Success & Leadership

The Price of the Climb: When Success Cuts Deep

In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus—not because she wasn’t tired, but because she was tired of giving in. What followed was a national movement—but also, behind the scenes, relentless hardship. She lost her job. She was stalked. She never profited from her protest. This is the part of success we don’t glamorise, the bruises no one applauds, the cuts no one sees.

Entrepreneurship is often sold as freedom. But for women—especially women of colour—that freedom often comes at a cost. We scale ladders made of blades: funding gaps, systemic bias, work-life strain and emotional exhaustion. A report from Project Diane found that as of 2021, Black women-led start-ups received…

Breaking Free:

Why We Get Stuck and How to Rewire Our Brains for Success

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you work, you’re somehow stuck in the same place? It turns out, getting "stuck" isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a deeply ingrained neurological pattern. The brain is wired to seek efficiency and when certain behaviours become habitual, they become part of a neural loop that keeps us operating within the same constraints.

As this cycle continues, we reinforce these patterns without realising it, creating self-imposed barriers that dictate our progress. The four reasons we get stuck—lack of connections, unclear goals, fear of risk and comfort zones—aren’t just external obstacles; they’re deeply embedded in the way our brain processes information and makes decisions.

Reclaiming Resilience: A Leadership Snapshot

In the hustle of building a business, managing a team, or striving for that next level in your career, it’s easy to overlook the one asset that drives all your success: YOU. As female leaders, we’re celebrated for our multitasking; admired for our resilience and often expected to be the steady force for everyone around us. But beneath the polished facade, many of us are quietly navigating high stress, burnout and the emotional weight of constant decision-making.

It’s time to pause, reset and lead differently.

At the National Black Women’s Network (NBWN), we’ve always believed that leadership starts from within. That’s why we created the Leadership & Wellbeing Worksheet—a practical, beautifully designed tool to help you realign your time, energy and focus. Whether you're preparing for a new leadership role or recalibrating after a demanding season, this worksheet offers more than reflection—it offers action.

Why…

The Art of Achieving Your Goals – Sun Tzu Style

In a world where markets shift overnight, competition is relentless and success belongs to those who adapt quickly, the principles of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War are more relevant than ever.

Sun Tzu wasn’t just talking about battlefields—he was talking about strategy, leadership, discipline and the art of navigating power dynamics. His wisdom applies just as much to today’s corporate boardrooms, entrepreneurial ventures and career accelerations as it did to ancient warfare.

If you want to lead, you must first master yourself.If you want to win, you must know when to advance and when to retreat.If you want to accelerate your goals, you must be strategic, not just hardworking.

Stop Chasing the Next, Start Owning the Now

Here’s the truth: if you’re constantly thinking, “I’ll be happy when…” you’ll never truly arrive. Whether it’s the next job, the next milestone in your business, or even the next relationship, tying your happiness to the destination is the fastest way to rob yourself of joy today.

Success isn’t just about where you’re going—it’s about who you’re becoming on the way there. Growth happens in the journey, in the small wins and in the lessons learned. When you focus only on the destination, you miss the magic of the process—and that’s where the real transformation happens.

Let’s get real. Destination addiction isn’t just a mindset—it’s a habit that keeps us stuck in a cycle of discontentment. You hit a goal, but instead of celebrating, you immediately set your sights on the next one. You land the job, close the deal, or finally make…

The Secret to Leadership Success

Time is the one resource we all share equally. What separates great leaders from the rest isn’t how much time they have but how effectively they use it. Mastering time management isn’t just about ticking off tasks—it’s about aligning your time with your purpose, goals, and values.

As leaders, we must continually ask ourselves: Are we truly in control of our time, or are we letting distractions and inefficiencies take the lead? To help you reflect and take action, here are three powerful questions:

1. Are your daily activities aligned with your long-term goals?Do the tasks you focus on each day move you closer to the future you envision, or are you stuck in the cycle of reacting to what feels urgent?

2. What distractions are holding you back from being fully productive?Whether it’s multitasking, constant notifications, or unproductive meetings, what can you eliminate or delegate to…

A true leader is more than just a title or position. As John Maxwell reminds us, a leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. Leadership is about vision, action, and inspiration—it’s about being a guide and example for others. The greatest leaders are those who don’t just talk about the path; they walk it and illuminate it for others to follow.

If you’re striving to grow as a leader, reflect on these three powerful questions to challenge yourself and refine your leadership journey:

1. Do I truly know the way?Am I clear about my vision, goals and the direction I’m leading others toward? Have I invested the time to gain knowledge and clarity about what lies ahead?

2. Am I going the way?Am I practicing what I preach? Do my actions consistently align with the principles and values I expect from others?

3. Am I showing the…

Unleash Your Potential: Break Free and Dominate Your Goals

Are you ready to stop holding yourself back and finally go after the business and career success you deserve? Too often, we let fear, doubt and past experiences keep us trapped in invisible prisons that limit our potential. But here's the truth: you have the power to break free.

It starts with recognising the barriers in your mind, challenging them, and taking bold steps toward your goals. Let’s dive into the 3 traps that may be holding you back—and, more importantly, how to overcome them.

1️. Prioritise Your Voice Over Others' Opinions

From Vision to Fulfillment: Setting Strategic Goals for 2025

I came across this post recently, and it truly resonated with me. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that success isn’t just about having big dreams—it’s about setting clear, actionable goals and following through with purpose. As we prepare to step into 2025, I felt inspired to share this with you. Let’s turn our aspirations into reality by committing to a process that leads to meaningful fulfillment.

Here’s the framework to guide your journey:

• A Goal Without a Deadline is just a fantasy—an idea with no foundation to bring it to life.

5 Steps to Reclaim Your Power: Elevate Your Relationships, Confidence and Career

Are You Ready to Break Free and Step Into Your Power?

Unresolved childhood trauma—whether emotional neglect, physical neglect, or psychological wounds—doesn’t disappear; it hides in plain sight. It influences your relationships, erodes your confidence and limits your potential in business, career growth, and life.

• Do you struggle to trust others, communicate your needs, or build emotional intimacy in relationships?

Redefining Success: Lead with Purpose, Live with Fulfillment

In a world where success is often defined by external accolades, titles and the opinions of others, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: your own satisfaction. Leadership and success aren’t just about checking boxes or meeting society’s expectations—they’re about living in alignment with your values, purpose, and passions.

While external recognition can feel good in the moment, it’s fleeting. True fulfillment comes from within—when you prioritise what makes you genuinely happy, not what simply looks good on paper. So, let’s explore how to redefine success on your own terms and ensure that your leadership journey is one that leaves you both satisfied and successful.