https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/key-factors-to-build-cohesive-teams-with-jen-fults-global-chief-people-officer-at-alvarez-marsal

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Jen Fults, the Global Chief People Officer at Alvarez & Marsal. Jen shared her journey of rising through the ranks, driven by a passion for people and an unwavering commitment to creating cohesive, high-performing teams. Throughout our conversation, her wisdom and practical insights highlighted the importance of leadership grounded in humanity, accountability, and clear communication.

This interview is a must-listen for leaders striving to build strong, resilient teams, particularly as we close out the year and prepare for new challenges ahead. From fostering team cohesion to addressing burnout head-on, Jen’s approach offers actionable strategies for navigating complex people challenges with grace and impact.

Key Takeaways

The Power of Grit and Resourcefulness (00:05:44)
Jen credits her success to a deep sense of grit and resourcefulness, traits she honed during her early career and as an athlete. She emphasizes the importance of believing in your ability to figure things out, even when taking on roles you feel unprepared for.

Building Cohesive Teams Through Empathy and Connection (00:12:02)
One of Jen’s core philosophies is that leaders must genuinely care about their teams’ well-being. She highlighted the importance of checking in with team members, creating space for personal connection, and ensuring everyone feels supported during challenging times.

Clarity as the Foundation of High Performance (00:21:32)
Jen stressed the importance of clear expectations in fostering high-performing teams. Whether it’s providing direct instructions or giving space for creative problem-solving, clarity ensures alignment and minimizes misunderstandings.

Addressing Burnout with Transparency and Prioritization (00:27:23)
When team members are feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, Jen believes in taking a two-pronged approach: self-reflection and direct communication. She encourages leaders to first assess their role in the situation and then address challenges head-on with their teams.

Jen’s insights remind us that leadership is not just about achieving results but also about how we achieve them. By fostering empathy, maintaining clear communication, and prioritizing well-being, leaders can create environments where both people and performance thrive.

If you’re a leader looking to build cohesive, high-performing teams or navigate challenges with greater confidence, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s connect and explore how you can elevate your leadership journey.

https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/leading-through-herculean-change-and-disruption-insights-from-kathie-johnson-cmo-of-sitecore

In the latest installment of my Fearless Female Leadership interview series, I had the privilege of sitting down with Kathie Johnson, the Chief Marketing Officer of Sitecore. Kathie has a proven track record of leading through complex challenges, and her first year at Sitecore was no exception. From navigating leadership and board changes to spearheading a monumental rebranding initiative, Kathie’s story is a masterclass in resilience, clarity, and focus.

Our conversation delved into what it takes to lead teams through Herculean change while managing the inevitable disruptions that come with it. Kathie shared invaluable lessons from her journey, emphasizing the importance of clarity, communication, and staying centered in one’s values. Whether you’re an individual contributor navigating organizational shifts or a leader managing teams through uncertainty, this interview offers practical advice to help you thrive.

Key Moments from the Interview

1. The Power of Persistence: Turning “No” into Opportunity (00:04:22)
   Kathie recounted a time early in her career when personal and professional setbacks collided. Instead of giving up, she found the courage to ask for what she needed.
   
   
2. Clarity, Communication, and Celebrating Wins: The Three C’s of Leadership (00:12:14)
   To navigate her team through significant organizational changes, Kathie relied on her “three C’s” framework:
   
   
   • Clarity: Clearly outlining the strategy and goals on one page to ensure everyone was aligned.
   • Communication: Providing consistent updates through roundtables and weekly notes to keep everyone informed and focused.
   • Celebration: Recognizing both big and small wins to sustain momentum and boost morale during challenging times.
3. Energy and Mood: The Ripple Effect of Leadership (00:13:18)
   Kathie highlighted the importance of maintaining a calm and positive demeanor as a leader. Teams take cues from their leaders’ energy, so staying composed and energized is crucial for inspiring confidence and focus during periods of disruption.
   
   
4. Focus on the “One Big Thing” (00:15:20)
   Whether you’re an individual contributor or a leader, staying focused on the most critical objective is key.
   
   
5. Aligning Career Choices with Core Values (00:22:01)
   Kathie closed with a powerful reminder: “This is your career, your life.” By staying true to your core values, you can make decisions that align with your long-term goals and lead a career filled with purpose and integrity.
   
   

Staying Grounded During Change

Kathie’s insights reinforce that leading through Herculean change requires a combination of personal resilience and thoughtful leadership. By staying centered in your values, maintaining clear communication, and celebrating progress, you can inspire your team to navigate even the most challenging circumstances with confidence and focus.

