Speak Like A Wise CEO – John Iossifidis Art of Responding, Not Reacting
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 13, 2025
- 5 min read
Written by Rohit Bassi, ROI Talks
Rohit Bassi has been given the title of "The Communication Wizard." He assists clients in improving careers, businesses, and lives.
In a world where reactive leadership often dominates headlines, John Iossifidis stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful, purpose-driven communication. This transformational CEO, who has spent over two decades shaping businesses across multiple continents, offers profound insights into what it truly means to speak and lead with wisdom.
The foundation: Respond, don't react
"There's a belief that I've had, and perhaps it's a lesson learned early on from a leadership point of view," John explains, "that you need to be able to respond to a situation, which means a considered response as opposed to reacting to a situation."
This fundamental principle shapes every aspect of his communication style. Unlike reactive leaders who let emotions drive their words, John advocates for a measured approach that considers multiple perspectives before speaking.
"A reaction is often emotional and it doesn't serve you," he notes. "And it also means that if I react emotionally, the likelihood of you reacting emotionally is also pretty high."
The power of active listening
True wisdom in communication begins with listening not just to formulate your next response, but to genuinely understand. John emphasizes the critical difference between hearing and truly listening.
"Far too often, we don't listen to understand, we actually listen to make our point, or we're waiting for a pause so that we can get our next point across," he observes.
His approach involves what he calls "demonstrating understanding," actively showing that you comprehend another person's perspective, objectives, and concerns before expressing your own views. This creates a foundation of trust that allows for meaningful dialogue rather than mere debate.
Purpose-driven communication
At the heart of John's communication philosophy lies purpose. He defines his personal purpose as "making a significant, meaningful positive impact on those around me," a principle that extends from family and friends to colleagues, clients, and entire communities.
"If my personal purpose doesn't align with my corporate purpose, then I'm not going to succeed," he states. "The two do actually need to be aligned."
This alignment transforms communication from mere information exchange into a purposeful connection. When leaders speak from a place of genuine purpose, their words carry weight and authenticity that resonates with others.
The art of asking smart questions
Perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of John's communication style is his belief in questions over answers. "One of the things that has made me successful is not necessarily having the answer—it's asking the smart question," he explains.
This approach serves multiple purposes:
It encourages deeper thinking in others
It demonstrates respect for others' intelligence and capability
It creates collaborative problem-solving rather than dictatorial solutions
It helps people discover their own answers, which they're more likely to embrace
Maintaining dignity in all interactions
A cornerstone of wise communication is treating every person with dignity, regardless of their position or the nature of the interaction. John shares how he evaluates potential hires partly based on how they treat service staff during interviews, a telling indicator of character.
"You've got to treat people with dignity even in the most difficult of situations," he emphasizes. This principle becomes particularly crucial when leading organizational transformations or navigating conflicts.
Balancing heart and mind
While John advocates for thoughtful, strategic communication, he doesn't dismiss the importance of emotional intelligence and authenticity. He describes himself as someone who speaks from the heart while engaging the mind, a delicate balance that creates both warmth and credibility.
"Your wellness, mental, physical, and spiritual, is totally interconnected," he notes, highlighting how personal well-being directly impacts communication effectiveness.
The wisdom of perspective
One of the most striking aspects of John's communication philosophy is his ability to see beyond immediate circumstances. Drawing from his mother's wisdom, he often reminds himself and others that "this too shall pass," whether referring to challenging times or moments of success.
This perspective allows him to communicate with a sense of equanimity that others find both calming and inspiring. It enables him to address difficult topics without becoming overwhelmed by their immediate intensity.
Practical applications for leaders
For leaders seeking to develop this wise communication style, John offers several practical approaches:
Before speaking, ask yourself:
Am I responding thoughtfully or reacting emotionally?
Have I truly understood the other person's perspective?
Does what I'm about to say align with my purpose?
Am I treating this person with dignity?
In conversations:
Listen to understand, not to reply
Ask questions that encourage deeper thinking
Demonstrate understanding before expressing your views
Focus on issues, not personalities
In leadership:
Align personal and organizational purpose
Create space for others to discover their own answers
Maintain dignity in all interactions
Remember that both challenges and successes are temporary
The long-term impact
The wisdom of this communication approach extends far beyond individual conversations. As John notes, when you lead an organization of 32,000 people, your communication style multiplies exponentially, affecting not just employees but their families and communities.
"You can touch somebody directly in a small way, and you don't even realize that you've actually done it sometimes," he reflects. "Those are the things that are actually equally as rewarding."
Conclusion: The ripple effect of wise communication
In an era of instant communication and reactive responses, John Iossifidis demonstrates that true leadership communication requires patience, purpose, and profound respect for others. His approach, rooted in thoughtful response rather than emotional reaction, creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the immediate conversation.
For leaders at any level, the lesson is clear: the way we communicate doesn't just convey information, it shapes cultures, builds relationships, and ultimately determines our impact on the world around us. In learning to speak like a wise CEO, we learn not just to communicate better, but to lead with greater purpose and effect.
As John puts it, success isn't just about having the right answers; it's about asking the right questions, listening with genuine intent, and speaking with purpose that serves something greater than ourselves.
This article is based on insights from Talkex | Ep. 10 | Driven by Purpose: The Stoic Leader, featuring John Iossifidis in conversation with me, the host Rohit Bassi. Talkex is a leadership interview series by Exeed College in the UAE, exploring the journey from ordinary to extraordinary.
At the time of writing this article, John Iossifidis was serving as Group CEO of Al Ghurair Investment, overseeing operations that impact 32,000 employees across multiple regions.
Rohit Bassi, ROI Talks
Rohit Bassi has been given the title of "The Communication Wizard." He assists clients in improving careers, businesses, and lives. He does this by serving leaders, teams, and change-makers to be wise and impactful with their communication.
