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Ep. 14 - Sarah Kelley on Leading a Team That's Grieving
In this episode of Lead Through It, Jada and Kim sit down with Sarah Kelly, a steady, values-driven former COO of a statewide reproductive health nonprofit, to talk about two big things leaders don’t always get real about:
- navigating grief in the workplace, and
- making a major career and life pivot in your mid-30s.
After more than a decade at New Morning, Sarah made the kind of move many people quietly daydream about: she resigned, left the city she’d called home for 13 years, and moved closer to family with no next role locked in. She shares what actually goes into a decision like that – the planning, the money questions, the fear, and ultimately the choice to trust herself enough to create space for something new.
Sarah also walks us through a defining lead through it moment: losing a well-loved teammate unexpectedly and having to lead the rest of the team through shock, grief, and an upcoming major event. She talks candidly about trying to balance people’s very different needs, honor the person they lost, keep the work moving, and eventually make room for her own emotions too.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What it really means to “create space” for change instead of squeezing it in around the edges
- How Sarah decided it was time to step away from a long-time role and move closer to family
- The messy, human side of grief at work – and why there’s no perfect script
- Practical ways leaders can support a grieving team while still holding boundaries and expectations
- How vulnerability as a leader can deepen trust without turning into oversharing
- Why it’s normal to care what people think – and the line where that starts to erode your sense of self
- How shifting from fear to curiosity can change the way you move through hard seasons
If you’re leading people through a tough time, sitting with your own grief, or quietly wondering if it’s time to make a big change in your work or life, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and permission to not have it all figured out.
Connect with Sarah:
Want to share your own transition story or ask a question? You can connect with Sarah Kelly on LinkedIn or by email.
If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone.
JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com
[email protected] | [email protected]
If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone.
JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com
View all episodes
By Kim Andrews & Jada WillisIn this episode of Lead Through It, Jada and Kim sit down with Sarah Kelly, a steady, values-driven former COO of a statewide reproductive health nonprofit, to talk about two big things leaders don’t always get real about:
- navigating grief in the workplace, and
- making a major career and life pivot in your mid-30s.
After more than a decade at New Morning, Sarah made the kind of move many people quietly daydream about: she resigned, left the city she’d called home for 13 years, and moved closer to family with no next role locked in. She shares what actually goes into a decision like that – the planning, the money questions, the fear, and ultimately the choice to trust herself enough to create space for something new.
Sarah also walks us through a defining lead through it moment: losing a well-loved teammate unexpectedly and having to lead the rest of the team through shock, grief, and an upcoming major event. She talks candidly about trying to balance people’s very different needs, honor the person they lost, keep the work moving, and eventually make room for her own emotions too.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What it really means to “create space” for change instead of squeezing it in around the edges
- How Sarah decided it was time to step away from a long-time role and move closer to family
- The messy, human side of grief at work – and why there’s no perfect script
- Practical ways leaders can support a grieving team while still holding boundaries and expectations
- How vulnerability as a leader can deepen trust without turning into oversharing
- Why it’s normal to care what people think – and the line where that starts to erode your sense of self
- How shifting from fear to curiosity can change the way you move through hard seasons
If you’re leading people through a tough time, sitting with your own grief, or quietly wondering if it’s time to make a big change in your work or life, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and permission to not have it all figured out.
Connect with Sarah:
Want to share your own transition story or ask a question? You can connect with Sarah Kelly on LinkedIn or by email.
If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone.
JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com
[email protected] | [email protected]
If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone.
JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com