17 - Cynthia Cleveland on Building Empires and Staying Grounded

Uncovering the Heart of LeadershipIn this energizing episode, Joanne sits down with Cynthia Cleveland—a trailblazing CEO, brand builder, and longtime advisor to both Joanne and Greg in their Innersense™ journey. With decades of experience leading billion-dollar brands, Cynthia shares how she unexpectedly found herself in the C-suite and why psychology, intuition, and tools like Myers-Briggs have been central to her success. If you’ve ever wondered what truly makes a powerful leader—or how the people behind Innersense™ continue to grow—this conversation is rich with surprising insights and heartfelt connection.Female Intelligence as a SuperpowerCynthia reveals how emotional intelligence and authenticity became her greatest strengths in male-dominated industries, and why being vulnerable is actually a power move. She shares stories of mentorship, moments of self-doubt, and why women-led companies often outperform. Her reflections offer fresh permission to lead from your values and embrace the uniqueness you bring to any room.Breaking Myths and Building LegacyWith honesty and humor, Cynthia busts the myth that strong female leadership harms families—and shares how her kids became more resilient and independent because of it. She also offers her signature mindset shift—“Now what?”—to turn any crisis into a stepping stone for growth. Whether you’re building a brand or navigating tough decisions, her wisdom will leave you feeling grounded and capable.Connect with Cynthia Cleavland: CEOCoachingInternational or on LinkedIn Cynthia CleavalndChapters00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Mentorship02:35 Cynthia's Unintentional Leadership Journey04:10 Understanding Personality Assessments in Leadership06:35 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Diversity08:00 Influences and Role Models in Leadership09:30 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership11:44 Balancing Collaboration and Decisiveness12:42 Navigating High-Pressure Situations14:09 Shifting Perspectives on Challenges17:30 Facing Gender Bias in Leadership19:09 Imposter Syndrome and Its Impact21:16 Advice for Women in Leadership22:16 Busting Myths About Female Leadership24:56 Legacy and Authenticity in Leadership27:24 The Importance of Humor in LeadershipLet’s chat! [email protected] Join the Innersense™ Communityhttps://innersensebeauty.com/pages/newsletter-sign-up Let’s Stay Connectedhttps://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/ https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/ https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/ https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty Clean hair care & body productsUse code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salonshttps://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education