Why You’re Failing at Leadership (And the 1 Shift That Fixes It) - with Helen Wada

💬 message Denise Helen spent nearly thirty years in the high-stakes world of commercial leadership and accounting, even spending sixteen years at KPMG. She was the person who actually avoided sales at all costs, only to realize she was naturally incredible at it because she did it differently. She did it humanly.When she hit 45, life decided to shift the gears for her. Between the clarity of a family road trip and a sudden battle with early-stage breast cancer, Helen took the leap to stop doing things the "corporate way" and start the Human Advantage. She’s now helping people realize that being a successful leader doesn’t mean leaving your humanity at the door. It actually means leaning into curiosity, presence, and real-talk conversations to drive growth.We chatted about some really deep stuff:The 18 months of "deep work" and decompression it took to find her footing after leaving the corporate grind.Why the "skills" we learned in kindergarten ... like listening to understand and being respectful ... are actually the most powerful tools in business today.How to bridge the gap in a world where everyone is hiding behind screens.Tapping into your own "why" so you aren't just hitting targets for someone else’s benefit.Helen is living proof that you can be successful and kind, commercial and human-centered, all at the same time. Connect with Helen: Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada/Website: www.thehumanadvantage.co.ukPodcast: Human Wise - Podcast - Apple PodcastsPre-Order Book:   https://mybook.to/HUMANWISE Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.It is a two-day immersive gathering for women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.Where insight becomes integration.Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.The waitlist is now open.If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. https://ignite2026.lovable.appThere is a place for us to gather.If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...