The CEO Who Closed Her Laptop. CEO of The Day. Odia Okoumassoun. Don't Let the Smile Fool You EP19

So let me share a story. What does it really mean to be the CEO of the Day, and what does it take to step up, let go of what is expected, and lead with authenticity—even when you feel nervous? In this episode of Don't Let the Smile Fool You, Uche sits down with Odia Okoumassoun, the very first CEO of the Day.Odia gets candid about the pressures of preparing a presentation and the surprising choice she made just minutes before her biggest career moment. Instead of following the crowd, she decided to shut her laptop, trust her instincts, and present herself exactly as she was, nerves and all. This vulnerability and honesty became the real start of her leadership journey.Uche and Odia talk openly about the self-doubt that creeps in when you’re selected for a pioneering role, what it feels like to walk into a room full of executives as the youngest or least experienced, and the impact of finding your own voice. Odia’s story highlights the importance of authenticity over polish, the value of peer support, and why being true to yourself is sometimes the boldest leadership move you can make.We also cover the behind-the-scenes process of being selected for the CEO of the Day program, how performance review meetings can stretch you, and the visibility and career shifts that come when you take your moment to lead—even just for one day.If you want to hear about real women's leadership, the challenges of being seen and heard, and how one bold step can shift your career, this episode is for you. The journey doesn't end with the chair—Uche teases what's to come in Part 2 as Odia explores what happens when the cameras stop rolling and you must lead for real.Key moments and chapters:00:00 Odia's bold decision before her presentation: choosing authenticity over a polished PowerPoint01:42 Introduction to Odia and the CEO of the Day program's origins03:00 Odia's first reaction and doubts about the program05:20 The selection process and why Odia chose a speech over slides06:57 The power of preparation and peer advice before the panel07:32 How it felt to make it to the final selection and the emotional moment of getting chosen09:12 What it's really like to be CEO for a day, including the performance review meeting12:34 Odia's insights on building confidence with senior leaders13:32 The special treatment: drivers, cameras, and the welcome at work15:01 How CEO of the Day made leadership dreams feel real15:27 What visibility in the workplace really looks like years later16:28 The unexpected LinkedIn connection and public recognition17:51 What's coming next in Part 2—challenges, visibility, and leading with impactIf you are inspired by stories of real leadership, young women stepping up, and what it truly means to find your confidence, subscribe to Don't Let the Smile Fool You. Share this with a young leader in your life or get your company involved in the CEO of the Day journey.For more content and upcoming episodes, make sure you’re subscribed and stay tuned for Part 2.Connect with Odia Okoumassoun:https://www.linkedin.com/in/odia-okoumassoun/Connect with Uche Ofodile:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ucheofodileTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uche_ofodileInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ucheofodile/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ucheofodileofficial/