the opportunity to get to know each other. Existing teams need to re-engage and discover how the people they work with have evolved and shifted.You have the power to always think about who you are, where you're going, and what you need in your professional AND personal life.Leaders must be intentional about creating space for each team member to learn about themselves. Self-assessments are a great way to learn a vocabulary to talk about how a leader or team member is perceived, their preferences, etc. Knowing your team member's strengths and weaknesses is key, so you can cover for each other when you are working or presenting together. Akua talks about how to understand what success looks like and how to get there. She also encourages having a recovery plan for if/when things go off-track. Try to assume positive intent when working with a team - especially an ad hoc one when you don't know each other well.Encourage each team member to provide feedback early and often.Even if a team is not hierarchical, there still needs to be a clear decision-maker.Want more tips for setting goals and making 2023 your best year yet? Check out these episodes of the Open Door Conversations Podcast: Ep 18: Want to Make Better Decisions? Rest More.Ep 20: Check In With Your Goals Now Ep 28: Goal-Setting TricksEp 55: How To Take a Holiday As a Founder Blog Post: Identifying and Overcoming Burnout Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

"I'm bootstrapping, which means that the talent I can afford right now is not as experienced as I would like." Sound familiar? In this #AskAkua episode of the Open Door Conversations podcast, Akua Nyame-Mensah gives insight on how to start a team on a limited budget and how to give your team more confidence to make decisions independently. Bootstrapping looks different to every business, but this episode will give you a framework with which you can learn how to bring together or re-engage a team. Don't have a team? You will still get great information on discovering your business goals and how to meet them.Getting clear on your budget is priority #1, as is realizing that what you pay and the value you receive are two different things. If you can't afford the talent you're looking for, ask yourself what problem you want to solve by hiring these people. Hire the people who are going to get you closer to hitting the goals you've set.Highlights in this Episode: Learn the importance of getting clear on your budget and the problem you want to solve by hiring team members. Remember that there isn't a correlation between how much someone is paid and how much value they can provide. Hiring people with experience doesn't necessarily mean you will get the support you need. Realize that hiring experienced people may not save you time; they still need direction, acknowledgment, and to be engaged with.You don't need a clone of yourself; you need people who complement you and provide different perspectives. Be aware of your capacity and be realistic about what you can accomplish with your time. Your staff may not feel confident to make decisions because they haven't been validated or acknowledged. It's up to you to create systems and processes, so they feel comfortable.When a leader is constantly firefighting, usually, the first thing to be sacrificed is engaging and validating their team.The support you can afford can still meet your needs, but it might look different than you imagined. Think beyond the 9-5 structure. Consider hiring an expert who doesn't need direction for a task that needs doing.If you don't have the space to validate, teach, train, or coach an inexperienced team, don't hire one. Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Starting your own business, running a startup for someone else, or leading a team is a heavy weight to bear, and it's easy to feel like you're alone. But you don't have to be. In this #AskAkua episode of the Open Door Conversations Podcast, leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah discusses the benefits of executive and leadership coaching, even if you're already getting results as a leader.She'll help you identify if coaching is right for you. If you already know it is, you'll learn how to convince your stakeholders that coaching is an important investment that ultimately affects their bottom line.Remember that as a former startup leader, Akua shares her own one-sided perspective on these #AskAkua episodes, which is different from her client-driven coaching methods. These conversations are a means to provide you with the opportunity for reflection and a path to personal growth. As always, feel free to reach out to Akua in the DMs with any questions! Highlights in this Episode:Akua talks about the massive difference she saw in her own leadership when she created and honored the space to engage with team members and set expectations appropriately.It's important to realize coaching cannot be forced on people. They must be willing to change their behavior and believe change is possible.If you're a leader who is getting results in your business, that doesn't mean you don't need coaching. You may not like the way you're getting results or find your methods unsustainable.Learn to communicate the importance and the benefits of coaching to your stakeholders. Leadership affects the bottom line - the cost of bad leadership is high!There are two types of leaders that Akua supports: 1. Firefighting Badass 2. Well-connected But Over-extended Founder. Listen to find out which one you are.External vs. Internal coaching. Getting an external coach provides a different perspective and confidentiality.Realize that what got you this far as a leader will not necessarily get you where you want to go. Coaching can help you up level.Coaching gives leaders clarity on their blind spots and the support to do things in a way that feels good to them.It's not necessary for you to find a coach that has “walked in your shoes.” - Someone outside of our sphere can actually give you another point of view.Find out the importance of communicating your coaching work with your team so they can help keep you accountable. Resources Mentioned in This Episode:EP 03:#AskAkua // Masking Feelings + BalanceEp 18: Want to Make Better Decisions? Rest MoreEP 14: I Hate Asking For Help, You Probably Do TooConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

