Susan Inouye: Transforming Leadership with Millennial Insights and Sawubona Leadership

Mar 11, 2025

34:27

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About Susan Inouye:

Susan is an executive coach, bestselling author, and co-founder of Sawubona Leadership. With a two-decade career transforming over 600 companies, she's renowned for integrating millennial insights into corporate strategy. Her bestselling book, "Leadership’s Perfect Storm," explores how millennials redefine leadership through possibilities, passion, and purpose. Recognized as one of the “Top 10 Inspiring Women Rocking the Global Business World,” Susan’s work fosters inclusive cultures globally under Sawubona Leadership, celebrating individual gifts and uniting generations.

In this episode, Dean Newlund and Susan Inouye discuss:

A gift-centered leadership approach in organizations
Bridging the gap between millennials and older generations in corporate environments
Somatic practices for leadership
The power of community in leadership
The ‘Sawubona’ leadership approach

Key Takeaways:

When leaders rely too heavily on their natural gifts (e.g., planning, high standards), those strengths can become weaknesses, such as micromanagement or resistance to adaptability. Learning to integrate the "opposite" trait fosters balance.
Intellectual insights alone do not create lasting change; leaders must embody new behaviors through physical experiences, such as slowing down through Tai Chi or building confidence through martial arts.
Companies that implemented the "Sawubona" approach saw significant financial and cultural improvements, with some increasing profitability by 50% in just six months.
Sustainable change in leadership starts with a few committed individuals who embody transformation, creating a ripple effect that reshapes organizational culture.

"Most people who have a gift, they overuse the gift until it becomes a weakness or curse.” — Susan Inouye

Connect with Susan Inouye:

Website: https://susaninouye.com/leadovationpodcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7G6sjAyzq3UDnumH7L8Zcw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-inouye-083384b/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/InouyeSusan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susaninouye2

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_inouye/

Book: Leadership's Perfect Storm:

https://www.amazon.com/Leaderships-Perfect-Storm-Millennials-Possibilities/dp/194527137X

See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I

Connect with Dean: