[pullquote align=center] Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility. Peter F. Drucker [/pullquote] In my role, I often meet with employee focus groups and leaders of organizations. While on one side I am privy to what employees think of their manager’s effectiveness, I also see first-hand some of the key mistakes that … Read more
I recently spoke with a prospective client who told me that his organization was aiming to be the “Nordstrom” of their industry. In my position, I hear this a lot. To be clear, getting to be the Nordstrom of any industry does take intentional focus and action. It is also not easy to achieve. What … Read more
[pullquote align=center] Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.-John Maxwell [/pullquote] I have had the privilege to work with and interview some very committed managers. They were also leaders. There are really three common practices successful managers commit to doing consistently: 1. Successful managers recognize efforts … Read more
In the first of these articles, Rich Hazeltine of Zappos and I discussed the role that training and development plays in creating engaged employees, the challenges in moving away from a traditional model of management to a more self-organized one and the difference between how Millennials and then those in the over 35 group respond to … Read more
This article is the second in a 3-part series based upon my interview with Zappos’ training and development leader, Richard Hazeltine. You can check out the first article here for my discussion with Richard about the role of training and development in creating engaged employees and some of the challenges in moving to their new … Read more
This is the 1st article in a 3-part series where I share my interview with Zappos’ leader of training and development, Richard Hazeltine, as part of my focus on what it takes to create customers and employees positively fanatical about your brand. I reached out to Rich after noticing that not only does he … Read more
I have lived in my home for 8 years now. As embarassing as this may sound, I discovered just one year ago that I have a plum tree right in my front yard. One of my next door neighbors who was about to move out of his home confessed that he picked up plums that … Read more
Since my kids are off on Christmas break, I had the opportunity to watch The Lorax (2012) with them. Even though I have seen this delightful movie many times, something struck me this time: What good does it do to say an organization has a team who represents the “customer’s voice,” if no one is … Read more
Employees are a company’s greatest asset – they’re your competitive advantage. You want to attract and retain the best; provide them with encouragement, stimulus, and make them feel that they are an integral part of the company’s mission.- Anne Mulcahy We have all heard the “Employee first, customer second” philosophy of growing and maintaining a flourishing … Read more
Caring managers love the teams they lead, and they are not afraid to admit it! I would like to counter many of the articles and blogs that talk about the landmines that might await managers who get too connected to their employees, or as I prefer to call them, my team members. I have also been … Read more
Becoming Unshakable is the podcast for leaders, creators, and changemakers who know TRUE LEADERSHIP starts from within.
Each episode explores what it takes to lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose while staying human through it all.
Through candid conversations with executives, frontline leaders, coaches, and everyday heroes, Heather uncovers the real stories behind growth, compassion, setbacks, and transformation.
From navigating change to creating emotionally safe cultures, Becoming Unshakable reveals what it really takes to create leaders—and organizations—that can’t be shaken.
I've been through every type of
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
you can think of.
Layoffs, reorgs, mergers, acquisitions and major technology shifts. More than 20 years leading teams through high-stakes situations where results mattered, people depended on me, and decisions couldn't wait.
Those years taught me how to lead. But they also showed me the hidden cost of always being the one who holds it all together.
During our second reorg in less than a year, I walked out of a meeting with no say in what was happening, just marching orders. When my team asked how the meeting went, I should have said, “Give me 15 minutes to process this.” But I didn't. Instead, I let them absorb every ounce of my frustration.
Then I saw their faces.
The people who looked to me for stability had just watched me unravel. What was that teaching them about their ability to handle the pressure?
That moment changed how I saw my role as a leader. Leading teams isn't only about grit or resilience. It's about how your presence builds the trust your team needs to function when things get hard.
Today, I help organizations build unshakable leaders, teams, and cultures. Because when leaders become the calm teams can count on, organizations don't just survive change, they come out strong enough to handle what’s next.
Through this guide, uncover how to ensure those in your care at work feel heard and valued, resulting in increased loyalty and satisfaction.
Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488
Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488