Self-Belief, Leadership and Connection
Quadri applied to the programme with a simple attitude: "Why not? If I get selected, I'll give it a go." What he found was far more than he expected — a space built for people like him, with people like him, doing exactly what he needed at that point in his career.
Setting the Tone
From the very first session, something clicked for Quadri. Meeting senior leaders and hearing directly from people who had been where he was — and gone further — set a tone that felt different from anything he had experienced before. It wasn't just another professional development course. It was a space to grow in.
Discovering His Strengths
Quadri joined the programme hoping to build his network and meet professionals working in meaningful ways. What he didn't expect was how much he would learn about himself. The workshops — particularly those focused on personal strengths and confidence — gave him a new perspective on what leadership actually means.
He realised he didn't need to have every answer. He just needed to understand and invest in what he was already good at. "The biggest shift for me? You don't need to be good at everything. Just lean into your strengths and grow from there."
It was refreshing and affirming to see people like me leading, building, and thriving. That unspoken kinship — it mattered.
The Power of Representation
Throughout the programme, Quadri was surrounded by diverse, ambitious individuals from similar walks of life. It was both humbling and inspiring. And when he heard Sir Kenneth Olisa speak — not on a stage to a crowd, but directly to the cohort — something shifted. "You see him on TV, but hearing him speak to us, just us. It made it real. It reminded me I deserve to be here too."