Don't Let The Smile Fool You
The podcast explores the hidden struggles and untold stories behind confident leaders. Host Uche Ofodile interviews leaders and examines the real emotions, decisions, and lessons involved in leadership, going beyond outward success. The show offers an honest look at the human side of leadership, including vulnerability and personal growth.
Episodes
Nobody Told Me When to Stop Saying Yes (At Work)
Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP37Have you ever been told to just "say yes" to every opportunity in your career? Same here. Let’s dig into what that really means—especially as you grow, change, and start to realize that not every yes holds the same value.In this episode, we’re going deeper than the usual advice. I’ll share real stories from my own career and even my personal missteps.
What No One Tells You About Becoming CEO. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP36
Rising to CEO: Navigating Unexpected Paths, Building Teams from Scratch, and Staying True to Yourself What happens when your career path suddenly shifts and you find yourself in the CEO seat – especially when you never set out to be one? In this episode, we dive into the real, unfiltered journey from deputy CEO to CEO at a fintech startup in Liberia. We get honest about career pivots, building a c
I Thought I Knew What Being a Role Model Meant.
Don’t Let the Smile Fool You EP35I thought I understood what it meant to be a role model.Then one unexpected conversation in an elevator made me realize that people may be watching something you never even realized mattered.In this episode, I talk about how my understanding of being a role model has changed over the years, from believing it was mainly about showing people what was possible, to rea
Why We Mistake Seriousness for Leadership. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP34
Leadership is not just about KPIs, strict deadlines, or being visibly weighed down by pressure. In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, we challenge old assumptions about what leadership should look like, especially when it comes to joy and energy in the workplace.It is true—I smile a lot. And yes, people notice. Some think it means I am not serious enough or that things are just easy for
You Think You Have Time. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP33
What are the decisions you should be making at 40? Most people will tell you to focus on career moves, chase promotions, and celebrate momentum. Few will admit that behind the doors of big organizations, your trajectory is being mapped in ways you may never see coming. In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, Uche sits down with Elsie Akinsola, an HR executive who has held top roles ac
Apparently, I Had Terms and Conditions. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP32
I still remember that phone call like it was yesterday. I had been CMO for a few years and, like most ambitious people, I knew what I wanted next — to become a CEO. So when a headhunter asked to meet, I was excited. After a great conversation, they called back and said they had a CEO role. All my teeth were showing. Then they revealed the job was in the DRC, and just like that, disappointment hit.
The Only Place She Could Be Herself Was at Work. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP31
What happens when your personal pain becomes invisible but starts leaking into every room you enter, even the boardroom? In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, we sit down with Ama Karikari to talk about the complexities many women face when dealing with emotional abuse like the silent treatment, especially when they're high-achieving professionals juggling work, ambition, and toxic rela
You Don’t Have 90 Days.
So let me share a secret. For years, I believed that when you start a new job, you have 90 days to simply observe, learn, and build relationships. But that belief cost me more than I ever expected.It starts even before your first day. While I was still doing paperwork for a new position, people from the company were already looking me up, checking my LinkedIn, assessing my background, and forming
Apologizing Doesn't Make You Weak. Doing It Wrong Does
So let’s talk about apologies. Not the awkward, forced ones, but real apologies in leadership and at work. A few days ago, I had a tough conversation with a colleague—I was rude, and I knew it. In that moment, apologizing felt like putting myself out there. Isn’t saying “I’m sorry” supposed to make a boss look weak?This question actually came up at my book event for Beneath the Leadership Infrastr
What No One Tells You About Building Teams
There is this moment that no one tells you about when you step into a new leadership role. The strategy might be clear, the mandate written down, but your success depends on the people you surround yourself with. Does that sound familiar? On the surface, we love to talk about vision, performance, and strategy, but rarely do we tell the truth about what it actually takes to build the right team—one
They Called Me Aggressive. So I Went Silent.
Have you ever gone quiet in a meeting because of a single passing comment? Maybe it wasn’t even meant as criticism. Words like “you’re too loud,” “she’s too aggressive,” or “he’s too quiet” can stick longer than intended and slowly start shaping how we show up. These aren’t always said with bad intentions. Sometimes they're simple observations that turn into labels, slowly chipping away at our
You're Not Bad With Money. You're Built to Protect It | Why Women Delay Financial Decisions with Lisa Aladekomo
Most conversations about money focus on tactics. This one focuses on the beliefs that stop high-earning women from building wealth.In this episode, Uche sits down with Lisa Aladekomo — entrepreneur, CFO, and someone she has known for thirty years — for a frank conversation about why women save but hesitate to invest, what it actually costs to delay financial decisions, and a practical system for s
When Great Work Stops Being Enough.
