In the Hot Seat with Penny Sophocleous

Edge meets Penny Sophocleous, founder of Corporate Alchemy and host of podcast ‘Standing in Her Power Global‘

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership is having the clarity of what needs to come next – for oneself, one’s team and one’s organisation. It’s being willing to take decisions that will impact your business and the life of your employees in significant ways. It means defining priorities and organising others to action those priorities and deliver results. It’s being sure of oneself and one’s values, and being willing to demonstrate them.

What are your biggest leadership challenges at the moment?

My biggest challenges have related to the death of several close family members in the last year, and managing my own grief and other family members’ grief, while also doing what needs to be done in business.  I have been aware that should I mention these personally difficult issues, the focus in conversations become me, rather than my clients. The situation has reminded me that leadership calls for admitting one’s vulnerabilities and that when you do so, you form stronger relationships. I’ve been surprised by the humanity and understanding that’s been extended to me as a result.

What are you focusing on from a development perspective

My personal development focus is in the spiritual field, as it has been for the last decade.  I believe that a higher purpose of human growth and development underpins all life on Earth.  Being aware of our spiritual being allows for deeper conversations and insights that help us balance out the stresses of work and business.

Which areas are you currently focusing on with coachees?

My clients tend to be focussed on one of three areas:

Managing their mind  Clients identify worries and anxieties around prospective events with the expectation of negative outcomes.  Such focus upon “what may never happen”, including what others may think or say to them that may be negative, wastes energy and mind space.  I introduce them to tools that help them manage their mind.

Inability to concentrate  Undisciplined thinking causes worry, leading to a lack of focus and ability to concentrate.  It often comes about as a result of people giving too much attention to their phone and social media.  My advice is to limit the time you give to these things.  Turn off your phone and email pings for much of the day, especially when doing a serious piece of work.  At night, have a set time to turn off your phone – for example, 9pm – and ensure your bedroom is free of all tech.  Sleep, and rest, counterbalance the pressure associated with getting emails and social posts.  Realise that for a balanced life, work, play and rest need to be in equal measure.

Mindsets There are many types of leaders, and each has their own mindset.  Becoming aware of your own winning formula is recognising how you best lead and the value you deliver.  For example, a leader focuses on innovation can help to deliver the results that will impact the organisation’s future.  Others may focus on people, finance or risk.  Knowing your winning formula will strengthen your confidence and enable you to grow your whole self.

What is your biggest leadership lesson over the past year?

Over the past year, the greatest lesson I have learned is that work is not the most important thing in life.  The loss of my mother and brother has shown me the value of life and the importance of relationships, both in families and in work.  It has helped me to better understand other people’s lives and challenges.  As many leaders learnt during the Covid lockdowns, people’s lives outside of work must be given time and attention.  By supporting people and recognising their need for time away from the business, leaders can boost the loyalty of their teams and form sustainable relationships that allow the organisation to hold onto talented individuals.

Penny Sophocleous

19 March 2023