Episodios

  • 397: Striking the Balance between Soft and Hard in Leadership

    397: Striking the Balance between Soft and Hard in Leadership
    Mar 11 2025

    How do great leaders inspire confidence, even in the most challenging moments? What impact do body language, tone, and presence have on the people we lead?

    In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, to explore the art of leading with strength and compassion, often without saying a word. Tracy shares her journey from retail to telecommunications and ultimately to healthcare, where she leads thousands of employees and agents in helping people make critical health decisions.

    Our conversation takes an unexpected turn as we reflect on the Super Bowl, analyzing the nonverbal cues of top athletes like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. We discussed how their body language before halftime sent a message to their team, whether they realized it or not. The same is true in leadership. How we show up influences our teams far beyond what we say.

    Whether you're leading a team of five or five thousand, this episode offers practical insights into how Leadership is felt as much as it is heard. Tracy's approach proves that caring deeply isn't a weakness—it's a leadership superpower.

    What's your take? How do you balance high standards with leading from the Heart? Let's continue the conversation.
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    33 m
  • 396: Success vs. Significance: Finding Meaning in Leadership

    396: Success vs. Significance: Finding Meaning in Leadership
    Mar 4 2025

    What if your most incredible pain could become your most significant purpose? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Eric Newman, Founder and CEO of Roc Solid Foundation, to talk about the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey. As a pediatric cancer survivor, Eric could have let his past define him. Instead, he turned his pain into a mission—building playsets for children fighting cancer, ensuring they have a space to simply be kids in the midst of unimaginable hardship.

    Beyond his inspiring work, Eric shares profound insights on leadership: the battle between success and significance, the importance of leading yourself before leading others, and how to ask who I am. What do I believe? Where am I going? It can transform the way we navigate challenges.

    We dive deep into resilience, self-leadership, and the power of presence—how slowing down and embracing the uncomfortable can lead to extraordinary impact. Eric also opens up about his setbacks, including a curbside moment that forced him to reevaluate everything he thought he knew about leadership.

    If you've ever felt stuck in the messy middle, wondering if your work truly matters, this episode is for you. How do we balance business success with meaningful impact? And what does it take to turn personal adversity into a force for good?

    Join us for a conversation that might change your thoughts about leadership, purpose, and the legacy you're building.
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    31 m
  • 395: Winning Workplaces: A Generational View on Team Culture

    395: Winning Workplaces: A Generational View on Team Culture
    Feb 25 2025
    Have you ever wondered what truly empowers someone to speak up, especially when their voice challenges the norm? In this engaging episode, we explore the transformative power of using your voice with Ashley Rivera. She’s a go-getter Gen Z entrepreneur who shares her journey of self-leadership and confidence in the workplace. Ashley’s story began when she joined the team straight out of college, bringing with her a refreshing willingness to question ideas and offer counter-opinions—something not often seen from someone so early in their career. Together, we explore the dynamic between a leader and a team member who isn’t afraid to challenge perspectives. Ashley shares how feeling safe and supported empowered her to speak up, and how this openness led to a deeper, more collaborative relationship. Her perspective offers insights into generational differences in the workplace and what it means to build trust and respect in remote environments. Throughout the conversation, we discuss the critical role leaders play in creating spaces where team members feel confident voicing their opinions. Ashley shares actionable advice for those who want to speak up but struggle with confidence, offering simple, practical steps like preparing notes and practicing with trusted peers. This episode isn’t just about leadership; it’s about self-awareness, resilience, and building meaningful connections. It’s a testament to how embracing different voices leads to stronger, more cohesive teams. From discussing the importance of aligning values when hiring to navigating challenging conversations with care, we touch on what it means to be a leader who balances accountability with compassion. If you’ve ever felt hesitant to share your ideas or wondered how to foster a team culture where everyone’s voice matters, this episode is for you. What are the moments that shaped your confidence to speak up? Have you experienced a workplace where your voice made a difference? Join the conversation and share your thoughts. Ready to step into your power? Grab your copy of The Art of Self-Leadership today. Let’s make this the moment we stop waiting—and start leading. WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP: Masterclass and More: https://www.caringleadershiplearning.com/ Engage your people with work culture consulting: https://employeefanatix.com/ Hire Heather to speak to your group: https://www.heatheryounger.com Access free Active Listening On-Demand Webinar: https://heatheryounger.com/webinar/ Access free Art of Caring Leadership resources: https://www.heatheryounger.com/kit Book a consultation or general contact: https://heatheryounger.com/#contact ---------------------------------------------------- For more Leadership Motivational videos, click here to subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherryounger Let's connect on social! https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherryounger/ https://x.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.instagram.com/heatherryoungerofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatherRYounger-EmployeeLoyalty-LeadershipExpert ---------------------------------------------------- About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP Heather R Younger is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization. Visit heatheryounger.com orhttps://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger. for more details.
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    44 m
  • 394: Inclusion: The Key to Helping Everyone Feel Seen at Work

