Career & Leadership Coaching
Build a career you'll be proud of.
I'm Ola, a strategic HR leader and host of Career Conversations with Ola. Through honest conversations, mentoring, practical resources, and real-world insights from 12+ years on the hiring side across two continents, I help professionals get clear, get visible, and grow.
10K+
Community on LinkedIn
12+
Years in HR & people leadership
30+
Podcast episodes
2
Continents. From Lagos to Canada.
Ways to work together
How I can help
Job Search Support
Landed with experience and hearing nothing back? Let's fix how the Canadian market sees you. Free.
Clarity Call
Feeling stuck? Let's spend 30 minutes getting clear on your next move. Free, and genuinely useful either way.
Connect for Impact
Expand your network with intentional conversations. Free.
Resume Revamp
Coming soon. A recruiter's-eye rebuild of your resume and LinkedIn.
Interview Accelerator
Coming soon. Mock interviews and a proven framework to walk in calm and walk out hired.
Career Powerhouse
A focused hour on your career strategy: where you're headed, what's in the way, and the plan to get there. Free.
Credentials
CPHR · PMP® · SHRM-CP · PHRi™ · SFC™ Strategic HR leader, DEI+B advocate, podcast host and career mentor, with coach certification underway. 12+ years across finance, tech, consulting, healthcare, and the non-profit and public sectors, in Nigeria and Canada.
About
A little about me
I started my HR career in Lagos and rebuilt it from the ground up in Canada. I know what it's like to be brilliant on paper and still invisible in the market. I also know exactly what recruiters, hiring managers and leadership teams are really looking for, because I've been all three. For more than a decade, across two continents and five industries, I've helped people get hired, get promoted, and build careers that genuinely feel like their own.
Courses & digital programmes
Courses are launching soon.
Career Conversations with Ola
Honest conversations about careers, leadership and the future of work, with the people who see how it really works from the inside.
What AI Can't Replace: Your Greatest Career Advantage
Artificial Intelligence can write your resume, draft your emails, prepare you for interviews, and answer almost any question in seconds.But it can't replace your judgment.It can't replace your curiosity.And it can't decide what kind of career you want to build.In this episode of 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗹𝗮, I sit down with career strategist, recruiter, speaker, and author 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗼 to explore one of the biggest questions facing professionals today:𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗜❓This conversation goes beyond prompts and productivity. We discuss why the professionals who succeed won't simply be the ones who use AI the fastest, but those who think more strategically, ask better questions, and make better decisions.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why most professionals are using AI the wrong way• How to use AI as a strategic thinking partner instead of just a writing tool• Why better questions lead to better career decisions• Practical ways to use AI for career research and planning• The difference between career thinking and career reacting• Why judgment, curiosity, and critical thinking remain your greatest competitive advantageWhether you're exploring your next career move, actively job searching, or preparing for the future of work, this episode will change the way you think about both AI and your career.Connect with Carrie ChristianoWebsite:https://empowercareerstudio.com](https://empowercareerstudio.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriechristiano/If you enjoyed this conversation, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone navigating their career in today's AI driven world.𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂:𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲❓Share your thoughts in the comments.#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CareerGrowth #CareerAdvice #FutureOfWork #CareerDevelopment #ChatGPT #CriticalThinking #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerConversationsWithOla
OFFICE POLITICS: Do You Really Have to Play the Game to Get Ahead?
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿❓Most people would rather avoid the topic altogether.In this episode of Career Conversations with Ola, I sit down with executive coach and career strategist Susan Collins to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in the workplace: office politics.Drawing on more than two decades of experience in leadership, talent strategy, succession planning, and executive coaching, Susan shares a perspective that may challenge how you think about career growth, influence, reputation, visibility, and professional success.🎯 In this conversation:• Do you really need office politics to succeed?• What leaders discuss behind closed doors• Why some people seem to get opportunities others don't• The mistakes people make when trying to stay out of workplace politics ...and lots moreRegardless of the phase of career you are in, this conversation will give you a different lens on how careers really work inside organizations.👤 Connect with Susan Collins🌐 https://thenetworkconcierge.com💼 LinkedIn: Susan Collins👍 If you enjoyed this episode:Like the videoSubscribe to the channelShare it with someone navigating workplace politicsLeave a comment with your biggest takeaway#OfficePolitics #CareerGrowth #WorkplacePolitics #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice #CareerSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #GettingPromoted #WorkplaceInfluence #CareerConversationsWithOla
Power Literacy: The Workplace Rules Nobody Taught You
Most professionals are taught how to work hard. Very few are taught how power actually works in the workplace. In this episode of **Career Conversations with Ola**, I sit down with leadership coach, author, and former global executive Nicole Johnston to unpack one of the most overlooked career skills: **power literacy**. We explore why some talented professionals advance faster than others, the difference between performance and influence, and how visibility, communication, relationships, and perception shape career growth inside organizations. ### In this episode, we discuss: • What power literacy really means at work • Why hard work alone is often not enough for career advancement • The hidden power structures that exist inside organizations • How to identify key influencers and decision makers • Building executive presence and credibility • The role of sponsorship in career growth • Why communication is one of the most valuable career skills • Common mistakes professionals make when navigating workplace dynamics • Practical ways to build influence while staying authentic Whether you're an individual contributor, manager, emerging leader, or executive, this conversation will help you better understand how organizations operate and how to position yourself for greater impact, influence, and career success. If you've ever wondered why some people seem to accelerate their careers while others remain stuck despite working just as hard, this episode is for you. **Connect with Nicole Johnston:** 🌐 [www.innate-power.com](http://www.innate-power.com) If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to **Career Conversations with Ola** for more insights on leadership, career growth, workplace success, communication, influence, and the future of work.
What people say
“I'm truly grateful for the time and depth Ola brought into our session. She didn't just skim the surface, but paid close attention to the details, asked thoughtful questions, and offered insights that gave me real clarity and direction. What stood out most was her sincerity and genuine investment in helping me move forward. It didn't feel transactional; it felt like someone who truly cares about your growth and success. I left the session feeling more confident, focused, and equipped with practical next steps. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for honest, thorough, and insightful guidance. Looking forward to becoming one of her many success stories soon.”
“I had the pleasure of attending a career session with Ola, and it was truly engaging and insightful. Ola's expertise and approachable style made complex topics easy to understand, and the practical advice shared was invaluable for my career development. The session inspired me to take proactive steps toward my goals with confidence. I highly recommend Ola's career sessions to anyone looking to gain clarity and motivation in their professional journey.”
“Ola was bright and cheerful and did an excellent job of guiding our conversation and ensuring that everything felt welcoming and positive. Her insights were incredibly valuable. She had tips and suggestions that I had never heard before and others that helped reinforce the importance of other advice I had received. I highly recommend anyone in need of job search assistance to book some time to connect with Ola! Meet someone new this week!”
“Ola is a genuine, engaging podcaster who prioritizes helping people move their careers forward. She creates thoughtful conversations that feel both practical and personal, giving guests space to share real insight while keeping the focus on what really matters to listeners. Career Conversations with Ola is a valuable platform for professionals navigating growth and change.”
Insights
You made it this far...keep reading
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Four Generations. One Workplace. So Why Are We Still Misunderstanding Each Other?
It's Not a Generation Problem. It's a Translation Problem.
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Just Promoted? How to Manage People Who Were Your Peers
The most awkward part of your first leadership role, and how to handle it without becoming "that manager."
6 min readReady for your next chapter?
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