Sharing Wisdom from the 2026 EmpoweredCXO Retreat

Wisdom Worth Carrying Forward and What It Means for Your Next 90 Days

Last week, I had the honor of taking the stage with some of the most esteemed women executives and founders at the 6Sense EmpoweredCXO retreat on the topic: ‘Use AI Disruption to Your Advantage: A 90-Day Plan to Recruit, Rein, and Reimagine What's Next’. What I didn't expect was how much I would learn in return.

A Community That Lifts Others

Heidi Melin, thank you for welcoming me into a community of powerful and compassionate leaders. Your impact is vast, but it was your quiet support for the CMOs you were cheering on last week that stayed with me. It's a true example of lifting others for the greater good.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Tifenn Dano Kwan, and watching someone world-class at her craft navigate intense change. Tifenn's love and efficiency in leading under extreme pressure and change reminded me of the many Olympians I've coached. The future looks bright at Zendesk. 

And Ashley Jefferson, how did I get so lucky to sit at your table on day one? 6Sense is fortunate to have you as people leader on their all-women executive team.

Wisdom Worth Carrying Forward

Alison Fragale set an incredibly high bar with her opening keynote. I've long loved her book, Likable Badass, and two reminders from her session are now on my desk:

1. Use your experience to make others' lives easier.
2. Ask the people you'd love to have talk you up to do it!

Rashmi Vital, strategic advisor for GTM strategy at Atlan, offered many lines worth repeating, but here’s one that stood out for me: "Grow your power by growing your trust." I couldn't agree more.

We also heard wisdom virtually from Latané Conant, CMO of Parloa and former 6Sense CRO and CMO. She offered amazing advice on remaining in integrity, but what stayed with me was something that she did not have to say. It was what everyone had to say, the admiration, respect, and love for her once the video was over. It made me take pause and ask ‘How do I want to be remembers?’.

Amanda Kahlow, then the CEO and founder of 6Sense, now the founder of 1Mind, shared not only her wisdom, but some of her fears (she still feels imposter syndrome!) A great reminder that vulnerability is power. She talked about what her best rocket fuel is now, and how it has shifted from ego to building a better world for her two daughters, and for women and girls everywhere. That is Olympic-level wisdom.

Saima Rachid, former SVP of marketing at 6Sense and now CMO at Workhuman, showed that making employees feel genuinely cared for delivers undeniable ROI. She also left us with a question I'm adopting immediately, so we can stay available for the work that matters most: "Does this warrant a yes?" It was an honor to learn from Saima, even if you did clean my clock on the tennis court!

What It Means for Your Next 90 Days

There were far too many impactful sessions to name here, and just as much magic happened in the moments in between. A few themes tied it all together, and they mirror the heart of my talk on AI disruption:

• Recruit the right people and allies, including those who will advocate for you.
• Rein in your time and energy by getting ruthless about what deserves your yes.
• Reimagine what's next by leading with trust, caring, and a purpose bigger than yourself.

AI will keep reshaping our work. The leaders who thrive will be the ones who pair new technology with deeply human leadership.

With more than 2,000 years of combined wisdom and impact in the room, the EmpoweredCXO community is shifting our companies, communities, and lives for the better.

What's one "yes" you can let go of this week to make room for what matters most?

If you’d like to learn more about what I presented at the EmpoweredCXO retreat, or if I can support you or your team in any way, please reach out to me directly at sheryl@sherylkline.com. 

Cheering you on always!