What does it take to grow a business from 3 million to over 350 million dollars without losing sight of your purpose, people, or principles? In this Leadership With Heart Podcast episode, I reconnect with Ron Alvesteffer, President and CEO of Service Express, who returns with even more perspective, humility, and wisdom than when we first spoke years ago.

Ron shares what it means to lead a fast-growing organization in today's business world without focusing only on numbers or scale. At the core of his message is a deep belief that culture starts with people and that sustainable growth is built on the foundation of hiring, empowering, and retaining the right talent.

Ron opens up about how his leadership philosophy has evolved since he was first featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership, and how his commitment to continuous learning, coaching, and intentionality keeps him energized in the face of new challenges.

In our conversation, Ron discusses embracing the journey, not just the milestones. He reflects on lessons learned through failure, why running toward problems is often where the most significant breakthroughs happen, and how he continues to sharpen his self-leadership skills even as his role expands. We also explore how to hold people accountable with care, avoid the burnout trap of being "busy," and what it means to be a leader who builds other leaders.

Whether you're a CEO, team manager, or someone simply trying to figure out your next move, there's something in this episode for you. Ron's story is a reminder that growth—real, meaningful growth—isn't about shortcuts. It's about showing up, doing the work, staying humble, and staying hungry.

What challenges have shaped your leadership the most? And how do you make space to keep growing when the pace doesn't slow? Let me know what resonated with you and share your thoughts after listening.

What does it take to go from the mail room to the C-suite? And how does someone stay grounded in empathy while holding one of the highest positions in a global firm?

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, William McKinley Washington II, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie, shares a journey that challenges assumptions about leadership, success, and what it means to rise.

His story begins far from corner offices and executive meetings. William is open about being a high school and college dropout, a young father navigating food stamps and homelessness, and someone who never expected to one day lead a global finance team across 46 countries.

This conversation is not about titles. It is about growth, ownership, and leadership that begins with a human connection. William speaks candidly about the moment he was told he was not ready for the role he wanted and how he turned that into a turning point. Rather than push back, he leaned in, brought in a coach, embraced the harsh feedback, and reshaped his leadership. The result was not just a promotion. It was a transformation.

What stands out most is his commitment to authenticity. When he stepped into the CFO role, his priority was not strategy or performance metrics. It was a connection. At one of his earliest team meetings, a colleague shared a powerful personal story that brought the room to tears. That openness has become the foundation of how he leads.

This episode will offer insight and inspiration if you are in the early stages of your career or facing a leadership crossroads. William’s path is a reminder that doors may open unexpectedly, but what matters most is the courage to walk through them and bring others with you.

How do you lead when no one is watching? And what would it take for you to show up more fully, not just as a professional, but as a person? Let me know what resonates with you.

What does it mean to lead from the heart, and what happens when we admit we do not have all the answers? In this episode, I speak with Brian Brault, founder of Legacy of Significance and a globally respected leadership teacher and entrepreneur.

Brian has built and sold two companies and dedicates his time mentoring leaders worldwide. His work is rooted in humility, curiosity, and a deep belief in helping people discover the leadership potential that already exists within them.

Our conversation moves beyond traditional leadership tropes. Brian shares what he learned about vulnerability when everything was on the line, how admitting he did not know the answer led his team to step up, and why that experience shaped how he leads today. He also discusses the difference between being friendly and kind and why effective leadership must be grounded in clarity, accountability, and care.

We talk about relational authority, how real influence comes not from a title but from presence and trust, and why creating space for others to contribute is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use. Brian shares how his role as chair of the Entrepreneurs' Organization inspired a broader commitment to using entrepreneurship as a force for good worldwide.

So here is my question for you. When was the last time you created space for someone else to lead? And what might happen in your team if you believed the answers were already in the room? Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts.

In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer. His unique perspective, gained from leading in a nuclear submarine where every action has consequences and complacency can be catastrophic, offers some of the clearest thinking on leadership I've heard in a long time. Marc shares how his experiences taught him lessons about accountability, emotional influence, and self-leadership that every leader on land needs to hear.

What struck me most is Marc’s belief that leadership isn’t something we wait to be given. We must choose to step into it, regardless of our title or time on the team. He shares practical stories from his time aboard the USS Pogi, from navigating dangerous missions with a crew whose average age was 23, to learning how to lead through presence, not authority.

Marc explains how submarine culture requires everyone to be seen as a leader and to see themselves as one. When you’re hundreds of feet below the surface, the person closest to the problem must take charge, whether they’ve been onboard for three years or three days. That belief forms the foundation of his leadership framework, Fast Attack Leadership.

We also explore what it means to emotionally regulate under pressure, how leaders can transfer thinking instead of just giving answers, and why connecting every task, no matter how small, to the bigger mission makes all the difference in team performance and culture.

If you’ve ever wrestled with how to balance accountability and care, or how to build leadership capacity at every level of your team, this conversation has the potential to reframe your entire approach and inspire a new way of leading.

So here’s my question for you: How are you creating a culture where everyone sees themselves as a leader? And what would change in your organisation if they did?

