In this episode of Leadership with Heart, Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, reflects on his evolution from sales leader to CEO. He shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership, including when he learned that offering his opinion too soon in meetings unintentionally stifled the voices around him.
Rather than leading with answers, Shawn now leads with questions and listens first, giving his team the space to bring forward their insights.This conversation is grounded in humility and real-world experience.
Shawn opens up about the difference between knowing and living the exemplary leadership phrases. He speaks about the gap between theory and practice, the challenge of leading former peers, and the importance of self-awareness at every growth stage. His daily journaling practice shows how he maintains clarity and perspective over time, treating each entry as a conversation with his future self.
You’ll also hear about Shawn’s belief in gratitude as a leadership skill, not just a mindset. His approach to leadership blends emotional maturity, vulnerability, and the quiet strength of consistency. Whether handling a business decision or helping a team member course correctly, his message is clear: people want to follow human beings, not polished personas.
So here’s something to think about. In your meetings and conversations, are you genuinely listening for new ideas or unintentionally shaping the answers before they are spoken? Let us know how you create space for diverse thinking in your leadership.
About Shawn
Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, has over two decades of experience in the bureau industry providing direction to speakers and developing strategic relationships. He is a Past President of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB) and a current EO Nashville board member. An avid sports fan, Shawn enjoys CrossFit and watching the NFL/NBA. He and his wife, Heather, are native Texans that have made Nashville home for 24 years. They are the proud parents of Mia (21), Ethan (20), Ella Kate (17), Ava (15) and the world’s greatest golden-doodle, Poppy.
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WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP:
Engage your people with work culture consulting: https://employeefanatix.com/
Hire Heather to speak to your group: https://www.heatheryounger.com
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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.
Visit heatheryounger.com or https://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger for more details.
