In this episode, Heather speaks with Matt Sweetwood, CEO of LuxNow, on his leadership style, his strong drive to lead and where it comes from, how he treats his employees like family his very profound story of adversity and rebirth. Key takeaways: When things go wrong in life and business, focus on fixing one thing at a time and looking forward Sometimes when we are easy on team members whose performance is short, we enable them to fail. Then, that failure becomes our own. Set the bar high, live...
Jun 23, 2020•41 min•Ep. 122
In this episode, Heather speaks with Kristin Fox, VP of HR at Gyrodata about her leadership style where her drive to lead comes from and ways she was not the the best version of herself and what strategies she used to show up better. Key Takeaways: Take time with your people and leave the boss back at the office Try to establish a deeper connection especially now during a crisis Help your people through the struggle and model it Find cheerleaders who believe in you and will help you through roug...
Jun 16, 2020•22 min•Ep. 121
In this episode, Heather speaks with Stephen Christopher about his leadership style, where his drive to lead come from, about a time when he allowed himself to hold onto an employee who was not open to change and what he did to come out of that circumstance and what he does now to stop himself for doing that. Key takeaways: Set aside time to be with people who just need to talk Look for the greatness in people, but they have to want to improve Be a student of learning All your people to be their...
Jun 09, 2020•30 min•Ep. 120
In this episode, Heather speaks to Karen Weeks about her leadership journey, the way she sees how the differences in leadership styles impact the way we lead, more about her drive to lead and interesting lessons she learned when she left a team member out of an important meeting: Key takeaways: Collaborate with team members to ensure you aren’t making assumptions about their future opportunities Understand your unique style and how that helps you lead better Our mistakes inform our future decisi...
Jun 02, 2020•23 min•Ep. 119
Heather speaks with Wes Struebing, founder and president at Logistics Titans about his very direct and caring leadership style, where his drive to lead comes from and some great nuggets for all leaders to ask themselves to move forward in their leadership. Key Takeaways: If you cannot or are not helping those you lead, you must leave or change your position You are either green and growing or you are dying. Which do you choose? Doing the right thing is the only thing to do...
May 26, 2020•21 min•Ep. 118
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks to Scott Shay, Chairman of Signature Bank of New York about his leadership style, his mentors on leadership and very unlikely journey to where he is today, his organization’s communication strategy through the Corona Virus, a time when he was not the best leader he could be and much more. Key takeaways: The most valuable asset in any organization is it employees Use the Golden Rule in your standards of conduct or organizational norms Don’t do something to ...
May 19, 2020•32 min•Ep. 117
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Erik Van Bramer, SVP at Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago about his leadership style, his North Star for Leading, the very distant place from where his drive to lead comes and something key for leaders to remember. Key takeaways: Figure out what the needs of your people are and meet them there When you are truly happy to see that your people are getting recognition for their work separately from your part in it, you know you are a caring leader Keep you...
May 12, 2020•27 min•Ep. 116
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Kelly Moran, the Executive Director of the American Cancer Society in Denver. Kelly shared a lot about her leadership style, her philosophy, the importance of showing up at leaders, a time when she was not her best and he key things we can do as leaders to move forward in our current Covid crisis. Key takeaways: Our attitude matters at work If we want to instill confidence and help others move forward past adversity, we must do it first Be your best s...
May 05, 2020•21 min•Ep. 115
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Frank Ricotta, CEO and Founder of BurstIQ about his leadership style, his unique background that instilled in him a drive to lead, a time when he was at a low in his leadership and what he did to come out of it and some key tips to move interate during a crisis. Key takeways: Strike the balance between both nurturing and being a visionary driving for goal achievement Focus on growing and lifting those you lead If we don’t learn form those around us, w...
Apr 30, 2020•25 min•Ep. 114
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Kevin Patterson, CEO of Connect For Health Colorado about his leadership style, philosophy, a time when he was so proud of his leadership behaviors and more. His unique perspective on employee voice and communication to different audiences Key takeaways: Employees can’t be clear about what you need to do without knowing where you are going Do not micromanage; tell your people where you want them to end up and let them get there their way We are managi...
Apr 28, 2020•38 min•Ep. 113
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Andy Boian, Founder and CEO of Dovetail Solutions, a PR firm based out of Colorado. Andy shares a touching story of why he is driven to lead that is based out adversity, his ideas on a 60-day quick start program for new employees and the reason why he speaks last at meetings. Key takeaways: Make sure those you lead feel valued and that their interests and jobs are valued We must give trust before we get it Speak last as the leader in the room so you g...
Apr 21, 2020•38 min•Ep. 112
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Timbra Yoakum, Director of Special Programs, Mabank Independent School District about her drive to lead, a time when she was not the best version of her, her leadership style and focus, and where her passes lies. Key takeways: Be a servant leader and get in the trenches with those you lead Don’t place yourself above those you lead, but in a supportive role and at their side Spend one-on-one time and get to know your people personally Leadership is mor...
Apr 14, 2020•21 min•Ep. 111
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Arlene Mendoza, Senior Innovation Program Manager at Alluma about her leadership style, the things that drive her to lead, a time when she did not shine as a leader and her ideas about iterating our leadership style. Key takeaways: Listen to yourself and then to others Think of leadership as an interative process It is ok to decide to move in a different direction instead of being miserable in your current role We lead more effectively when we are usi...
Apr 07, 2020•27 min•Ep. 110
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks to Kirk Adams, President and CEO of American Foundation for the Blind about his unique journey as a blind person for most of his life, how that frames his leadership style and a time when he was not the best version of himself. In a time like today with the coronavirus taking us by storm, Kirk provides an uplifting lesson on how we can move past adversity and shine as leaders. Key takeaways: Learn from others via podcasts, books, biographies Be an inclusiv...
Mar 31, 2020•28 min•Ep. 109
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks to listeners from Chicago at the No Longer Virtual Conference about imposter syndrome, why it will happen but what to focus on instead and the ways we are all meant to be where we are. Key takeaways: 1. Know that you are uniquely created to be where you are 2. If you don’t think you belong, others might not think it either 3. Create the opportunity to include others who might feel this way
Mar 24, 2020•9 min•Ep. 108
On this episode, Heather speaks directly listers on employee appreciation day 2020. She highlights some of the real critical ways to show your employees that you appreciate them and makes us think about the value that appreciation bring and what the results can be. Key takeaways: *What does feeling appreciated mean to you with those you lead? *Should showing appreciation be a cookie-cutter approach? *How often do you just sit with your people and dig deep to find out what’s going on with them?
Mar 17, 2020•6 min•Ep. 107
Heather Younger, speaks with Dr. Karen Johnson, Equity and Inclusion Administrator for Washington Department of Corrections about her leadership style, where her drive to lead comes from, her unique view and purpose working with the incarcerated and those that serve them and her leadership conversion story. Key takeaways: It doesn’t matter how much you know, but how much you care Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your people. Then, they will care for your customers and you Reali...
Mar 10, 2020•28 min•Ep. 106
In this episode, Heather Younger, speaks to Dr.T. Renata Robinson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, about the complexity of leading an organization that serves the poor, and sometimes, employs the poor, a leadership mishap and some key ways to thrive as a leader. Key takeaways: Understand that often we encounter our people in their brokenness Humility is the highest honor Admitting your mistakes as a leader is a sign of strength Must build relationships befor...
Mar 03, 2020•26 min•Ep. 105
In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Kimberly Loving, Chief of Staff for the City of Seattle overseeing the HR function 13,000 employee employees. Kimberly shares the leaders requirement to cultivate their employees, a time when she was not the best version of herself as a leader, and some really cool learnings from her mothers and relatives. Key takeaways: People are the thing that matters most, set everything else aside. Focusing on people is simple but not easy and it must be done Ali...
Feb 25, 2020•34 min•Ep. 104
In this podcast episode, Heather Younger speaks with Benilda Samuels, COO of Nurse-Family Partnership, about her unique way of helping others breathe through challenges, how to brings her employees close when times get tough, a time when she was not the best leader and how to she came out of it. Key Takeaways: Take a breath to reflect on what is happening in your work life Bring your people close to you and pause through adversity People should always come first; tasks come second Take time to b...
Feb 18, 2020•40 min•Ep. 103
In this episode, Heather speaks with listeners about plans for 2020, the role they can play in it, a powerful story of how loving and caring transformed a group of women and how they can also transform our workplaces, and some updates on her latest book. Key takeaways: 1. Love and care in the workplace can transform cultures 2. Once we set out to do something and we are focused on that, it will become a reality Once we set out to do something and we are wholly focused on that, it will become a r...
Feb 11, 2020•9 min•Ep. 102
In this episode, Heather speaks to Christina Wegner, vice president of marketing at the Vollrath company, about her leadership style, a funny story about her drive to lead, a powerful story about a time when she was not the best leader she could be and exactly what she did to come out of it. This episode is chalk full of psychological safety messages. Key takeaways: Feedback is a gift. Give it and receive it often Commit your time to becoming a lifelong learner Pay if forward. Give your talents ...
Feb 04, 2020•41 min•Ep. 101
Heather celebrates the 100th episode of the podcast by sharing testimonials from people who have listened mostly since the beginning of the show and also gives a short nugget and message that should feel impactful to those listening. Please listen in as we honor those who support the podcast as well as the Leaders you have been on the show. Cheers to 100 more! Enjoy!
Jan 28, 2020•18 min
In this episode, Heather, speaks with DeeDee Williams, Director of Human Resources at Davis, Graham and Stubbs LLP, about her leadership journey, her focus on compassion, her strong moral compass that she fights to maintain and a powerful story of when she was not the best leader she could be and what she did to come out of it. Key takeaways: Be a compassionate leader Don’t allow your circumstances to define who you are and how you show up Be available when employees need you, put the phone down...
Jan 21, 2020•40 min•Ep. 99
In this episode, Heather speaks with Cheryl Fullerton, EVP of People and Communications at Corus Entertainment, Toronto’s largest media company, about her leadership style, her super interesting focus on psychological safety for all and her unabashed belief in innovation. Key takeaways: See your role as a company and people builder Do the hard work to find out who you are and what you stand for Try to know the problem before you set out to fix it People need trust and confidence that they are go...
Jan 14, 2020•34 min•Ep. 98
In this episode, Heather speaks to Don Davis, County Manager for Jefferson County, Colorado. Don shares his leadership philosophy and vision with Heather. Don also talks about a time when he was not the best version of himself as a leader. He sheds light on the difference between helping people get the tools they need to do their jobs and then meeting their wants and needs. Don highlights the most important things: Key Takeaways: Leaders should help their people understand who they really are Vu...
Jan 07, 2020•34 min•Ep. 97
In this episode, Heather speaks to Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager, City of Dubuque in Iowa about her what drives her to lead, a back drop to the type of leader that she is and a compelling story of a time when she was not the best leader she could be. Note this has racial undertones, but you will listen and be inspired. Key takeaways: Stand out: be the leader who rolls up your sleeves and gets into the trenches with those you lead Understand that what you do or fail to do and what you say ...
Dec 31, 2019•35 min•Ep. 96
In this episode, Heather speaks to Jennifer Fairweather, Chief Human Resources Officer at Jefferson County in Colorado about her leadership style, her drive to lead, and her struggle to face conflict head-on while still show care for her people and coworkers. Key Takeaways: Give people space to come up with their own idea in a safe environment Be a vulnerable leader who invites the team in to help overcome obstacles You don’t have to do leadership alone Continue to work on you and fill you up fi...
Dec 24, 2019•25 min•Ep. 95
In this episode, Heather speaks to listeners about a personal story with her daughter that highlights what courage and authenticity really look like and how leaders need to be the catalysts to create environments that allow their people to discover their gifts. Then, allow them to use those gifts for the betterment of all.
Dec 17, 2019•9 min•Ep. 94
In this podcast, Heather speaks with Brent Stockwell, Assistant City Manager, City of Scottsdale about his leadership style, his development and use of a personal purpose statement and a way he fell short in his leadership role and admitted his mistakes. Key takeaways: Create a personal mission statement to keep you focused A leader’s key responsibility is to model great behavior. Take responsibility for actions and do everything you can to make things right Help others be ok to fail and learn a...
Dec 10, 2019•25 min•Ep. 93
