Dr. Shadé Zahrai is an Australian-born behavioral researcher, peak performance educator, and leadership strategist who has gained global recognition for her actionable personal development content. A former corporate commercial lawyer, she successfully transitioned into corporate training and leadership consulting, empowering millions of professionals worldwide. Today, she co-leads Influenceo Global alongside her husband Fayçal Sekkouah, delivering research-backed strategies to Fortune 500 companies.
Early Life, Academic Background, and Legal Career
Shadé Zahrai holds an impressive academic record, including a PhD in organizational behavior, an MBA, a Law degree with First Class Honors, and a background in psychology. Before becoming a globally recognized educator, she spent over a decade working in top-tier corporate law firms and banking strategy consulting. Her rigorous academic training and real-world corporate experience provided her with a unique perspective on organizational behavior and self-leadership.
Her extensive studies in psychology allowed her to understand the root causes of self-doubt, workplace stress, and career stagnation. Combining these psychological insights with commercial acumen, she recognized a growing need for evidence-based tools in fast-paced corporate environments. This realization eventually inspired her decision to pivot away from legal practice and focus entirely on human performance and organizational culture.
Co-Founding Influenceo Global and Corporate Leadership
Alongside her husband Fayçal Sekkouah, Shadé co-founded Influenceo Global, a positive-leadership consulting firm. Through this organization, she has designed and delivered transformative development programs for major global enterprises, including Google, Microsoft, LVMH, JP Morgan, and McKinsey. Her practical frameworks focus on boosting performance, building self-trust, and strengthening team engagement.
In addition to corporate keynotes and executive workshops, she has created top-rated digital learning courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning. Her online educational programs have reached over seven million learners worldwide, establishing her as a premier authority in career development. Her written work, including her book Big Trust, further translates complex neuroscience into actionable daily routines.
TEDx Fame, Viral Content, and Media Recognition
Shadé Zahrai achieved widespread international recognition through her compelling TEDx talks on overcoming self-doubt and developing authentic confidence. Her viral videos and short-form educational content have generated hundreds of millions of views across popular social media channels. Audiences worldwide appreciate her ability to break down complex psychological principles into bite-sized, highly practical career advice.
Her impactful contributions have earned numerous industry accolades, including being named Adweek's Careers Content Creator of the Year and a LinkedIn Top Voice. She is also a regular contributor to major media outlets such as CNBC, The New York Times, Adweek, and Fast Company. Notably, outside of her academic and professional achievements, she is a former three-time Australian Latin Dance Champion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shadé Zahrai? Dr. Shadé Zahrai is an award-winning behavioral researcher, leadership strategist, and former corporate lawyer best known for her peak performance education and viral career advice.
What are Shadé Zahrai's academic credentials? She holds a PhD in organizational behavior, an MBA, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons 1), a degree in psychology, and a Diploma in Positive Psychology.
What is Influenceo Global? Influenceo Global is a leadership development firm co-founded by Shadé Zahrai and her husband Fayçal Sekkouah, designed to help organizations optimize workplace culture and high performance.