Episode 17 - Dawn Bryan - Shifts for Global Leaders

 

This week on The Shift, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dawn Bryan, a global leader with over 30 years of experience, and wow, there was so much to take in from our conversation!

Dawn’s story really resonated with me, and I think it will for many of you as well. At one point in her early career, she found herself asking, “What if I can only lead well the people who are more like me?” It’s one of those moments of self-doubt that many leaders—especially those working in diverse global environments—might relate to. Her honest reflection was, “I might as well pack my bags and go home!” But what’s truly inspiring is that she didn’t pack her bags. Instead, she dug deeper, expanded her cultural intelligence, and committed to learning how to lead people who were different from her.

In our conversation, Dawn shared some of the important shifts in thinking that have shaped her into the leader she is today. From her time working on the ground in Ethiopia to leading virtual volunteer boards and managing global teams as the Global Practice Leader at The Kaleidoscope Group, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to lead across cultures and challenges.

We dove into three key areas that Dawn believes are critical for any leader looking to make an impact: empathy, vision, and depth. These aren’t just buzzwords for Dawn—they’re pillars of her leadership philosophy. Empathy allows her to see things from her team’s perspective, vision gives her the ability to lead with purpose and direction, and depth reminds her to keep growing and evolving as a leader.

I found it particularly interesting how Dawn highlighted the importance of increasing cultural intelligence—something that’s not just important for global leaders, but for all of us. Whether we’re leading a team at work, managing cross-cultural relationships, or even engaging in volunteer projects, understanding where others are coming from can truly elevate our ability to connect and lead.

I loved how practical our conversation felt, and I hope you will too. There’s something so empowering about hearing from someone who has faced the challenges of global leadership head-on, grown through them, and is now giving back to others. Dawn’s work with The Kaleidoscope Group is all about developing empowered leaders who can navigate the complexities of the modern world. If that sounds like something you’d like to learn more about, definitely reach out to her—she’s even offering a special discount on their Empowered Leadership Program for The Shift listeners!

So, whether you’re already in a leadership position or just starting to think about how to lead more effectively in diverse environments, there’s a lot to reflect on from this episode. Dawn’s journey is proof that we can all grow our skills, increase our cultural intelligence, and make meaningful impacts in the lives of those we lead.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—what leadership challenges are you currently facing? How have you grown as a leader over time? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below or feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. And if you’d like to learn more about Dawn’s work or her Empowered Leadership Program, don’t hesitate to reach out to her directly.

Until next time!

 
 

Listen below on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.