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Data-driven purposeful leadership

Transforming Leadership with Data and Purpose: Insights from Carolyn Creswell

By Steople
On May 20th, 2025
In Episodes 15 and 16 of the Leadership and Wellbeing podcast, Carolyn Creswell, the owner and CEO of Carman’s, shares her unique approach to leading with purpose and leveraging data to support wellbeing. From using wearable technology to deepening self-awareness, Carolyn’s leadership style is a blueprint for creating healthier, high-performing organisations.

Episode 15: The Power of Data in Wellbeing

Carolyn believes that data-driven wellbeing is the future of leadership. From tracking sleep and stress patterns to encouraging health check-ups, she emphasises how data can empower leaders and employees alike to make more informed choices about their wellbeing.
This aligns with the principles of personalised healthcare and psychology, which advocate for tailored interventions based on individual needs. At Carman’s, data isn’t just about business metrics—it’s also about supporting employees in building sustainable habits for health and resilience.
Research supports this approach. When organisations use data to better understand their people, they can develop targeted, impactful wellbeing programs. These proactive efforts improve engagement, reduce absenteeism, and enhance workplace culture.

Episode 16: Bringing Your Whole Self to Work

In our follow-up conversation, Carolyn shares how purpose and self-awareness play a pivotal role in effective leadership. Leaders who reflect on how they show up every day—and how they impact others—create space for authenticity, empathy, and meaningful culture.
Carolyn encourages leaders to embrace small, intentional practices. These might be as simple as taking a proper lunch break, setting boundaries between work and home life, or acknowledging a colleague’s great work. When repeated consistently, these actions compound to shape a healthy, vibrant workplace.
She also speaks candidly about navigating self-doubt and the pressure to always have it together. Like many high performers, she has moments of impostor syndrome. Her solution? Reconnecting with purpose and trusting in her values.

Situational Leadership and Flexibility

Carolyn’s leadership style embodies the situational leadership model—adapting her approach based on team needs and changing business contexts. Using real-time data, she knows when to step in and when to step back, creating the space for her team to grow and lead.

Key Takeaways for Leaders

  1. Leverage Data for Insight – Track what matters: not just KPIs, but health, rest, and personal energy levels.
  2. Prioritise Purpose – When in doubt, reconnect with your deeper “why.” Purpose fuels sustainable performance.
  3. Adopt Small Habits – Wellbeing is built through consistent, intentional practices.
  4. Be Self-Aware – Reflect often on your presence, mindset, and the impact you have on others.
  5. Stay Flexible – Adapt your leadership style based on data, feedback, and your team’s evolving needs.

Why This Matters

Whether you’re a wellbeing champion like Alex, a strategic leader like Simone, or a performance-focused CEO like Andrew, Carolyn’s insights are immediately applicable. Data and purpose are not opposites—they’re complementary forces that can drive truly human-centric leadership.

Take the Next Step

Listen to Episodes 15 and 16 of the Leadership and Wellbeing podcast to discover how integrating purpose and data can elevate your leadership and empower your people.