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Super Human Growth - an Interview with Shanna Goodell, Senior Director of Enterprise Learning & Talent Development at Druva

curiosity growth influence mentorship passion trust Aug 27, 2025

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shanna Goodell, Senior Director of Enterprise Learning and Talent Development at Druva, about her inspiring career journey and her vision for “superhuman growth.”

Shanna’s path was shaped by mentors who believed in her potential and opened doors that might otherwise have stayed closed. From her best friend’s parents encouraging her to pursue college, to mentors who introduced her to organizational psychology, to leaders who gave her early opportunities, Shanna embodies the ripple effect of empowerment.

Her career reflects resilience and innovation—especially when she pioneered flexible work arrangements to balance motherhood with professional growth. At Druva, she now champions learning strategies that integrate cutting-edge AI with the human connection that truly drives growth. Shanna believes that curiosity, trust, and vision are the key ingredients for creating “superhuman teams” that achieve beyond individual performance.

She challenges leaders to ask not just what success looks like, but what it should feel like, and to create the white space needed for reflection, learning, and sustainable performance.

🔑 10 Key Takeaways from the Interview
0:01:10 – Mentors and advocates early in life can change the trajectory of a career.
0:02:50 – A passion for both people and business led Shanna to organizational psychology.
0:06:00 – Balancing career and motherhood required advocating for flexible, pioneering work models.
0:07:39 – Influence is about empathy, understanding others’ perspectives, and creating win-win outcomes.
0:10:15 – “Super human growth” blends AI tools with the irreplaceable power of human connection.
0:13:11 – Cohorts, discussion, and shared experiences create the connective tissue missing from AI-only learning.
0:16:56 – Curiosity and trust are foundational to building high-performing, resilient teams.
0:19:53 – Teams need a clear, compelling vision of the future to sustain effort and motivation.
0:21:47 – The mindset of “thriving despite” helps leaders and teams navigate uncertainty and challenges.
0:25:59 – Success is not linear—stay flexible, focus on how you want your career to feel, and adjust as needed.

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