Silence, Presence, and Inner Leadership, with María José Sánchez

What if the most powerful tool a leader has isn’t a strategy, a speech, or even a brilliant plan, but is instead silence? In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn sits down with María José Sánchez, a leadership consultant, executive coach, and author based in Madrid, Spain.During the conversation, María shares her fascinating journey from telecommunications engineer to leadership mentor, showing how she combines her analytical, scientific side with the deeper wisdom of silence and spirituality. She talks about how silence reshaped her leadership style, helping her move from being pushy and results-driven to leading with calm, presence, and authenticity. For her, true leadership impact begins from within, by taking time to pause, reconnect with yourself, and then return to the outside world with clarity, energy, and insight.She also introduces her idea of “spiritual snacks,” short pauses throughout the day to recharge and realign, and her “five-finger rule,” a practical tool for managing thoughts that reminds leaders to take ownership of their inner state, let go of unhelpful thinking, and focus on positivity, resilience, and trust.María highlights her books and her digital leadership platform, Lidero, which offers simple, accessible lessons from her decades of experience. This episode is an inspiring reminder that real leadership always starts from within.Key TakeawaysLeadership impact comes from the inside; silence fosters wisdom, clarity, and presence.Experience precedes understanding; leaders must invite others into experiences, not just explanations.Daily practices of silence, meditation, and “spiritual snacks” keep leaders grounded and energized.Self-discipline is essential for freedom and sustained transformation, much like physical training.Preparation is less about perfect words and more about the state of being a leader brings into the room.True leadership is a virtuous cycle: inner stillness fuels outer effectiveness, which in turn deepens inner growth.In This Episode:[00:00] Introduction[01:19] Introduction to María José Sánchez[03:31] María's journey from engineering to leadership[06:41] The power of silence in leadership[10:25] Practical applications of inner wisdom[14:56] Inviting leaders to experience inner wisdom[18:34] Daily practices for inner connection[23:36] The importance of inner state in conversations[24:47] A magical moment with the CEO[26:02] The role of preparation and presence[26:51] Spirituality in leadership[28:33] Self-discipline and daily practice[32:45] Navigating change and uncertainty[35:38] The five finger rule for managing thoughts[39:32] María Jose's books and resources[43:44] Conclusion and final thoughtsResources and LinksSpirituality in Leadership Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406María José SánchezWebsite: sanchezyagoo.comLeadership Consultancy: creatingahuman.comLeadership Platform: aceleratolead.comLinkedIn: mariajosesanchezyagoBook shop: https://sanchezyago.com/product-list/Andrew CohnWebsite: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe