LEAP Leadership Institute

The E-Learning Bootcamp is back, and this time it’s open to all young people across Africa! If you’re looking to upskill in the E-Learning industry, this is your chance. The program is fully virtual, making it accessible from anywhere in Africa. Don’t miss out—apply now! https://lnkd.in/d-dpsSdD Application Deadline: August 30th, 2024. #Elearning #UpskillAfrica #VirtualLearning #YouthOpportunities #leapafrica

Had an amazing time on a panel conversation at the Leadership Accelerator Program by LEAP Leadership Institute last week. The conversation was around creating work-life balance and thriving as a professional. Personally, I believe “work-life balance” is a myth… for me it’s about understanding seasons- some seasons will require you give more attention to your work; some seasons will require you give more attention to other areas of your life eg your family, health, marriage etc.. it’s really never 50:50. Also understanding that we’ve been graced differently for different seasons… for instance when I had my 3rd child, for some reason I sensed strongly I had to go back to work a month after-I had her in December and resumed back to work in January, yes I had structure to support in place eg a full time nanny for her who carried her with me everywhere I went as I was exclusively breastfeeding and also having a work environment that allowed me bring in my baby and nanny- Five28 … but more importantly, I had an unusual grace for that period and I knew it. There was another season that required me being fully present at home to take care of my baby… real life is lived in seasons and not in trying to find balance… there’s an unforced rhythm of grace that comes with understanding the seasons of your life and just living from that flow. #LAP2024 #Leadershipacceleratorprogramme #africanwomen

"The Almighty is waiting for you to say no to everything that wants to bring you down." These were the words of Ini Abimbola, FSPIN at the opening session of the physical BootCamp organised by LEAP Africa and LEAP Leadership Institute! Over the last week, I experienced an intensive physical #bootcamp with 42 other women who were selected out of over 5,000 applicants! This was not a tick-the-box kind of #bootcamp. It was an immersion and indeed a leadership accelerator program. An icing on the cake was meeting like-minded powerhouse women reminding me that I am not alone! I celebrate the LEAP Africa team members - Aderinsola Amobi-Daniel, Pamela, Deborah Lawal, Sarah Olubunmi Uwaechie, Ferdinand Eruka, Micheline Ntiru, Diana Amabelle N., and Kehinde Ayeni for curating this experience and making it worthwhile. The choice of topics, the facilitators and panellists were all top-notch! Over time, I will share special moments and key takeaways that will shape the next steps in my professional journey. I highly recommend that every woman participates in subsequent cohorts. You can start by following the LEAP Leadership Institute to ensure you don't miss the announcement! #Accelerate #Leadershipjourney #Learningneverstops #LEAPAfrica #Womenpower #Maleallies #Careergrowth

Reflecting on the recently concluded 5-day Residential Leadership Accelerator Programme for Young African Women which I was a part of, one topic stood out profoundly: "The Concept of Being Globally Black." Our facilitator, Angelou Ezeilo, masterfully navigated the subject. She began by asking us about our childhood hair routines—a question that made me realize how I perceived my hair back then. As a child, my hair seemed no different from any other, simply because it was my norm. It was thick, full, and black, and I saw nothing unusual about it. As Angelou delved deeper, she highlighted the realities of our skin color and body types as Black African women and that if we are truly going to see ourselves as global black women, we must own our realities. We often face pressures to conform to an "ideal" standard, influenced heavily by societal expectations and media portrayals. Growing up, I noticed that media representations often showcased individuals with a specific skin color or body type, a trend that thankfully is beginning to change. I mean, I now play in this space so, I am more aware of these changes. I digress. I'd share a personal story. For nearly eight years (active in the first 6 years and tilted towards other interests in the last 2 years), I’ve run a shea butter cosmetics manufacturing company dedicated to enhancing hair and skin care without altering its natural state. Despite the opportunity to increase profits by accepting requests to come up with formulations that "brighten" or "tone" skin, the team is constantly faced with the ethical implications of such choices. I could absolutely relate on many fronts. Angelou concluded the session with a powerful message: embrace our identities, challenge stereotypes, and build supportive networks. Although the session was virtual, it was an enriching experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. A heartfelt thank you to LEAP Africa and the LEAP Leadership Institute for including this essential discussion for us as Young African Women in Leadership. Oluwatobi Sola-Abiola. #womeninleadership #leapafrica #leadershipinafrica #AfricanWomen

