Being a great role model is about being your most authentic self. This Black History Month, we speak to Fraser Woodhouse about his experiences as a director, and what it takes to become an inspiring leader. Watch his video and discover how you could make an impact. https://delo.tt/60467BAue #BHM #WhatMattersToYou #DeloitteUK

Today is the start of Black Introvert Week UK and Guyanese-born entrepreneur MARK DALGETY, CEO of Dalgety Teas, recently shared how, as a self-proclaimed extrovert (no, not a typo), he uses his personality traits to effectively lead and ecourage his teams. Only last year, Mark was named a winner at the The Black British Business Awards, and his company’s success has continued to soar. With over 3,000 UK stockists, Dalgety Teas won £100,000 in Channel 4’s “Black in Business” competition and earned a coveted place in Tesco’s 2024 Accelerator Programme. The reason I chose Mark’s story is because it's a brilliant reminder that personality-aware leadership — rooted in personality allyship — can brew a lasting impact (had to get that in there somehow!) 🫖 💭 How do you use your natural personality traits to lead effectively? Leave your comments below

From being the first Black woman at IBM to be sent overseas in an executive role to now serving on Fortune 500 boards, my journey has been full of wins, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. Here are three of the most important ones. 1️⃣ Success isn’t just about achieving your own goals. Real success goes beyond just checking boxes on your own list. Rather, it is measured by the impact you have on others. It’s about helping people reach their goals, grow in confidence, and create their own ripple of impact. When you can look back and see how your journey helped others move forward, that’s when you know you’ve truly succeeded. 2️⃣ Vulnerability and ambition go hand in hand. A lot of us think we need to come across as strong, composed, and always in control. But nobody has it all together. When you try to appear perfect, people can’t connect with you, because they can’t see the real you. Be vulnerable and ask for help, input, ideas, or opinions. It shows you value your team’s perspective and builds trust and collaboration. 3️⃣ Genuinely care about the people around you. Someone can tell you they care, but if they don’t show, it’s difficult to believe. Leaders often say, “I care about my employees” or “I care about my team.” But if you’re not actively doing things that make their work easier, the words don’t mean much. Don’t just say you care. Show it. That’s how people start to believe in you and follow you. Every step of my journey has reinforced one truth — leadership isn’t about titles or achievements. It’s about impact, authenticity, and care. When you lead with those three, success naturally follows.

**Every Black executive I coach hits the same wall eventually.** They've climbed. They've earned it. They've got the title, the comp, the influence. And they're more exhausted than ever. Because at the top, the code-switching becomes **constant**. -Board meetings where your tone gets analyzed. -Leadership conversations where you translate yourself three times before speaking. -Strategic decisions where you calculate not just what's right, but what's palatable. -Team moments where you perform "approachable" instead of just being present. You thought making it to this level would mean more freedom. Instead, it means more fragmentation. **Here's what changes everything:** Stop trying to balance multiple versions of yourself. Start **integrating** one authentic leader across all contexts. Same values. Same voice. Same presence. Whether you're in the boardroom, leading your team, or at home with your family. The energy you've been spending on code-switching? That becomes fuel for actual leadership. The mental load of managing perceptions? That becomes clarity for making impact. The exhaustion from performing? That becomes power from being whole. This isn't just about YOUR relief. When senior Black leaders integrate, they show everyone below them that it's possible. They change what leadership looks like. They create space for the next generation to lead authentically from day one. **Your integration is how we ALL move forward.** **What would you do with the energy you're spending on code-switching today?** **DM me 'ENERGY' if you're ready to reclaim it.** #IntegrationOverBalance #ReclaimYourEnergy #BlackLeadership #AuthenticPower

As part of our Black History Month series, we spoke with Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University. In this conversation, David reflects on the values that define his leadership – equity, authenticity and fairness – and the responsibility of transforming higher education into a space where all students can thrive. He speaks candidly about the gap between words and action on race equity, the importance of visible representation in leadership, and why real inclusion must be measured not by statements of intent, but by evidence of change. Read the full interview and explore the series - https://lnkd.in/e6czT2TK

