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The Nankoo Learn how to take 100% responsibility for your results, get back in control, re-energized and motivated

Cheryl Nankoo is an experienced sales consultant and executive coach. She is passionate about helping people bring out the positives in themselves and each other. Her purpose is to develop people and organisations to make the world a better place. For over 17 years she has worked as a sales professional helping many organisations from large blue chip companies to start ups to grow their business. As Certified NLP Trainer, she has coached and mentored over a hundred people from all walks of life including senior executives, board members, sales professionals, elite athletes and body builders. The aim of her coaching is to give people the mindset for success to help them have more of what they want in their life and less of what they don’t want. Cheryl is a role model for anyone that is being held back by limiting beliefs. Her father said that she would never be able to drive, go to university or work in the corporate world. At the age of 21 not only did she graduate and get a job in the corporate world, she also financed her own car and bought her first property in London. The doubts continued throughout her career with managers telling her that her being petite and female would be a problem in a male dominated environment but she proved them all wrong. As a motivational speaker, Cheryl shares what drove her to success. Passionate about health and fitness, she is also a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and Nutrition Adviser. She follows a body building training regime and also coaches people on how to get fit whilst having a busy work schedule. Cheryl loves travelling the world and experiencing new cultures! In the last year she has found a real love for India and a deeper connection with her native country, Mauritius.

05/10/2026

“It’s quicker if I just do it myself”… said every leader who became the bottleneck. 🙋‍♀️ Before you take over, ask: “Where are you stuck?” and “What would you try next?” Save this for your next handoff.

02/10/2026

Stop saying, “I trust you,” if every decision still needs your approval.

You may have delegated the task—but have you really delegated the authority?

If you ask to be copied into every email, consulted on every detail and updated at every step, your words say trust but your behaviour says:

“Permission is still required.”

Instead, make the boundaries clear:

“You own this decision. Update me on Friday, and come to me sooner if the budget or timeline changes.”

Trust doesn’t mean removing accountability.

It means being clear about what someone owns, when they should involve you and where they are free to act.

People don’t measure trust by what you say.

They measure it by what you allow them to own.

Save this for the next time you delegate.

01/10/2026

Stop asking, “Why did you do that?”

Even when you’re genuinely curious, it can sound like an accusation. And once someone feels accused, they often stop explaining and start defending.

Try this instead:

“Talk me through what you were seeing and what led you to that decision.”

You’re still asking for accountability—but you’re also inviting the person to share their thinking.

One question asks someone to justify themselves. The other creates space for understanding, challenge and learning.

Same conversation. Different language. Very different leadership experience.

Save this for your next difficult conversation and share it with a leader who needs the reminder.

30/09/2026

“My door is always open” only matters if people feel safe walking through it.

Your team remembers what happened the last time someone challenged you, brought bad news or admitted a mistake.

Being available is not the same as being approachable.

Ask, “What feels difficult to raise right now?”

Then listen before you explain or defend.

29/09/2026

“Just be more confident” isn’t actionable feedback.

Do you want someone to speak earlier, make a recommendation, challenge an idea or stop apologising before contributing?

Tell them.

Great leaders don’t ask people to become a different personality. They give clear feedback, create opportunities to practise and make room for their contribution.

25/09/2026

Courage doesn’t always arrive looking like confidence.

Yesterday at the Women in Tech Africa Summit, I delivered two talks: one I had prepared for weeks, and one I had just 48 hours to turn from a children’s story into a leadership keynote.

I didn’t feel completely ready. I took the next step anyway.

If you’re waiting for confidence to arrive, ask yourself:

What is the smallest step I can take now?

Small small, we do the work.

23/09/2026

“Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions” sounds strong… but it can teach people to stay quiet until they’re certain. 🤐

Try this instead: “Bring me the problem, what you’ve noticed, and your best thinking so far.”

Save this for your next 1:1.

22/09/2026

Someone asks a lot of questions about the change… and you think “they’re resistant.” 🤔

What if they need context, spotted a risk, or just care about getting it right? Before you label someone, ask: what else could this mean?

Save this for your next team briefing.

21/09/2026

You asked for ownership… then stepped in the second they did it differently. 👀

Before you take it back, ask: is the outcome at risk, or is it just not how I’d have done it?

Save this for your next delegation.

20/09/2026

“Sorry, this might be a silly question…” 🙈

Stop apologising before you’ve even spoken.

Swap “Sorry, can I just add something?”
for “I’d like to add something.”

Save this for your next meeting.

leadershipdevelopment

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Dubai

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