In this episode, leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah shares the top 5 tools and apps that allow her to work more efficiently, connect with and convert clients, all while being more productive. These are tools that help her get exponential results in both business and her personal life and allow her to do more in less time.Having recently done an audit of her revenue streams and where she spends her time inside her business, Akua recounts her experience doing the same with the tech tools she uses. The result: she managed to trim $500 worth of subscriptions for tools that weren't moving the needle in her business. Find out which apps, programs, and tools made the cut and how they might help you level up your business. Too often, money and time are wasted on tools that don't get used or that actually distract us. When deciding where to invest in tools, ask yourself if it makes sense for the amount of time and energy you currently have.Highlights in this episode:It's important to realize where your time is spent in relation to the money you're spending on software and apps.As someone who works online across several time zones, Akua's schedule needs to be on point. One of her top tools for business is an online time converter allowing her to align her schedule with clients more easily.Akua is still a huge fan of Evernote but describes why MS OneNote has been essential (and more cost-effective) for her to use in her business.Canva, a free design tool with the option for a paid pro account, has saved Akua tons of time and allowed her to look more professional online.Akua talks about how she uses GoogleDocs to keep track of all collateral for participants of her workshops and leadership programs.GoogleDocs allows for easy sharing and editing and has much more flexibility than PDFdocuments. It's also great for tagging people, collaborating on documents, leaving comments, or suggesting edits.Akua admits to the app she commonly uses for partner projects but doesn't like.Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 32: #askAkua - The 5 Top Productivity Tools You Need to Know. What are the tools you can't live without in your business? Share them with Akua by emailing her at akuanm@akua.com.Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Being a leader/manager/founder in a foreign country poses a unique set of challenges, especially one where you stick out as being foreign. Founder and American expat living in Mauritius, Chris Suzdak joins Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah to talk about what it's like to work and start a business in a foreign country. He also discusses his leadership journey and his experiences with executive coaching.Chris has worked across the African continent for several years and is now based in Mauritius. He is a founder of a new startup, CoffeeChat, a coaching platform trusted by top companies across Africa. From interns to CEOs, CoffeeChat helps democratize access to personalized coaching sessions with peers and professionals to accelerate their growth. In this episode, you'll learn about Chris's leadership journey, from learning to manage large teams to becoming a founder and now looking ahead to building his own team. Chris talks about working with multiple coaches while scaling up teams in Malawi and Zambia and how those experiences inspired him to start CoffeeChat.Highlights in this episode: Chris talks about his motivation to work abroad and how he became a Country Director at a for-profit social enterprise in Malawi, One Acre Fund.An interest in economic development while in college led Chris to Ghana and an early career move into the international development space.Learn about the unique perspective Chris has as a founder working in a foreign country.Chris talks candidly about mistakes he made in business and how the reasons for those mistakes are blurred between being young and naive and being in a foreign culture.Leadership coaching had a profound effect on Chris. He and Akua talked about the benefits and the objections that some have to coaching.Coaching is not a punishment. Akua points out the importance of investing in coaching for good employees rather than those who aren't performing well.Discover how Chris cultivated self-awareness, realizing which type of leadership role would be the best for himChris explains the business he founded, CoffeeChat, a marketplace for coaching, and how it allows for exploring the different types of coaching.His goal is to help companies who know the value of coaching invest in a more efficient way that empowers managers to find the coach/coaching that works best for them.Connect with Chris Suzdak: LinkedIn: @ chrissuzdakWebsite: ​​https://www.coffeechat.co/Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

