Sumit Gupta

September 2025

brain care coaching commitment communication conflict conflicts conversation culture deployyourself deploy yourself emotional intelligence emotions empathy energy feedback freedom future gold habits hope john maxwell language leadership lessons listening performance perspective preparation productive productivity psychological safety purpose questions relationships resolution ryan holiday seth godin simon sinek strengths struggle team trust values words

  • Leadership Journeys [243] – Gillian-Alexandre Huart – “When I was in Belgium, I was called French. When I was in France, I was called Belgian.”

    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 does it take to lead across cultures, scale impact across continents, and stay grounded in your values?

    In this episode, Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO of Engie Energy Access, shares how his multicultural upbringing shaped a leadership style rooted in empathy, adaptability, and trust.

    We dive into the evolving nature of leadership—from crisis response to cultivating a thriving, empowered team.

    Gillian’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t static; it grows with you, especially when anchored in character and curiosity.

    If you’re navigating complexity or shifting your leadership style, this episode offers real-world insights you can apply today.

    You can find Gillian-Alexandre Huart at the below links

    In the interview, Gillian shares

    • “Leadership isn’t a role—it’s a daily choice to step beyond fear and serve something bigger than yourself.”
    • “Growing up between cultures taught me to value differences—today, it shapes how I lead.” 
    • “You can’t build trust without fairness, loyalty, and transparency. These aren’t buzzwords—they’re leadership essentials.”
    • “Real leadership is knowing when to drive hard—and when to slow down, listen, and empower your team.”
    • “Navigating across cultures taught me this: read the room without judgment.”
    • “In times of crisis, people don’t need perfection. They need clarity, honesty, and direction.”
    • “The best leaders are like coaches—not stars on the field, but strategists setting the team up to win.”
    • “Strong values are a leader’s compass—they keep you grounded when everything else is shifting.”
    • “When leadership becomes playful, creative energy flows and people come alive.”
    • “Leadership evolves—mine moved from command and control to connection and collaboration.”

  • Leadership Journeys [242] – Kahraman Yigit – “The best manager is the one who replaces himself”

    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 does it take to leave behind a legacy business and redefine success on your own terms?

    In this episode, Kahraman Yigit—co-founder and CEO of Olive Hospitality—shares his bold journey from Turkey to India, navigating culture shifts, economic crises, and rapid innovation.

    We dive into his philosophy of leadership, why empowering others is the real mark of success, and how personal passions fuel professional vision.

    Whether you’re building a startup or leading a team, Kahraman’s story offers practical insights on resilience, reinvention, and staying grounded while growing big.

    Tune in to discover how choosing leadership—every day—can unlock possibilities you didn’t know existed.

    You can find Kahraman Yigit at the below links

    In the interview, Kahraman shares

    • “True leadership begins the moment you choose to step out of a predetermined path and forge your own.”
    • “At just 13, Kahraman embraced discomfort, moving abroad alone—a bold first step toward the leader he would become.”
    • “Crises don’t crush visionaries—they fuel them. Kahraman built opportunity out of economic chaos.”
    • “Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about making yourself replaceable and lifting others up.”
    • “Moving to India wasn’t just a business decision—it was a leap of faith rooted in long-term vision.”
    • “You can’t grow a business on copy-paste leadership. Kahraman tailors growth paths to individual strengths.”
    • “From real estate in Turkey to reimagining hospitality in India, Kahraman’s journey is a lesson in adaptability.”
    • “Olive Hospitality’s rise shows how global thinking paired with local insight creates market-leading innovation.”
    • “Leadership thrives where creativity and business intersect—Kahraman’s passions for aviation and photography keep his perspective fresh.”
    • “Choosing leadership is not a one-time decision. It’s a daily act of courage, curiosity, and conscious choice.”

  • Leadership Journeys [241] – Zach Smith – “Connection through new cultures or places can spark powerful inner growth.”

    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.

    In this soulful episode of Choosing Leadership, Zach Smith, founder and CEO of Anywhere, shares how a chance meeting in Costa Rica sparked a global movement rooted in meaningful travel and authentic connection.

    Together with host Sumit Gupta, they unpack how travel—when done with intention—can catalyze profound personal growth and cultural understanding.

    Zach opens up about leading through crisis, staying true to his values during the pandemic, and redefining success beyond transactions.

    This conversation is a must-listen for any leader who feels the tension between scaling a business and staying aligned with their deeper purpose.

