Create a culture of

Move your people and business forward with Empathy, Brave Communication and Bold Action

‘Shola is a big impact speaker and compelling story teller. Be warned: her energy and positivity are highly contagious.’
– Paul Keenan, President, Bauer Media Audio

Shola is trusted by:

public speaking coach London

Experience Shola

WATCH SHOLA’S TEDx TALK
12 minutes
WATCH SHOLA’S REEL
4.5 minutes
MADRID – PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY AND INTERSECTIONALITY KEYNOTE
2.5 minutes
SAN DIEGO – EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND LEADERSHIP
2 minutes

Is your organisation playing it too safe and not meeting its potential?

My work helps you develop the confidence and skill to speak up, listen well, and lead with heart.

As workplaces become increasingly tech-enabled, humans need to focus on developing EMOTIONAL AUDACITY – the courage to empathise, communicate bravely, and act with both compassion and boldness.

You want your global teams to innovate, collaborate, and perform — in an environment grounded in trust, psychological safety, and human connection.

I help you build a high-performance, people-first culture by equipping your teams with the Emotional Audacity they need.

The result?

A workplace that’s not only high-performing, but also emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and resilient.

I provide you with PRACTICAL TOOLS to transform your culture from the inside out, including:

  • FRAMEWORKS for courageous, high-impact communication
  • GUIDELINES to build emotional awareness and psychological safety
  • STRATEGIES for resilience, inclusion and cross-cultural connection
  • INSPIRATION to turn bold intentions into everyday action

Hi! I’m Shola

I once worked for blue-chip corporations in the high pressure industries of investment banking and IT management consulting in New York and London. I also spent time in scientific research.

Sometimes I experienced the frustration of not making an impact, mainly because I lacked confidence and emotional audacity; I didn’t have the tools to contribute and collaborate effectively.

I often found myself working in low-empathy environments where judgements and assumptions prevailed over curiosity and compassion. Afraid of courageous communication, leaders and teams failed to connect. I almost walked away from the corporate world for good.

But something pulled me back.

Now, I use my experiences and insights to help you create a PEOPLE FIRST CULTURE, built upon rock-solid foundations of empathy, brave communication and bold, inclusive action.

When trust, openness and belonging flourish, there are significant, proven benefits in the workplace.

It’s time to help leaders create happier, more engaged environments, and to encourage teams and individuals to collaborate and innovate in supportive, psychologically safe workplaces.

Please reach out, I’d love to partner with you.

What your peers are saying:

“Can’t thank you enough for an eye-opening session. A month after the training it’s still so fresh in our minds.”

‘Highly recommended, Shola’s approach is very engaging and effective.’

‘Highly recommend her work. We’re already looking at ways of modifying and improving our communication skills by using the frameworks Shola outlined’

“This was so helpful for me as a new manager. I realize I have work to do to ensure psychological safety for my team!!”

“Presenter is well-informed on the topic: good combination of theory and anecdotes. Audience participation was welcomed and made the session engaging.”

“Enlightening and applicable to everyone within the organization! Quick, fun and engaging. Helped me to identify areas to work on. Really enjoyed the presentation!”

EMPATHY IS BRILLIANT FOR BUSINESS

The percentage of employees believing that empathy leads to workplace improvements includes:

88% – increased efficiency
87% – job satisfaction
85% – innovation
83% – company revenue

The foundations of your People-First culture

Pillar 1

Empathy

A component of emotional intelligence, empathy is the foundation of respect, kindness and civility.

Curiosity and courage will help your people develop the self-awareness and insight to build a culture of understanding.

Pillar 2

BRAVE COMMUNICATION

Do people have the tools and frameworks that support those brave, essential conversations?

Are they able to say what needs to be said, and also, hear what needs to be heard – without defensiveness? Have they developed the self-regulation, social skills and resilience required to flourish in today’s fast-paced, growth-oriented environments?

Pillar 3

BOLD ACTION

Are you creating a culture where psychological safety is the norm and people feel a sense of belonging? Are employees deeply aware of their internal drivers and your organisational values, so that bold, aligned action is the norm?

Is everyone free to contribute, create and innovate, helping your organisation thrive in the face of challenges?

Speak with the team

Click on the calendar to book a 15-30 minute initial chat – find out about availability, and learn exactly what Shola can do for your group. Or fill out the form and we’ll be in touch!

Keynote Speaking

Learn, reflect and take action. Insights and practical tools you can use immediately. Customised, interactive, effective. On-site or virtual.

Programs

Lasting impact, and deep transformation in an engaging, easy-to-absorb format.

– Empathy & Emotional Intelligence
– Communication

Ongoing support, implementation guides and peer to peer learning opportunities to effect change.

Leadership Training

From emerging leaders to the C-suite. Strategies, frameworks and examples that drive action and produce results.

Shola at WiD conference

Most popular keynotes

‘Insightful and meaningful session that left people feeling empowered and inspired.’

Shola provided our team with the tools we can use to become more empathetic individuals. She is a true professional and a real joy to work with. Can’t recommend Shola enough!

Sylvie Russo, Communications Manager

SO WHO IS SHOLA?

OUR WORLD CLASS CLIENTS

  • From Fortune 500 to small companies

  • Large number of re-bookings and multi-session engagements

  • Clients often require culturally sensitive content for their diverse, global audiences

ON STAGE

  • LOADS of interactivity!

  • Approachable, inspiring with ACTIONABLE takeaways

  • Many opportunities for audience self-reflection and light-bulb moments during each and every session

SHOLA’S CAREER

  • Author & LinkedIn Learning Instructor

  • Worked in the USA and UK in a variety of industries

  • Previous roles include corporate executive, scientific researcher, management consultant and professional entertainer

SHOLA’S PERSONALITY?

  • Straight-talking and unpretentious

  • Warm and empathetic

  • Creative and professional

BEYOND THE KEYNOTE

  • Our leadership training helps you develop modern, empathetic managers

  • Our Empathy and Emotional Intelligence series provides practical strategies for building a supportive, compassionate workplace

  • The Connect & Convince Program enhances your team’s communication, collaboration & influencing skills

OUR PROCESSES

  • Keynotes include a planning call, tailored audience feedback survey, post-session debrief and audience takeaways PDF

  • Want the keynote to become a training? Licensing is available

  • Our preferred role is to become your trusted partner, working with you on multiple engagements over time

Shola’s second book – available now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other sellers

“Brilliantly designed, boldly smart.”

“Shola lays out exactly what you need to lead better, sell faster, and become a genuine person of influence.” ―David Newman, CSP, Bestselling Author of Do It! Marketing and Do It! Speaking

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