SUMMARY OF MY JOURNEY LEAP Africa The last week was so engaging, insightful, and inspiring. Out of 5,000 applicants for the LEAP Africa Young Women Leadership Accelerator Program, I was privileged to spend quality time and engage in knowledge sharing with 43 other amazing ladies from across Africa. Find below some key learnings: 📌It is difficult to always get systems from outside; rather, get them from the inside. Do not attach yourself to people with questionable values. 📌Competence is one thing; character is another. Avoid people who are transactional. 📌Don’t get tied to a job; rather, get tied to the journey and purpose, as they are more important. 📌The greatest law of success is stooping to conquer. It is wise to be a lion but wear the clothes of a cat to get what you want and to stay unpredictable. 👩🦳To my fellow young women out there, know that hearing words does not make the difference, but action does. Therefore, we must realize we have a duty to play if we want to change the narrative. We must sustain our mindset shift to enter the fullness of possibility. 🙂The lessons are numerous, and unfortunately, I can’t share all of them here. If you want to experience this, kindly follow @Leap Africa and register for the next leadership accelerator program. 🤩I also want to appreciate the amazing Aderinsola Amobi-Daniel ,Diana Amabelle N.; Kehinde Ayeni and the wonderful speakers who not only imparted me with knowledge but shared real-life experiences: @Honorable Seyi Adisa, @Grace Ofure, Ini Abimbola, FSPIN @Martine Marjorie Fiedler, @Tochukwu Macfoy Oyedayo Otokiti @Tade Cash @Emmanuel Faith, and my wonderful co-participants. Lastly, I leave you with this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: "It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." Thank you ACIOE Associates (Advisory Services), thank you LEAP Africa and LEAP Leadership Institute #YoungWomenLeadership #LeadershipAccelerator #LEAP Africa #WomenEmpowerment #InspiringWomen

"If you are not at the table, then you are on the menu.” Just when I thought I had heard it all, the leadership roundtable on "Navigating Power Dynamics and Building Influence for the C-Suite" was next, and it was as impactful as the previous session. Having these amazing women Ibukun Aibee Abidoye Kehinde Ayeni Diana Amabelle N. Martine Marjorie Fiedler Micheline Ntiru in key leadership spaces guide us through this session was incredible. To navigate power dynamics, it is essential to understand the kind of power you bring to the table. Power and competence help in this navigation. It is important to know the value you offer and to understand who you are. Anything you focus on grows, so it is crucial to stay focused on your goals. Additionally, visualizing your vision is key: What is your vision, and how do you intend to achieve it? Corporate confidence is very important; without it, you might become reckless. Here are some key self-reflection questions to ask yourself: Am I leaning in enough to take this opportunity that is for me?-Micheline Ntiru Is fear stopping me from achieving and sabotaging my goals? - Martine Marjorie Fiedler At every opportunity, keep asking yourself: What’s next? - Ibukun Aibee Abidoye These reflections will help you align with how well you build your influence. However, it is crucial to be impeccable with your character, how you speak to people, and to be genuinely interested in others. While doing this, maintain curiosity and find your tribe. Who is your tribe of women? What groups do you belong to? Identifying the right community will help you navigate power dynamics and build your influence in the C-suite space -Kehinde Ayeni Aside from the sessions, LEAP Leadership Institute LEAP Africa provided me with the opportunity to network and interact with my co-participants, whose stories were inspiring and fascinating. Meeting resilient, assertive young African women from across the continent was a highlight. For instance, Opetunde Adepoju a team member and consultant, has changed her career three times in the last five years. Jumailatu Shamsudiin Mensah representing Ghana and working as an intelligence security analyst, is a self-taught swimmer. Africa is blessed with resilient, skilled, and amazing women, presenting limitless opportunities ahead for us all. I am proud to say I have already found my tribe in the 43 women I shared the bootcamp experience with, and I am super grateful and excited for all the great things we will do together Jumailatu Shamsudiin Mensah Opetunde Adepoju Anire Chima-Oduko (MBBS.,MPH, MWACP) Lisa Kwikiriza Zainab Abdulrasheed Atobatele Moyosore Anthonio Zainab Ibrahim Baiwa Comfort Olafare Adesimiloluwa Adepeko Damilola Uzoma-Udoma, PMP®️ Wangiwe Joanna Kambuzi Husna Ma'ab Baffa Ayomide Fasan Olanipekun Opeolu Adeyemi Esther Olorunmola #MyLeapExperience #NavigatingPowerDynamics #BuildingInfluence #IFoundMyTribe #WomenInLeadership #LAP2024

Last week was both exhilarating and empowering for me. I was honored to be one of 42 delegates selected from over 5,000 applicants for the week-long Leadership Accelerator Program for young African women, organized by the LEAP Leadership Institute, a division of LEAP Africa The program was transformative, offering invaluable insights from remarkable mentors and facilitators including Clare Omatseye Ini Abimbola, FSPIN , Micheline Ntiru Seyi Adisa and Kehinde Ayeni. Key takeaways include: The Power of Representation: Women need to be present at decision-making tables in government and major corporations. As Claire Omatseye emphasized, respect must be earned, not given. Self-Empowerment: Ini Abimbola reminded me that despite life's challenges, I have the power to shape my own destiny. No one else will create my path for me; it is up to me to own it. Valuing My Presence: I am always at a table and should recognize and leverage the value I bring. It’s crucial to negotiate from a place of value. Seizing Opportunities: Micheline Nturu encouraged me to actively seek opportunities, speak up, ask for what I want, and engage with how my organization defines success. Work-Life Integration: I learned the importance of integrating work and life rather than seeking a traditional balance, affirming that having it all is indeed possible. Additionally, I had the privilege of connecting with 41 other inspiring emerging female leaders from across Nigeria and Africa. Thank you, Leap Africa, for a week that was both enriching and unforgettable.