Many entrepreneurs are multi-passionate individuals who always have lots of new ideas. It can be hard to focus on just one thing, like your startup, business, or project at hand. Sounds familiar? In today's #AskAkua episode, Executive Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah answers a question she received via Twitter: How do I stop myself from seeing problems and coming up with new ideas while focusing on my startup?This is an applicable question for any sector of business, whether you're a CEO, manager, or team leader. Learn how to recognize whether focusing on a problem serves you or if it's a symptom of overwhelm. You'll also learn the importance of managing your expectations and welcoming new ideas without letting them monopolize your attention.  Highlights  from the episode:Most entrepreneurs struggle with seeing problems and wanting to fix them.Remember: perfectionism is the enemy - a symptom of overwhelm.Humans are naturally negative, but it is sometimes just a habit that can be broken.It is important to recognize when things are going well and take time to celebrate and acknowledge your wins.Learn some strategies for changing your negative perspective into positive thinking.Many times our "problems" are a matter of perspective. Try reframing and ask yourself if focusing on this problem is serving you.Recognize that your ability to "stop seeing problems" may not stop, but how you talk or communicate about the issue can shift.If you have lots of ideas but want to focus, ask yourself, "Can I have many projects in development at once?" Everyone is different.Feeling overwhelmed with ideas? Write them down, keep a notebook or use Evernote or OneNote for easy access later.Be intentional about focusing only on the things that will help you attain your goals.Realistic expectations are important. Be aware you may be setting your sights too high for the energy and time you have.Look for external influences that could be hindering your ability to build better habits. (E.g., are you getting enough rest?) Resources mentioned in this episode: Podcast episode 18: Want to Make Better Decisions? Rest More! Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Taking over a team that already has structures and work culture in place can be daunting. Set yourself up for success with advice from Executive Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah she will tell you the steps you need to take for a smooth transition. This episode is relevant for any leader, especially if you are taking over a department/company, are inheriting a CEO role from a founder, or taking over another person's online business. If you are a leader, this episode will provide you with tangible, actionable steps you can take as you assume your new role. Listen as Akua talks about her own experiences in taking over leadership roles and her experiences coaching others through the same. Find out some of the pitfalls and how to avoid them, remembering that there is no one “right way” to lead. Here is a framework from which you can work to become more self-aware, engage meaningfully, and set realistic expectations. Highlights in this episode:  Akua talks about how taking over a new market within her business gave her the opportunity to discover coaching as a way to engage better with her team.When you take over an already-established leadership role, the first step is self-awareness.Recognize and accept that you're starting something new and realize you'll show up differently in this new space.Reflect on your strengths as a leader.Be mindful of the poor leadership habits you could slip into when you get uncomfortable, like people pleasing or not setting boundaries.Learn the importance of engaging with your team as a group and as individuals.Set time boundaries for yourself. Tell yourself you will wait to make decisions until you've had time to understand the needs of the team.LISTEN.Use a timeline to check progress and assess whether additional resources are needed.Make sure you set realistic expectations for your team.Learn the signs of overwhelm and how to combat it.Note from Akua: Are you interested in having more conversations like this with other leaders? These are the kinds of conversations we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeResources mentioned in this episode: Blog Post: 3 Tips on How to Become an Effective and Impactful LeaderBlog Post: How to Stop People-Pleasing And Set Better Boundaries In BusinessBlog Post: 10 Exercises You Can Do to Increase Productivity And Practice Mindfulness Every Day as a Busy Business OwnerBlog Post: My Decade in Review: Professional Lessons + ReflectionsConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking

Networking can inspire dread in a business leader, but taking time to build relationships is a necessary investment, helping fill knowledge gaps, identify opportunities, and ultimately, go farther and faster in business. In this episode, Akua Nyame-Mensah talks to executive coach/author Karen Jaw-Madson about how networking should be included in our daily habits, how to create authentic relationships, and how to play a role in helping to connect others as well. Don't let networking fall by the wayside because you lack confidence or don't know how to follow up after an initial meeting. Networking is like a flywheel; small efforts over time create momentum and compound as our web of relationships grows. Karen Jaw-Madson is a principal at Co.-Design of Work Experience, Editor-in-Chief of A New HR, author of "Culture Your Culture: Innovating Experiences at Work," and an instructor at Stanford University's Continuing Studies Program. She enables decision-makers to address organizational challenges that affect business performance, including leadership, company culture, talent optimization, and change management. She's also an investor and advisor to startups, lending her expertise - and vast network - to help others.Matching needs with others' strengths.Highlights in this episode: Akua and Karen talk about how their relationship is the result of networking - they would never have met if their mutual friend Kirin Kalia hadn't connected them.Karen offers advice for business leaders who want to do good by connecting with others.Learn how networking is a skill that can be developed with practice. Karen talks about the psychology of networking and how we are social creatures who need to make connections to survive. Connecting others is a great way to be an ally, creating an access point for people who may not otherwise have one.Karen talks about how working at many levels within organizations gives a helpful perspective to support an entire organization. Hear specific examples of how Karen's networking led to several book collaborations, some of which had many co-authors, which expanded her network even more.Love to learn? Karen talks about books she's contributing to and their fascinating topics, including writing a chapter for one book on hubris and how leaders can avoid it by being open to learning. Mentioned in this episode: Find a list of Karen Jaw-Madson's books here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenjawmadson/details/publications/A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests? These are the kinds of conversations (and amazing humans) we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeConnect with Karen Jaw-Madson:Websites: www.designofworkexperience.com and www.anewhr.comTwitter: @karenjaw and @aNewHRFacebook: @designofworkexperience and @ANewHRInstagram: @co.designofworkexp and @a.new.hrhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karenjawmadson/LinkedIn: @karenjawmadson   and @company/co--/Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmGet the secrets to break burnout and overcome overwhelm weekly: www.akuanm.com/newsletterWork with Akua one-on-one: www.akuanm.com/workHire Akua to speak at your organization: www.akuanm.com/speaking 

