Episode 3: Plot Twist: Calm Is a Leadership Strategy

What if one of the most powerful things a leader can do is **not react?** In this episode of **The Conscious Leaders Unfiltered**, Susan Lynch joins Cheryl and Kiah for a refreshingly real conversation about calm, people-first leadership, navigating uncertainty, and knowing when to step in—and when to stay in your lane. Susan’s retail story began at just 12 years old in her mother’s fabric store. Decades later, her leadership philosophy has been shaped not only by the incredible leaders she has worked with, but also by the ones who showed her exactly what *not* to do. Together, we explore what it means to lead when the numbers are challenging, change is constant, and everyone is looking to you for answers. Susan shares why she refuses to let urgency dictate her reactions, reminding us of a simple but powerful truth: **“I don’t owe anyone an immediate response.”** The conversation dives into the importance of pausing before responding, separating emotion from action, and recognizing that not every problem requires your involvement. Susan shares how mindfulness, yoga, meditation, and daily reflection have helped her become even more intentional about how she shows up—both as a leader and as a person. We also unpack the tension between driving business results and remembering that **“people are people first.”** Susan challenges leaders to give their teams autonomy, create room for mistakes, admit when they don’t know the answer, and resist the temptation to lead everyone the same way. Because leadership isn't about having a perfectly polished playbook. It's about understanding the person standing in front of you. - Why staying calm can be a leadership strategy—not a lack of urgency - Susan’s journey from her mother’s fabric store to decades of retail leadership - What Susan learned from experiencing both strong and poor leadership - Why **“I don’t owe anyone an immediate response”** can completely change how we navigate difficult moments - How mindfulness and self-awareness influence the way we respond under pressure - Knowing which battles actually matter—and when to stay in your lane - How to advocate for decisions that are sustainable, people-centred, and good for the greater whole - Why communicating the **why** behind change creates stronger understanding and buy-in - The importance of employee voice—even when you can’t act on every piece of feedback - Why autonomy, mistakes, and admitting **“I don’t know”** can actually build stronger teams - Moving away from cookie-cutter leadership and meeting people where they are - Why surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you can make you a better leader - The power of reflecting on today so you can lead differently tomorrow Susan shares that every New Year she returns to the classic ***How to Win Friends and Influence People** by Dale Carnegie*. First published in 1936, Carnegie’s book explores timeless principles around human relationships, communication, listening, influence, and understanding other people—ideas that connect naturally to Susan’s belief that effective leadership begins with how we treat and understand the people around us. **“I don't owe anyone an immediate response.”** **“Give people autonomy.”** **“People are people first.”** And perhaps the biggest takeaway from this conversation? **Calm doesn't mean you aren't paying attention. Calm can mean you're paying enough attention to choose your response instead of simply reacting.** Susan’s perspective reminds us that conscious leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room or having every answer. It's about thinking before acting, staying curious, giving people space to grow, and meeting them where they are. And yes—we even discover Susan’s newest way of slowing down and getting creative: **embroidery.** 🪡 Find the good and lead with love. **Cheryl x Kiah**