- Leadership Pulse
- Posts
- 101 Weeks of Leadership
101 Weeks of Leadership
Lessons, Stories, and Strategies from the Journey
Ikechukwu Okoh
July 21, 2025
Good morning, and welcome to a new week.
Please subscribe to our weekly newsletter if you have yet to do so.
Here, I share weekly actionable strategies and lessons from my experiences as a healthcare leader, entrepreneur, and angel investor.
Reading the Leadership Pulse newsletter every week will equip you with insights for creating lasting impact, whether navigating leadership challenges, building cohesive teams, or scaling a startup.
Please consider donating so that the newsletter can remain free for everyone.
Showing Up Every Monday Is a Promise Kept
101 weeks.
707 days.
Countless hours of writing, thinking, and learning, all anchored by a simple promise: show up every Monday morning.
It hasn’t been easy.
There were flights, emergencies, family occasions, and periods of personal doubt.
But here we are.
This milestone is not about perfection; it’s about persistence.
Today, I’m excited to share:
- 10 stories that shaped this journey
- 5 core leadership lessons
- 3 frameworks to help you stay consistent
The Untold Stories Behind 101 Weeks
People often see the polished presentation but rarely witness the process behind it.
Below are 10 authentic moments from this journey:
Story #1: The Airport Edition
It almost didn’t happen.
I was in an airport lounge with a dead laptop and a delayed flight.
I could say, “They’ll understand if I keep this week.”
But then I remembered:
The standard you walk past becomes the standard you accept.
So, I plugged in at a crowded charging station and typed furiously.
That edition ended up being one of the most read.
Story #2: The Edition That Failed
There was a week when I poured my heart into an article, but the engagement was terrible.
For a moment, I wondered:
What's the point?
But then I remember that impact isn't always immediate.
My job is to plant the seed, not control the harvest.
Story #3: The Message That Made Me Cry
A young leader from Kenya shared with me:
“I used your newsletter as the opening thought for our team meeting, and it changed the tone of he entire day. “
This reminded me why I write: to inspire spaces I will never physically enter.
Story #4: The Week I Nearly Quit
Despite facing family challenges and long work commitments, I contemplated skipping Edition 47.
However, I realised that someone might be waiting for this edition.
So, I decided to write, even though I was exhausted.
To my surprise, that edition received a record number of views.
I learned not to trust my feelings, but to trust my commitments.
Story #5: Feedback That Shifted My Coaching
After reading Edition 62, a CEO wrote:
“Your insights on decision fatigue helped me eliminate two unnecessary weekly meetings. My team is now much more energised. “
Writing has prompted me to simplify my understanding of leadership principles, and that practice has made me a more effective coach.
Story #6: The Edition Born from Chaos
One Monday, my internet crashed just 30 minutes before my scheduled publication.
Instead of panicking, I connected my phone as a hotspot and published it anyway.
That day, I learned that leaders don't wait for perfect conditions; they create momentum, even amid chaos.
Story #7: A Silent Reader Speaks Up
For months, I never heard from this reader.
Then, out of nowhere:
“Ike, your newsletter kept me sane during a very dark season at my work.”
People you've never met are counting on your consistency when you can't see them.
Story #8: The Podcast Connection
One edition inspired a podcast host in Canada to invite me for an interview.
"I've been reading Leadership Pulse for months; it's my Monday ritual, “she said.
You never know which door your commitment will open.
Story #9: Writing Through Doubt Made Me Resilient
There were weeks when I questioned:
Am I saying anything new?
Does this matter?
However, each time I persevered, I became stronger.
That's what consistency does; it builds resilience when motivation fades.
Story #10: The Edition That Sparked a Movement
Edition 75 wasn't flashy;
It focused on small daily leadership habits.
However, it inspired three leaders to start their weekly newsletters because I demonstrated what was possible.
Your courage increases when you share it.
5 Leadership Lessons from 101 Weeks
Lesson 1: Presence Beats Perfection
If I had waited for the perfect moment, we would still be on Edition 1.
Leadership operates similarly; a team doesn't require flawless plans.
They need you to be present, visible, and steady.
This week, identify one thing you’ve delayed because you’re waiting for the perfect moment. Ship it in its current state.
Lesson 2: Simplicity Wins Attention
Complexity is appealing, but clarity makes a greater impact.
The most popular editions were concise and actionable, rather than lengthy academic lectures.
Cut your next presentation by 40%. Make every slide answer one question: What do they need to do next?
Lesson 3: Vulnerability Builds Trust
When I reflected on my greatest leadership mistake, the response was overwhelming.
It reminded me that people follow leaders who are genuine, not robotic.
Share one honest story with your team this week. It signals strength, not weakness.
Lesson 4: Systems Beat Willpower
Motivation can be misleading.
