Olubukola Ayodele, Breast Cancer Lead at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Last night, it was a pleasure to co-chair our Women For Oncology UK International Women’s Day webinar with Helen Winter and I left the conversation inspired and quite reflective.
We had the privilege of hearing from two outstanding leaders in oncology, Dr Anna Olsson-Brown and Dr Susannah Susie Stanway. Their honesty about leadership, career paths, and impact was refreshing. There was no pretence of perfectly mapped careers. Instead, there were stories of curiosity, courage, and purpose.
A few reflections from the discussion have stayed with me.
1. It is okay to work things out as you go. Not every opportunity comes with a clear roadmap. Sometimes you learn in motion, and that is part of growth.
2. A series of ‘yes’ moments can shape a career. Many pivotal moments began with simply saying yes to an opportunity, a collaboration, or a challenge that did not have guaranteed outcomes.
3. Love what you do. Because there will be days of exhaustion and moments where apathy creeps in. Purpose sustains you when the work becomes difficult.
4. Ikigai matters. That intersection between what you care about, what you are good at, and what the world needs can be a powerful guide.
5. Leadership is not just about personal success. It is about pouring into others. Mentorship, sponsorship, and creating space for the next generation are essential if we want lasting change. Like Samantha Dixon said ‘Don’t pull the ladder up behind you‘.
6. Community is vital. None of us can do this work alone. Networks of support, collaboration, and shared purpose help carry the weight of challenging work.
7. Do not be afraid of failure. Progress rarely comes without risk. Failure is often part of the process of building something meaningful.
8. ‘If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.‘ That particularly resonated with me because representation and voice matter. Being present in decision-making spaces allows us to shape conversations, influence policy, and advocate for the communities and patients we serve.
And finally, an important reminder:
9. Every solution we propose brings change, and change is uncomfortable. Resistance is often part of the journey when you are trying to improve systems.
Thank you again to Anna and Susie for sharing your wisdom and experience so generously. Conversations like these remind us why spaces like Women For Oncology UK matter.
Thank you to all the women who made space and time to join the conversation.
Special mention to Rabia Gul for coordinating an excellent meeting!”
Other articles featuring Olubukola Ayodele on OncoDaily.