Should a boss, CEO, or company leader be friends with employees? On this #AskAkua episode, Certified Executive Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah delves into her experience and perspective regarding friendships and relationships at work.Depending on the culture in which you work, industry and sector, and even the stage of the organization's growth, relationships, and their meanings can vary. And because no leader is the same, friendships can look different from person to person. But no matter what, when it comes to being a leader, it's imperative to maintain respect, treat employees and teams equally, and have appropriate boundaries.Find out Akua's three-step framework for deciding how to approach workplace relationships, starting with a core leadership tool - cultivating self-awareness. She'll also discuss issues you, as a leader, should focus on to ensure productive employees who are comfortable approaching you for support.Highlights in this Episode:Akua talks about the difference between being "friends" and being "friendly" in the workplace.Because all leaders are different, leaders need to define friendship and what that means to them and their unique situation.To help evaluate your relationships with employees, it can be helpful to reflect on a past relationship you had with a boss and what felt comfortable to you. Akua uses a former boss as an example.Being friendly as a boss means you are approachable, polite, and (appropriately) vulnerable.Leaders should not aim for friendship but should create an environment where people feel comfortable coming to them for support and advocating for themselves in the workplace.Akua talks about the importance of psychological safety and whether team members enjoy working together.Akua discusses her 3 step framework for evaluating friendships at work.A workplace should not be viewed as "family," as this can be a manipulative term. Employees are not family - they are there to hold each other responsible in an intentional and human way.A leader's boundaries should be clear and communicated often.Are you interested in having more conversations like this with other leaders? These are the kinds of conversations we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

We're into the fourth quarter of 2022. Do you know where your finances are? If you're a coach or consultant, or just someone self-employed, It's important to check in annually - even quarterly - so you can assess what is working for you and, just as importantly, what isn't. That way, you can pivot your energy as necessary.In this episode, Akua Nyame-Mensah breaks down her finances in her own quarterly review to help shed some light on how she makes money as a self-employed certified leadership coach and to share her perspective while giving you ideas of offers to add to your portfolio. Listen in to learn how you can diversify your revenue streams and discover how to take your coaching beyond 1:1, which Akua loves, but recognizes it's not the only - or even the best - way to generate a living as a coach. You'll receive ideas on what to reflect on to make sure you're working towards your goals as a business coach and leader.Highlights in this Episode: Akua describes the multiple ways she's worked for herself in four years of being self-employed, including affiliate marketing and consulting.Learn to differentiate between where you make your money and where you spend your time. Find out Akua's four basic ways of making money as a coach.Akua's signature offer, the Proactive Leader, is a process through which she leads her one-on-one clients. This serves as her main source of income. Though she was once a reluctant speaker, Akua now does a lot of public speaking and workshops around the topic of leadership, self-management, productivity, and others.As a coach, doing group work can be transformational, as participants see that others struggle with similar issues, and they can lean on each other for accountability.Partner projects are a great way to join existing projects without having to do the marketing or business development. But as a kind of subcontractor, these don't make as much money as getting clients yourself.Working with other coaches and learning new skills is a great upside to working on partner projects.Consulting is the fourth way Akua brings in revenue, and unsurprisingly, given its only 11% of her income, it's Akua's least favorite way to make money.Akua breaks down the percentages of each income activity and how she uses the information to make business decisions going forward. Financial analysis of your business is important to confirm that the assumptions you make about where your money is coming from is correct. You might be surprised!A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests? Do you keep track of your budget, how you're making money, and where your money goes? I'd love to know! These are the kinds of conversations we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeResources mentioned in this episode: Podcast Episode #20: Check in With Your Goals NowConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

