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.

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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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In this episode we explore foresight—how leaders relate to the future and prepare for many possible outcomes. Ariel explains why predicting one single future is risky and why we must shift from designing around jobs to designing around activities that can be automated, augmented, or remain human-led. We discuss practical mindsets: stay curious, embrace uncertainty, learn to reinvent continuously, and develop what Ariel calls “kinetic intelligence”—the capacity to stay in motion, test options, and recalibrate. Expect concrete examples about AI’s short- and long-term impact, career planning metaphors (GPS → LEGO), and how to keep the leader in the driving seat as technology accelerates change.

We host Ariel Regatky, Managing Director and global HR leader at Citi, with 20+ years guiding transformation across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Ariel has led talent strategy for businesses of 100,000+ employees, shaping leadership programs, digital and AI transitions, and culture change. He blends strategic insight with a human-centered vision, helping leaders reinvent themselves, close skills gaps, and prepare organizations for multiple futures.

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In this episode we explore coaching presence—how leaders show up, listen, and create space for others. We discuss practical habits that protect attention (phone-free meetings, intentional check-ins, short mindfulness exercises) and tactics for deeper listening: asking curious questions, sitting with silence, and centering the other person’s agenda. We examine trade-offs—time pressure, notifications, back-to-back Zooms—and offer simple remedies leaders can adopt to be more present and energize their teams.

Bill Thompson is the President & Head of Growth at Young Storytellers. Bill led the organization through notable growth and sustainability as Executive Director (2008–2023) and now focuses on scaling impact. A Yale (MFA) and University of the Arts (BFA) graduate, Bill blends theater training with nonprofit leadership, emphasizing curiosity, collaboration, and listening as core leadership competencies. He’s a City Scholars fellow, Create CA Policy Council member, and recipient of awards for innovation and leadership development.

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In this episode we explore how to build effective relationships with new employees. Alexis Ekizian walks us through his playbook: spend the first weeks listening more than talking, invest time in one-on-ones, run a team “who I am / what to expect” session, and set clear expectations up front (roles, targets, cadence). We discuss how that early investment creates psychological safety, speeds onboarding, and prevents small issues from exploding later. Alexis also addresses pressure points—targets, hybrid work, and imposter feelings—and how prioritizing well-being and rapid, honest feedback keeps performance sustainable.

We host Alexis Ekizian, Head of Agencies & Partners for Google Spanish-speaking Latin America, with 15 years at Google. A computer engineer with advanced training in managerial development and a Master’s in Big Data & Business Intelligence, Alexis blends technical savvy with sales and marketing leadership. He’s built high-performing teams that deliver tech solutions for mid-market clients and is known for adapting his leadership style to individual needs while driving measurable results across the region.

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In this episode we explore how leaders at UNICEF adopt a coaching mindset to develop people and drive impact. We focus on career-centered learning, 360° feedback, and coaching that normalizes mistakes as learning opportunities. Elaine shares vivid examples—leaders who rotate drivers to build inclusion, reps who empower staff to decide, and managers who model humility and growth. We discuss practical tensions (time, emergencies, hybrid work) and concrete habits leaders use to coach under pressure: candid feedback, developmental conversations, and small, regular investments in staff growth.

We host Elaine Lowe, Chief of Global Talent Development at UNICEF (Istanbul). Elaine holds a master’s from the London School of Economics and a BA from the University of the West Indies. She has led performance, career and leadership strategies across UNICEF and the FAO, centering career development in learning. Elaine is passionate about empowering diverse teams, role-modeling inclusive leadership, and building sustainable organizational capacity so leaders can do more with less while growing their people.

➤ 📘 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 contracting—the foundational step for building effective working relationships. We define contracting as clarifying expectations around communication style, decision-making, conflict, and boundaries (e.g., camera-on norms for remote work). You’ll hear real examples of how failing to contract can erode trust, and why explicitly agreeing on roles, response times, and disagreement protocols prevents misunderstandings. We share practical contracting questions—like “How will we handle conflict?” and “What does success look like for you?”—that set teams up to collaborate confidently from day one.

We’re thrilled to host Nancy H. Spiegel, Executive Leader for Medical Education, Leadership Development & Wellness at Southern California Permanente Medical Group, and Director of Clinical Science Operations at Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. With 30 years at Kaiser, Nancy designs leadership and graduate medical education programs, outcome-driven wellness initiatives, and change-management strategies. She’s overseen organizational development, research, and the Employee Assistance Program, and taught organizational psychology at the University of Rochester. Nancy’s expertise in contracting and culture-building guides leaders toward more transparent, high-trust environments.

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