the Learn-It-All™ podcast 262: Hard Work Doesn’t Get You Promoted—This Does | Nadine Niba
What do football, AI, and the immigrant journey have in common? More than you think.
In this inspiring episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Nadine Niba—CPA, MBA, best-selling author, and trailblazer who journeyed from Cameroon to Canada—to unpack the mindset and strategies behind standout careers. Nadine shares how her darkest moments unlocked resilience, why cultural intelligence is the ultimate skill in today’s AI-driven world, and how embracing an immigrant’s perspective can supercharge innovation at work.
From her memoir-strategy guide “Quarterback: An Immigrant’s Guide to Corporate North America,” Nadine points out the parallels between effective quarterbacks and high-impact professionals, revealing why staying calm under pressure and building your brand are essential in every arena. Her playbook blends personal stories, hard-won lessons, and actionable frameworks for anyone who wants to get noticed and move from execution to influence—without losing humility.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How Nadine’s job search breakthrough shaped her mindset for growth—and gratitude
- Why rejection isn’t failure: reframing “no” and boardroom setbacks as redirections
- The key lessons from Nadine’s immigrant journey—and the advantage it brings to teams
- How to articulate your value at work (without sounding arrogant)
- The difference between simply doing your job and building a career—and how to avoid tying your identity to titles
- Strategies to develop cultural intelligence and adaptability in diverse, AI-driven workplaces
- The “quarterback mindset” for calm decision-making and pocket presence under pressure
- Nadine’s hard-won mistakes and the tactical lessons to accelerate your own career journey
Timestamps:
00:00 – Nadine on why cultural intelligence is the “master skill” today
00:48 – Introducing Nadine, her story, and book “Quarterback”
02:04 – Nadine’s near-return home; breakthrough moment in the job hunt
05:34 – The power of persistence and self-belief in the face of setbacks
06:56 – Advice for listeners feeling stuck, laid off, or rejected
08:39 – The sports show that inspired Nadine’s book (and lessons from the field)
13:20 – Why Nadine wrote her book, and how football strategies apply to careers
19:09 – Pocket presence: what it means for calm professionalism at work
20:50 – Nadine’s top career mistakes—and how to communicate your impact
23:58 – Cultural roots, humility, and how to get recognized without arrogance
28:47 – The difference between a job and a career: why it matters
31:55 – Can you build a career without looking like you’re “job searching” on LinkedIn?
34:15 – Tying your self-worth to the job (and how to shift your identity)
37:29 – Behind the scenes: why Nadine’s boss is a great leader
41:40 – The immigrant advantage—grit, cultural intelligence, and resilience
46:43 – How hiring managers can leverage immigrant perspectives
47:00 – Adaptability, learning, and managing disruption in the age of AI
48:57 – What pageantry taught Nadine about confidence and skill transfer
50:20 – Advice for a 12-year-old girl in Africa with Nadine’s book
52:19 – How to connect with Nadine
About Nadine Niba
Nadine Niba is a CPA, MBA, best-selling author, and one of Canada’s most respected immigrant professional advocates. Her journey from Cameroon to Canada weaves together perseverance, deep cultural intelligence, and a commitment to personal growth, culminating in her acclaimed book “Quarterback: An Immigrant’s Guide to Corporate North America.” Nadine is a seasoned risk advisory leader, corporate speaker, and mentor, known for blending high-level technical expertise with actionable strategies for navigating workplace dynamics, building influence, and leading with authenticity.
Resources & Mentions:
- Nadine Niba’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadineniba/
- Book: “Quarterback: An Immigrant’s Guide to Corporate North America”
Podcast Contact Information:
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
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