http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Laura Butler, Chief People Officer at TTEC, about the realities of leadership, balancing competing priorities, and the evolving role of HR in shaping organizational success.

Laura shared how her parents deeply influenced her path—her father, who instilled the importance of working in service of others, and her mother, who created memorable experiences while raising six children. These lessons inspired Laura’s unique approach of combining business impact with human connection.

Her career journey was far from linear. Laura once swore she’d never work in HR, yet she discovered that technology without people fails to deliver results. That realization sparked her passion for HR as an enabling, strategic function—one that aligns culture, trust, and leadership practices with business outcomes.

We also explored Laura’s concept of the “Struggle of the Juggle”—the constant pressure of managing work, family, and personal wellness in today’s world of endless inputs. She shared how tools like AI can act as thought partners to help leaders intentionally structure time, prioritize values, and create balance.

Ultimately, Laura reminded us that leadership isn’t just about getting the work done—it’s about how we do it, the trust we build, and the relationships we nurture along the way.

🔑 10 Key Takeaways from the Interview

1. 0:01:00 – Early influences: Laura’s father taught her the value of serving her team, while her mother emphasized creating great experiences.
2. 0:02:49 – Career beginnings: She started in events and experiences before moving into HR, blending both worlds.
3. 0:04:54 – Career pivots: Laura once said she’d never work in HR—proof that careers evolve in unexpected ways.
4. 0:06:34 – Culture eats strategy: Even the best technology fails without people and culture to support adoption.
5. 0:08:45 – Executive dynamics: Using tools like Insights Discovery helps leaders balance different styles and “dial up” compassion and collaboration.
6. 0:12:12 – Trust accelerates business: Internal trust is the fastest way to drive organizational effectiveness and customer impact.
7. 0:13:22 – The “Struggle of the Juggle”: Overwhelm from constant information and comparison requires intentional strategies to manage.
8. 0:14:20 – Practical advice: Never check email first thing in the morning; protect your time for what matters most.
9. 0:15:40 – AI as a time partner: Laura uses AI to design weekly schedules, scripts, and strategies for managing competing priorities.
10. 0:18:18 – Personalization matters: AI can be a thought partner that adapts to individual values, lifestyles, and relationships.

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

What if your imposter feelings weren’t an enemy… but a friend and confidant?

Not just a cheerleader—but a wise, honest guide imparting wisdom.

Instead of resisting it, try this:
✔️ Acknowledge it: “I notice I’m feeling like an imposter—and that’s okay.”
✔️ Ask: “If this feeling were a trusted friend, what would it say?”

This exercise helps you defuse the shame, mine the wisdom, and access the emotional agility to lead with your full power and heart.

What if your inner critic was really your fiercest advocate in disguise? If that voice actually wanted to lift you up, what would it say? Comment below ... I would love to hear your perspective!

🎥 Watch the Part 3 video at https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/imposters-gift-part-3

If 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. http://www.sherylkline.com/meeting

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

World-class performers feel imposter syndrome too. The difference between them and everyone else?

They learn from the discomfort and get better because of it. They also perform with the end in mind.

Here’s how:
- Visualize yourself as the confident, worthy, successful version of you.
- Identify the “gap” between that version and where you are now.
- Take intentional action to bridge it.

When you honor the discomfort and reverse-engineer the path forward, imposter syndrome becomes clarity, courage, and yes—even confidence.

I’d love to hear your perspective. Who’s the future version of you that already owns the room? If you imagined yourself already there, what one shift would help close the gap?

🎥 Watch the Part 2 video and share your perspective. https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/mind-the-gap-and-move-through-it

This is a 4-part series, so be on the lookout for additional posts in the week to come.

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 pleasure of speaking with Shanna Goodell, Senior Director of Enterprise Learning and Talent Development at Druva, about her inspiring career journey and her vision for “superhuman growth.”

Shanna’s path was shaped by mentors who believed in her potential and opened doors that might otherwise have stayed closed. From her best friend’s parents encouraging her to pursue college, to mentors who introduced her to organizational psychology, to leaders who gave her early opportunities, Shanna embodies the ripple effect of empowerment.

Her career reflects resilience and innovation—especially when she pioneered flexible work arrangements to balance motherhood with professional growth. At Druva, she now champions learning strategies that integrate cutting-edge AI with the human connection that truly drives growth. Shanna believes that curiosity, trust, and vision are the key ingredients for creating “superhuman teams” that achieve beyond individual performance.

