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Breaking Borders: How Araceli Canedo Bebbington Leads with a Global Vision
In a world where leadership demands adaptability, purpose, empathy, and a deep understanding of diverse perspectives, few embody these qualities as seamlessly as Araceli Canedo Bebbington. With a life lived across Switzerland, Spain, France, and the UK, fluency in five languages, and a corporate career managing global teams of up to 400 members, Araceli’s journey is a testament to the power of embracing the world’s cultural richness.
Today, as a transformational executive coach and EMCC Board member, she draws from her wealth of experiences to inspire leaders across Europe, the US, and APAC. For Araceli, leadership isn’t just about making decisions—building trust, empowering individuals, and creating environments where everyone feels valued. Her story is one of resilience, authenticity, and a global perspective that continues to break barriers and redefine success.
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Living in Switzerland, Spain, France, and the UK, speaking five languages fluently, and being married to an Australian have all shaped my leadership style to be adaptable, empathetic, and inclusive. In my corporate career, I led global teams of up to 400 members across Europe, the US, and APAC, and today, my coaching clients span the globe. Also, my EMCC Board role has further expanded my perspective, allowing me to work across many countries—one of the key reasons I embraced it. These experiences have taught me that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s about listening, understanding diverse perspectives, and creating environments where people feel valued and empowered. Building trust, being transparent, and staying true to core values are the principles that guide me, no matter the cultural context.
What key principles do you believe every leader must embrace to be truly transformational, and how do you instil those values in the leaders you coach?
True transformational leadership starts with deep self-awareness and a clear sense of purpose. I encourage leaders to dive deep into their purpose—what truly motivates and fulfils them in life. I also believe that comfort is the enemy of growth; embracing challenges is crucial to unlocking new potential. Through coaching, I help leaders shift their mindset and see obstacles as opportunities to learn and evolve. Perseverance is key—despite setbacks, I empower them to keep moving forward with resilience and adaptability.
With your extensive experience in leading large teams, what do you believe is the key to building trust and motivating individuals in such diverse and global teams?
Trust is built through honesty, transparency, and meaningful communication. In my corporate roles, I always believed in speaking openly with my teams, even during difficult times like cost-cutting measures. I made it a point to address these challenges head-on in town halls because I firmly believe that trust is strengthened when leaders are willing to have tough conversations with empathy and clarity. Beyond transparency, I encourage teams to embrace challenges as growth opportunities, reinforcing that adaptability is key to long-term success.
Leadership today requires resilience, agility, and a strong sense of purpose. My advice to emerging leaders is to invest time in building authentic relationships and to stay curious—curiosity fuels growth. It’s also important to embrace challenges rather than shy away, as growth happens outside our comfort zones. Perseverance is crucial; setbacks will happen, but what truly defines a leader is their ability to keep moving forward with courage and an open mindset.
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My deep connection to my purpose is what keeps me going every day. I truly believe that through my business, I can have a transformational impact on others, helping them lead more fulfilling lives. Yes, because what could be more rewarding than empowering others to find their own path to success and happiness? I also remind myself that growth happens when I step out of my comfort zone, and every challenge is an opportunity to push myself further. Additionally, I lean on my strong support system—family, friends, etc.—who have been a constant source of encouragement and strength throughout my journey.
Given your rich experience, what is one lesson from your leadership roles that you find yourself teaching most often to your coaching clients?
One of the most important lessons I share is the power of self-compassion. Many high-achieving professionals are incredibly hard on themselves, and I often remind them that growth doesn’t come from self-criticism but from embracing their journey with kindness. Learning to listen to your inner compass and give yourself permission to exist (as you are) is crucial. A book I often recommend to my clients is You Have Permission to Exist—it’s a great resource for those looking to cultivate more self-compassion and listen to their needs and their own truth, rather than to what others expect from them.
Looking toward the future, what legacy do you hope to leave as both a transformational leader and an executive coach?
I want to leave a legacy that proves it’s never too late to embrace change and redefine success. I took the leap into entrepreneurship when I was about to turn 50, and I’m loving every moment of it! My mission is to inspire others to pursue their passions courageously, embrace challenges as opportunities, and push beyond their comfort zones to reach their full potential. Whether in my coaching, corporate roles, or board work, I want to be remembered as someone who led with authenticity, perseverance, and a deep commitment to empowering others.
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