In today’s hyper-paced entrepreneurial world, burnout isn’t a possibility—it’s an epidemic. But what if business success didn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being? In this episode of Power Talk, we sit down with Leïla Lahbabi, Founder of Mind Impact Academy, who is rewriting the rulebook on leadership, strategy, and scale.
Leïla’s journey began in the structured world of engineering and strategy consulting at EY. Her high-pressure corporate life eventually led to burnout, prompting a deep introspective journey. Mindfulness didn’t just help her recover—it transformed her entire perspective on work, leadership, and impact.
“Mindfulness saved me. And when people around me noticed the transformation, I realized I could help others do the same.”
This spark led to the birth of Mindful Academy, which evolved into Mind Impact Academy, an organization that helps purpose-driven leaders scale their companies without losing their soul—or their sanity.
Leïla speaks candidly about the deep emotional and psychological attachment founders form with their businesses. She highlights a powerful paradox: the very passion that drives entrepreneurs can also trap them, turning their business into a burden. She advocates a more balanced, collective approach to growth—one built on purpose, aligned teams, and systems that don’t depend on founder heroics.
“Your business should grow with you, not at the expense of you.”
From solopreneurs to CEOs of large enterprises, Leïla’s clients share one common trait: they’re mission-driven. Whether it’s scaling impact, preserving culture, or managing change without burnout, her framework is designed for “dolphin” leaders—not sharks. Dolphins are playful, collaborative, and adaptive—exactly the kind of leadership businesses need to flourish in today’s dynamic landscape.
Leïla shares a compelling case study of a CEO who, after a rough start and major team attrition, pivoted her leadership style through Leïla’s guidance. By embracing empathy, redefining company purpose, and involving her team, the CEO saw not only improved performance (125%) with half the workforce but also a reinvigorated company culture.
At the heart of her method is alignment—between personal purpose and business mission, between teams and leadership, and between product-market fit and soulful service. Her book, The Billion Dollar Purpose, serves as a roadmap for founders looking to scale with clarity, culture, and compassion.
“Scaling a business is not about growing headcount—it’s about growing alignment, mission, and heart.”
As Leïla puts it, money is in the backend—retention, impact, and joy. Her advice to entrepreneurs is clear:
“Listen to your heart, trust your gut—but stay humble. Seek support, but own your decisions.”
If you’re building a business that matters—and want to do it without losing yourself—this conversation is a must-listen.