In this episode we explore how leaders create the conditions for high-performing sales teams. We talk with Susan Heiser, VP of Sales at MaryRuth Organics, about the habits that scaled a startup into a top retail brand: radical transparency from the top, empowering people to make decisions, and building a safe “try-and-learn” environment. Susan shares practical routines—brief daily check-ins, visible calendars, and public praise plus private correction—that keep teams aligned under pressure. She also describes how she turned a weakness (data fluency) into a strength by training and promoting from within, and why loyalty and willingness to learn often trump raw ability.

Susan Heiser brings 20+ years in food & beverage sales leadership to the conversation. As VP of Sales at MRO MaryRuth, LLC, she’s driven brand growth, managed national sales teams, and built strategic retail programs. With a law degree from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Susan combines legal rigor with commercial savvy and a people-first approach. Her track record shows how coaching leaders can develop talent, retain employees, and turn setbacks into new opportunities.

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We explore how to create exceptional employee experiences by centering inclusion, strong team design, and data-informed people practices. We walk through practical moves leaders can make — from intentional onboarding and talent conversations to workforce planning and performance management — that help employees see new possibilities and feel supported through non-linear career paths. We also discuss how empathy, skilled facilitation, and translating the stories behind the data lead to better decisions and sustained results.

We welcome Helena Curtis, a seasoned HR leader who builds values-driven workplaces where inclusion is foundational. Helena shares her playbook for getting the right people in the right roles, designing onboarding that sticks, using talent analytics to surface real employee needs, and creating tailored development paths. She explains why coaching, targeted workforce planning, and clear performance practices convert strategy into measurable outcomes — and offers quick tools listeners can start using this week.

Key takeaways: prioritize human-centered onboarding, listen for the employee story behind the metrics, invest in fair talent practices, and treat inclusion as daily practice rather than a checkbox.

➤ 📘 Pre-order the book: Lead With a Coaching Mindset: How the Best Leaders Unlock Potential — http://bit.ly/orderLeadwithaCoachingMindset

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In this episode we explore ethical leadership—why integrity matters and how values-driven decisions build trust across teams and institutions. Donna-Marie Darlington-Dawes draws on 25+ years at the World Bank Group, IFC and the UN to show how ethical practice underpins coaching, inclusion, and organizational resilience. We discuss concrete actions—modeling behavior, creating safe spaces, speaking truth to power, and advancing DEI through forums like Women of Courage—that help leaders act with courage, restore credibility, and sustain engagement. We also highlight common pitfalls and practical next steps.

Donna-Marie is a DEI and leadership expert with over 25 years across the World Bank Group, IFC and the United Nations. She has led signature programs: the World Bank Group Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Women of Color / Women of Courage forums, IFC’s Global Center of Excellence for Learning, induction redesign, and coaching programs for middle and senior managers. A PhD in Organizational Communication and Counseling Psychology, a certified executive coach and former instructor, she blends scholarship and hands-on program leadership to advance inclusive, values-based leadership globally.

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