http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the true pleasure of speaking with Sara Connell, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, coach, and Founder of Thought Leader Academy, about the transformative journey from corporate leader to thought leader. Sara’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of claiming your voice — and using it to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Sara’s career began in the corporate world at a top advertising agency, where she quickly realized that while the training was invaluable, the culture was toxic. It took a mental and physical health crisis for Sara to finally make the leap out of corporate life — a leap inspired by a chance encounter with a life-changing book she discovered in an airport bookstore. That single book inspired her to commit to writing the stories and messages she wished had existed for her, and ultimately to empower other leaders to do the same.

Throughout our conversation, Sara spoke candidly about the mindset shifts required to leave a traditional corporate path and build a thriving thought leadership business. She emphasized the importance of creating a clear “flag in the ground” — your core message or movement — and then choosing one meaningful platform to start sharing it, whether that’s a book, a talk, or a podcast.

Sara also shared her wisdom on managing imposter syndrome, embracing discomfort, and remembering that legacy-level impact rarely comes from comfort zones.

Key takeaways from the interview:

• 0:01:10 – Sara’s career pivot from corporate advertising was born out of both desperation and inspiration, sparked by a book she discovered during a personal crisis.
• 0:03:52 – The toxic myth that “if you leave, you’ll fail” keeps many leaders stuck — Sara debunks this through her own story.
• 0:06:24 – Mindset is 100% of the game; it either keeps you in the game or takes you out.
• 0:08:16 – Every thought leader faces self-doubt and imposter syndrome — even icons like Maya Angelou and Elizabeth Gilbert.
• 0:10:44 – Act “as if” when your confidence wavers. Pretend to believe in yourself until your actions prove you right.
• 0:12:14 – Start by identifying your “flag in the ground” — your signature message, idea, or movement you want to be known for.
• 0:14:57 – Choose one thought leadership platform to begin with — speaking, writing, podcasting — based on what lights you up.
• 0:18:26 – Find the intersection of your corporate expertise, your untapped passions, and the audience you most want to serve.
• 0:20:33 – Great marketing starts with listening; have real conversations with your ideal audience to learn what they need.
• 0:23:45 – Often our greatest superpowers feel invisible to us — fresh eyes and mentors can help uncover your unique brilliance.

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 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