If you've ever worked for a company or a family business and you didn't feel like it was a good fit, you'll be inspired by this episode as Sherul Mehta joins Akua to share how he leveraged his vast experience to become an entrepreneur, investor, and operator. Knowing the value of IT in business, Sherul studied computer science and business management while at university. He went to work at Goldman Sachs, then joined his family's diamond business. Finding himself bored and unfulfilled, Sherul went into business with his cousin, where he acquired two businesses that focus on helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow. Listen in to find out how acquiring these businesses helped him build his own! Sherul also discusses the three main pillars he believes are core in supporting entrepreneurs, gives his advice to founders and service providers, and discusses what it's like to work with family.  Highlights in this Episode:Sherul talks about his background and how he pivoted to entrepreneurship.Learn how working for the family diamond business found him unfulfilled but how he kept his new ventures in the family. Sherul talks about how he acquired his first business and was able to use its success as a learning tool and blueprint.  Find out the advice Sherul gives to founders who might be looking to get acquired. The two discuss the three pillars needed to succeed in business: a strong tech team, a marketing team, and a design team.Sherul talks about his company Delesign, which offers dedicated design work at a fraction of the cost of an in-house designer.Discover how he leveraged Delesign to build his business, Scale Your Podcast, which helps podcasters increase engagement. Service providers who are starting out should know their audience and who they're creating their service for. Sherul gives real-life examples.Sherul talks about the difference between launching a business and running a business. Find out which Belgian national team Sherul plays for. A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests? These are the kinds of conversations (and amazing humans) we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeConnect with Sherul Mehta: Website: https://mehtasherul.com/Twitter: @mehtasherulDelesign: Delesign.comScale Your Podcast: Scaleyourpodcastmarketing.comConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

Investing in outside support for your team can be intimidating. If you are a business leader, founder, or manager, you might be asking yourself what kind of service provider to invest in for that support and how to get the most out of your investment. Here you will learn why it's important to reflect on the type of help your team needs, and all about pricing and whether the cost of bringing in a professional is worth the investment. As a certified professional coach, facilitator, and speaker, Akua Nyame-Mensah has an insider's perspective on pricing and budget to share with you. She'll also help define what success looks like as you're supporting your team or individual. This episode is the last in a three-part #ASKAkua series in which Akua guides you through the process of finding an outside service provider to support your team or a team member. In part one, Akua talks about how to identify if your team could benefit from a professional coach. In part two, she discusses the types of service providers and the differences between a course, workshop, and coaching.  Highlights in this Episode: Because each team is different, Akua shares the importance of coming up with your own metrics and approaches when you are thinking about working with a coach, trainer, or facilitator.Akua describes some misconceptions decision makers often have when considering external learning and development service providers. When working with someone outside your business, it's important to consider timelines, scope, and pricing. As you're engaging with the possible service provider, keep in mind who this person will be supporting. Is it you, your team, or an individual? Understand this potential service provider's direct experience. Are they going to deliver content, or are they facilitating, or both?Akua outlines the questions you need to ask about a service provider: Are they part of a larger company or a "one-man band"?When it comes to pricing, you want to know your budget beforehand. It saves a lot of time and energy for both sides.When you hire a service provider, don't ask for an hourly rate. Providers are pricing based on the result they hope to bring you, not the time. Remember, you are paying for the experience and possibly even additional accountability after the training is over. Akua talks about the many things involved behind the scenes when it comes to a service provider's time. It's not just that "one hour" of consulting. When comparing prices and coaches, remember that price is not a good indicator of their impact.Akua talks about overwhelm when it comes to reacting to a provider's cost and puts it all into perspective. A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests? These are the kinds of conversations (and amazing humans) we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

Find out the three top issues that coaches and consultants face when starting their businesses and why it's important to master them to be a successful executive and leadership coach!If you are interested in starting or growing your own coaching or consulting practice or want to find out how to get clients consistently, you don't want to miss this episode. Leadership and Executive Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah comes to you from the business side of her coaching business to reveal the results of a survey of accomplished professionals who are either new coaches or considering becoming a coach. She also invites new and aspiring coaches to become Beta members of her new coaching container. There you will find new approaches to solving the roadblocks facing coaches, receive support and accountability in achieving your goals, and gain access to experts and content that will be game-changing in growing your coaching business. Highlights in this episode: Akua describes the reasoning behind her survey and who participated.Akua's background is a classically trained International Coaching Federation Coach, but she acknowledges there are many ways to become a coach. Respondents were most concerned about how to find paying clients. Akua stresses that even if you are a coach “in training,” you still provide value - don't undercharge!Because many coaches are heart-centered, it's a common mistake not to think about our coaching from a business perspective, and it can be challenging to get accountability.Akua talks about the importance of boundaries and separating yourself from your coaching business. Understand why it's important to create a repeatable process that can evolve over time when it comes to your coaching business.In coaching and consulting, it's important to know where to spend time and energy. Some invest more time in training rather than attracting clients. Having a process and a schedule is important to make sure you get the rest you need. With so many coaching tools, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. It's important to surround yourself with many coaches and learn from their experiences and which tools worked for them. Successful executive and leadership coaches are able to focus on the problem they are trying to solve.Find out about Akua's coaching container she aims to co-create with other coaches.A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests. These are the kinds of conversations (and amazing humans) we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

