The Unlikely Executive
The Unlikely Executive
Podcast Description
You know there’s more in you—more to explore, more to give, and more to live. Welcome to The Unlikely Executive Podcast, a bi-weekly show for those who want to make a difference—whether they’re already doing good, don’t know where to start, or are simply curious about what’s possible. This podcast is designed especially for New CEOs of nonprofits who feel they’re in the right place but wonder, Now what? Those at a crossroads, unsure if they have what it takes to craft a meaningful career doing what they love. Curious minds seeking inspiration and clarity about the art of the possible. Every episode, host Barbra Carlisle, Founder of Glee Coaching Ltd, Accredited Coach, and Mentor, brings you candid conversations with people like you who are now leaders making a significant difference. These are people whose journeys to where they are today were far from textbook. Challenges, self-doubt, and surprising turns all play a part. Yet, they’ve emerged with a sense of purpose, passion, and a desire to contribute positively to our wonderful and complex world. Through inspiring stories, actionable tips, and heartfelt moments, each guest reveals how they stepped into the unknown, discovered their purpose, and made a difference. If you’re ready to unlock your potential, challenge yourself, and take steps toward creating the impact you dream of, this podcast is for you. Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into themes such as leadership in nonprofit organizations, personal transformations, and diversity in professional fields. Examples of episodes include Cohan discussing diversity in tech, Marg reflecting on her unexpected journey to becoming a CEO, and Michele sharing her transition from medicine to nonprofit leadership dedicated to brain tumor research.
You know there’s more in you, more to explore, more to give, and more to live.
Welcome to The Unlikely Executive Podcast, a bi-weekly show for people who want to make a difference both in their own careers and the world around them. You don’t have to be failing to want more. If you are curious about how others have navigated the rocky road to leadership and fulfillment you are in the right place.
This podcast is designed especially for the curious, the ambitious and the slightly nervous!
It is for those who are asking Now what?
Those at a crossroads, those with a desire to step up to the executive table and those who want to feel a sense of ownership in their own career.
Every episode, host Barbra Carlisle, Founder of Glee Coaching Ltd, Accredited Coach, and Business Mentor, brings you candid conversations with people like you who are now leaders making a significant difference.
These are people whose journeys to where they are today were far from textbook. Challenges, self-doubt, and surprising turns all play a part. Yet, they’ve emerged with a sense of purpose, passion, and a desire to contribute positively to our wonderful and complex world.
Through inspiring stories, actionable tips, and heartfelt moments, each guest reveals how they stepped into the unknown, discovered their purpose, and made a difference.
If you’re ready to unlock your potential, challenge yourself, and take steps toward creating the impact you dream of, this podcast is for you.
Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time.
Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more.
Hosted on Riverside
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle is joined by Nike Folayan, Technical Director at WSP and Chair of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE UK).
Nike shares her journey through engineering and leadership from an early fascination with how televisions work, through a PhD in antenna design, to leading a global technical team while navigating an industry that still struggles with gender and racial inclusion.
This conversation goes beyond career milestones. It explores belonging, burnout, boundaries, leadership pressure, and what it really takes to stay technically credible and human at the same time in male‑dominated sectors like construction, infrastructure, and engineering.
In This Episode, We Explore:
- What it’s like to build a senior technical career without being pushed into project management
- The hidden cost of being seen as “helpful” rather than “technical”
- Why clarity about what you want matters more than confidence
- How leadership expectations differ for women and especially women of colour
- The emotional reality of still feeling like you don’t belong after 20+ years
- Burnout warning signs, including what happens when your body says “no”
- Learning to say no without fear of missing out
- Returning to work after having a child and reassessing ambition, pace and legacy
- Nike’s leadership style: trust, accountability, and human connection
- How AFBE UK was founded and why representation, role models and transition support matter
Key Takeaways
- Technical excellence is a valid leadership path : you don’t have to abandon it to progress
- Belonging isn’t automatic, even at the top and that’s not a personal failure
- Burnout often arrives before you realise you’re struggling
- Boundaries are uncomfortable, but clarity builds trust
- Leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about choosing what matters
About Nike Folayan
Nike Folayan is a Technical Director at WSP, leading complex telecommunications projects and managing global technical competencies across the UK and India. She is also the Chair and co‑founder of AFBE UK, an organisation established in 2007 to support Black and minority ethnic engineers through outreach, mentoring, membership and corporate partnerships.
AFBE UK has supported over 30,000 beneficiaries and continues to bridge the gap between education and industry through advocacy, role modelling and professional development.
🔗 Connect with Nike on LinkedIn
🌐 Learn more about AFBE UK via their website
About Your Host: Barbra Carlisle
Barbra Carlisle is an Executive Coach and Leadership Trainer working across the construction, housing and engineering sectors.
If you’d like to explore working together:
👉 Book a clarity call or visit www.gleecoaching.co.uk
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Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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