Leadership Journeys [244] - Conor McGowan Smyth - "I have a deep hunger to explore—both the world and my spiritual side."

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 https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravasolutions/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/galoras/ 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."