In this thought-provoking episode, Mark Francis sits down with Cheryl Smith, Owner of The Self-Led Leader™, to explore what it really means to lead with humanity, authenticity, resilience, and self-awareness.
Cheryl shares her powerful leadership journey, including her experience leading a COVID ward during the pandemic and how that extreme environment shaped her understanding of self-leadership. They discuss the connection between leadership development and the human being behind the leader, and why learning to lead yourself is just as important as learning to lead others.
The conversation explores the loneliness of leadership, the importance of having a thought partner, authentic leadership under pressure, and why leaders often need a safe space where they can be honest without being judged or fixed.
Cheryl also introduces the idea of the Glen Eagles standard, inspired by her experiences at Glen Eagles, and explains how exceptional organizations create a culture where employees feel valued and cared for. She shares why leadership is ultimately about stewardship, legacy, and understanding the impact your leadership has on people long after a conversation or decision has been forgotten.
They also discuss resilience, failure, succession planning, developing future leaders, and why humanity may be one of the most important qualities a leader can bring to the workplace.
Whether you're an experienced executive, emerging leader, entrepreneur, manager, or someone preparing for a leadership role, this conversation offers practical insights into self-leadership and what it takes to become a more authentic and impactful leader.
Topics covered:
• Self-leadership and personal growth
• Authentic and human leadership
• Leadership during COVID
• The loneliness of leadership
• Leadership resilience
• Thought partners and leadership coaching
• The Glen Eagles standard
• Stewardship and leadership legacy
• Humanity in leadership
• Learning from failure
• Developing future leaders
• Leadership succession
• Building strong workplace cultures
Cheryl Smith is the Owner of The Self-Led Leader™ and the author of Self-Led, a book focused on the human being behind leadership and the importance of understanding yourself in order to lead others effectively.
Connect with Cheryl Smith on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-smith-4748b1170/
#Leadership #SelfLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CherylSmith #TheSelfLedLeader #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipCoaching #HumanLeadership #Resilience
I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team
Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/
Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com
Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K
Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain
#WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership
Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.
If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.
What is Who's Your Captain??
Who's Your Captain explores the leadership lessons hidden in the stories of sports' greatest captains. Hosted by Mark Francis, this podcast dives deep into what separates good leaders from legendary ones—on the field, in the locker room, and beyond.
Each episode features conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who've experienced world-class leadership firsthand. From the mental resilience required to lead under pressure to the communication strategies that unite divided teams, Mark unpacks the principles that make exceptional captains unforgettable.
Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or navigating your own personal challenges, the insights from sports captains translate directly to everyday leadership. These aren't just sports stories—they're blueprints for building trust, inspiring performance, and leading with integrity.
Mark Francis brings his passion for sports and leadership together to deliver authentic, actionable conversations that inspire listeners to step up and lead in their own lives. New episodes drop weekly, bringing you closer to understanding what it truly means to captain your own ship.
Subscribe to join a community of leaders who believe the best lessons come from those who've done it at the highest level.