https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/unlocking-bold-potential-with-connie-white

In this Fearless Female Leadership Interview, I had the pleasure of connecting with Connie White, Chief People Officer at Altos Labs, to discuss the art and science of unlocking bold potential. Connie’s journey, insights, and passion for empowering others offer a roadmap for leaders and emerging professionals alike to tap into their own potential and that of their teams.

We explored what it means to “unlock bold potential” and how that journey often starts with small, intentional actions. Connie's stories—from her formative years to her current leadership role—underscore the importance of staying curious, giving and receiving feedback, and taking bold, well-thought-out action.

Key Takeaways

~ The Value of Curiosity in Unlocking Potential (00:01:17)

Connie emphasizes that curiosity is a powerful, often underappreciated factor in both personal and team development. As a leader, being curious about team members and their strengths helps create opportunities for growth.

~ Drawing Inspiration from Early Life Experiences (00:04:21)

Connie reflects on how her disciplined upbringing instilled in her a sense of responsibility, resilience, and self-belief. She shared a story from her Little League days when she was asked to play catcher for the All-Stars, a role she hadn’t previously trained for.

~ Building Trust Through Honest, Ongoing Feedback (00:12:22)

Feedback can feel intimidating, but Connie describes it as a crucial element of professional growth. When leaders offer feedback with care and clear intention, it builds trust, reinforces bonds, and strengthens the team.

~ Taking Bold, Well-Thought-Out Action (00:22:55)

Connie has learned that unlocking bold potential often requires making bold, thoughtful decisions. She encourages leaders to trust their intuition and act on it before overthinking leads to inaction.

~ Communicate, Care, and Be Curious (00:35:36)

To unlock potential on a larger scale, Connie champions the “three C’s”: communicate, care, and be curious. Leaders should actively listen, show genuine care, and create space for open conversations that allow team members to express their aspirations and challenges.

Connie’s approach to leadership is deeply inspiring and highlights that bold potential isn’t unlocked overnight. It’s nurtured over time through consistent, thoughtful actions and a willingness to step out of comfort zones. Her insights offer valuable guidance for both established and emerging leaders on how to recognize and foster bold potential in themselves and others.

If you’re on a journey to unlock your bold potential or want to foster it within your team, I’d love to support you. Book a call with me to start the conversation. Let’s make bold potential a reality, together.

Cheering you on always,

Sheryl

https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/leading-in-times-of-uncertainty-with-stephanie-royal

In this podcast episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Stephanie Royal, Chief People and Culture Officer at the Robin Hood Foundation. Stephanie’s journey and experiences provide a powerful reminder that leading with authenticity, resilience, and purpose is essential, especially in today’s ever-changing landscape. Together, we unpacked the importance of embracing our unique leadership journeys, navigating cultural and societal expectations, and finding strength in community and self-care.

Here are five key takeaways from our conversation:

1. Embrace Your Unique Journey (1:17)
   Stephanie’s journey to becoming a leader wasn’t linear. Inspired by strong female role models, she learned early on the importance of carving her own path. Despite societal and familial expectations, Stephanie emphasized that we must give ourselves permission to pursue the career and life paths that align with our values. "You do you," as we like to say, because it’s your life to live and your legacy to build.
2. Find Strength in Authenticity (9:14)
   Stephanie reminds us that being our authentic selves is crucial for effective leadership. She shared her own experience as a woman—and often the only woman of color—in executive spaces. Staying true to her identity allowed her to cultivate meaningful relationships and lead with confidence. Authenticity, she believes, is key to feeling settled, comfortable, and ultimately impactful in our leadership roles.
3. Trust is Essential in Times of Uncertainty (16:45)
   During uncertain times, having the trust of your team is paramount. Stephanie emphasizes that being a trusted leader makes it easier to guide teams through crises. By building relationships grounded in trust and transparency, leaders can inspire confidence and collaboration. In times of change, clear communication and a well-articulated plan can be a stabilizing force for the team.
4. Prioritize Self-Care and Reflection (24:12)
   One practical tool Stephanie introduced is embedding weekly reflection time into your schedule. This allows leaders to pause, review, and celebrate progress with their teams, helping everyone stay grounded and motivated. Whether it’s a dedicated hour or even just 10 minutes, reflection gives you the chance to recalibrate and focus on what’s working.
5. Build Your Support System (28:33)
   Stephanie’s final takeaway is about the importance of finding and nurturing a support system. Building connections, having trusted peers or mentors, and taking time for self-care are vital for long-term success and well-being. As she reminds us, “find your people” and invest in relationships that keep you grounded and resilient.

This episode was a powerful reminder that being intentional, authentic, and supported as leaders is essential for navigating today’s challenges. If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership journey, I’d love to connect. Book a discovery call with me to explore how high-level coaching can support your biggest goals and support your team.

Cheering you on always.

Sheryl

https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/developing-resilience-when-it-s-time-to-rise-with-anne-pao

In this insightful episode, I had the pleasure of connecting with Anne Pao, CEO and founder of Ignite Consulting, to explore resilience and the critical role of self-care in leadership. Anne shares her journey from a challenging childhood to a successful corporate career, emphasizing the importance of taking pauses to recharge.

Anne dives into the necessity of integrating self-care routines, the power of sleep, and redefining productivity to include rest. Her experiences offer valuable lessons for female leaders on sustaining resilience and achieving long-term success by prioritizing well-being and trusting oneself.

Key Takeaways

Introduction to Resilience (00:00:01)

The importance of resilience, especially in Q4.

Running Away Decision (00:04:02)

At 12, Anne considers running away but chooses to focus on academics instead, demonstrating resilience.

Burnout and Recovery (00:10:36)

Anne shares her experience with burnout during the pandemic and the importance of taking a break for self-care.

Trusting Yourself (00:15:22)

Anne discusses the importance of self-trust in making decisions, especially regarding taking a pause.

Finding Your Reset (00:22:44)

Anne shares her personal reset activities, emphasizing the need for a routine to clear the mind.

The Importance of Sleep (00:24:43)

Highlighting sleep’s role in growth and mental capability, encouraging better sleep habits.

Adding Social Accountability (00:25:06)

Incorporating social accountability to enhance commitment to self-care routines is key.

If you’d like to connect to discuss how I can help you or your team with coaching, speaking, or about early access to my upcoming book due out just prior to IDW 2025, let’s talk soon!

To your next level of success and joy,

Sheryl