    394: Inclusion: The Key to Helping Everyone Feel Seen at Work
    Feb 18 2025
    How do you navigate your leadership journey while staying true to yourself? And what happens when you decide to stop waiting for permission and take control of your path? In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, Heather sits down with Erika Whyte, Vice President and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. Erika’s story is one of resilience, vision, and unapologetic self-leadership. From her early days in financial services—when professional norms were drastically different—to her current role in shaping a more inclusive and empowering workplace, Erika embodies the power of stepping forward with purpose. She shares how her upbringing, shaped by her mother’s fearless journey from Central America, instilled a go-for-it mindset. We discussed a pivotal moment in her career when she was told to dumb down her language and how she found the courage to reclaim her voice. Erika also talks about the importance of mentorship, advocacy, and showing up for others, and how she ensures young professionals don’t have to navigate the same barriers she faced. This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about waiting—it’s about taking action, owning your power, and bringing others along for the journey. Erika’s insights on seeing people—genuinely seeing them—offer a fresh perspective on how to lead with heart, even in a world that often feels divided. Listen in, and ask yourself: How can I show up today in a way that honors my voice, values, and ability to lead with heart? Ready to step into your power? Grab your copy of The Art of Self-Leadership today. Let’s make this the moment we stop waiting—and start leading. WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP: Masterclass and More: https://www.caringleadershiplearning.com/ Engage your people with work culture consulting: https://employeefanatix.com/ Hire Heather to speak to your group: https://www.heatheryounger.com Access free Active Listening On-Demand Webinar: https://heatheryounger.com/webinar/ Access free Art of Caring Leadership resources: https://www.heatheryounger.com/kit Book a consultation or general contact: https://heatheryounger.com/#contact ---------------------------------------------------- For more Leadership Motivational videos, click here to subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherryounger Let's connect on social! https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherryounger/ https://x.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.instagram.com/heatherryoungerofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatherRYounger-EmployeeLoyalty-LeadershipExpert ---------------------------------------------------- About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP Heather R Younger is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization. Visit heatheryounger.com orhttps://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger. for more details.
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    29 m
  • 393: ​​Learning to Lead Yourself is the only Path Forward

    393: ​​Learning to Lead Yourself is the only Path Forward
    Feb 11 2025
    What if the biggest barrier to your success wasn’t external—but internal? What if the way you frame challenges, setbacks, and even opportunities determines how far you can go? Today is a special day—February 11th, the official launch of my new book, The Art of Self-Leadership: Discover the Power Within You and Learn to Lead Yourself. This book isn’t just another leadership guide—it’s a call to action for anyone who feels stuck, powerless, or waiting for permission to move forward. Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with leaders, employees, and organizations, and I’ve noticed a troubling trend: Too many people feel like they’re at the mercy of their circumstances. They feel like passengers in their own careers, waiting for someone else to open doors, create opportunities, or define their next steps. But here’s the truth: You are the driver. You are your own green light. In this episode, I share: ✅ Why I wrote this book now and what self-leadership really means ✅ How victim thinking holds us back—and how to shift out of it faster ✅ The connection between self-leadership and caring leadership ✅ The role of mindset, choice, and personal responsibility in shaping your future ✅ Why waiting for someone else to lead you is the fastest way to give away your power This book is a toolkit—a guide to help you reclaim your power, make better decisions, and move forward with clarity, courage, and conviction. Because the truth is, no one knows what’s best for you more than you do. So today, I invite you to take this journey with me. Let’s learn to lead ourselves first—so we can show up stronger, more confident, and more intentional in every aspect of life. Ready to step into your power? Grab your copy of The Art of Self-Leadership today. Let’s make this the moment we stop waiting—and start leading. WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP: Masterclass and More: https://www.caringleadershiplearning.com/ Engage your people with work culture consulting: https://employeefanatix.com/ Hire Heather to speak to your group: https://www.heatheryounger.com Access free Active Listening On-Demand Webinar: https://heatheryounger.com/webinar/ Access free Art of Caring Leadership resources: https://www.heatheryounger.com/kit Book a consultation or general contact: https://heatheryounger.com/#contact ---------------------------------------------------- For more Leadership Motivational videos, click here to subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherryounger Let's connect on social! https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherryounger/ https://x.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.instagram.com/heatherryoungerofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatherRYounger-EmployeeLoyalty-LeadershipExpert ---------------------------------------------------- About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP Heather R Younger is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization. Visit heatheryounger.com orhttps://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger. for more details.
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    8 m
  • 392: Compassionate Leadership: Bridging the Gap Between Home and Work