The just concluded week was an exciting one for me. Coming into the year, one of my core goals was intense personal development. I knew I needed to upskill in so many areas and I was glad when I heard about the Leadership Accelerators Program of LEAP Leadership Institute #LeapAfrica for Young African Women. Completing the online courses and being selected as a part of the 43 young leaders from across 11 African countries to participate in the Bootcamp out of 5000 participants was a dream come true. It was indeed an accelerating experience because it feels like I have been pumped with the energy to go all out. Every session was highly impactful. The speakers and panelist poured out their hearts to us. I am saying a big thank you to the amazing Mrs Ini Abimbola, FSPIN who shared her journey with us, one I can very much relate with, Micheline Ntiru Clare Omatseye Seyi Adisa Funto Ibuoye Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal Emmanuel, Faith. GPHR, ACIPM Martine Marjorie Fiedler Diana Amabelle N. and other exceptional speakers. To the phenomenal Humans of LEAP Africa, thank you for giving us the opportunity to blossom. And to my phenomenal sisters, I would not have imagined gaining 42 tribe members this year. You made the experience worthwhile. The love was real and I am rooting for you all. If you are a young woman who want to lead in every aspect of life and get to your desired heigh of influence, then be on the lookout for the next cohort. I will be willing to provide further support and insight where necessary. #leadership #womenempowerment #Growthanddevelopment #bossmoves

This week, I got to meet 43 incredible women at the 2024 Leadership Accelerator Programme for Young Africa Women. From a pool of 5000+ online attendees from across 11 countries, the 43 of us made it this far. This Leadership Accelerator bootcamp is organized by LEAP Leadership Institute, an offshoot of LEAP Africa. It’s been a truly transformational experience, one that will stay with me. I appreciate the excellent efforts by our host. They were truly intentional. Their passion, love and care shined through with every engagement. It often felt like a room full of big sisters who came together to ensure we would be empowered, do well and be better going forward. Big sisters who are ahead of the game in their respective careers, but not too far ahead that we couldn’t be inspired to dream bigger or identify with their relatable experiences. We also didn’t have to think about chasing after them or be left alone in our growth journeys. They came to us, down-to-earth. They came open. Encountering a tribe of women who are beautiful, honest, professional, competent, experienced, vulnerable and strong was truly refreshing. Of course, we had some fantastic male allies! Super men indeed.🙌🏽😁 With every teachable moment, experience, and stories shared, I felt my heart stirred and encouraged. Sometimes that’s all you need, the encouragement to keep going. It was also comforting to meet women on similar paths like me. I found allies, a community of truly remarkable women. All 43 of us brought so much uniqueness and strength to the table. Inspiring women with impressive dynamics. I was always in awe. I still am.🥰🫶🏽 In the days to come, I will be sharing threads of highlights - light bulb moments capable of stirring your heart for a mind shift. Be sure to follow @braveopy on Threads and Twitter, I’ll share updates there. #BraveOpy #LikeBezalel #LAP2024 #CorporateCommunications #Designer #LandOfSkill #Excellence #CreativeDirector #Communications #DigitalCommunications #BrandStrategist Brave Publicity

Been hunting for inspiration to do more and not feel like I am questioning myself as to why I am doing more 😀 Getting inspired through the Leadership Accelerator Program for Young African Women LEAP Africa LEAP Leadership Institute Let me share some of my affirmations that stuck with me from learning from powerhouses including Ini Abimbola, FSPIN Clare Omatseye Be authentic. Be courageous. Be an Igniter. 💚 It is not about who is going to let you. It’s about who is going to stop you. 👏🏾 If you are looking for someone to clap for you. That clap might never come. Go ahead and clap for you. 👏🏾👏🏾 Find what works for you. Own your path. 💃🏽 Big or Small. It all counts. 🎉 If you can dream it. Get up and do it. 💯 Shine as much as you can. It’s your TIME. ⏰ Never forget to say “Thank You” 💜 This and more, everything I needed to hear at this phase of my personal and professional development journey. Could be inspiring for you too! ❤️ #YoungWomeninLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Malawi #Africa