Ever walked out of a meeting sure you just nailed it, only to watch as someone else quietly moves ahead while you’re left trying to make sense of what happened? I’ve been there, and today I want to share what really goes on behind the scenes when good work isn’t enough.In this episode of Don’t Let the Smile Fool You, I dig into those moments when you feel like you’re doing everything right, but op
Friendship Is Not a Nice-to-Have. It’s Infrastructure.
Your Friendships Are Your Real PowerWe talk a lot about success, resilience, and growth.But we don’t talk enough about the people who make those things possible.In this episode, I sit down with someone who has been part of my life for over two decades — not just as a friend, but as part of what I call my “infrastructure.”I’m joined by my sister and brilliant strategist, Nnenna Onyewuchi.This is a
Something Unexpected Is Happening With CEO of the Day. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP23
This episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You takes you behind the scenes of the CEO of the Day initiative. When we started in 2023, the hope was to do something meaningful—give a young woman the chance to not just shadow but to sit in the CEO chair and experience what leadership truly feels like. We began with seven companies, just a LinkedIn post and an idea, and over a few years have grown t
From Doctor to CEO for a Day: Dr. Viviane Oke’s Leadership Story. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP22
About This EpisodeDr. Viviane Oke is a medical doctor and digital health founder who was CEO of the Day for UNICEF Benin in 2025. In this episode, she shares the hospital moment that almost made her leave medicine, what it was like leading UNICEF’s child survival department for a day, and why she believes the “self-made” myth is holding young women back. We also talk about what she’s building with
Does your boss do this? Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP21
So let me ask you a tough question. Does your boss really have your back? And if you’re a leader, are you truly covering your team, or are you unknowingly creating an environment where everyone feels like they have to hold their breath at work?In this episode of "Don’t Let The Smile Fool You," we’re looking beneath the surface of leadership and team dynamics. Uche shares real stories—fro
From baby to boardroom peer. Odia Okoumassoun. CEO of the Day. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP20
If you would like your company to participate in CEO of the Day - please send us an email: Info@ceooftheday.comWhat happens when you take the leap from being an employee to sitting in the CEO’s chair—even if just for a day? In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, Uche sits down with Odia, who tells her remarkable story of stepping up as CEO of the Day. The conversation is filled with
The CEO Who Closed Her Laptop. CEO of The Day. Odia Okoumassoun. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP19
So let me share a story. What does it really mean to be the CEO of the Day, and what does it take to step up, let go of what is expected, and lead with authenticity—even when you feel nervous? In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, Uche sits down with Odia Okoumassoun, the very first CEO of the Day.Odia gets candid about the pressures of preparing a presentation and the surprising choice
The Detour You Didn’t Ask For. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP18
Your career probably won’t change in the way you expect. Forget the idea of a straight-line promotion. From sudden decisions to unexpected detours, this episode unpacks why the real shifts often arrive from moments you didn’t plan for—and what you can actually do when that happens.Let me share a few stories. Years ago, I took a job where I was promised a certain structure, only to have everything
Don't call me resilient. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP17
Download our Resilience Reality Check Diagnostic Tool: https://smile-collective.kit.com/1e4240019dSo let’s talk about resilience. We all love stories of grit, strength, and coming through tough times with a smile, but here’s the truth I wish someone had told me years ago: not all resilience is good resilience. In this episode of Don’t Let the Smile Fool You, I share the real story behind what happ
Am I the drama? Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP16
Download the Drama Reduction Guide: https://smile-collective.kit.com/9a618e43daHave you ever stopped to ask yourself, Am I the drama? Maybe you’ve been called too direct or too intimidating, or perhaps it’s your presence that sets off reactions even when you don’t mean it. This episode of Don’t Let the Smile Fool You dives deep into the three types of drama we might find ourselves in: unaware dram
Exhausted - Now What? Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP15
Year-End Exhaustion is Real – Here’s How I’m Resetting for 2025Let’s talk about why everyone you know (including you) is so tired at the end of the year. In this honest and refreshing episode of "Don't Let the Smile Fool You," I share what I’ve been hearing from every single conversation lately: exhaustion, fatigue, and the looming hope that somehow the holidays or January 1 will make it all bette
Why leaders over-talk - and how to stop it. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP14
Have you ever been in one of those meetings where a simple question turns into a history lesson, a TED Talk, or unnecessary drama? In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, we are diving deep into the very real problem of over talking—why we do it, how it affects our credibility, and, most importantly, how to stop.Uche walks us through her own experience with over talking and the uncomf
How to Exit a Job the Right Way. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP13
So let’s talk about something we all face in our careers: the art of leaving a job. Most people think that making a move is only about resignation letters and LinkedIn updates, but there is so much more beneath the surface. In this episode of Don’t Let the Smile Fool You, we’re diving deep into the real exit stories — why you need to own your narrative, how to manage your emotions, and the importa
