Leading with Authenticity with Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri
Exploring Creativity with Fredrik Haren.
In this episode of "Waves of Wisdom," host Iyaz Waheed welcomes Tanvi Bhatt, a pioneer in personal branding in India. Tanvi shares her journey from a bioinformatics scientist to a thought leadership strategist, emphasizing the transformative power of personal branding. Together, they explore how thought leadership is not just about visibility but about creating a unique voice and perspective that disrupts the status quo. Tanvi discusses the importance of strategic vulnerability, the role of personal branding for leaders, and how to transcend self-imposed limits to become truly unretirable. Tune in to discover how you can harness your unique insights to lead with authenticity and impact.
In this engaging conversation, Luke Salway, CEO of Coachology, shares his journey from a manufacturing background to becoming a successful coach and trainer. He discusses the importance of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) in enhancing communication and leadership skills, the role of technology in modern communication, and how to navigate challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Luke emphasizes the significance of emotional intelligence, building rapport, and the power of incantations in personal development. He also reflects on the concept of 'Unretirable,' advocating for continuous growth and purpose beyond traditional retirement. The conversation concludes with insights on achieving work-life harmony and the future aspirations of living a fulfilling life.
Takeaways
NLP is a powerful tool for improving communication.
Building rapport is essential for effective leadership.
Technology can enhance communication but should not replace human connection.
Emotional states significantly influence our behavior and results.
Reframing negative events can lead to positive outcomes.
Incantations can help change emotional states and beliefs.
Continuous learning is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Work-life harmony is more important than work-life balance.
Finding purpose beyond retirement leads to fulfillment.
The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and essential.
Sound bites
"You can learn new things forever."
"The event is always neutral."
"I want to do it right now."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup
00:34 Initial Greetings and Connection
00:46 Introduction to NLP and Coaching
03:23 The Power of Communication in NLP
06:41 Building Rapport and Connection
09:27 Navigating Modern Communication Challenges
12:40 Adapting to Change: Lessons from COVID-19
15:33 The Fundamentals of NLP
18:24 Managing Emotional States for Success
21:33 The Role of Language in Shaping Beliefs
24:34 The Importance of a Growth Mindset
27:32 Conclusion and Future Applications of NLP
40:26 Taking Control of Your Life
42:52 The Power of Incantations
50:08 The Unretirable Journey
54:38 Reframing Negative Events
01:11:50 Creating Work-Life Harmony
David Gomez, an expert in value pricing and selling, shares his insights on how businesses can shift their focus from competing on price to emphasizing the value they provide. He discusses the importance of understanding customer perceptions, differentiating offerings, and creating memorable experiences. David emphasizes that true differentiation comes from service and relationships rather than just product features. He also highlights the significance of mindset in sales and the need for businesses to articulate their value clearly to avoid the pitfalls of price wars.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Value Pricing
02:46 David's Journey from Corporate to Consulting
04:02 Understanding Value vs. Price
08:25 Common Misconceptions in Value Selling
11:41 Differentiation Beyond Product Features
14:08 The Importance of Customer Experience
16:49 Generating Fresh Ideas and Insights
19:44 Engaging Conversations with Strangers
23:25 Creating Memorable Experiences in Service
26:27 Innovative Presentation Techniques
29:49 Creating Memorable Experiences
33:31 The Power of Authenticity in Communication
34:34 Building Lasting Customer Relationships
38:26 The Importance of Personal Connection in Hospitality
42:34 Brand Loyalty and Customer Identity
45:25 Differentiation in Competitive Markets
48:48 Shifting Mindsets in Sales
52:53 Finding Purpose to Stay Motivated
Unretirable - S1:E21: Minding Your Business with Ayesha J Bibha
In this power-packed episode of Waves of Wisdom, we dive into the neuroscience of leadership, the speed limits of our minds, and the emotional intelligence needed to thrive in a chaotic world — with none other than Ayesha J. Bibha.
Ayesha is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), TEDx speaker, and the creator of the groundbreaking Mindspeed concept — a brain-based leadership framework that integrates neuroscience with emotional intelligence. From growing up in Bangladesh to becoming a global thought leader based in Australia, her story is as inspiring as it is transformative.
🎯 What we talk about:
How our inner programming shapes the way we lead and live
The psychology of money, mindset, and self-worth
Deep work, digital distractions, and reclaiming your attention
Raising a child while building a global brand
Investing in yourself for compounding growth
Why being Unretirable starts with purpose
Ayesha’s blend of science, soul, and story will leave you rethinking how you approach work, leadership, and life.
