The Global Executive’s Everest: Leadership, Motherhood, and the Courage to Try

By Mark Sephton.

In the landscape of modern business, leadership is often framed as a destination, a specific title, a certain revenue bracket, or a seat at a prestigious table. But for those navigating the international stage, true leadership is defined by something much more internal. It is defined by the curiosity we carry and the resilience we cultivate along the way. At The Female CEO, our mission is built on three essential pillars: Create, Evolve, and Overcome. These aren't just business strategies; they are the markers of a life lived with intention. Denisa Dudaskova, an international leader and mentor, embodies this journey, proving that the borders we face, whether they are geographical or mental, are meant to be crossed.

Recreating the Possible: From Limitation to Global Strategy

For many, the act of "Creating" begins with a blank slate, but for Denisa, it began in the limited environment of communist, era Slovakia. Growing up in a time when opportunities were not visible, she experienced a world that was physically and metaphorically walled off. She was only sixteen when the era ended, suddenly exposing her generation to a world of travel, work abroad, and endless discovery. Without a guide to navigate these new frontiers, Denisa and her peers became "super hungry" for experience and incredibly brave.

Recreating one's sense of what is possible requires a shift in perspective, moving away from rigid planning and toward an ambitious "Everest" to climb. Denisa views life’s ambitions through this lens, noting that you may not always reach the peak, but the true value is found in what you gain during the climbing journey; you will always grow on the way up. This mindset allowed her to move from Eastern Europe into high-level international roles at global organisations like adidas, proving that competence and knowledge transcend cultural biases.

In these international roles, she was exposed to "living diversity" and inclusion in every aspect. Coming from "behind the wall," she often felt the pressure to prove that Eastern Europeans had the languages, the knowledge, and the value to compete in the Western world. Her strategy was rooted in courage and resilience, operating on the belief that while winning is an outcome, trying is a conscious decision. In leadership, creating success is less about a rigid plan and more about the decision to lead teams with respect, to deliver results, and to never stop exploring. For a long time, she thought leadership was a destination — a title, a role, a seat at the table. But leading across countries and cultures taught her something different: leadership is not where you arrive; it’s how you show up along the way. 

The Evolution of Authenticity: Blending the Boardroom and the Home

The pillar of "Evolve" often presents a difficult question for women: must we choose between professional excellence and personal devotion? As a single parent and a global executive, Denisa initially felt the need to separate these identities entirely. She moved to Germany with her young son while simultaneously taking on a new team and high-stakes strategic projects. In the beginning, she was judgmental about these roles, believing that family was one persona and leadership was another. 

She played the role of the "high-level pro" at work, never admitting to having a family life, while switching to the role of the mother at home. This separation created an internal friction, a feeling of being fractured rather than complete. True evolution occurred when she realized that she was still the same person across all roles, whether as a leader, a mother, a daughter, or a friend. She began to "blend" these identities, finding that the qualities that made her a great mother, such as empathy, pragmatism, and connection, were the same qualities that made her a better leader. For a long time, it was about separation from who I was — a leader at work, a mother at home. Until one moment everything changed and realisation came in a sense of: it’s still me. The same person, with the same strengths, just expressed in different situations. Stopping to separate those within, she became both a better leader and a better mother.

When you embrace your authentic self, the masks of leadership fall away. Denisa found that by being honest about her family life, she became a more empathetic and self-aware person. Her teams even reflected that she became "softer" in her approach, which she welcomed as a sign of her growth into a whole, authentic individual. Evolution isn't about becoming someone else; it's about becoming whole and allowing your team to see the human behind the title.

The Universal Language of Leadership

As Denisa navigated different industries and countries, she learned that certain leadership lessons transcend all geographical borders. The most vital of these are respect, understanding, and a genuine curiosity about differences. She advocates "living and role modelling" diversity, rather than just being an ambassador for it. In international environments, leaders must be aware of how their actions are perceived, whether an approach is too direct or a joke is misunderstood.

