Do you ever feel like you’re chasing status, promotions, or recognition only to arrive and still feel unfulfilled? What if leadership wasn’t about control, but about creative direction and truly designing a life and career that excites you?

In this inspiring episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen sits down with Vincent Wanga, dynamic design thought leader, brand strategist, creative executive, and author of The Art of Direction. Vincent’s story bridges cultures and continents: from a Kenyan childhood, to hustling through setbacks in America, to helping build a billion-dollar tech unicorn. Along the way, he’s developed a philosophy of relentless adaptability, creative courage, and leadership that unlocks the best in others.

If you’re craving more meaning, momentum, or creativity in your leadership journey, this episode will energise you to rethink what’s possible.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction: Reframing creativity

02:45 Why chasing titles leaves us empty

07:02 From adversity to agency

13:04 Immigrant perspective: adaptability, onlyness and resilience

19:43 Building skills across industries & the power of pivoting

22:23 Embracing (and loving) imposter syndrome

33:47 Really listening and redefining expertise

41:28 The humility of leadership: paying yourself last

49:56 Nurturing leadership in teams and creating safe cultures

1:07:07 Vincent’s leap into tech, loss, and building billion-dollar unicorns

1:13:43 Making adversity your rocket fuel (and what’s next for Vincent)

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is not about titles or control, but about creative direction and meaningful impact.

• Your darkest failures and detours are the rocket fuel for reinvention.

• If you want clients, teams, or work that truly excites you. Be both your boldest advocate and your most humble student.

About Vincent Wanga:

Vincent Wanga is a dynamic international design thought leader, creative keynote speaker, award-winning creative and executive, author of The Art of Direction, serial entrepreneur, and experienced brand consultant with an exceptional range of expertise over a distinguished two-decade career.

Connect with Vincent:

Website: https://www.vincentwanga.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-wanga

Book:https://www.amazon.com/Art-Direction-Personal-Perspectives-Leadership/dp/B0DWR3911D

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: https://cathleenosullivan.com/

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS