Leadership Journeys [148] - Caroline Diehl - "Take a deep breath, remember what you're there for, and go for it"

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Dive into an inspiring conversation with Caroline Diehl, a dynamic leader and founder who defied societal norms to create impactful change.

From her roots in Argentina and America to founding the UK-wide charity, the Media Trust, Caroline shares her journey of giving a voice to the unheard.

Now at the helm of the Social Founder Network, she reveals the joys and challenges of starting anew at her stage in life.

Learn how she conquered the fears of networking, navigated the balance between focus and scale, and why she believes in the three I's: inspiration, income, and impact.

Join us for an engaging discussion that promises valuable insights for leaders and founders facing similar hurdles.

You can find Caroline Diehl at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinediehl-mbe/
• https://www.socialfounder.org/

In the interview, Caroline shares

• "I now have set up a new organization called the Social Founder Network, which is a support organization for founders of social impact organizations."
• "So it's great fun starting again at my age. I think I am loving the energy that being a founder can bring."
• "I fought against the societal expectations placed on me and my cultural background, which dictated that as a woman, I shouldn't work."
• "I wanted to harness the creative skills of the media industry in the UK and put them to good use in the charity sector."
• "Being a founder is a rollercoaster; you're never quite sure what's going to happen. It was the best thing I ever did."
• "The challenge is starting again. My gut feeling is that I will quite quickly hire someone to run it for me, and I will be like the chairwoman."
• "One of the challenges was learning to delegate well as the organization grew and widened."
• "I've made the decision to grow it big, raised a big contract, and am now hiring staff. We have an office space now rather than me just doing it from my home office."
• "Networking gives you authority, energy, inspiration, and more than anything, it gives you a network, which is crucial for leadership."
• "Overcoming the fear of networking involves taking a deep breath, being authentic, and having a little story that inspires and connects with the person you're approaching."