She challenges leaders to ask not just what success looks like, but what it should feel like, and to create the white space needed for reflection, learning, and sustainable performance.

🔑 10 Key Takeaways from the Interview
0:01:10 – Mentors and advocates early in life can change the trajectory of a career.
0:02:50 – A passion for both people and business led Shanna to organizational psychology.
0:06:00 – Balancing career and motherhood required advocating for flexible, pioneering work models.
0:07:39 – Influence is about empathy, understanding others’ perspectives, and creating win-win outcomes.
0:10:15 – “Super human growth” blends AI tools with the irreplaceable power of human connection.
0:13:11 – Cohorts, discussion, and shared experiences create the connective tissue missing from AI-only learning.
0:16:56 – Curiosity and trust are foundational to building high-performing, resilient teams.
0:19:53 – Teams need a clear, compelling vision of the future to sustain effort and motivation.
0:21:47 – The mindset of “thriving despite” helps leaders and teams navigate uncertainty and challenges.
0:25:59 – Success is not linear—stay flexible, focus on how you want your career to feel, and adjust as needed.

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 distinct honor of speaking with Ekta Vyas, Ph.D, Chief Human Resources Officer of Keck Medicine at USC, about her remarkable journey from navigating cultural transitions to becoming an influential leader in healthcare. We explored her philosophy on moving from the influence of power to the power of influence, and how clarity, resilience, and humility fuel true leadership.

Dr. Vyas shared her upbringing in India, her bold move to the U.S., and the challenges of rebuilding her career in a new country. An introvert at heart, she leaned on deep reflection, silent courage, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. She emphasized that leadership is not about positional authority but about the enduring impact you leave through your influence, character, and values.

She also revealed how spirituality, self-awareness, and resilience anchor her power, especially during adversity. Her message for leaders everywhere: seek not just titles or recognition, but the opportunity to create positive, lasting influence.

🔑 10 Key Takeaways from the Interview

1. 0:03:14 – Early inspiration came from a balance of inner ambition and strong family support.
2. 0:03:56 – Silent courage and introversion fueled deep reflection, resilience, and fearless decision-making.
3. 0:08:15 – Her biggest challenges included standing firm as an independent thinker and feminist in male-dominated spaces.
4. 0:09:58 – Refusing to accept “no” led her to carve her own educational and professional pathways.
5. 0:12:55 – Clarity of direction and resolve became her mindset anchors in difficult times.
6. 0:15:39 – Her true source of power lies in spirituality, meditative practices, and a strong value system.
7. 0:19:47 – The journey from positional power to authentic influence is rooted in character and example-setting.
8. 0:23:23 – Influence outlasts titles—true leadership is measured by impact, not hierarchy.
9. 0:24:56 – Balancing power with humility defines leadership character and prevents corruption by authority.
10. 0:27:26 – Self-awareness and reflection are essential in transforming power into lasting influence.

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

As if it’s not bad enough to feel judged by others, we can be our worst critics.

When self-criticism dominates our internal dialog, such as "I am not qualified" or "I don’t deserve/am not ready to be here". it’s our reality, and WE make it true.

What if instead of judging, we simply observed?

Try this shift:
👉 Replace “I am not qualified” with “I notice I’m feeling unqualified.”
👉 Then ask, “What’s my next best step?”

This small but powerful change from "I am..." to "I notice…" builds self-compassion, emotional agency, and momentum. It’s not about fixing yourself—it’s about meeting yourself with honesty and grace.

What’s your go-to self-talk when imposter syndrome creeps in? Have you tried reframing it with "I notice" instead of "I am"? Would love to hear how it works for you!

🎥 Watch the Part 1 video and share your perspective. This is a 4-part series, so be on the lookout for additional posts in the week to come.

Cheering you on, always!
--Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

Whether you’re an Olympian, executive, or rising leader, you’ve likely felt like an imposter. I know I have! It’s not only normal, it can mean that you are pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. That makes you extraordinary!

World-class performers are comfortable in this discomfort, knowing that the only way to their next level is through.

Imposter syndrome, imposter phenomenon, or whatever it’s currently being called has received a bad rap. By trying to diminish it or get rid of it, we are attempting to banish thousands of years of cultural, social, religious, cultural, and even generational indoctrinations.

Maybe it’s time to stop fighting this enormous battle and instead, with compassion, look for the wisdom in the feeling.

If you feel like you don’t belong in the room you’ve worked so hard to be in, don’t worry. You have an ally.

