Hearing Australia’s Post

Saw this post from Mteto Nyati and it resonated with me so much. I’ve been reflecting on it throughout the day because I find myself at such a pivotal point in my life. Making a change in my career and joining an organisation with a leader who’s been a BREATH of fresh air has been such a game changer for me. I find leadership can sometimes be something one enjoys or not. And when you enjoy it, you excel in it. It doesn’t always look great but it’s rewarding. Part of your role requires you to get the best out of your people and that’s what I’ve witnessed my current CEO do. I am part of a culture that fosters innovation in a real way. We don’t just talk it, we live it. Each day is different and keeps me even more invested. My leader challenges me but also listens to me. It’s a two way relationship. I am grateful to be planted and led by an AUTHENTIC leader. We have courageous and real conversations, we have transparency, yet we can also laugh in the midst of chaos. It’s building me up to be an even stronger leader. I have always found that weak leadership shows up when people aren’t sure of themselves and project insecurities and behaviors which if unchecked can be damaging, behaviors I never want to inherit.

🌟 Exploring Leadership in Sweden! 🌟 Hey Everyone, I’m now in Sweden, continuing my journey of discovering leadership insights across Scandinavia. As I immerse myself in this innovative and progressive country, I’m excited to explore the unique leadership principles that have shaped its success. Swedish leadership is often characterized by its focus on equality, transparency, and innovation. The concept of “lagom,” which roughly translates to “just the right amount,” underscores the Swedish approach to leadership, emphasizing balance and fairness in decision-making.

The wonderful Emmanuelle Langlois (she/her) (PCC, CPCC) will be sharing her story of burnout and recovery at this event with Capgemini in a few weeks. I got the pleasure of hearing Emmy's talk in advance and here are a few thing I learned from it: 1. The difference between competing for others and competing for yourself. 2. Actually listen to people who tell you you're doing a good job. 3. Your body knows what you're capable of better than your head, listen to it. If you're attending this talk then you're in for a treat. And if you're looking for wellness / mental health guidance for your team, then get in touch with Emmy about delivering it for your team too.

As a CEO, few things compare to the pride and satisfaction of watching your star employee reach new heights. I started the ‘Rising Stars’ project – with the support of over 100 agency owners in CEO Stars - designed for the ‘star’ on your team - to be part of a group of seven other high-achieving Rising Stars to learn, share, collaborate, and hone leadership skills. Got a Rising Star? I’ll send you more information – criteria, testimonials, and qualification details Nothing warms the heart more than seeing a team member soar.

Recently, I added ‘CEO’ to my profile. It was a way to fit in with professional standards, a title that suggests leadership and responsibility. But doing this felt like I was losing a part of myself, my true spirit that always strives to be unique and true to my vision. Today, I’m removing this title. This action is more than a profile update. It’s reaffirming my values and identity. I’m not just a CEO or a label. I am Mohamad Najem, with my beliefs, experiences, and ambitions. In our world, titles can be useful but should never limit who we are or what we can become. Like me, each of you is unique, title or not. Our real value is in what we contribute to the world, in our actions, ideas, and our ability to positively impact others. So, I encourage you to look beyond titles. Be proud of who you are, your achievements, and never forget that your uniqueness is your greatest strength.

As a proud alumnus of Lapid Leaders Africa, I reflect on our leadership journey with immense gratitude and fulfillment. This experience has been nothing short of transformative, embedding within us the principles of servant leadership that have shaped who we are today. 5 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮: 🏆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 - True leadership begins with service. At Lapid, I learned that by putting others first, I not only uplift those around me but also grow in ways I never imagined. -Serving becomes the greatest source of fulfillment. 🏆 Purpose in Responsibility - Taking on responsibility isn’t just about fulfilling a duty; it’s about embracing the opportunity to make a difference. The volunteer roles at Lapid taught us that responsibility is a gift—a chance to lead by example and inspire others to do the same. 🏆 The Obstacle is the Way - Difficulties are not roadblocks but stepping stones. Lapid instilled in us that every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger, wiser, and more resilient. -The obstacles we face become the path that leads to our greatest successes. 🏆 Action: The right action - It’s not about what you say but what you do. The culture at Lapid is one of action, where integrity, kindness, and service are lived out daily. -By focusing on our actions, we have seen how the results naturally take care of themselves. 🏆 The Golden Rule in Leadership - Leading with empathy and treating others as you would want to be treated creates a ripple effect of positivity and change. -At Lapid, this principle was more than just a rule; it was a way of life that I continue to carry with me. To my fellow Lapid Leaders Maximillan Ndung'u, Ely O. Aboka, and Lucy Kariru thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to serving others. As we prepare to start the new chapter, we strongly believe we can continue building a community where leadership is defined by service, and success is measured by the impact we make. Let’s continue to embody these values, knowing that the work we do today will resonate far beyond ourselves. In the words of Marcus Aurelius, “What stands in the way becomes the way.” May we always see our challenges as opportunities, our service as our greatest strength, and our actions as the seeds of a brighter future. The results will follow, as they always do.

At the risk of stating the obvious, our marketing world has been through quite the evolution; changes in consumer behaviour post-COVID, data innovation and of course, the rise of generative AI. What's less obvious is the pressure I’ve witnessed first-hand on marketing departments to transform their organisations to meet these new market conditions. And against a volatile economic backdrop, the expectations of delivering the same, or in some instances more (!) for less. The uncomfortable truth is that traditional agencies are struggling to navigate their own operational chaos, leaving clients understandably frustrated as hard-fought budget gets wasted and talent remains tragically untapped. Through partnering with some of the world’s most progressive brands in recent years, I’ve reached the view that the most powerful creative marketing ecosystems are now being built in-house. Better access to marketing intelligence, deeper understanding of the natural rhythm of the client business and a culture of ownership give in-house teams an unparalleled advantage in moving at pace and returning greater value. The quality of creative output is also consistently strong, as most recently evidenced this year at Cannes; two places in the UK’s top 10 creativity ranking went to the in-house agencies of Channel 4 and PepsiCo. With this shift in the agency landscape in mind, I am excited to have recently joined the senior leadership team at OLIVER Agency; the only company globally that exclusively designs, builds and runs bespoke marketing ecosystems for its clients. Twenty years ago, they broke the agency mold and today, powered by industry-leading gen AI capability, their model has never been more relevant. As a leader, I have always championed client-centricity, so to be joining such a pioneering group that genuinely put client success at the heart of their business is super exciting. EL.  x The Drum https://lnkd.in/dVrAY_hH LBBonline - Little Black Book https://hubs.la/Q02RkCMc0 Decision Marketing: https://lnkd.in/eWwibUcE Performance Marketing World: https://lnkd.in/eskMueuG Amina Folarin Ed Howarth Nick Myers Rob Kavanagh Ben Burns Robert Green Brian Eagle James McNamara Francesco Surace Ross Hawkes Lucy Usher Laura Adams (née Tilley)Darren Thomas Annabelle Walters

Excellence is not just achieved through individual brilliance, but through the synergy of an incredible team working in harmony towards a common goal.

We’re live!! A leadership conversation with Nolo Thobejane. #leadersinconversation #leadershipconversation

Curious about developing your leadership! Kathryn Foster is a most excellent person to get advice from. Here she lists three key points to consider if you want to get started.