![Leadership Journeys [244] - Conor McGowan Smyth - "I have a deep hunger to explore—both the world and my spiritual side."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/8xAmTkTdD9eWE60sQXznHk4WTjOee9834JKVT0en90g/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xZGM1/M2Y1OWQ1MTNjMThm/NmVlZDFlOTcxYzQ0/ODMxMC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [244] - Conor McGowan Smyth - \"I have a deep hunger to explore—both the world and my spiritual side.\"")
Leadership Journeys [244] - Conor McGowan Smyth - "I have a deep hunger to explore—both the world and my spiritual side."
Description
This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.
I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.
What happens when a CEO stops chasing titles and starts chasing truth?
In this powerful episode, Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava Solutions, opens up about how fatherhood, spirituality, and cultural curiosity transformed his leadership journey.
From making gut-based decisions to navigating global teams, Conor shares raw and relatable lessons on leading with heart and clarity.
Whether you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just seeking a deeper sense of purpose, this conversation will spark reflection and growth.
Tune in to discover how real leadership begins the moment you choose to lead yourself first.
You can find Conor McGowan Smyth at the below links
In the interview, Conor shares
"Leadership isn't about titles—it's about showing up authentically, especially when things fall apart."
"Becoming a father changed everything. It taught me that leadership starts at home."
"Real leadership emerges in crisis—not when things are going well, but when they’re falling apart."
"Intuition is just as important as data. Some of my best decisions came from listening to my gut."
"You can’t lead effectively without cultural awareness—leadership looks different across borders."
"Spirituality helped me find clarity in chaos. It made me a better leader, husband, and human."
"If you want to scale your company, start by scaling your people."
"The most powerful leaders I’ve met weren’t the loudest in the room—they were the most authentic."
"I dream of taking a year off—not to escape, but to go deeper into who I am and what I want to give back."
"Choosing leadership is choosing growth. Every day, every decision, it’s a path you walk consciously."
![Leadership Journeys [261] - Jeff Perkins - "Family and fitness keep me grounded - without them, leadership gets heavy fast."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/RWvQw6bDx1vCYz4AIMCNWDnzN0OUn0MFv559TisGG_I/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82YTY4/YWIyNmMwZjY4ZTk3/NmU0MjY1ZmQwMTJl/OWNkOC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [261] - Jeff Perkins - \"Family and fitness keep me grounded - without them, leadership gets heavy fast.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [260] - Suchit Bachalli - "Trust is the ultimate currency—and a true leader spends it in service of their team."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/m7aF963L2WsYp-K8uXFolDBqjv8LOtt4wubgFela4VI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84YTA2/ZjM0ZmNhOGU1Y2Ex/ZDAxYTJmMTRlYzlk/ZWUzYi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [260] - Suchit Bachalli - \"Trust is the ultimate currency—and a true leader spends it in service of their team.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [259] - Ashwin Didwania - "Success takes capital, patience, and the mindset to take the big leap."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/y2V7jBYO0NrZPH-g5fqSQtUWejRsyG98uzTimo-4DIg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xZmEw/Zjc3YTViYzQxZWEx/NDM0YzZjMzY0MWRm/YjA2ZS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [259] - Ashwin Didwania - \"Success takes capital, patience, and the mindset to take the big leap.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [258] - Miguel Alves Ribeiro - "Tell me it’s impossible and I’ll show you it’s not."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/nRc0f3LpI6jjhIHIayHuR4u-FjYkKsloHivVqEPIutQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jZWFj/Y2M1YWU1MWI4YTdm/NTQ3NTQ4YmNjZDlk/NGQ1Zi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [258] - Miguel Alves Ribeiro - \"Tell me it’s impossible and I’ll show you it’s not.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [257] - Sorabh Gupta - "I need to step back for the company to grow."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/RflOacj46qDOhrNpZkBNF1rOEQu6YLaso_0KZATmfuE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84YmZl/ZGEwYmIxN2FjYzQ5/NDFiODU0ZTBmMTQ5/MDhmMy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [257] - Sorabh Gupta - \"I need to step back for the company to grow.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [256] - Don Hammond - "Great leaders don’t seek victory—they create progress for everyone."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/KcvyTQr3C2DVDW1SDydR-Ir-WeaHFI7WfqW-d1NUqpM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82ZDlk/N2MzMmEzNjNjOTA4/ZjlhZTg2NWE2NmZh/N2FlNi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [256] - Don Hammond - \"Great leaders don’t seek victory—they create progress for everyone.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [255] - Bill Benjamin - "Managing emotions in tough moments defines your culture."