She found success by building teams that were not similar, but complementary. For example, she once led a team comprised of process-driven members from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, alongside results-driven, creative members from Poland, Slovakia, and the Baltics. Initially, these groups struggled to find common ground, with one side focused on compliance and the other on bending processes to achieve outcomes. By encouraging them to learn from each other, the team synergised, with the structured members learning to take risks and the creative members learning the value of structure. This evolution resulted in them becoming the best team in the European organization.

Overcoming the Pressure: The Power of Self-Validation

To "Overcome" is to navigate the "tough way" when you are your own only cheerleader. In the early stages of her career, Denisa did not have the abundance of coaches or role models available today; she had to find the strength to encourage herself through isolated challenges. This taught her the importance of "brutal honesty" with oneself, assessing both successes and struggles with a clear eye.

However, the greatest hurdle to overcome is often the internal pressure we place on ourselves to excel and stay "super competent". While pressure might drive performance in some activities, in the context of a balanced life, it often causes damage. Denisa realised that being constantly stressed and exhausted made her angry in places she didn't want to be, like her home. She learnt this the hard way: pressure can drive performance for a while, but it doesn’t sustain a meaningful life. When we constantly push ourselves to be perfect everywhere, we lose energy where it matters most. Overcoming this habit means moving toward a state of "rebellious optimism," challenging the status quo while maintaining a positive trust in the process. This is also about having the courage to challenge how things are done, combined with the belief that something better is possible. 

She encourages women to have the courage to try things without being perfectly prepared, to be "rebellious" enough to see if things can be better. We must trust that we will learn on the go, as women are naturally skilled at juggling logistics, creating connections, and finding a way to manage motherhood, careers, and personal wellbeing. Simply said, we don’t need to have everything figured out before we move forward. We don’t need to be perfect to lead. We just need the courage to try — and the trust that we will grow along the way.

The Constant Student: Growth Through Connection

Leadership is a continuous learning journey where, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Denisa’s growth has been fuelled by a wide array of influences, from the leadership philosophy of Patrick Lencioni and Robin Sharma to the direct feedback from her own teams. She believes that we should find role models who possess the features we wish to gain and actively invest time in self-reflection.

Perhaps her most significant "guru" is her son. Children serve as mirrors, reflecting our own behaviours and challenging us to grow in ways no boardroom can. While she admits she can coach almost anyone except her son, the lessons he teaches her about patience and empathy are incorporated back into her professional life.

In an era of AI and rapid innovation, Denisa emphasises that the human element must always lead. Working with people is both the most beautiful and the most challenging part of a CEO's job. By being vulnerable, real, and honest, leaders attract the same qualities in others, creating a culture of rapport and genuine connection.

The Final Thought: A Call to Support

As you navigate your own "Everest," remember that you do not have to carry the weight alone. You may not always reach the peak — but you will always grow on the way up. The Female CEO is about creating a space where women can share their stories and encourage one another. Do not be too strict with yourself, embrace your authentic personality, and never trade off your core values for a perceived sense of preparedness.

Support other women, let men support you in turn, and maintain the courage to simply give it a try. Because in the end, trying is a choice, and it is the very choice that defines the evolution of a CEO.

This article accompanies The Art of Rebellious Optimism from The Female CEO Podcast– Don’t forget to subscribe!

Mark Sephton has helped numerous high-level thought leaders and creatives unveil their story, voice, and visibility so they, too, can make their mark on the world. He creates a safe space for aspiring thought leaders to feel heard, find confidence, and ignite their impact. He does this by increasing their visibility and rapport through storytelling, interviews, content creation, and media presence. In fact, he has conducted over 5,000 life-changing interviews with thought leaders and creatives, and is often referred to as the ‘King of Conversation’.

Mark has shared his life experiences as an author of three books on the subject of personal development: Inside Job, Plot Twist & Mark of a Man. He’s recognised for his contribution as an inspiring storyteller who provides positive exposure and opportunities for others who have a great purpose and passion to make their mark in their own distinctive way.

Find out more about Mark and his work at marksephton.com