We’re thrilled to welcome back Esther Kwaku, founder of The Nerve Network, to our Women in Leadership Q&A series. Esther is a facilitator, coach and creative strategist whose work lives in the real, raw space where leadership, purpose and people intersect. Her approach is rooted in honesty, presence and curiosity, championing brave conversations, psychological safety, and leadership that reflects both power and vulnerability.
Following her panel appearance at our last Women in Leadership event, Esther returns with fresh reflections on navigating leadership with integrity, recognising when we drift from our values, and creating space for uncomfortable but necessary conversations when things feel heavy or stuck. With characteristic warmth and honesty, she offers practical wisdom for leaders at every level, especially those seeking to lead with greater intention, courage and care.
Read on for Esther’s thoughtful reflections on reconnecting to your purpose, learning from your "pinch points", and leading with compassion in uncertain times.
Any space where there's an opportunity to be in a room learning and listening to other women, I'm there! What struck me in particular, though, was the warmth of the crowd - the eye contact, the stories and the questions. The Talent Set are bringing together an amazing platform - especially at a time when we still have so many challenges around inclusion and psychological safety. I'm here to learn as much as I'm here to talk and share. Embracing those learning edges are where the real shifts happen in the conversations we really need to have around progress for women's leadership in the sector.
The number of people who resonated with the concept of 'moral injury'. This is when your morals, values or ethics become compromised, causing a kind of moral harm. It’s a concept I’m increasingly drawn to because I see it showing up far more often than we realise - particularly in complex, high-pressure environments where people, particularly women, are constantly navigating trade-offs and barriers - yet we rarely have the language for it. Almost every time I speak about it, people tell me about that moment of recognition for them, and this always feels incredibly profound. There’s something quietly powerful about naming what’s been felt but not yet understood - it creates relief, connection, and the possibility of tending to it, rather than carrying it alone.
Great question! Sometimes it's off the back of an interaction, but mostly I notice it when something just feels... 'off'. Let's say that one of my values is speaking truth to power but in a meeting, I land something way more softly than I had planned to because 'uncertainty' came to the party at the last minute. I'd assess why that could have happened and be kind to myself in the process (which is easier said, I know). When we stop long enough to hear ourselves, insights surface. On that, a key tool I always have close by is my strengths profile - the data is there for moments when I need reassurance. I also consult with trusted people who know me well - critical friends, radical challengers and comforting voices. What brings me back is remembering why I do what I do, that I flippin’ LOVE what I do and that we do trip up along the way. Importantly, recognising that my drifting-away-from-leadership-values doesn't define the next version of me, nor does it hamper my ability to course-correct. Maybe it wasn't a drift but a little pinch? It happens. And then, I go where the energy is, where my mission feels most alive, and realign.
I have a radical self-care toolkit for this. It's a list of things I remind myself of in these exact situations. One of them is saying, 'drop the thoughts that don't serve you in this moment, Est'. You know those repetitive inner dialogues that leave you spiralling? What does help, though, is to name it. Then in that moment, I can centre and ground myself (e.g. breathwork), which does wonders in recognising where the stuckness feels in my body. Then I witness, without trying to fix anything, that this really helps to regulate my nervous system.
Esther’s reflections are a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t a straight line, it’s a practice of noticing, realigning and choosing presence over perfection. Her honesty about “drift moments,” moral injury, and the quiet strength in naming what’s hard speaks directly to the everyday experience of women navigating complex leadership spaces.
As we continue the conversation about inclusion, safety, and sustainable leadership, Esther’s voice brings clarity, depth, and hope. She’ll be joining our Elevate: Women in Leadership panel on 12th February, alongside other inspiring leaders from across the charity and not-for-profit sector.
