How Grateful Leaders Stay Steady When Others Spiral

What does it really take to stay steady when everything around you feels uncertain?

In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with Kisha Wynter, an executive coach and former GE leader, to explore what steadiness actually looks like in real life. Not the polished version of leadership we often see on the surface, but the kind that is built through self-awareness, difficult personal moments, and a willingness to keep returning to the work. Kisha shares how her own journey through corporate leadership, personal change, and moments of deep self-doubt shaped her understanding of what it means to lead from within.

We talk openly about the difference between appearing strong and being truly steady. Kisha reflects on a defining moment in her career when self-doubt surfaced during a high-stakes interview, forcing her to confront the internal narrative many leaders quietly carry. That experience became a turning point, leading her to invest in her own development and, eventually, to support others through similar challenges. It is a reminder that leadership growth is rarely linear and often deeply personal.

Our conversation also explores the role of support systems, something many leaders struggle to fully embrace. From mentors and sponsors to everyday acts of compassion, Kisha highlights how progress is often shaped by the people around us. We also unpack the idea that trying to do everything alone can quietly undermine both confidence and sustainability over time.

One of the most powerful themes in this discussion is the role of gratitude as a daily practice. Kisha explains how intentionally reflecting on small moments of support and progress can shift perspective and build a sense of stability, even during uncertain times. It is a simple idea, yet one that can reshape how leaders experience pressure, setbacks, and growth.

This episode is a thoughtful reflection on what it means to lead with intention, to recognize when you are off center, and to keep coming back to practices that restore clarity and confidence. It is about doing the internal work that allows leadership to feel real, sustainable, and human.

How are you building steadiness in your own leadership when the pressure starts to rise?


Kisha Wynter is a leadership consultant and executive coach who helps senior women leaders thrive by breaking through barriers, navigating organizational politics with integrity, and expanding their enterprise influence so they can achieve success in alignment with their deepest values and purpose.

With more than 20 years in corporate HR, including roles at GE and Citibank, Kisha has coached leaders across 50 countries. Her signature program, Your Power Unleashed, and proprietary framework, The DIVA Method®, equip women to rise with confidence, amplify their impact, and lead with purpose. Whether coaching C-suite leaders or facilitating workshops, Kisha brings both strategic insight and soul, helping leaders transform how they show up, lead, and thrive.


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About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP

Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization.

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Becoming Unshakeable Podcast

With Heather R. Younger

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.

Hi, I'm Heather

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.

Heather Sitting
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  • A checklist with the 9 key tenets of caring leadership to help you have a positive impact on those you lead.
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Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488

Contact
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I'm really interested in...

(select all that apply)*

I can be reached at...

Additional Comments