Last November, fourteen women gathered in Killarney, Ireland, for the Grays Peak Strategies Women in Leadership Retreat, an immersive experience grounded in Leadership Through the Senses. Set against the mossy forests, stone walls, and wide-open landscapes of County Kerry, the retreat invited women to slow down, listen deeply, and reflect on how leadership shows up in their lives personally and professionally.

In a recent Grays Peak Strategies podcast episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with six of the women who joined us on that journey. What unfolded was less of an interview and more of a collective remembering of presence, courage, and the power of leading with intention.

As a warm-up, each woman offers up her favorite moment from the retreat, responses that ranged from laughter and connection to stillness and clarity.

From there, we explored a deeper question: What did you learn or confirm about yourself as a leader during our time together?
What emerged was a shared recognition that leadership does not always require force or urgency. Many reflected on the importance of trust trusting themselves, trusting others, and trusting the process. Several spoke about releasing the pressure to have all the answers and instead leading with curiosity, responsiveness, and care. It was sometimes the unplanned moments and connection that meant the most and the power of having the support of a community. Many women shared the lasting impact that the trip had and some new habits and rituals that they have brought back with them.

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One of the most powerful metaphors that surfaced came from an unexpected place: a sheep herding demonstration we witnessed together. Watching the herder and dog work in quiet coordination sparked rich conversation about leadership, communication, and restraint. We’ve since affectionately named these insights “Leadersheep.” The lesson was clear: effective leadership is often about guidance rather than control, clarity rather than command, and knowing when to step back so others can move forward.

Women in leadership is really about connection and also about helping those coming up behind us and the women share lessons and thoughts about what advice they’d give to their younger self and the conversation is so rich and powerful!

This episode is a reflection of what we believe deeply at Grays Peak Strategies: that leadership is not just a set of skills, but a lived, sensed experience—one that is shaped by place, people, and the willingness to learn together.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear their voices, stories, and Leadersheep wisdom come to life.

“Leadersheep” & Leadership: Wisdom from the Fields of Killarney