    392: Compassionate Leadership: Bridging the Gap Between Home and Work
    Feb 4 2025

    What does it mean to show up—not just as a leader, but as an advocate for those who rely on us? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Alex Allen, Senior Director of Inclusion and Collaboration at Cisco, to explore how his leadership journey has been shaped by one of the most important roles in his life: being a father to his incredible son, Bryce.

    Alex opens up about a moment that has stayed with him for years—the day he brought Bryce to a company event and was met with a look of disdain from a senior leader. Instead of advocating at that moment, he stayed silent. That experience became a turning point, igniting his commitment to never let that happen again—for his son, himself, and others navigating workplaces where they may not always feel seen or valued.

    Throughout our conversation, Alex shares how raising a child with disabilities reshaped his understanding of resilience, leadership, and the power of proximity—the idea that when we get close to people's lived experiences, we gain insights that can transform how we lead. We discuss the challenges and rewards of embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and courage in leadership and why true inclusion requires action, not just intention.

    We also explore:

    • How personal experiences shape our approach to leadership

    • The importance of advocating for others—even when it's uncomfortable

    • Why the workplace must be a place where people feel they belong

    • How leaders can step up, challenge biases, and create lasting change

    This episode is about owning your narrative, taking risks, and ensuring that the next time we're faced with a choice—to speak up or stay silent—we make the right one.

    Have you ever had a moment where you wish you had spoken up, but didn't? What did you learn from it? Let's talk.
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    46 m
  • 391: 3 Keys to Self Leadership - A New Model for 2025

    391: 3 Keys to Self Leadership - A New Model for 2025
    Jan 28 2025
    In 2025, focusing on self-leadership is your secret weapon to thriving in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. By mastering self-discipline and leading by example, you’ll inspire your team, build trust, and create a culture of innovation. Watch this video to discover how to step into your full potential and make 2025 YOUR year! WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP: Masterclass and More: https://www.caringleadershiplearning.com/ Engage your people with work culture consulting: https://employeefanatix.com/ Hire Heather to speak to your group: https://www.heatheryounger.com Access free Active Listening On-Demand Webinar: https://heatheryounger.com/webinar/ Access free Art of Caring Leadership resources: https://www.heatheryounger.com/kit Book a consultation or general contact: https://heatheryounger.com/#contact ---------------------------------------------------- For more Leadership Motivational videos, click here to subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherryounger Let's connect on social! https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherryounger/ https://x.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.instagram.com/heatherryoungerofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatherRYounger-EmployeeLoyalty-LeadershipExpert ---------------------------------------------------- About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP Heather R Younger is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization. Visit heatheryounger.com orhttps://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger. for more details.
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    5 m
  • 390: Unbreakable Trust: How Self-Leadership Transforms Your Connections

    390: Unbreakable Trust: How Self-Leadership Transforms Your Connections
    Jan 21 2025
    Mastering self-leadership is key to building unbreakable trust and strong connections with your team. When you lead with self-awareness, integrity, and consistency, you set the tone for a culture of respect and accountability. By leading yourself well, you inspire your team to do the same, creating a thriving and united force. WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP: Masterclass and More: https://www.caringleadershiplearning.com/ Engage your people with work culture consulting: https://employeefanatix.com/ Hire Heather to speak to your group: https://www.heatheryounger.com Access free Active Listening On-Demand Webinar: https://heatheryounger.com/webinar/ Access free Art of Caring Leadership resources: https://www.heatheryounger.com/kit Book a consultation or general contact: https://heatheryounger.com/#contact ---------------------------------------------------- For more Leadership Motivational videos, click here to subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherryounger Let's connect on social! https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherryounger/ https://x.com/HeatherRYounger https://www.instagram.com/heatherryoungerofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatherRYounger-EmployeeLoyalty-LeadershipExpert ---------------------------------------------------- About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP Heather R Younger is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization. Visit heatheryounger.com orhttps://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger. for more details.
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    7 m