If Kathie’s story resonated with you, I’d love to hear yours. Let’s connect and explore how you can apply these principles to your leadership journey. Book a call with me today to share your story and take the first step toward fearless leadership.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leader podcast, please email

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

https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/being-an-executive-and-being-happy-with-larissa-thomas

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Larissa Thomas, Vice President of Talent and Effectiveness at Electronic Arts.

We dive right into career fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of defining personal happiness and success.

Larissa shares her journey, highlighting struggles with confidence and societal pressures. She underscores the necessity of self-care and resetting to achieve mental clarity.

We also touch on cultivating happiness, setting realistic expectations, and focusing on personal growth.

I hope this episode inspires you, as a fearless female leader, to take charge of your career, prioritize well-being, and redefine success on your own terms.

Key Takeaways:

Defining Personal Success (00:03:28)

Larissa discusses the importance of defining her own version of success rather than following corporate norms.

Crafting a Career Change Plan (00:08:15)

Larissa details her process of planning a career change, focusing on strengths and desired work environments.

Controlling What You Can (00:15:34)

Larissa highlights the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of her career and reflecting on accomplishments.

Divorcing the Need for Validation (00:18:15)

Larissa shares her journey of breaking free from seeking validation in the corporate world, enhancing her self-worth.

Reframing Happiness (00:23:29)

She advises listeners to redefine happiness as an active pursuit rather than a passive state.

Visualization Techniques (00:26:05)

Larissa compares career visualization to Olympic training, highlighting its role in achieving clarity and success.

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

https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/competency-architecture-for-high-performing-teams-to-avoid-burnout-and-attrition

I am honored to share this conversation with you that I had with Chrissy Medeck, Senior Vice President at B.O.K Financial, about combating workplace burnout and attrition through competency architecture.

Chrissy shares her leadership journey and introduces competency architecture as a framework to help employees identify necessary skills, behaviors, and knowledge for success.

Emphasizing strengths-based development, Chrissy advocates for clear career pathways and recognizing transferable skills. Our discussion highlights the importance of integrating competency architecture into organizational culture to enhance employee well-being, engagement, and productivity, ultimately fostering a more resilient and successful workforce.

Key Takeaways

Addressing Imposter Syndrome (00:04:29)
Exploration of how awareness and support can help combat feelings of inadequacy, particularly in women.

Challenges of Burnout and Attrition (00:06:23)
The speakers discuss the widespread issue of burnout and attrition in the corporate environment.

Understanding Competency Architecture (00:08:34)
Chrissy explains the concept of competency architecture and its relevance for career development.

Benefits of Competency Architecture (00:09:58)
Discussion on how organizations can use competency architecture to clarify success pathways for employees.

Focus on Strengths (00:15:01)
The significance of strengths-based coaching and feedback in employee development and career growth.

Competency in Sustainable High Performance (00:21:07)
Discussion on the need for employees to develop competencies for sustainable work-life balance and well-being.

If you’d like to connect to discuss how I can help you or your team, let’s talk soon!

To your next level of success and joy,

Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

When my daughter was a teenager, it seemed like every conversation ended in an argument. I could not say anything right! It was so frustrating for both of us.

Have you ever had an important conversation, either with family or with a colleague, and it just goes horribly wrong?

I have recently read Charles Duhigg's book, ‘Super Communicators’, and there are a few key take-aways that I found very interesting and incredibly important when preparing to have a crucial conversation.

One thing that jumped out at me was the importance of understanding others' needs before engaging in conversations, whether in professional settings or family dynamics.

Recognizing whether someone needs data, emotional support, or simply a listening ear can enhance communication whether this is in personal relationships, or at work.

Do they need a hug or empathy? Do they need an answer? Do they need data facts? Do they just need to be heard and listened to?

Approaching conversations with intentionality and empathy, fostering stronger connections and more productive interactions, and thinking about what others really need from us before we open our mouths to speak can make the difference between a successful conversation and one that doesn’t go so well.

If I can help you or your team with determining ‘what’s next’, sustainable high-performance habits, or how to become even more influential to gain buy-in or get paid what you’re worth, let’s connect!

Finally, if you would like to get on the pre-order list for my ‘Fearless Female Leadership book, be the first to know about the launch date, book tour, or inquire about an IDW 2025 speaking event, I’d love to partner with you! Let’s chat!

To your next level of success and joy,

Sheryl