How do you know when it's time to leave your job? Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP12
So let me tell you a story. For years, we hear about tenure. Stay long enough to earn your stripes, but what about knowing when it’s time to leave? In this episode, I get honest about that moment—figuring out when you’re truly ready to jump, and (just as importantly) when it’s better to stay and stretch.Here’s the thing. You might find yourself restless at work. Is it boredom, or have you hit your
Tenure, Titles & the Temptation to Jump. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP11
So let me share something that still makes me smile a little, even if at the time it felt like a disaster. Back in 2013, I was convinced I had nailed my role and was ready to jump to the next big title. I met with the regional CEO, proudly listed all my achievements, and expected instant approval to move on. Instead, she told me something that stuck—tenure matters. I rolled my eyes then, but it tu
When your team asks for a raise. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP10
Ever walked away from a conversation with your boss thinking, “That did not go the way I expected”? In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, I share one of my biggest scars as a leader: the unintentions that can wreck a conversation, especially when it comes to salary increases and pay raises.Let me take you back to a moment years ago. A member of my team asked for a salary increase, c
Reinvention at the top. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP09
Here’s a little truth from the top. For many ambitious women, climbing the leadership ladder is more than chasing a title or a pay raise. In this episode of “Don’t Let the Smile Fool You,” we dive beneath the surface with Lucy Quist, trailblazing CEO and advocate for women’s leadership, as she opens up about what really happens when you get to the top.So here’s the story. You work hard, you plan,
What Happens After You Got THE Job? Success → Significance. Lucy Quist. DLTSFY EP08
So let me tell you this. Lucy Quist always knew she wanted to be a CEO. She worked hard, broke barriers, and finally made it to the top. But when she got there, the reality wasn’t what she imagined. Instead of celebration, she found resistance, constant relitigation of her place, and the weight of proving herself every single day.In this conversation, Lucy shares the lessons behind that journey. H
From CEO of the Day to CEO for Real. Prunelle Anato. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP07
So let me share a story that might change how you think about leadership, confidence, and the power to surprise even yourself.Today on the Don’t Let the Smile Fool You podcast, Uche sits down with Prunelle, who went from a hesitant community manager to CEO—almost by accident, and much faster than she ever expected. Their conversation dives beneath the smile to what it really takes for young women
Should CEOs cry at work? Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP06
So let me ask you a question. Is it ever okay to cry at work? On this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, we’re digging into a topic that comes up all too often for women climbing the leadership ladder: showing emotion in the workplace. Uche sits down with Annick, our CEO of the day, who asks the question so many of us have wondered—can strong leaders, especially women, ever let their emo
The silent signals we send. Don't Let the Smile Fool You. EP05
Have you ever wondered what your leadership style is truly communicating to your team? In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, I peel back the layers on what really happens beneath the confident exterior as you take on bigger leadership responsibilities. Inspired by the film The Devil Wears Prada, we take a closer look at the difference between intention and impact, and how small beha
They said I couldn’t, I almost believed them... Don't Let the Smile Fool You Ep04
I want to let you in on a moment from my own journey. Picture this: you’ve just been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. This should be an occasion for celebration but instead, you find yourself sitting in an executive meeting, head down, not confident, questioning whether you’re truly good enough. And it does not stop there. Doubts can come both from within and from those around you, sometimes f
The lonely side of leadership and how to handle It. Don't Let the Smile Fool You. EP03
Have you ever wondered what leadership really feels like behind closed doors? In this episode I open up about the leadership secrets nobody told me before I stepped into the CEO role. If you have dreams of being a leader, or if you are already leading a team, you’ll want to hear the honest truth about what no one warns you about. Here’s a spoiler: being at the top can be downright lonely.I share m
This is what you need to succeed - it's not what you think! Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP02
Trust me, the journey is a lot lonelier and more complex than most people think, and sometimes the only way to get through it is to build strong infrastructure around yourself. I’m sharing a story from a few years ago when I faced a major work challenge - and how one conversation with a friend changed everything.We talk about what leadership infrastructure means, why you can’t go it alone, and wha
What's behind a smile? Don't Let The Smile Fool You Introduction
In this first episode, Uche opens up about her journey from New York to CEO roles across Africa, sharing real and sometimes unexpected stories about her path to success. Growing up as the only girl among three brothers, moving countries, and stepping into major leadership positions, Uche reveals the challenges and lessons that shaped her.This is not another “just work hard and get promoted” story.
How being CEO for the day changed me. Annick Atougbe. Don't Let The Smile Fool You. Ep01
A few years ago, we set out to make International Women's Day more than a hashtag or a poster; we wanted to turn it into a real growth opportunity for the women in our organization. That is how CEO of the Day began. The idea? Choose a young woman in the company to literally walk in my shoes as CEO for 24 hours.What started as a small challenge with just 7 companies has now grown to 33 companies jo
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