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/ACcQbFreF084483Yw1UI__mo_3NRcAlUnKzjeSPFo3s/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80OGY3/NjAxMGY1YmFkNDM1/ZjJmZTNlN2JlMDRj/ZGY4My5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [255] - Bill Benjamin - \"Managing emotions in tough moments defines your culture.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [254] - Dr. Santosh Honnagunti - "Mentors, risk-taking, and curiosity turned me from an engineer into a leader."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/iV4JjZphOOUXUsieQm6v_U9NS0vEAhkDd_HaCRqmkXk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wZDA2/ZTBiZDViNjA0NDk0/ZWVlNDkzNjM4NDI1/MTlmNi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [254] - Dr. Santosh Honnagunti - \"Mentors, risk-taking, and curiosity turned me from an engineer into a leader.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [253] - Benoit Honnart - "In business, trust opens more doors than opportunity."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/dacr0v7nn3hQhmBM-6hyJ2pJrNofnFICEHYq4-ZpO88/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yYzU2/ODQxOGE2NjNjOTA5/YjAwY2JjOWI5YzM4/NTcxYy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [253] - Benoit Honnart - \"In business, trust opens more doors than opportunity.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [252] - Alay Jhaveri - " Leadership is letting people be who they are."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/NhsRRAag5UN-dhhuTg-0ei7MSPs5TzNjwdaJOn8AUGw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iOGVk/ZThhYTgzYWZmYmZi/OWY3MzY1OTU0NzU2/MWUzOC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [252] - Alay Jhaveri - \" Leadership is letting people be who they are.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [251] - Griff Parry - " I am more motivated by the journey rather than the destination. "](https://img.transistorcdn.com/6xfLvfKh3LA1zT6m0P2q6kgQhgtBeQxs-Wzz90Cm7s8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85NjE0/MmY1ODAzMTRmNTA5/MGM1ODdiMWRmZGFm/OGRkMy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [251] - Griff Parry - \" I am more motivated by the journey rather than the destination. \"")
![Leadership Journeys [250] - Adewale Yusuf - "The greatest risk is letting fear rule your responsibilities."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/wv1jR2sSZNAW5g55rdGfT4RfjmZD3aBlRRGbbOV6N_E/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mMzdl/ZjMwMzU2N2E5N2Nj/NjcwZjg3NGNlODZh/NGQ4NC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [250] - Adewale Yusuf - \"The greatest risk is letting fear rule your responsibilities.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [249] - Jason Hayes - " If I were to write a book, it would be called 'Thriving on Chaos'. "](https://img.transistorcdn.com/ccCnUhiNafWSCwIBuOZcA1iW2A6nq2OKAad-8Wh5OFw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zNDM2/OGFhM2JhZDhhNzMw/OGQ4NDY1YjEyOTUw/NTNiNS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [249] - Jason Hayes - \" If I were to write a book, it would be called 'Thriving on Chaos'. \"")
![Leadership Journeys [248] - Ryan Howsam -"With structure and the right direction, success becomes inevitable."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/4A1LKcjdmVjHZMgabBRhTitDv0pXsawW37k7qdr1Zvw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wOWM4/MzEyYzI1ZTQ0ZWI2/ZjMyM2JmZjIxM2Q3/MzkwNy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [248] - Ryan Howsam -\"With structure and the right direction, success becomes inevitable.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [247] - Jag Dhanda - "Great teams grow from passion, clear vision, and strong communication."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/RdiPXydzcfIabALXVkcCAEjKjVUxa4cBILb0RcjnOQg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iMWFj/NTcyNDExNDZjNTI5/N2EwZjRmNDAyNTMx/NmFlZC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [247] - Jag Dhanda - \"Great teams grow from passion, clear vision, and strong communication.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [246] - Tom Gegax - "The consultant said the problem was me—and after cancer, divorce, and a failing business, I was finally ready to hear it."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/lAfZmrFxMzFagWoFY1FjhOAShtVFt44nIF0EZis1WpU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80MzEx/OTM4OWNhNGJjY2U0/NjI0MWUyOTBjZjY5/NWQ0OS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [246] - Tom Gegax - \"The consultant said the problem was me—and after cancer, divorce, and a failing business, I was finally ready to hear it.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [245] - Syed Ahmed - "What people wouldn't know around me is i prefer solitude"](https://img.transistorcdn.com/ZmhcEmdpgOaFyFva-eD4ce81M0BLY20X6SqFo0TViaM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iYjkw/ZmNiMzExY2JlMWVi/ZmQxODZhY2MwMWQ1/NTNiYS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [245] - Syed Ahmed - \"What people wouldn't know around me is i prefer solitude\"")
![Leadership Journeys [243] - Gillian-Alexandre Huart - "When I was in Belgium, I was called French. When I was in France, I was called Belgian."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/bo9sMSvxFRmkLfnBXe5KEWTcv0hSrMjd18U382RVftk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83Y2M1/ODM5NDE0ZDEyNjY5/Y2Q0NTBlZWI2MGJk/ODJmMi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [243] - Gillian-Alexandre Huart - \"When I was in Belgium, I was called French. When I was in France, I was called Belgian.\"")
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