The Outsider Advantage: How Being Different Made Her a Stronger Leader

Join Estelle Read on the Optimising Leader Brilliance podcast for calm, confident, and strategic leadership insights. In this episode, Selma Delic shares her inspiring journey from marketing manager to operations partner, revealing how embracing diverse perspectives and turning difference into strength can enable brilliant, high-performing leadership. Learn science-backed strategies and mindset shifts that help you break performance ceilings, foster resilience, and cultivate non-negotiable self-care routines essential for sustainable success in complex leadership roles.

What You Will Learn
💡 How embracing your unique leadership perspective and diversity of thinking can become your greatest strength, unlocking strategic advantages and driving brilliant outcomes.
💡 Why cultivating calm and confident self-care rituals, like Selma’s daily "spa moments," is essential for resilience and sustaining high performance in demanding leadership roles.
💡 The power of feedback and mindset shifts: how Selma transformed her communication style through 360-degree feedback to lead with authenticity, confidence, and impact.
Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!

Estelle Read
Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker

Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction
(02:24) Welcome Selma Delic
(03:32) Selma's Non-Negotiable Daily Routines
(06:41) Life as Operations Partner — A Typical Week
(12:23) Origin Story — What Makes Selma, Selma
(12:48) Moving to England & Learning English
(18:26) Walking In on Day One — "What On Earth Have I Done?"
(19:31) The Career Pivot Mindset — Being Open to Alternatives
(23:01) Selma's Leadership Mindset & Approach
(24:32) Culture, Identity & Why Talking About Yourself Feels Hard
(29:46) The Only Non-Finance Partner — Diversity of Thinking as a Strength
(30:59) Finding Courage to Speak Up When You Feel Different
(39:02) How Selma's Communication Style Has Evolved
(44:00) 3 Actionable Tips for Leaders
(46:15) Pause, Reflect & Act — Mini Coaching Practice


⭐Download My Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool:
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⭐Follow or Contact Selma Delic:
www.pkfsmithcooper.com/
www.linkedin.com/...licpkfsmithcooper/

⭐Follow Estelle Read:
linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee

⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call:
⁠estelleread.com/resources/⁠

⭐Estelle Read’s Coaching Programmes:
⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠
🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠

⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book:
⁠Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress ⁠

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⁠Receive my free workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, when you sign up. ⁠

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⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube:
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⭐Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.
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