#228 | How To Lead Better With India Gary-Martin

Are you waiting for clarity before you make your next move? That might be the very thing holding you back. Right now, leaders everywhere are navigating constant change, AI, global teams, shifting expectations, and the truth is, it’s not slowing down. I sat down with India Gary-Martin, a global leader who’s worked across the US, UK, Japan, and really all over the world and one thing was clear: the leaders who win aren’t the ones with perfect information; they’re the ones who know how to move anyway.

Making Decisions As A Leader

Let’s start with the piece most people get stuck on: decision-making. India said something that really stuck with me: “People will forgive a bad decision, but they won’t forgive indecision.” Waiting, overanalyzing, trying to get it “just right” doesn’t build trust, it erodes it. Strong leaders make the call with the information they have, say it out loud, and keep things moving. A simple filter? Ask yourself: Is this good enough to move forward? If yes, go. You can adjust later if you get new information. You can’t course-correct something you never started.

But here’s where it gets more interesting: how you lead (and decide) doesn’t land the same everywhere. India shared stories from working across cultures, and it’s a reminder that context matters more than we think. What feels direct and efficient in the US can feel abrupt and rude somewhere else. What looks like hesitation in one culture might actually be respect in another. Great leaders don’t bulldoze through those differences; they get curious about them. They ask better questions, observe more closely, and adapt without jumping to conclusions.

The Skill That Leaders Need Most

The one skill India pointed to that makes a great team? Agility, it matters more than ever. The leaders who thrive right now aren’t rigid, they’re responsive. They’re willing to change their minds, take in new information, and pivot quickly without spiraling. And just as important? They actually invest in themselves in a strategic way. They take time to think. Time to rest. Time to reflect. Because if you’re constantly reacting, you’re not leading – you’re just keeping up.

At the end of the day, this is the shift: stop treating uncertainty like a problem to solve and start treating it like the environment you operate in. Make the decision. Say the thing. Adjust as you go. Pay attention to the people and the context around you. And build the kind of self-trust that lets you move before you feel 100% ready, because you probably won’t. The leaders who stand out right now aren’t the ones waiting for clarity. They’re the ones creating it.

Timestamps:

08:31 Decision-Making in Leadership

13:05 Cultural Nuances in Leadership

19:19 AI and Human Decision-Making

23:44 The Importance of Organizational Culture

26:50 Nature vs. Nurture in Leadership

30:23 The Importance of Rest and Wellness

38:03 Overcoming Intimidation in Leadership

48:26 Continuous Learning and Personal Development

Links:

Nano Tips for Inclusive Leadership

Nano Tips for Empathetic Leadership

Books:

Kimberly Crenshaw – Backtalker

Ryan Holiday – The Obstacle Is The Way

Jenn Whitmer – Joyosity

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