In this episode, we sit down with Niren Chaudhary, Chairman and CEO of Panera Bread, and VEST Member Beverly Carmichael, a seasoned corporate board director for several iconic brands. Together, we explore the rising demand for empathetic leadership in today’s volatile and unpredictable world.

Drawing on the moving story of his late daughter Aisha—who accomplished extraordinary things in her 18 years despite a terminal illness—Chaudhary shares how profound personal loss reshaped his perspective on life, leadership, and legacy.

From this experience emerged a leadership philosophy anchored in three core values:

• Courage: Focus on what you can control.
• Gratitude: Celebrate life’s gifts, even in hardship.
• Generosity: Lead by serving others.

He introduces a four-step framework for processing loss and leading with resilience:

1. Acceptance
2. Self-forgiveness
3. Self-love
4. Renewed hope through purpose

These principles are not only healing—they’re actionable strategies for leaders navigating uncertainty and change.

Chaudhary also reflects on the challenges of leading multigenerational teams, and building cultures that thrive, by providing:

• Clarity of mission
• Opportunities for personal mastery
• Shared purpose as a multiplier for good

and challenges the false divide between purpose and profit. He shares how leaders can foster a virtuous cycle where values-driven decisions enhance both customer and employee experiences—not through isolated acts of charity, but through integrated, sustainable impact.

Tune in to discover how courage, gratitude, and generosity can transform your leadership—and your organization. Be sure to share this episode with a friend and don’t forget to leave us a review.

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