I created Leading Forward to share the lessons, questions, and breakthroughs that have shaped my leadership journey — from roles in operations, sales, commercial and HR, to studies in neuroscience, cross-cultural management, Competitive Intelligence, Operations Management and Innovation and MIT’s Inquiry-Driven Leadership.
Inspired by John Maxwell’s philosophy and driven by curiosity, I believe leadership is less about having all the answers and more about asking better questions.
This newsletter is my way of opening that conversation — and inviting you into it.
Together, we explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and grow into the kind of leaders we all need, today and tomorrow.
Welcome to the journey. Let’s lead forward.
Founder & Author of Leading Forward
Sonia Elena Narvaez Duran
I’m a Petroleum Engineer from Venezuela whose career has taken me across Venezuela, Germany, Argentina, and now Norway — working in operations, sales, commercial strategy, and HR. Moving through these roles and cultures taught me how leadership actually works in real environments, with real people, under real pressure.
My curiosity has led me to study neuroscience, cross‑cultural management, inquiry‑driven leadership, and pursue master’s degrees in operations, innovation, and competitive intelligence.
Over time, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t something we master once — it’s something we practice every day. Motherhood deepened that understanding for me. It taught me to listen differently, to lead with more empathy, and to recognize how much our internal state shapes the way we show up.