Radical Courage, Human Connection & Creating Change: A Conversation with Maria De Palacio
When you hear someone speak from the heart, it lands differently.
This episode is packed with warmth, insight, and inspiration thanks to my incredible guest and fellow Inner Development Goals (IDG) Ambassador, Maria De Palacio, joining us from Madrid.
Maria is an impact investing powerhouse, an intuitive leader, and someone who walks her talk when it comes to purpose-driven leadership.
We unpack so much goodness—from how she found the IDGs and followed her purpose to leave her CFO role, to the power of microfinance and her deep belief in sport, teamwork and the magic of human connection.
Maria also opens up about a transformational moment in nature that gave her the courage to step into a new season of her life. Her story is a beautiful example of what happens when head, heart, and inspired action align—which is exactly what my Empowered Leadership Method is all about.
This is one to listen to when you need to remember that your fear is not your enemy, and that sometimes, real leadership is about embracing vulnerability, trusting your inner compass, and backing yourself.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
✨ Impact investing isn’t just about financial returns—it’s about creating meaningful, measurable social and environmental impact. Maria explains the triple lens: risk, return, and impact.
✨ You don’t need to wait for perfect clarity. Maria shares how curiosity led her from a career in finance to a purpose-driven leadership role.
✨ The IDG framework offers a powerful lens for leadership development, particularly in five areas: being, thinking, relating, collaborating, and acting.
✨ The separation between personal and professional identity is outdated. Real impact comes when you bring your whole self to your work.
✨ Vulnerability, when used with wisdom, builds trust and unlocks team performance.
✨ Nature is a profound teacher. Maria shares a moving reflection on walking the IDG compass and embracing the symbolic journey of letting go, facing the unknown, and stepping into new beginnings.
✨ Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s deciding to take action even when your voice shakes.
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Let's keep leading the change together.
Genevieve 💗
