Own Your Story, Elevate Your Impact and Visibility - an Interview with Erika Irby, Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Erika Irby, the Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft, to explore how embracing your personal story can fuel your professional impact. Erika's energy, authenticity, and strategic insight lit up the conversation as we discussed storytelling, visibility, and fearless leadership—especially as women in tech.
Erika’s leadership journey began early—at just 17, she chose to stay behind and start college while her military family moved overseas. That moment, powered by grit and independence, set the tone for her lifelong mantra: "I will figure it out." Erika’s resilience, her trust in the universe, and her ability to turn obstacles into growth moments have shaped an inspiring career across education, tech, and executive leadership.
We also dug into the challenges women face with visibility, self-advocacy, and storytelling—especially in corporate environments. Er...
Evolving Business, Evolving Leadership - an Interview with Melissa DiMuro, Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Melissa DiMuro, the Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach, about leading with resilience during times of change and the importance of evolving alongside the businesses we serve.
Melissa’s journey started in a blue-collar household and was shaped by the strength and grit of her grandmother—a farmer’s daughter who raised twelve siblings and worked multiple jobs just to keep food on the table. That legacy of resilience deeply influenced Melissa’s leadership style and commitment to growth through discomfort.
Though her path wasn’t linear—initially aspiring to be a psychologist—Melissa leaned into her natural strengths and built a career across multiple male-dominated industries including printing, aviation, and construction. Her ability to navigate change and adapt through uncertainty positioned her as a transformational leader who prioritizes systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and ...
Creating a High Performing Culture for Growth - an Interview with Sandy Ball, Chief People Officer at Aspida
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, bu...
The ROI of Being Kind in Leadership
In today’s fast-paced, results-driven world, it can be tempting to prioritize efficiency and hard metrics over softer skills like kindness. Yet, research consistently demonstrates that kindness isn’t just a “nice-to-have” quality in leadership—it’s a transformative tool with measurable returns. For leaders striving to create lasting impact, embracing kindness isn’t just a moral choice; it’s a strategic one.
Kindness Builds Engaged and Loyal Teams
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s words resonate deeply in the workplace. Employees don’t leave jobs; they leave managers. Gallup research shows that managers influence 70% of the variance in employee engagement, and kindness plays a pivotal role in creating workplaces where people want to stay.
A client of mine, a senior executive in a global tech firm, struggled with high turnover on her team. Together, we worked on integrating kindness ...
Retaining and Motivating Your Top Female Leaders!
I hope this message finds you excited to join me at this Thursday's webinar!
I wanted to share a quick but impactful video with you. It’s all about how female leaders can thrive during disruptive times, and it offers some practical tips you can start using today.
In the video (above), I cover:
- Managing Fear: Turning fear into a motivational tool.
- Goal Setting: The importance of setting short, intermediate, and long-term goals.
- Mindset Shifts: Moving from "what if" to "imagine if."
Why is this important?
Research from the American Psychological Association and the Peterson Institute for International Economics highlights that female leaders enhance productivity, collaboration, and profitability. However, many organizations struggle to retain this invaluable talent, but I have a proven framework to help female leaders stay motivated and feel in control, even in chaotic times.
Join my webinar: "Retaining and Motivating Your Top Female Leaders During Disruptive Times"
Date: June 20, 20...
Unlock Your Team’s Leadership Potential During Times of Change
Change can be daunting, but it also offers tremendous opportunities for leaders and emerging leaders to rise, grow, and to become more visible.
Above is a brief video (04:58) where I share strategies to help female leaders transform fear into a powerful ally and navigate times of change with confidence and optimism.
In the video I address:
- Fear and Insecurity:
Understand how to manage and leverage fear to boost team performance. - Olympic Level Goal Setting:
Learn the importance of setting short, intermediate, and long-term goals to maintain motivation and productivity. - FBI-like Mindset Shift:
Move from fear-based thinking to opportunity-focused strategies
If you want to continue the conversation and get ahead for the next 90 days, set aside 60 minutes on June 20, 2024 for my FREE webinar and I will work on your 90-day plan WITH YOU.