Get inspired by Jokotola Edu "Joko," an entrepreneur who has pivoted careers several times and has a wealth of experiences in different countries and sectors. In this episode, Akua welcomes Joko to chat about her perspective on being able to evolve and adjust the definition of success. Joko is the founder of Joko Edu, a stationary company using storytelling to highlight and preserve the rich culture and history of Africa. She tells the story of how she fell in love with history while going to Gustavus Adolphus College in the US. There she learned US history from many perspectives and wished she knew the same about her home country of Nigeria. Eventually, this curiosity would inspire her to create Joko Edu. From banking to the education sector, bag design, and finally, entrepreneurship, find out how Joko has evolved her definition of success and learned how letting go is not a sign of failure. Highlights In This Episode: Joko describes her background and how she came to be an entrepreneur. She talks about how learning history can help us avoid past mistakes.Joko describes her fascinating education experiences, including doing a study abroad in Europe while already abroad in the US.Akua and Joko talk about the educational system in Nigeria and how Joko found herself working in the public sector as a teacher in a village.Learn how Joko decided to shift away from bag design after her passion for it disappeared and how she felt when she let it go.Discover why Joko started her stationary business and how she uses storytelling to help promote Africa's history and culture.Joko talks about her new journal that she will launch soon, called: Inscribe, including fun, non-traditional writing prompts to help users evoke joy.Akua asks Joko about living in a challenging city like Lagos and reminds us that it's okay to acknowledge when we live in a challenging situation.A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests? These are the kinds of conversations (and amazing humans) we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeContact with Jokotola Edu: Joko's personal IG: @jokotolaeduWebsite: Jokoedu.comInstagram: @jokoeduLinked In: @joko-eduTwitter: @Joko EduConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

As a team leader, department head, or founder, it can be challenging to know where to invest in order to increase your team's capacity. In this episode, coach and facilitator Akua Nyame-Mensah talks about the different questions you need to ask yourself in order to decide if a training, workshop, or course would be most beneficial to your employees and team members. With so many online and in-person options, it can be hard to know where to start. Here you'll find out important differences between training, workshop, and course, and then what questions to reflect on to make sure you are investing in the right place and the right people. This is the second in a three-part series; the first part is about whether hiring a coach is a good investment for all employees, and the third part will be focused on ways to find the right person to deliver the appropriate support to your team. Highlights in this Episode: Be sure to engage with the team, so you know what they actually need. It might not be what you think!Be sensitive to whether your team is open to consuming the information/training they are given and whether they have the capacity to implement and test what they learn. Akua outlines the difference between a workshop and training. A training is more direct, typically has a standard approach, and teaches hard skills. A workshop is usually a group having intensive discussion and activity that is not as prescriptive as training. It's more of a personalized approach. Group coaching has similar outcomes to a workshop. Courses are becoming increasingly important as a tool for capacity building. A course is typically a little bit more like a training. A course is not the best for those with poor time management skills. Akua gives leaders key questions you can ask yourself to get clarity on the type of service provider you might need for your team. You need to know if you have the capacity to reinforce what your team learns. What are your teams' learning styles? Are they open to getting support?How long does your team need support? Do they need one-off training or support over a longer period? Ask yourself if your desired result is realistic. There are many advantages to online vs. in-person support because you can have access to the facilitator beyond the initial engagement. A good service provider should be able to deliver in many forms of media. Budget can be a factor for many leaders looking for support, but don't make it your main thing. Remember, support is an investment.  Resources Mentioned in the episode:Ep 53: #AskAkua Episode: Listen to This if You are Thinking About Investing in a Professional Coach A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests? These are the kinds of conversations (and amazing humans) we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcodeConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