What if the real success you’re chasing is sitting quietly where you began?
In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Noel “Joel” Santos—President of Thames International Business School, former CEO, venture capitalist, global consultant, and creative economy advocate. From leading multinationals to shaping national education strategies, Joel's journey is anything but linear—and that’s what makes it powerful.
We explore how his global career led him full circle: back to his roots, back to education, and most importantly, back to passion with purpose. He opens up about what it means to evolve, how to find your "why" at different life stages, and why aligning passion, expertise, and purpose isn't a luxury—it's a necessity.
Whether you're navigating a career pivot, wondering if you're climbing the wrong ladder, or just seeking deeper meaning in your work—this episode will speak to your soul.
What You’ll Learn:
Why chasing success without alignment can leave you empty
How to turn failure into fuel
The real formula behind creative success (spoiler: it’s not just talent)
What Gen Z gets right about purpose and the future of work
Why unretiring is about evolving, not exiting
How AI is reshaping the creative economy (and how to keep your human edge)
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode moved you. Let’s help more people ride the waves of wisdom.
After 27 years in leadership at Fidelity Investments, Nan Ives took what many dream of — early retirement at 59. She imagined long weekends on Cape Cod, endless rounds of golf, and the freedom of an open calendar.
But when the honeymoon phase ended, she was left with a question no one had prepared her for:
“Now what?”
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Nan shares the real story of what happens after retirement — the emotional void, the loss of identity, and the search for meaning.
This episode, recorded in October 2024 and now brought to life on Waves of Wisdom, reveals how Nan transformed uncertainty into purpose by co-founding The Future of You — a human-centred, design-thinking approach to helping others create a fulfilling life after work.
What we cover in this episode:
The truth behind the “retirement dream” — and what’s missing
Why financial freedom isn’t enough
The four-step framework for life planning after work
How to start retiring before you retire
Real-life stories of reinvention from The Future of You community
Whether you’re mid-career, approaching retirement, or simply rethinking what’s next, this episode will challenge and inspire you to become Unretirable.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to get more purpose-driven conversations like this every week.
Explore more:
The Future of You – https://www.thefutureofyou.com
Subscribe to Unretirable Newsletter – https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7298894310266023936
Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple & more –
In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Iyaz Waheed sits down with Imelda Sutisna, founder of Journey Training & Consultancy and President of the Association for Women's Empowerment. From her early days in hospitality to becoming a sought-after training consultant across the Maldives, Imelda shares her incredible journey of discovering purpose, igniting potential in others, and embracing a truly unretirable life.
She opens up about pivotal moments that shaped her path, including how a single comment from her husband sparked her passion for teaching, and how a heartfelt letter from a participant redefined her purpose forever. Imelda also offers powerful insights on growth mindset, learning culture in organizations, and why putting people at the center is key to lasting transformation.
In this energizing episode of Waves of Wisdom, Iyaz Waheed talks with Charlene Li, one of the world’s top voices in digital transformation and disruptive leadership. A New York Times bestselling author, founder of Altimeter, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies, Charlene is on a mission to help leaders lead change, not chase it.
With over 276,000 followers on LinkedIn and a wildly popular newsletter, she’s showing up every day with bold ideas that empower people to grow, evolve, and live with purpose—no matter their age or title.
You’ll hear:
Why adopting a disruption mindset is the most valuable career move you can make
How AI is challenging us to redefine human value and creative work
What it means to lead with clarity, humility, and courage
And how Charlene turns daily discomfort into a lifelong advantage
If you’re ready to stop fearing change and start leading it, this episode will give you the insight and inspiration you need to stay not just active—but unretirable.
In this powerful episode of Waves of Wisdom, host Iyaz Wahid welcomes Andy Lopata, internationally respected author, speaker, and one of the world’s leading authorities on professional relationships and mentoring. Described by BBC Worldwide as delivering “the best talk I’ve ever been to,” Andy brings over 25 years of experience in relationship strategy, networking, and leadership development.
Together, Iyaz and Andy explore the profound impact of mentoring—both formal and informal—on personal and professional growth. Andy shares insights from his book, The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring, co-authored with Dr. Ruth Gotian, including the distinctions between mentoring and coaching, how to approach potential mentors, and why vulnerability is the foundation of meaningful human connection.
From decoding the role of mentoring in the workplace to discussing how AI can support—but not replace—human relationships, this conversation is both practical and thought-provoking. Whether you’re a mentor, mentee, coach, or curious learner, this episode offers wisdom that will challenge and inspire.
