Meet Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta

We recently connected with Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yvonne Ruke, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from a journey that began with a belief in certainty—a belief I quickly learned was an illusion. Growing up, I was taught that success was a straightforward path: earn a good degree, land a good job with a stable company, and enjoy a secure future with a pension. So, I worked hard to ensure that path would be open to me. I was determined to graduate with a solid degree, no less than a 2:1, and I made sure to gain some corporate experience before graduating to set myself up for success.

In 1999, I graduated with a degree in Business Information Technology and Marketing. I was confident, bright-eyed, and eager to make my mark in the corporate world. With my credentials in hand, I imagined it wouldn’t take long to find a position that would lead to a lifelong career, ideally with the proverbial “good company.” Security was my goal—full-time, stable employment where I could build a future.

But life had a different lesson in store. The reality of the job market hit me hard. It took much longer than I expected to find my first job in my field, and by the time I did, I was humbled by how competitive and unpredictable the corporate world could be. When I finally landed my first “real” job in a promising dot-com firm, I felt I’d found my footing, my “cheese,” as Hem and Haw would say in the book “Who Moved My Cheese”. I settled in, feeling like I’d secured the stability I was promised.

Then, the unexpected happened. The company was acquired by a larger telecom firm, and I was laid off. Just like that, the security I had clung to was gone, and I was left grappling with the stark reality that no job is truly “permanent.” Looking back, I realized I’d missed the warning signs, too focused on my ideal of job security to see that the industry around me was shifting rapidly. Others on my team were moving on, sensing the coming changes, while I held on, hoping for stability in an inherently unstable world.

That experience was a turning point. Being laid off from my first “secure” job shattered the illusion that any company could offer me lifelong security. It was a painful but necessary wake-up call: I was the only one who could truly look out for my future. I learned that in a world shaped by constant change—whether through technological disruption or economic shifts—resilience means letting go of certainty and embracing adaptability.

From then on, I shifted my mindset. I decided I wouldn’t seek out a job for its perceived permanence but rather for what it could teach me and how it could prepare me for whatever might come next. When recruiters asked if I was looking for a permanent or contract role, my answer was simple: “Any.” I stopped trying to control the world around me and instead focused on controlling my response to it. I would always do my best in any role, but I would no longer rely on the idea that a job could secure my future.

Resilience, for me, is about staying forward-thinking and adaptable, learning from every setback and thriving amid uncertainty. Each challenge, from layoffs to industry changes, has taught me that security doesn’t come from clinging to a title or an organization—it comes from building skills, nurturing a flexible mindset, and being prepared to pivot whenever necessary. That journey from idealism to resilience has made me who I am today: someone who faces change with open eyes and an open mind, ready for whatever comes next.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

With over 20 years of experience in advising, implementing, and executing change initiatives globally, my journey in change leadership has been fueled by a passion for helping professionals and organizations navigate the complexities of today’s disruptive business environment. Through my work, I’ve seen firsthand how essential it is to prepare people not just to respond to change but to lead it with confidence and resilience.

In 2002, I founded OliveBlue, and a few year later The Change Leadership, an organization dedicated to equipping professionals and organizations with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in our rapidly evolving world. Our focus is on preparing individuals and organizations to handle the technological shifts brought on by AI, robotics, and the 4th Industrial Revolution, as well as socioeconomic issues such as Mental Health, DEI and Sustainability. We’ve developed a global community and host Canada’s foremost Change Leadership Conference, an event designed to bring together thought leaders, practitioners, and change enthusiasts to share knowledge and insights.

We provide a range services centred around leading change, From corporate workshops and advisory services to online courses and a vast array of resources. We believe that change leadership is no longer a skill reserved for top-level management; it’s a core competency that everyone needs in today’s environment, especially in times of uncertainty. Our mission is to make change leadership accessible and empowering for all, enabling professionals to lead and manage change effectively within their roles.

We’re always evolving, and there’s more to come. Whether through our upcoming events, newly developed courses, or expansion of our community, The Change Leadership remains committed to preparing professionals and organizations to lead and respond to change better and faster.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that had the most profound impact on my journey were resilience, resourcefulness, and courage. Each of these skills shaped my ability to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and continue growing—no matter the obstacles. Underlying all three was a sense of gratitude, which keeps me grounded, allowing me to find value in every experience, even the difficult ones.

1. Resilience: Resilience has been my anchor, enabling me to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change. Early in my career, I learned that setbacks are inevitable, but resilience is what allows us to view them as lessons rather than roadblocks. My advice to those early in their journey is to embrace challenges as opportunities to build resilience. When things don’t go as planned, take a step back, reflect, and think about what you can learn from the experience. Over time, you’ll develop a mindset that’s unshakable and ready for any challenge.

2. Resourcefulness: Being resourceful means finding creative ways to solve problems and make the most of what’s available. In my journey, resourcefulness has been invaluable for identifying opportunities in unexpected places and making the most of limited resources. For those starting out, I recommend nurturing curiosity and a willingness to learn. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek alternative solutions, and leverage the resources around you. Resourcefulness grows when you’re open to new perspectives and willing to try new approaches, so keep pushing yourself to think beyond the obvious.

3. Courage: Courage has been essential in pushing through fear and stepping into the unknown. Whether it’s taking on a new role, speaking up with an unpopular idea, or pivoting in my career, courage has allowed me to take risks that ultimately led to growth and opportunity. My advice is to start with small acts of courage—whether it’s volunteering for a project outside your comfort zone or voicing an opinion in a meeting. Each small step builds your confidence and ability to take bigger leaps. Remember, courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it’s the ability to act despite it.

Underlying all of these qualities is gratitude, it keeps me centred! While I may not be fully where I aspire to be, I am constantly reminded I have come a long and have so much to be grateful for.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was instill in me a deep sense of confidence and belief in myself. From my dad, I learned the importance of standing up for myself, trusting my voice, and knowing my worth. He always encouraged me to be confident in who I am, to speak my mind, and to not let anyone make me feel less than. That self-belief has been a bedrock for me throughout my journey, helping me to face challenges head-on and to stay resilient no matter what life throws my way.

My mom, on the other hand, showed me what it means to be bold, especially as an entrepreneur. Growing up, I watched her run her own business, take risks, and work tirelessly to make her vision a reality. She never shied away from the demands of entrepreneurship, and I had the privilege of working alongside her, learning firsthand what it takes to build something of your own. Her example made entrepreneurship feel natural to me; it wasn’t something I questioned or hesitated about.

Together, my parents gave me the foundation of confidence and entrepreneurial spirit that I carry with me today. They didn’t just tell me to be strong and independent — they lived it, and their example has been the greatest gift I could have received.

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