SUBSCRIBE TO ITUNES In this episode, Heather speaks with Ian Sohn, President of the Chicago office of Wunderman, a creative tech company. Ian talks about his leadership style, his philosophy on growing talents, and a rough spot he found himself in as a leader. Heather discovered Ian through an article written about him in the New … Read more
SUBSCRIBE TO ITUNES In this episode, Heather Younger speaks with Giridhar Akkineni, CEO of AkkenCloud, about his leadership style, his anything-but-smooth journey to leadership, his hyper-focus on all things customers, and how he helps his people find meaning in their work. Key takeaways: Make it your focus to give your people something to be excited … Read more
SUBSCRIBE TO ITUNES In this episode, Heather speaks with Megan Bertrand, SVP for Learning and Development for FirstBank. Megan shares a great way on how she connects with her team, her leadership style, a time when she was not the best leader she could be and its impact on her today. This was Heather’s first … Read more
In this episode, Heather speaks with Danielle Vaughan, EVP of Human Resources at FirstBank about her journey to leadership, her unique leadership style and what leaders can do to better connect with their teams. Key takeaways: Leadership is a long journey. If you want employee buy-in, break down the goals into smaller steps. Have courage … Read more
SUBSCRIBE TO ITUNES In this episode, Heather speaks with Melissa Ebert about her leadership style, concepts of psychological safety, why self-care is so important and a few challenges she had along the way. Key takeaways: Get input from your team to understand where they come from. Seek first to understand. Help your people live in … Read more
I am very excited to share my second interview as part of the Enlightened Leader series. I will share these interviews consistently to shine a light on enlightened leaders around the world. My questions help uncover leadership styles and strategies and how these impact the employee experience. When I refer to “Enlightened … Read more
We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out. Franklin D. Roosevelt My daughter had a tough middle school year last year. She agonized over how she felt left out of circles and discussions and events. I would … Read more
[pullquote align=center] To be listened to is, generally speaking, a nearly unique experience for most people. It is enormously stimulating. It is small wonder that people who have been demanding all their lives to be heard so often fall speechless when confronted with one who gravely agrees to lend an ear. Man clamors … 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.
Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488
Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488