Susan Popoola is a Human Value Optimisation Specialist.
She tells us that, “This stems from my belief that everyone has value to offer to the benefit of themselves as individuals and the different environments they find themselves in from Education, the Workplace, to Wider Society. Against this backdrop my work is focused on developing a Mosaic World in which everyone’s value is both appreciated and realised. This is reflected in the books and podcasts that I publish to increase knowledge and awareness, my work with leaders to support them in navigating complex problems, and my work with young people to enable them to fulfil their potential.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I spent my foundation years in a small working class town in Essex, England. It was very much a simple, but happy life that was fundamental to me developing my values and belief in human value – valuing everyone regardless of their background or the role they play.
My secondary education and first degree were in Lagos, Nigeria. I was in many ways privileged as I went to Queen’s College which was the best girls school in the country. It meant that I was educated with a number of very affluent people’s children. I learnt the importance of hard work, but with the family that I came from the message was reinforced that everyone is important regardless of position or status. I was also made aware that money and position in of themselves do not make you happy. It’s what you do with them that is important.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I’ve always been led by my values and beliefs. As a result, my early career was spent working in Human Resources across different sectors and industries. I’ve simultaneously always had a role in civil society serving as a youth worker, prison visitor, board member for a school in addition to various other initiatives relating to young people. I also saw things in society that compelled me to start writing, leading to my first two books, Touching The Heart of Milton Keynes: A Social Perspective, and Consequences: Diverse to Mosaic Britain. These ultimately led me to set up my own companies and initiatives.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
While continuing to write and podcast, I have a keen focus on developing the initiative for young people who have been in care (without parental support). Developing the Care Experience Village with information and people to support them on their journey into adulthood. I am also developing a network of leaders who want to leverage their success to have a positive impact on the world around them to ensure that they create a strong and impactful legacy.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I’m privileged to do some of the most amazing work, and to have achieved awards for some of the work that I do, inclusive of a Women Leaders Award and a Pioneering Female Award.
However, just as I speak of supporting others in the development of legacy work and impact, the most pertinent thing for me is the work for care leavers with the creation of an information hub and the Christmas initiative through which we have supported an increasing number of young people over the Christmas period – providing them with a sense that they are not alone in the world and that there are people that care about them.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I’m privileged to do some of the most amazing work, and to have achieved awards for some of the work that I do, inclusive of a Women Leaders Award and a Pioneering Female Award. I’m also proud of the growing impact of my latest book, “Male Perspectives on The Value of Women at Work” which is really supporting individuals and organisations to better understand and overcome the challenges to achieving gender equity.
However, just as I speak of supporting others in the development of legacy work and impact, the most pertinent thing for me is the work for care leavers with the creation of an information hub and the Christmas initiative through which we have supported an increasing number of young people over the Christmas period – providing them with a sense that they are not alone in the world and that there are people that care about them.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Men and women tend to compliment each other in leadership, it’s not one without the other. I therefore advocate for men and women working hand in hand. For women to make clear to men what they want and need, and for men who naturally have access to rooms and opportunities that women don’t have to open doors for women. I prefer this approach to that of breaking glass ceilings.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Take the time to know yourself and what you want from life and make conscious steps to step towards it. Find not just mentors to support your journey, but also sponsors who will open doors for you. Be ready to give in what other form possible where the opportunity arises and not just focus on how people can be of support to you. Critically enjoy the journey. I recently heard it said that if you don’t enjoy the journey you won’t enjoy the destination. Oh and read my book, Male Perspectives on The Value of Women at Work so that you better understand the differences between how men and women navigate the workplace – often to the advantage of men!.