Leadership Pulse survived for 101 weeks because I established systems, including a fixed writing time, an editorial calendar, and an accountability loop.
What ONE leadership rhythm can you automate this week?
Lesson 5: Leadership Is a Long Game
Influence is not born from a single significant moment;
It emerges from thousands of more minor instances.
This is why 101 weeks are crucial; consistency builds into credibility.
Pick one leadership behavior. Commit for 101 days. Watch what happens.
The 3 Consistency Frameworks Every Leader Needs
Leadership influence is not created through a single speech or viral post.
It develops through habits, rhythms, and systems that accumulate over time.
This is why consistency frameworks are essential for any leader seeking to be trusted and effective.
Framework 1: The 70% Rule
Waiting for complete clarity before taking action is a trap that leaders often fall into.
Because clarity typically comes after you start moving, not before it.
The key principle is simple:
If you have 70% of the information and the associated risks are manageable, proceed with making the decision.
When leaders hesitate in search of certainty, they stall momentum.
In the meantime, your competitors continue to progress.
To apply this principle, consider the following steps:
“Define your’ good enough’ threshold before beginning any projects.
2. What's ourself: What's the worst-case scenario if we decide to move forward now?
3. Commit to reviewing and iterating on your approach after implementation.
Tip: Use a decision journal to track when you applied the 70% rule. Review monthly to refine judgment.
Framework 2: The Anchor Habit Method
Motivation can be fleeting, but habits are enduring.
To achieve consistency in leadership, link your key behaviours to activities you already do consistently.
For example:
- After your Monday team stand-up, block off 15 minutes to review your leadership goals.
- Before your first coffee, send a recognition email to a team member.
- After every client call, write a reflection note.
By anchoring these habits to your existing routines, you can make leadership consistency effortless.
Pick ONE anchor habit today. Start small.
Example: After checking email, review your top 3 priorities for the day.
Framework 3: The Accountability Circle
Solo leadership can lead to inconsistency.
Because when you set your standards, there are often no consequences for missing them.
To combat this, consider building an accountability circle.
Gather 2 to 3 peers or mentors who can support you.
This is a simple structure for you:
- Schedule a weekly 15-minute check-in. During this time, discuss your top commitment and whether you delivered on it.
- Use a straightforward scorecard to track your progress.
Research shows that you're65 % more likely to achieve a goal when you share it with someone.
By adding accountability to your action plan, you can achieve greater consistency.
Who are your top 3 accountability partners? Invite them today.
Bonus: The SHOW UP Framework.
S – Stay visible: Don't disappear when challenges arise.
H – Hold the room: Be fully engaged during meetings.
O – Own your rhythm: Establish non-negotiable leadership touchpoints.
W – Watch the small things: Consistency in the details builds trust.
U – Uplift others: Make recognition a daily practice, not an annual event.
P – Persist through boredom: True influence is developed in moments of monotony, not just in the spotlight.
Apply this weekly:
Score yourself from 1–5 on each letter of SHOW UP. Aim for a 25/30 minimum.
These frameworks are effective because they transform motivation into mechanisms.
Leaders who rely on mood or "feeling ready “will fail.
Leaders who implement systems will endure for 101 weeks and beyond.
101 weeks demonstrate that small actions over time create extraordinary influence.
Thank you for joining me on our journey.
Here's to the next 101.
Join my newsletters:
Leadership Pulse:
Rise & Conquer
Get my free guide –
Feel free to share this newsletter with a colleague or peer who could benefit from these insights.
Subscribe to Rise & Conquer, our daily newsletter on Linkedin.
Each morning at 5:00 AM, I share powerful lessons on mindset, leadership, and high performance.
Ikechukwu's Journal
When I pressed “send” on Edition 1, I didn't know if anyone would read it.
Now, thousands of leaders do read it.
This is the idea that you don't need to be perfect; you only need to show up.
What to do this week:
Commit to one habit for the next 101 days.
Share this edition with someone who needs encouragement to start.
Celebrate your consistency, even if no one else notices.
If this resonated with you, tag someone whose steady leadership has shaped you.
And don't forget, tomorrow on Fireplace, I'll go deeper on the topic in Episode 7: The Hidden Cost of Comparison
Subscribe to the Podcast here:
I offer the following services:
Executive Coaching for Healthcare Leaders:
Tailored strategies for effective leadership in uncertain times.
Healthcare Consulting Services:
Insights to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and patient care.
Advisory for Healthcare Startups:
Support with scaling, investor pitching, and regulatory navigation.
“Subscribe to the Leadership It'snewslett,r" "Itt is amazing”“ Tolu Ekwe.
Please stay connected with me:
Ikechukwu Okoh
Founder of Leadership Pulse
Reply