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Creating a High Performing Culture for Growth - an Interview with Sandy Ball, Chief People Officer at Aspida

culture growth high performance leadership May 07, 2025

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Sandy Ball, Chief People Officer at Aspida, about navigating leadership in times of rapid change, standing firm in your values, and leading with authenticity. Sandy’s candor and warmth made this conversation feel like a masterclass in people-centered leadership.

Sandy’s leadership journey is rooted in her natural curiosity about people and what drives them. She credits her early experience working at GE for shaping her people philosophy — recognizing that every individual, no matter their role, wants to feel seen, heard, and valued. This belief has guided her through a career spanning multiple industries and leadership transitions.

We talked about what it means to lead in today’s environment where uncertainty is constant, and the courage it takes to stay aligned with your values when navigating tough organizational dynamics. Sandy spoke openly about the importance of creating psychological safety, building cultures of accountability without fear, and knowing when to take the risk of speaking up.

Sandy also highlighted how, as women leaders, we often feel the pressure to prove ourselves in every room. Her advice? Prepare relentlessly, trust your instincts, and build genuine relationships — the kind where you can be both strong and vulnerable.

Key take-aways from the interview:

0:01:36 – Sandy’s early career at GE taught her the foundational importance of making people feel valued at every level of an organization.
0:05:42 – Leadership is about building trust and creating psychological safety so people can speak up, make mistakes, and learn.
0:08:57 – Leading through change requires relentless clarity about your values and a willingness to have difficult conversations.
0:12:45 – In moments of fear or doubt, preparation and surrounding yourself with trusted advisors are critical.
0:16:09 – Building accountability cultures isn’t about fear; it’s about clear expectations, consistency, and kindness.
0:19:22 – Navigating organizational politics with integrity means knowing when to stay quiet, when to push, and when to walk away.
0:22:41 – As a woman in executive leadership, you don’t have to over-prove yourself — show up prepared, be curious, and let your results speak.
0:27:14 – The best leaders create personal connections with their teams, seeing people as whole humans, not just job titles.
0:31:07 – Saying “I don’t know” as a leader is a strength, not a weakness; it models vulnerability and invites collaboration.
0:34:55 – Personal growth often comes from the moments you say yes to what scares you most.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl