This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. As CFOs and their teams know, the onset of Fall’s cozy vibes also comes with the peak of corporate finance’s events season. And, unlike many finance conferences that try to cover every corner of the CFO mandate, the CFO Leadership Council's third consecutive Q4 conference in the west has content that focuses on a set of core themes: Leadership, transformation, benefits strateg ...

[Music] [Applause] [Music] The universe always has our back. We just don't know that. And how do we do that.By thinking about it. We as humans are coming on this planet only and only to grow spiritually. But what happens.We do first we have to grow physically, mentally, emotionally and intellectually. Only then our spiritual growth can happen. Now we humans really forget the reason why we are here on this planet and we just stray apart and get lost in the world of materialism.But that's okay. We have our so ...

Personal Development & Goal Achievement - The core message revolves around the importance of embracing change, consistency, and adaptability to achieve personal goals, drawing parallels from mountaineering experiences [1][25][26][27] - Overcoming challenges and failures is presented as a crucial part of personal transformation, emphasizing resilience and continuous learning [23][24][28][30][31] - The speaker advocates for starting small, being consistent, and adapting to failures as key elements in achieving any goal, whether it's in music, sports, or public speaking [26][27][28] Lessons from Mountaineering - Scaling mountains is used as a metaphor for overcoming life's challenges, highlighting the significance of each small step towards reaching the summit [1][2] - The speaker's experiences on various peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Elbrus (Europe), Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), and Mount Denali (North America), illustrate the diverse challenges and adaptations required in different environments [3][11][15][19] - Mental strength is emphasized as being more critical than physical strength in mountaineering, particularly in situations where exhaustion and the urge to give up are overwhelming [22][23] Overcoming Adversity - The speaker's personal story includes her father's diagnosis with terminal lung cancer, which served as a motivation to push her limits and achieve more [15] - The experience of being denied a permit to climb Mount Everest due to age restrictions led to a change in plans and the successful climb of Mount Denali, demonstrating adaptability [18][19] - The speaker shares instances of having to turn back from summits due to illness or bad weather, emphasizing the importance of making smart decisions to preserve life and try again later [29][30] Importance of Continuous Learning - The speaker emphasizes the importance of remaining a learner throughout life, regardless of age or expertise, and being open to gaining knowledge from others [31][32] - The speaker's father, a mental health doctor, is presented as a role model for staying grounded and always being willing to learn from others [33]

of my journey across cultures and the importance of speaking up and challenging the stereotypes and also building awareness because when we break misconceptions we not only enlighten our mind but we build bridges along that we also grow as a better global citizens. Before I go any further, allow me to introduce the voice behind this journey. My name is Sharda Magenti and I have had the privilege of calling Nigeria my home for more than four decades and 38 years are spent in the heart of Kano.And for me it b ...

[Music] I have a question for you. What can you do with what you have from where you are right now. It took me 25 years to get to the bottom of this.For most of my life, I've been chasing what I thought life was all about. The house, the cars, the toys, the paycheck. That's what we're taught in school, right.Work hard, climb the ladder, buy all the things, and then you'll feel happy and fulfilled. But I wasn't. It wasn't until my body broke down, we were all in lockdown, and I was literally sick and needing ...

Entrepreneurial Journey & Transformation - The speaker transformed from a corporate employee to an entrepreneur, building ecosystems and impacting thousands [1] - Over 12 years ago in Chennai, the speaker aimed to change perceptions of makeup artistry as a business, art, and movement of confidence [1] - Faced societal doubts and family concerns initially, but persevered through challenges like a crying first bride [1] - Overcame COVID-19 challenges by innovating and adapting safety measures, redefining beauty as safety and responsibility [2] - Made a pivotal decision to stay in her city and focus on her business, leading to significant opportunities [3] Business Growth & Impact - The speaker's brand, Palette Affair, started small but grew, facing challenges like COVID-19 [2] - Successfully executed a Guinness World Record project involving 101 underprivileged brides, showcasing beauty as belonging [3] - Awarded Bridal Makeup Artist of the Year, validating sacrifices and judgments [3] - Built an ecosystem fueling various related professions, emphasizing business over just beauty [3] Personal Empowerment & Inspiration - The speaker's journey highlights the power of confidence and reinvention, inspiring others to take charge of their lives [1] - A key moment was realizing the impact on students, empowering them to earn, lead, and decide their futures [3] - The speaker's son learning about women's leadership and inspiration is a proud moment, shaping future generations [3]

Core Message - The speech emphasizes the importance of understanding and rewriting one's personal "code," which consists of emotional, cultural, and mental programming [2][3] - It advocates for inner work as the foundation for real transformation, contrasting it with the obsession with external changes [8] - The speaker encourages the audience to recognize their code, reframe their story, and reclaim their truth to live authentically [17][18] Key Concepts - **Decoding:** Real decoding involves choosing how to respond to fears and rewriting the code one unknowingly follows [2] - **Inner Work:** Inner work is quiet, invisible, and powerful, building a strong foundation for future growth [9][10] - **Coded Beliefs:** Many beliefs are handed down unquestioned, like the idea that hard work alone guarantees success [5][6] Illustrative Example - The speaker shares a personal anecdote of being in Israel during the October 7th, 2023 war, where observing a calm woman in a bomb shelter led to a realization about rewriting one's response to circumstances [1][2] - The speaker reflects on childhood experiences where societal expectations limited career paths, leading to a personal journey of self-discovery and reclaiming childhood dreams [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Metaphors and Analogies - Personal code is compared to DNA (ACGT) and a USB drive, highlighting the programmed nature of beliefs and behaviors [3][4] - Transformation is likened to the growth of a Chinese bamboo tree, where significant inner work precedes visible results [8][9]

Core Message - The speech emphasizes personal growth and transformation through overcoming challenges and embracing vulnerability [1][5] - It uses the lobster shedding its shell and the seed cracking as metaphors for personal transformation [1] - The speaker shares personal anecdotes of overcoming asthma and a spinal disc injury to illustrate resilience and the importance of support [1][2] Key Takeaways - Comfort zones hinder growth, and taking a leap of faith is essential for achieving dreams [5] - Transformation involves embracing vulnerability to become stronger and better [1][5] - The speaker highlights the importance of catalysts (mentors, support systems) in facilitating personal growth [1][2] - Perseverance, hard work, and patience are crucial for achieving long-term goals [6][7] - The speech encourages the audience to identify their next challenge and strive for continuous improvement [4]

Interior Design & Inspiration - The couple drew inspiration from Bar 228 in Paris for transforming two underused rooms [1] - The couple frequented Bar 228 hundreds of times while their children studied in Paris [1]

Personal Development & Philosophy - The speaker emphasizes the importance of inner mastery and integrity, contrasting external achievements with internal establishment [1] - The speaker's upbringing instilled character ethics such as fidelity, integrity, sincerity, honesty, modesty, and patience [1] - The speaker highlights the significance of humility and resilience over outward strength, drawing from a childhood story [3] - The speaker introduces a framework for inner establishment involving the "wishbone" (ambition), "backbone" (resilience), and "soul bone" (values) [4][13][14] - The speaker discusses managing physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing for inner establishment [15] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of conserving, preserving, and growing personal energy through lifestyle choices and emotional management [17][18][19] - The speaker describes a transformation process involving expansion, alignment, allowance, and desire [20] Career & Life Journey - The speaker's early experiences, including frequent school changes, fostered adaptability, perseverance, and hard work [1] - The speaker's career progressed unexpectedly, leading to a director position at an institute in Oman [9][10][11] - The speaker attributes success to the law of attraction and a feeling that the universe was supporting her [12]