Manifesting your dreams often starts with simply vocalizing them. Discover how Niki Leondakis, CEO of CorePower, turned her challenges into opportunities.
Sometimes, we must endure difficult times to recognize the light ahead. After losing her home and husband within a year, Niki Leondakis faced a profound identity crisis.
“In a very short span, I lost my home, husband, and career,” she reflects. “These three elements formed my identity, and suddenly, they were gone. I was left questioning my place in the world.”
To find her way, Leondakis began to engage with the universe and explore manifestation.
LISTEN: Niki Leondakis discusses leadership, grief, and discovering purpose on the How She Does It podcast with Karen Finerman.
Manifestation Techniques Inspired by Niki Leondakis
When Niki was first offered the CEO position at CorePower, she declined. This followed her husband’s passing, but it also came after she had put her desires into words.
“I began to contemplate how I could combine my wellness passion with a higher purpose,” Leondakis shares. “While I always sought purpose in my work, I wanted a more direct connection. At one point, I expressed, ‘I’d love to be the CEO of CorePower Yoga.’”
Having practiced yoga for 30 years, she was a member of CorePower at the time. When the offer came in 2019, she had completed the interview process and was ready to accept but ultimately chose to walk away. The second offer arrived in early 2020.
“The first time, I thought, ‘How did my dream job come to me just two months after I voiced it to my sister?’” she recalls. “It made me wonder what else I could wish for. Speaking things into existence felt real. When the opportunity came again, I realized the universe was guiding me. I was meant to be here.”
Transforming Grief Into Strength
Many encounter hardship in various ways, but not everyone experiences such significant loss in quick succession. Leondakis discovered that navigating her grief helped her uncover her true purpose.
“Everyone experiences loss and hardship; I’m not alone,” she acknowledges. “We must face grief head-on. There’s no shortcut. Accepting these challenges is vital. How we respond to adversity ultimately shapes who we are.”
Learning From Mistakes: A Path to Better Leadership
Leondakis emphasizes that her leadership style isn’t about her title; it’s rooted in empathy and compassion.
“I don’t see myself primarily as the CEO; I’m just Niki, a human,” she explains. “My leadership approach stems from a collaborative spirit. We’re all in this together, striving for the best solutions. I prefer being at the center of the circle rather than at the top.”
Her leadership philosophy is also grounded in personal accountability when mistakes occur. Often, leadership roles allow individuals to deflect blame onto the organization.
“If a mistake leads to harm, we must first apologize and accept responsibility,” Leondakis asserts. “Failing to take ownership is a significant error.”
