Crystal Fernando on humanizing change around mindful leadership (podcast episode #5)

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In the fifth episode of Humanizing Change, host Susanne LeBlanc talks with Crystal Fernando, founder and principal partner at Whatbox Innovation Partners, about how mindful leadership creates agency, empowerment, and meaningful change.

Crystal shares how her early experiences connecting with people and nature shaped her approach to leadership — and why small, intentional shifts can have the biggest impact over time.

Lessons from the episode:

• Create agency through reflection: I empower others by encouraging daily moments of self-awareness.
• Shift mindstate, not just mindset: I focus on adjusting how I show up, not just what I think.
• Drive change through microshifts: I believe small, consistent actions create the biggest transformations.
• Lead with curiosity and mindfulness: I use these tools to help myself and others navigate change with intention.
• Build space for learning and growth: I create environments where self-reflection strengthens both individuals and teams.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.