If you're a CEO, founder, or solopreneur who thinks it's impossible to take time off, or you're afraid of missing out on money or helping a client, this episode is for you. Leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah is back from vacation, and she's ready to share how she prepared for her time off so that she could return feeling re-energized, rested, and not overwhelmed with a backlog of work. Learn what Akua feels she did well in prepping for her holiday, how to make the most of your own vacation, and what to do upon return to ensure you won't feel like you need another break to recover from your vacation!  Understanding yourself is the most important thing you do to make your business profitable and productive - this goes for taking breaks as well. Knowing what recharges your batteries and visualizing what a restful holiday means for you is the best way to start planning for some time off. Highlights in this episode:Akua talks about reflecting on what a restful vacation looks like for you. For more on what this means, check out this episode Akua did on the subject of rest.The importance of figuring out how much you want to engage in your business while you're on a break.Ask yourself what will continue running while you're gone (like social media and newsletters) and what you'll take a complete break from (like client meetings).Make it easier on yourself by easing out of work. Don't start any new projects before you go on holiday.Letting your clients and support staff know you are going on leave well in advance is crucial. Some people like setting up an out-of-office reply as well.Be intentional about how you want to spend your time on your vacation. Akua talks about her goals from her break.In order to stay in vacation mode, Akua went to a place that had no internet or no tv, allowing her to unplug completely for several days.Traveling with people and family can be tiring, so it's important to give yourself a buffer to rest before going back to work.If you don't have time to take a holiday, you can always start with a couple of days to rest and recharge.After your break, don't forget to take time to reflect on what went well and what didn't so that you can do things even better for your next holiday!A note from Akua: Enjoy this podcast content and guests? These are the kinds of conversations (and amazing humans) we will have in my new community and container. If you are an action-oriented and accomplished professional who is pivoting into service-based entrepreneurship and are ready to get out of theory and into practice, join my waitlist to cut through the noise and get to the money here: www.akuanm.com/cheatcode Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz  

Kuorkor Dzani is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully started and grown several businesses while working a full-time day job. Today she joins Executive Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah to share the secrets of building capacity when you are working a 9 to five and tending a side hustle (or several!). By day, Kuorkor works in Ghana for a local lender. But as someone who gets energy from new ideas, she has also found time to start businesses, including Twists & Locs, Indigo, Kiddie Med, and Joey the Brand. She has a passion for natural remedies and healthful living, and as founder of Ghana's first natural hair salon, Kuorkor has changed the conversation around - and the landscape of - hair in Ghana.Though she is very free-flowing when it comes to her personality, structure, and scheduling is the core of Kuorkor's work life. Discover her other secrets on managing time and energy in this episode!Highlights in This Episode: Kuorkor describes how the ideas for her businesses were born. Akua and Kuorkor talk about the rise in popularity of natural hair in Ghana.Kuorkor gives advice for entrepreneurs who want to start a business while working a 9 to 5, including how to hire the right people to help them. How to build trust when it comes to hiring others to help you in your business.Ways to separate yourself from your business by putting systems in place. How collaborating with your employees and allowing them to share ideas will boost morale and help them feel they have value to contribute. Learn a little about Kuorkor's interests outside of her businesses and job. Connect with Kuorkor Dzani:Instagram: @justkuorkorTwitter: @justkuorkorConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmThe Leadership productivity Quiz 

Leaders, CEOs, and founders who have benefited from great coaching know how powerful it can be in setting and achieving goals, so it's natural to want to recreate the experience for your team. But is hiring an external, professional coach a good investment for all employees? On today's #AskAkua episode of the Open Door Conversations Podcast, certified executive and leadership coach Akua will answer this common question in depth so you can make the best decision when it comes to supporting your team. This is part 1 in a 3 part series that dives into Akua's perspective on coaching and what you can expect (and not expect) from working with a coach.Akua believes everyone deserves a great coach and that anyone can benefit from coaching tools and techniques (almost immediately), but that does not mean everyone will necessarily benefit from a coach. In this episode, you'll learn why and how to pinpoint your employees' needs and support them best. Finally, you'll get a list of helpful questions to help identify if a coach is the right fit for your employees or yourself! Highlights from This Episode:There are many types and definitions of coaching; Akua defines hers based on the International Coaching Federation. She also explains what coaching is NOT.In order to benefit from coaching, you must be able to reflect and take action. Learn how Akua leverages coaching around helping you set and plan goals. Coachability is the ability to accept feedback and try to improve.Akua talks about how to recognize which employees are and are not coachable.Identify the best way to support your team members and why investing in outside coaching probably isn't the best choice. Coaching is based on relationships, so a coach that works for you may not be right for someone else.Why imposing coaching on someone is not productive.Learn what to ask when looking for the right coach for you or your team.If you are interested in working with a certified executive and leadership coach, Akua would love to hear from you. She works with overwhelmed, entrepreneurial-minded leaders to help them increase productivity, improve performance and profitability, and, most importantly, build better relationships with their people. Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz 