“Diversity is everyone’s issue,” says Khadijat (Dija) Ayodele. “It’s not a Black History Month issue. It’s a twelve-month-a-year issue.” She believes leadership teams must view diversity as “part of professional and moral duty, embedded into hiring, training, and brand partnerships, regardless of what is going on politically or what is cool and trendy." We have asked top aesthetics experts to reflect on the state of diversity and Black visibility in the sector - how far we have come and the barriers yet to be broken. Link below for more… https://lnkd.in/eZgkQ-Ym

Sit, Sip, ‘n Scroll Sundays 🛋️☕️🧠 No. 21: A defining culture for the Jays, and any agency. After 32 years, the Blue Jays made it back to the World Series – just one play away from winning it all. They got there on talent, skill, and individual effort, but they also got there, and perhaps more consequential, because of their team’s culture. When you hear broadcasters, coaches, and even the players talk about the 2025 Blue Jays, a common theme emerges; team chemistry and a certain vibe. An intangible quality that felt unique to the Jays, and instrumental to the success they had this year - and they’re not wrong. In fact, the same words and phrases used to describe the Jay’s clubhouse this year, are the very ones I’ve been using for the past 20 years to build agencies that have that chemistry, that vibe. Words like "camaraderie", "unity", "friendship", "family", and "trust". Phrases like ‘No egos’, ‘Positive energy’, ‘Contagious belief’, ‘Knowing your role and supporting others’, and how winning becomes a by-product of those very intangibles. Come Monday morning, after the peanut shells have settled on this historic Blue Jays run, ask yourself; What are the intangibles that define your agency, its chemistry and its vibe, that will ultimately propel your next run to the finals…⚾ #agencyculture #microlearning #leadership #agencylife #advertising #teamchemistry #vibe #bluejays #gojaysgo

“If you are the only one in the room, you are meant to be here.” Flavilla Fongang This quote struck a chord as I reflected on today's panel celebrating Black History Month, where community, connection and collective success were front and centre. I’m increasingly convinced that sustainable innovation and business growth are inseparable from inclusive leadership, psychological safety and purpose-driven community building. Flavilla reminded us that stepping into spaces where we may be the only one isn’t a token moment it’s a legitimate contribution. Meanwhile, Raphael Sofoluke has built platforms like the UK Black Business Show to amplify Black business leadership and create ecosystems of opportunity. Key take-aways for leaders and organisations: Prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as strategic levers for innovation, not just as check-boxes. Cultivate community and networks as vital components of wellbeing and resilience for leaders. Recognise that enabling others to rise supports your own leadership journey when people thrive, organisations thrive. If you’re navigating leadership transitions, scaling your team, or seeking to build more inclusive culture, these themes matter deeply. I’d welcome your thoughts: what practical steps have you taken to ensure that “the only one in the room” becomes “one of many voices at the table”? #BlackHistoryMonth #LinkedInNewsUK

“If you are the only one in the room, you are meant to be here.” Flavilla Fongang This quote struck a chord as I reflected on today's panel celebrating Black History Month, where community, connection and collective success were front and centre. I’m increasingly convinced that sustainable innovation and business growth are inseparable from inclusive leadership, psychological safety and purpose-driven community building. Flavilla reminded us that stepping into spaces where we may be the only one isn’t a token moment it’s a legitimate contribution. Meanwhile, Raphael Sofoluke has built platforms like the UK Black Business Show to amplify Black business leadership and create ecosystems of opportunity. Key take-aways for leaders and organisations: Prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as strategic levers for innovation, not just as check-boxes. Cultivate community and networks as vital components of wellbeing and resilience for leaders. Recognise that enabling others to rise supports your own leadership journey when people thrive, organisations thrive. If you’re navigating leadership transitions, scaling your team, or seeking to build more inclusive culture, these themes matter deeply. I’d welcome your thoughts: what practical steps have you taken to ensure that “the only one in the room” becomes “one of many voices at the table”? #BlackHistoryMonth #LinkedInNewsUK