Why Aday Adetosoye Believes Empathy Is a Leadership Superpower

After 20 years working in global health and nonprofits, Aday E. Adetosoye saw the same problem everywhere: leaders drowning in pressure without the empathy-driven support they needed to thrive. Instead of settling for business as usual, she built something new: 1099 Impact Street, a consultancy where measurable impact meets deeply human leadership.

From day one, Aday made it clear this wasn’t just another firm. Her team tackles tough issues—burnout, toxic cultures, stalled change—and helps leaders face them head-on. In its first year alone, 1099 Impact Street walked the talk by supporting nearly 100 public-sector professionals hit by layoffs, all free of cost.

Now, with Aday leading the charge, the mission is only getting bigger: to prove that leadership can be both high-impact and deeply humane.

In what ways have your background and experiences influenced how you operate as a leader? 

Growing up in a Nigerian household where excellence and service were core values, I was shaped by watching my mother lead in journalism and my father in law. Their careers taught me how to ask the right questions, listen for what is not being said, and advocate with clarity and conviction. 

That early exposure to truth-seeking and justice shaped my approach as a global health leader—and continues to do so now in my life as an entrepreneur. I have carried those lessons into every boardroom and coaching session. I do not just build strategies; I help people find their voice and lead with purpose. 

At 1099 Impact Street, this legacy continues in how we blend data, empathy, and boldness to transform leaders and cultures.

“I do not just build strategies; I help people find their voice and lead with purpose.”

What’s been the hardest and most rewarding part of your professional journey?

I wish I had known that building something meaningful takes twice the faith and three times the patience you think it will. The biggest shift for me was learning that slow doesn’t mean stuck. In fact, some of the best growth happens underground before anything breaks the surface. 

One of the hardest lessons has been that not every opportunity is aligned. I’ve had to get comfortable walking away from shiny distractions to protect what I’m truly called to build, which also feeds into the most exhilarating part of the journey: the freedom to choose what I want to work on. It’s been difficult to carry the weight of vision alone at times, especially after coming from large teams and structured systems. 

But the most rewarding part? Seeing someone’s entire posture shift after a session: shoulders back, voice steady, clarity in their eyes, and purpose in their voice. That moment tells me we’re doing more than coaching; we’re changing trajectories. And that makes every challenge worth it.

How do you celebrate successes along the way?

I’m proud of launching 1099 Impact Street without outside funding, just a clear vision and deep conviction. In our first year, we offered free coaching to nearly 100 laid-off professionals and helped several of them start or scale their ventures. 

I’m also proud that our leadership trainings don’t just check a box. Instead, they shift cultures and mindsets. My definition of success has evolved from chasing recognition to creating meaningful, values-aligned impact. These days, success looks like alignment, peace, and knowing I’m building something that serves others well. 

I celebrate by pausing to reflect, thanking God, and keeping a written record of the milestones that matter. And when my teammates score a win—no matter how small!—I send a personal recognition email so they feel seen and valued. That kind of leadership is the real reward for me, and I’m grateful to experience it.

Have you discovered any underappreciated leadership traits or misconceptions around leadership?

Over the course of my career, I’ve grown from a task-focused manager into a purpose-driven leader who develops others. I’ve led teams in high-stakes environments, from federal agencies to global NGOs, and those experiences taught me that sustainable leadership is rooted in empathy, clarity, and trust. I no longer equate control with competence; I’ve learned to lead by empowering, not overfunctioning. 

One major misconception I’ve encountered is the belief that leadership is instinctive or reserved for the few who "have it." In truth, 72% of leaders have never received formal leadership training, a statistic that helps explain the burnout, dysfunction, and disengagement we see across sectors. Emotional intelligence, listening, and psychological safety are often undervalued, but they move teams from compliance to commitment. 

That’s exactly why 1099 Impact Street exists: to ensure that leaders are equipped with the training and tools to manage people humanely while still exceeding their goals. Leadership is teachable—and when done right, it changes everything.

What’s next for you and your company?

What’s next for 1099 Impact Street is thoughtful expansion with bigger reach and deeper roots. We are scaling our leadership labs to serve more underrepresented leaders, refining our virtual offerings to increase global access, and launching an alumni network to sustain growth beyond the training room. 

Our focus is on building a leadership culture that is both humane and high-performing. Our goal is not just to develop better leaders, but to spark lasting change in the way leadership is practiced across sectors.