- Webinar:Â "Retaining and Motivating Your Top Female Leaders During Disruptive Times."
- Date:Â June 20, 2024
- Time:Â 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET
Register ...
Pro's, Con's and Profitability of Being Virtual First - an Interview with Jessica Bacher
http://www.sherylkline.com/blogÂ
It was such a joy to speak with Jessica Bacher, Chief People Officer at Prolink, who shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity in her teens and first-generation college graduate.
With the support of her parents, especially her mother's advocacy, Jessica navigated unfamiliar territory to pursue higher education. She reflects on her non-linear career path, emphasizing the value of lateral moves and project work over promotions.
Jessica also discusses Prolink's virtual-first approach, which prioritizes flexibility and work-life balance, allowing employees to work in various time zones and manage their schedules around personal commitments. This model supports the company's healthcare clients while avoiding an "always-on" culture, and it enables Prolink to tap into a broader talent pool beyond local geographies.
Key Takeaways:
- The journey to leadership (00:00:00) Jessica shares her journey to becoming a first-generation college grad and a teenage m ...
Unlocking the Power of Leadership - My Conversation with Ideagen CEO George Sifakis at the 2023 Global Acceleration Summit
Last Fall, I had the honor of being interviewed by George Sifakis, the CEO of Ideagen, for their 2023 Global Acceleration Summit. The summit’s focus? Assessing the progress of the United Nations’ 17 Social Development Goals at the halfway mark to 2023.
It was a riveting experience, and I’m thrilled to share some key takeaways with you:
Key Takeaway 1: The Importance of Mental Toughness in Leadership
Think about one person who has inspired you. Chances are, they exhibited a level of mental toughness that drew you in. During the interview, we dove into the concept of mental toughness, especially for women in leadership. It’s not just about being resilient; it’s about being emotionally agile and prepared for any situation. I’ve even been studying FBI hostage negotiations to equip leaders with the skills to be heard, valued, and respected.
Key Takeaway 2: The Role of Personal Stories in Shaping Leadership
Personal stories aren’t just for memoirs; they’re the backbone of authentic leadersh...
Bring the Best Out of Your Team
Aleta Jeffress, Senior Vice President at CGI, is a seasoned professional with a diverse array of experiences who embodies the principles of continual learning, discipline, and the power of a positive mindset. From her emphasis on the importance of professional growth to her insights into building and nurturing successful teams, Aleta's journey stands as an amazing example for those aiming to succeed in our new work climate.
In this insightful interview, Aleta dives deep, offering a fresh perspective on leadership, mindset shifts, and the art of team-building. As you listen, you'll find Aleta's wisdom not just enlightening but also a compelling call to action.
TIMESTAMP:
[7:40] Continual learning and professional growth
[11:43] The importance of discipline and consistency
[12:41] Shifting from a lack mindset to an abundance mindset
[16:04] Building and nurturing a successful team
[24:20] Focusing on your wins
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Continual Learning and Professional Growth: It's crucial to ...
The Power of Clarity: Taking Control of Your Year End Triumphs
As we move forward in this dynamic year, full of twists, turns, opportunities, and challenges, it's not uncommon to find ourselves in the thick of things. We're so often swept into the whirlwind of our immediate tasks and short-term goals that we might lose sight of our broader objectives.
As the year feels like it’s zipping by, you can slow time and take back control to create the triumphs you’d like to see AND how you’d like to feel.
This is the moment to get crystal clear on how you want to wrap up the year, how you want your leadership story to unfold, and what milestones you want to achieve.
There’s a powerful and proven tool that can help you take back control of the remaining weeks in the year and reach your desired destination: Clarity.
Here are 3 key insights from my new enterprise digital journey, Fearless Female Leadership which will be released later in the year. Clarity is where your journey starts, and these should help you to plan a successful year-end and beyond.
I...
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