017: Ike Ubasineke

100 Atlanta Coffees

In this inaugural interview-style podcast, I sit down with Ike Ubasineke, founder of Grow or Die, to explore the counter-cultural practice of taking a long-term approach to vitality, flourishing, and growth.

Ike shares his insights on cultivating healthy habits, finding purpose in the private sector, and navigating leadership development in a community of like-minded individuals.

Ike’s Bio:

• Ike began his career in the ministry before transitioning to the private sector where he found a calling through ‘missional entrepreneurship.’

• Ike transitioned from his first job to become a full-time leadership development coach. He’s worked 1:1 with clients, served companies across their executive teams, and also created the ‘Reflect Daily’ journal series to help people cultivate healthy habits of reflection & prioritization.

• He currently leads Grow or Die, a club focused on helping leaders achieve sustainable growth in a community of like-minded people. Iron sharpens Iron. The Grow or Die experience includes a gamified set of challenges that enable members to set goals, develop winning habits to achieve those foals, and celebrate milestones along the way.

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What you’ll learn from the conversation with Ike: The power of a keystone habit - what’s yours?

• Ike focuses on reflection and prioritization as key habits for growth.

• Still, he encourages us to find what works best for us rather than following a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all approach to development.

The role of a coach in a leadership development journey

• Ike shared the role of a coach or mentor in helping us process our reflections and translating learnings into actionable takeaways.

• He shared the first steps he would take if trying to get started with a coach for the first time - get clear on your ‘why,’ and seek our friends/colleagues who have worked with a coach to understand the range of options that are out there.

The importance of celebrating progress

• We’re reading this in Q2; how many of us took time to celebrate milestones, wins, and incremental progress made in Q1?

• Ike believes we’re missing a crucial component of the growth cycle when we don’t internalize the progress we’re making. It robs us of fuel to keep pursuing our longer-term goals.

Navigating a mission-oriented role in the private sector

• Ike finds great purpose through his work. He’s a devout Christian, but doesn’t discuss faith openly in his coaching practice unless he’s asked explicitly by clients.

Questions for reflection as we seek the better way:

• Do you have a foundational habit that’s crucial to enabling your growth and development? If so, what is it? If not, what habit might serve you well?

• Think back on Q1 - what were some incremental wins and milestones you could celebrate?