    If you’re craving a leadership journey that nourishes your soul as much as your goals, this episode will leave you inspired and reconnected.

    You can find Zach Smith at the below links

    In the interview, Zach shares

    • “Connection—especially through new cultures and places—can spark powerful inner growth.” 
    • “We’re not just building a travel company. We’re curating soulful experiences that change people.” 
    • “Leadership is choosing purpose and connection over comfort and convenience.” 
    • “Our story started with a chance encounter in Costa Rica. What followed was a decades-long journey of intentional creation.” 
    • “Even when borders closed during the pandemic, our commitment to values kept us open—open to adapt, grow, and serve.” 
    • “We’re not here to sell travel. We’re here to change the way people experience the world.” 
    • “True leadership isn’t about shouting louder—it’s about embodying your values when it matters most.” 
    • “The future of travel is not about ticking boxes. It’s about meaningful moments that connect us to something greater.”
    • “Trust, authenticity, and intention—those are the currencies that matter in business and in life.”
    • “This episode is a reminder that choosing leadership means making bold choices that align with your soul—not just your strategy.”

  • Leadership Journeys [240] – Jonne Välilä – “Most things—whether in life or business—just aren’t worth the stress.”

    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 drives someone to keep building after 14 years of wins and failures?

    In this candid conversation, serial entrepreneur Jonne Välilä shares how he went from selling skateboards in Finland to running 20+ brands and a hedge fund in Dubai—all while staying grounded, honest, and ambitious.

    You’ll hear his take on stress, cultural adaptation, and the mindset shifts that help leaders thrive in uncertain terrain.

    If you’re wrestling with pressure, imposter syndrome, or the constant chase for “more,” this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

    Tune in for a refreshingly real take on leadership, risk, and what it truly means to play the long game.

    You can find Jonne Välilä at the below links

    In the interview, Jonne shares

    • “Entrepreneurship is a cycle—start, stumble, learn, grow, repeat.”
    • “In Finland, I studied entrepreneurship; in Dubai, I lived it.”
    • “Most things in business—and life—aren’t worth the stress we give them.”
    • “I’d rather be painfully honest than politely misunderstood.”
    • “It’s not just about success—it’s about the feeling of becoming successful.”
    • “Failures don’t define your story—they sharpen your strategy.”
    • “Dubai pushes you forward without pushing you down.”
    • “Risk is essential—as long as it’s you taking it, not your clients or investors.”
    • “Transparency builds trust. And trust builds everything else.”
    • “Leadership is a choice. So is the courage to keep choosing it every day.”

  • Leadership Journeys [239] – Steven Meersman – “ You can never achieve balance because then you’re standing still and you die”

    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 does it really take to lead in the climate tech space—beyond the buzzwords and boardrooms?

    In this candid conversation, Steven Meersman, co-founder of Zenobi Energy, shares how he went from resisting entrepreneurship to leading a company that’s transforming energy infrastructure across 11 countries.

    You’ll hear hard-won lessons on scaling with purpose, building a culture of ownership, and navigating the messy middle of leadership.

    Steven’s insights on balancing innovation with financial viability are gold for any leader trying to do work that actually matters.

    If you’re building something bold and want to stay grounded while growing fast, this episode is for you.


    You can find Steven Meersman at the below links

    In the interview, Steven shares

    • “Leadership is a pendulum—you don’t want perfect balance, you want movement. Knowing when to push back is key.” 
    • “We don’t just hire startup veterans—we hire passionate people who care deeply about our mission. Ownership can be taught.” 
    • “If sustainability isn’t financially viable, it won’t scale. Our job is to make green solutions make business sense.” 
    • “My journey into entrepreneurship was reluctant at first, but purpose pulled me in—climate tech gave me a reason to build.” 
    • “Lessons from oil and gas—like managing risk and optimizing cost—are surprisingly useful when scaling clean tech.” 
    • “I don’t make decisions based on labels. I look at the opportunity, the timing, and the impact we can make.” 
    • “A good leader supports without micromanaging and communicates without creating silos.” 
    • “We’re solving the first mile, the last mile, and everything in between to make renewable energy work at scale.” 
    • “We’ve repurposed EV batteries to replace diesel generators—real innovation happens where the grid doesn’t reach.” 
    • “Culture isn’t just values on a wall—it’s what people do when no one’s looking. That’s what drives innovation.”