To further learn about the work of Andy Lopata, visit http://www.lopata.co.uk/
In this episode, we sdiscussed about Asking powerful questions with Dr. Masni Binti Mustafa, a PHD. holder from Malaysia. She is an ICF coach trainer and has dedicated the last few decades to help others grow through coaching.
In this episode, we not just discussed asking powerful questions, but we asked some powerful questions from each other and held a conversation from the heart.
Episode 14 – Rewriting the Rules of Leadership with Ritu G. Mehrish - the author of Leader’s Block and Rewrite the Rules.
In this deeply honest and inspiring episode of Waves of Wisdom, host Yas Wahid sits down with Ritu G. Mehrish, a global leadership expert, executive coach, and bestselling author who is redefining what leadership means—especially in times of challenge and transformation.
With over two decades of corporate experience at powerhouses like Procter & Gamble and GE, Ritu has led teams across continents. But her real mission began when she walked away from the title, the corner office, and the business card—only to discover something even more powerful: her purpose.
🌟 What we explore in this episode:
• The story behind Leader’s Block and why even top-performing leaders get stuck
• How to recognize the signs of burnout and bounce back with authenticity
• Her latest bestseller, Rewrite the Rules, and how women leaders in Asia are transforming outdated leadership paradigms
• Why vulnerability is a leadership strength, not a weakness
• The unspoken expectations placed on women in leadership—and how Ritu challenged them
• How to design a meaningful second act and become Unretirable by choice
• Her powerful take on success, growth, motherhood, and self-worth
Whether you're a seasoned leader, an emerging changemaker, or navigating your own crossroads—this conversation is packed with wisdom, empathy, and real-world strategies you won't want to miss.
🔗 Grab Ritu’s books:
• Leader’s Block 👉 https://a.co/d/03rN79x
• Rewrite the Rules (Straits Times Bestseller) 👉 https://a.co/d/9ZSrKD2
More at: https://ritumehrish.com
👍 Like, Subscribe & Share if you believe leadership can—and should—be human.
🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss another episode of Waves of Wisdom.
In this powerful episode of Waves of Wisdom, we speak with Dr. Safeeya Mohamed—a medical physician, CEO, leadership coach, wellness advocate, and devoted mother. Her journey is shaped by early community service, profound personal loss, and a rare ability to turn adversity into purposeful action.One defining moment in her career was serving as the personal physician for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai during her visit to Trinidad and Tobago—an experience that highlights the ripple effect one voice can have in the world.Dr. Safeeya is also the founder of Sisu Global Wellness, a company that integrates clinical care, mindfulness, leadership, and global insight into systems of preventive wellness. She balances her mission-driven work with the deeply personal journey of raising her 13-year-old neurodivergent son, Musa—whose unfolding potential continues to reshape her understanding of human possibility and the essence of wellness.In this episode, we explore:
Produced with Love from Maldives
In this exciting episode of Waves of Wisdom, we sit down with none other than Joshua Chua, one of Singapore’s most prominent digital creators, whose videos have captured the attention of millions across the globe.
With over 100 million views and a loyal following of 500,000+ YouTube subscribers, Joshua has carved a name for himself as a creative powerhouse. From collaborating with top names in his niche to headlining prestigious events in cities like New York and Manila, he has proven that passion combined with relentless effort can open global doors.
In our conversation, Joshua takes us back to his early days — when his “crazy childhood hobby” of editing and creating videos was just something he loved doing for fun. He shares how that hobby grew into a full-fledged passion and, eventually, a thriving career. We explore the challenges he faced on his journey, the mindset shifts that helped him break through, and the key lessons he’s learned about creativity, consistency, and staying authentic in the fast-paced world of digital content.
Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or simply someone looking for inspiration, Joshua’s story is packed with wisdom on turning what you love into what you do.
Being intentional about your personal brand with Dr. Jerome Joseph
Unretirable S1-E10 - Navigating work-life transitions with Dr. Mavis Mazhura
Unretirable - S1:E9 - Presenting with Power with Verity Price
Unretirable - S1:E8 - Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable
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Kenneth Kwan is a global speaker & author of “Small Steps To Big Changes” He has spoken to tens of thousands of leaders and executives in 40 countries, from Denmark, South Africa to Indonesia.
Organizations like Singapore Airlines, AIA, Hilton, SingHealth and Coca Cola many more have engaged Kenneth to give keynotes. Even though he speaks in large stages, at end of the day, he is really a proud daddy of three active boys and is proud that he taught his kids to pee (lifting the seat cover) and ride their bicycles.
Reach out Kenneth via http://www.deepimpactonline.com/