Employee retention is key to building a sustainable and scalable business. In this episode, Akua talks about what leaders, managers, and founders should look for in attrition rates and how to avoid high turnover. During this era of “the great resignation,” employees reflect on the type of work they do and often take advantage of better or more aligned opportunities. Subsequently, it is more important than ever that leaders focus on retention and on the workers that are already in the company rather than constantly recruiting new ones. Akua has personally experienced hiring and even firing hundreds of employees, and she is ready to share what she has learned and expose the seven true costs of losing an employee. Highlights in this Episode:There are many hidden costs to losing an employee, and they are not just financial. “Losing” an employee also means when a worker is disengaged and not as productive as they should be. When you lose an employee, you also lose their institutional knowledge and processes they may have been involved in. Costs include the time and energy you take to hire and train a replacement. A new employee can take 1-2 years to reach top productivity. Psychological safety of current employees should be a consideration after an employee leaves or is let go. It's important leaders address the situation. New people in your business mean more errors and mistakes due to inexperience.Leaders need to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to retention. Just as important as pay, workers want to feel valued.Employees should be aware of their impact on the bottom line, which can help motivate them.Onboarding and having the right processes and structures will help attract the right people to your business. Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz

Learn how confidence in the bedroom leads to confidence in the boardroom as Akua welcomes JingJin Liu, founder, and CEO of ZaZaZu. The two talk about the connection between sex education and female health, self-confidence, and how to overcome self-limiting beliefs.Guest JingJin Liu is a serial entrepreneur, active Angel Investor, and Advisor to female-driven, early-stage startups. She has a corporate background, having served as the first and youngest woman to become Global Marketing Director at WABCO, managing portfolios of up to $800 million.She started ZaZaZu in 2020 to help women navigate modern challenges both in the workplace and at home. It is the first platform of its kind in Asia. ZaZaZu aims to break taboos behind female health, sex education, and intimacy while empowering women in all aspects of their lives.Highlights from this episode:JingJin talks about growing up as an outlier in Beijing and why she left for Germany at 16.The two talk about modern women's challenges in life and at work. Being a "good woman" often means being good for someone else (i.e., a good wife, mother, etc.)How building confidence from within is rooted in sexuality.Unlike men, women don't feel entitled to what they desire.How asking for what you want in the bedroom is the perfect practice for asking for a promotion or raise at work.When children are educated about sex, they are more confident in saying no.JingJin talks about how she avoids burnout as she strives to break the thousand-of-years-old taboos of talking about sex. Contact JingJin Liu:Website: Zazazu.vip:ZaZaZu - Empowering Women to Remove Self-Limiting BeliefsLinkedIn: @jingjinLiuConnect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz  

Akua is celebrating her 50th podcast episode! She's sharing some words of wisdom about podcasting and what she's learned about herself in the process, as well as the top three most popular episodes and what they offer.It's been about a year since Akua started releasing her weekly podcast episodes. If you've ever wanted to be a public speaker in any capacity or host your own podcast, Akua has some thoughts about how you can show up and be consistent.Long-time listeners of the Open Door Conversations podcast know that even as an experienced speaker, Akua was terrified to start a podcast. She expands on why and what has changed since she started.Akua acknowledges that she accomplished 50 episodes with help from her virtual assistant, podcast manager, all her service provider buddies, amazing interviewees, coaches, founders, and especially you, her listeners! Thank you!Highlights From This Episode:Akua talks about why she started a podcast and the video episodes that preceded it.Podcasting has taught Akua several things about herself, but her top three include she can speak off the cuff.She thought she was afraid of becoming bored repeating her message, Akua has found that she is still excited to talk about her message on social media and on her podcast.Having a public-facing show can be intimidating because you never know who could be listening and what their reactions will be. Learn how Akua overcame that fear.One of Akua's top episodes was Ep 6: #Ask Akua: Self Love and Self Trust. In this episode, Akua talked about finding “enoughness” in your business, defining success, and the #IAMREMARKABLE initiative.Eliminating imposter syndrome is a top subject with listeners; an interview with coach Kim Witten, Ph.D., about imposter syndrome and the “imposter phenomenon” was rated very highly. Akua also talks about how to recognize toxic environments and whether or not to adapt to one.Ep. 11: Time is Manufactured in the Mind is a fascinating look at time management and productivity. Find the link below and learn to shift your perspective of time from being negative or fear-based. You'll also hear Akua introduce her leadership quiz in this episode! Links mentioned in this episode: Ep 01: Akua's Story Ep  06: #AskAkua // Self-Worth + Self-LoveEp 11: Time is Manufactured in the MindEp 21: Eliminating Imposter Syndrome and Being a New Coach with Kim Witten Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmWork with AkuaLearn how to make the most of your current Leadership Style by taking my Quiz