http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

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 Disney 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:

0:01:48 – Sandy’s early career at Disney taught her the foundational importance of making people feel valued at every level of an organization.
0:05:54 – Leadership is about building trust and creating psychological safety so people can speak up, make mistakes, and learn.
0:09:09 – Leading through change requires relentless clarity about your values and a willingness to have difficult conversations.
0:12:57 – In moments of fear or doubt, preparation and surrounding yourself with trusted advisors are critical.
0:16:21 – Building accountability cultures isn’t about fear; it’s about clear expectations, consistency, and kindness.
0:19:34 – Navigating organizational politics with integrity means knowing when to stay quiet, when to push, and when to walk away.
0:22:53 – As a woman in executive leadership, you don’t have to over-prove yourself — show up prepared, be curious, and let your results speak.
0:27:26 – The best leaders create personal connections with their teams, seeing people as whole humans, not just job titles.
0:31:19 – Saying “I don’t know” as a leader is a strength, not a weakness; it models vulnerability and invites collaboration.
0:35:07 – 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

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the true pleasure of sitting down with Liz Almeida, Chief Human Resources Officer at Panasonic North America. Liz shared an inspiring story of resilience, curiosity, and leadership transformation — and a much-needed reminder that success rarely follows a straight line.

Liz’s career didn’t start in HR. She originally aspired to be a mechanical engineer at NASA, but a tough academic setback in college and the support of a powerful mentor helped her pivot, embrace curiosity, and lean into unexpected opportunities. That openness not only changed her career trajectory but shaped her leadership philosophy today.

Throughout our conversation, Liz reflected on the critical importance of culture transformation, psychological safety, and co-creation — especially during times of disruption. She believes the best cultures are intentionally built around clear values and inclusive leadership that invites vulnerability, innovation, and diverse perspectives.

Liz is a fierce advocate for mentorship, reverse mentoring, and creating organizations where people feel safe bringing their whole selves to work.

Key takeaways from the interview:

🔹 0:01:31 – Liz’s leadership journey began after a college setback and a mentor’s tough love, which sparked a lifelong commitment to curiosity and growth.

🔹 0:03:44 – Mentorship, both formal and informal, has been crucial to her success — and she now makes it a leadership responsibility to pay that forward.

🔹 0:05:42 – Liz’s career path felt more like a “jungle gym” than a ladder — driven by curiosity and opportunities for intellectual growth, not titles.

🔹 0:08:45 – The encouragement of her mother instilled a fearless mindset: if no one’s done it before, be the first.

🔹 0:11:03 – Psychological safety is the foundation for innovation and high performance — leaders must create spaces where people feel safe being themselves.

🔹 0:14:28 – Leaders should actively work to build cultures where even “crazy” ideas are welcomed — because those ideas often lead to breakthrough innovation.

🔹 0:17:06 – Reverse mentoring has been a valuable leadership tool for Liz, helping challenge her assumptions and stay sharp in a fast-changing world.

🔹 0:19:42 – Culture must be intentionally aligned to company values, with leaders modeling the way and being transparent about what those values look like in action.

🔹 0:21:32 – Listening with curiosity is one of the most underrated leadership skills — the best ideas and solutions often come from unexpected places.

🔹 0:23:11 – Co-creation is essential for engagement and performance; people support what they help build.

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

Watch the interview video here: http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Lori Borg, Vice President of Americas Go-To-Market Strategy for Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. In this heartfelt conversation, Lori opened up about her leadership journey, the transformative power of organizational health, and why leading with vulnerability and transparency matters now more than ever.

Lori’s leadership story began with overcoming stereotypes. Growing up, she found herself boxed in by limiting labels, only to later reject them by leaning into her passion for business and performing. A pivotal moment came in high school when she shifted her focus from piano performance to business competitions, discovering her true love for leadership, influence, and growth.

She shared how embracing her unique strengths has helped shape her career—from founding successful businesses to now leading at Microsoft. Lori emphasized that organizational health is the secret sauce behind high-performing, resilient teams, especially during times of rapid change and uncertainty. Her practical wisdom on fostering trust, gathering honest feedback, and building strength-based cultures is advice every leader needs right now.

Key takeaways from my interview with Lori:

🔹 0:01:18 – Lori overcame early stereotypes and shifted her self-belief through a pivotal high school experience in business leadership.

🔹 0:04:31 – She credits understanding and leaning into her unique strengths as the foundation for scaling businesses and leading corporate teams.

🔹 0:06:57 – Organizational health is critical for sustainable success and breakthrough moments; it’s more than short-term wins.

🔹 0:07:52 – A strengths-based approach turns a diverse team into a high-functioning, cohesive unit where one plus one is greater than two.

🔹 0:10:13 – Feedback is a gift—but only if you create the psychological safety for people to give it honestly.

🔹 0:12:43 – Lori prioritizes vulnerability and transparency as the fastest way to build trust and credibility with new teams.

🔹 0:13:58 – Actioning feedback is non-negotiable. Listening without follow-through erodes trust faster than silence.

🔹 0:15:13 – Leaders must regularly check their own motivations: am I seeking truth, or seeking to look good?

🔹 0:17:08 – Know your strengths, own them, and seek opportunities that let you lead from those superpowers.

🔹 0:17:43 – Even when organizational trust feels shaky, being the light by voicing concerns and suggesting solutions can ignite change.

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