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

What happens when a scientist decides to lead from the heart? In this Leadership of the Heart podcast episode, Heather welcomes Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M.

Jayshree's journey challenges traditional leadership narratives, proving that influence and impact do not require a title or permission. Her path from technical expert to global science ambassador is an authenticity, resilience, and service masterclass.

Jayshree reflects on how a role that had never existed before was created around her unique blend of expertise and advocacy. She shares how being a scientist doesn't just mean working in a lab, but also communicating ideas, connecting across disciplines, and leading by example. Her role at 3M evolved because she consistently showed up with heart and rigor, which she believes anyone can do from their own rung of the ladder.

The conversation also introduces her concept of "leakproof leadership," a philosophy built on twelve practical qualities drawn from decades of experience. It's not just theory. These are grounded insights shaped in the trenches of product development and innovation. Jayshree discusses the value of vision, strategy, active listening, learning, and purpose-driven work, all of which are critical to leading in any environment.

She also reframes the meaning of STEM. For her, it is not just science, technology, engineering, and math. It is skills, talent, expertise, and mindset. It is about showing up fully, learning continuously, and finding meaning in the work you do.

What does it mean to lead without a title? And how can you turn your experience into something that inspires others to act? Listen in and share your thoughts. What rung of the ladder are you standing on, and how are you leading from there?

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, reflects on his evolution from sales leader to CEO. He shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership, including when he learned that offering his opinion too soon in meetings unintentionally stifled the voices around him.

Rather than leading with answers, Shawn now leads with questions and listens first, giving his team the space to bring forward their insights.This conversation is grounded in humility and real-world experience.

Shawn opens up about the difference between knowing and living the exemplary leadership phrases. He speaks about the gap between theory and practice, the challenge of leading former peers, and the importance of self-awareness at every growth stage. His daily journaling practice shows how he maintains clarity and perspective over time, treating each entry as a conversation with his future self.

You’ll also hear about Shawn’s belief in gratitude as a leadership skill, not just a mindset. His approach to leadership blends emotional maturity, vulnerability, and the quiet strength of consistency. Whether handling a business decision or helping a team member course correctly, his message is clear: people want to follow human beings, not polished personas.

So here’s something to think about. In your meetings and conversations, are you genuinely listening for new ideas or unintentionally shaping the answers before they are spoken? Let us know how you create space for diverse thinking in your leadership.

In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, I welcome Kevin Kruse, Founder and CEO of LEADx. Kevin shares how his introverted nature and deep sense of purpose led him to build a platform designed to democratize leadership development and bring coaching and emotional intelligence tools to every leader through AI and digital innovation.

Our conversation goes far beyond leadership tech. It's a personal and reflective look into why Kevin does what he does, including his intentional decisions to support emerging voices, elevate women leaders, and use his platform to advocate for access and equity in the workplace.

Together, we unpack the philosophy of progress over perfection, the duality of Leadership as both head and heart and how caring Leadership isn't about being soft. It's about doing the hard work of consistently showing up for others.

We explore how imperfection can be a robust connector, why self-leadership is foundational, and how direct or indirect mentorship can shift someone's trajectory meaningfully. Kevin also explains why EQ is the new competitive advantage, how the LEADx app is helping build that skill globally, and why future casting may become the defining trait of tomorrow's most effective leaders.

Whether you're building your leadership toolkit or wondering how to expand your reach as a mentor, this episode offers practical inspiration with a profoundly human touch.

How are you scaling your Leadership personally, professionally, or through others? And how might you be showing up as a mentor, even if you don't realize it yet? I'd love to hear your reflections.

What happens when the CFO leads a company’s social responsibility efforts? And what if that initiative not only improves company culture but strengthens the bottom line?

In this episode of the Leadership With Heart podcast, we hear from Sandra Torre, Co-President and CFO at Lavidge, a full-service advertising agency based in Phoenix, Arizona. Sandra challenges conventional expectations of the CFO role by spearheading a company-wide volunteer program called “Impact Giving and Caring with Passion.” This refreshing conversation highlights how financial and human-centered leadership can coexist and thrive in the same space.

Sandra shares how Lavidge transitioned to employee ownership and inspired a cultural shift toward shared purpose and contribution. Recognizing a growing desire among team members to make a difference beyond the workplace, Sandra created a structured volunteering initiative that grants employees 16 paid hours annually to support community causes all during the workweek.

What started as a modest internal effort became a cornerstone of Lavidge’s identity, fostering collaboration, deepening engagement, and attracting new talent aligned with its values.

But the most compelling part? When COVID hit and most agencies faced furloughs and pay cuts, Lavidge made a bold decision: no layoffs, no cuts, and no pulling back from the impact program. The result? It was one of their strongest financial years ever.

Sandra’s story is a timely reminder that soft skills are anything but secondary. As she puts it, they are a force that can actually “make the bottom line even stronger.” Her grounded leadership style proves that doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive — and that purpose can be a powerful business strategy.

How might this kind of leadership model apply in your own organization? And are we doing enough to reframe who gets to lead purpose-driven change in business?

We’d love to hear your thoughts. What stood out to you in Sandra’s story?

https://heatheryounger.com/lavidge