Episode 5 - Cynthia Scott

What if “no” isn’t the end of the conversation, but the beginning of a better question?

 

This powerful question sits at the heart of Maud’s conversation with Cynthia Scott, Group CEO at Zip — a leader whose career spans multiple sectors, and whose leadership story is marked by bold moves, deep reflection, and an unwavering belief in human potential.

 

For Cynthia, the turning point came when a mentor challenged her fear of the word 'no'. Guided purposefully by her mentor, what followed was a profound mindset shift: What if a “no” is simply your chance to ask why?

 

Cynthia reframed her approach to challenge, change, and mentoring. She shares why the best mentors act as mirrors — not handing over answers, but reflecting back your own voice and helping you see what you’ve overlooked. It’s a practice she now brings into every mentoring relationship, particularly when working with those who don’t yet see their own capability.

 

Cynthia’s insights are a timely reminder: mentoring isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being visible, being real, and asking the right questions to help someone else move forward.