Here’s something that I’ve learned from researching and working with world-class athletes, Olympians, and some of the most prolific female executives in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and across the world:

Feeling like an imposter is not a syndrome. It’s a gift.

Over the past two decades, I’ve developed a proven process to help high performers—especially women—turn imposter feelings into rocket fuel for what’s next.

I’d love to hear your perspective. Have you ever felt like an imposter and taken a big leap anyway? When did imposter syndrome show up most loudly for you, and what did you learn from it?

There is so much uncertainty, but you have more agency than you think. Your imposter foe may actually be your friend that catapults you into the power you were meant to have, the power that the world needs from you now more than ever.

🎥 Watch the intro video and share your perspective. This is a 4-part series, so be on the lookout for additional posts in the week to come.

Cheering you on, always! --Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the rare privilege of speaking with not one, but two inspiring women from TELUS International: Maricel Perez-Lovisolo, VP of Global Learning Excellence and Organizational Development, and Lucia Leal-Pensabene, Senior Learning and Enablement Manager. This unique conversation gave us a double lens—hearing both from an established executive leader and a rising star in the pipeline—on how to create environments where emerging female leaders can not only survive but truly thrive.

Maricel emphasized the power of accessibility, modeling open communication and psychological safety early on—even several levels down the org chart. For her, leadership means being approachable, available, and intentional about nurturing future talent, long before formal titles are earned.

Lucia spoke vulnerably and powerfully about the importance of seeing role models at the top. Early access to leaders like Maricel gave her not only feedback but also belief—belief that she belonged, that her leadership style was valid, and that she could succeed without mimicking outdated, aggressive norms. This belief became the foundation for her growth.

Their conversation illuminated a critical truth: retention and elevation of female talent requires both structural support from above and proactive clarity from within.

Key take-aways from the interview with Maricel and Lucia:

• 0:01:39 – Maricel shares the secret to retaining rising leaders: accessibility, open dialogue, and offering support before it’s requested.
• 0:03:35 – Lucia describes how early exposure to Maricel as a leader gave her the confidence to envision her own path to leadership.
• 0:04:56 – Maricel and Lucia highlight the power of role modeling and skip-level mentorship— leaders must look beyond their direct reports to spot and support rising talent early.
• 0:06:20 – One barrier to advancement: the confidence-competence gap. Maricel urges women to work on how they show up and own their voice.
• 0:09:40 – Lucia debunks the myth that leadership must be masculine—strong leadership comes in many authentic forms.
• 0:10:39 – Maricel champions coaching, mentorship, and custom development programs for women, while also acknowledging how our understanding has evolved over the last two decades.
• 0:12:29 – Lucia’s top tip: Learn to manage up. Understand your leader’s style, communicate clearly, and be explicit about your needs and goals.
• 0:16:06 – Maricel adds: Know what you want and market yourself accordingly. Career growth doesn’t happen in silence.
• 0:19:55 – Lucia reminds us that promotions are not the goal—becoming the person who’s ready for them is. Start learning now, no matter your role.
• 0:21:49 – Maricel encourages women to take an “energy inventory.” Promotions should align with the energy and impact you’re ready to give—not just a title.

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 Veena Joji, Chief Human Resource Officer of Apexon, about what it truly takes to stay relevant in today’s ever-evolving business climate. Veena brings a deeply thoughtful and people-first approach to leadership, grounded in inclusion, continuous learning, and courage.

Veena’s passion for inclusive leadership was sparked during her childhood, attending an international school where diversity was a lived experience, not a buzzword. That early exposure to belonging shaped her view that inclusion isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential to business success and human transformation.

Now leading a global HR organization, Veena shared powerful, actionable strategies for emerging leaders, senior executives, and allies alike to remain not only visible but valuable in a fast-changing world. Her core message? Staying relevant is an intentional, ongoing practice of learning, connecting, and showing up fully.

Key take-aways from the interview:
0:01:22 – Veena’s experience growing up in an international school shaped her lifelong belief in inclusion as a way of being—not just an initiative.
0:04:28 – Relevance starts with cultivating a learning mindset and shifting from one-off training to personalized, on-demand development.
0:05:40 – Building executive presence and confidence—especially for women—must be intentional and supported by targeted development programs.
0:06:55 – Inclusion and purpose aren’t soft skills—they’re embedded in Apexon’s performance metrics and leadership values.
0:07:49 – Emerging leaders must believe in what they bring to the table and own their space in the room.
0:09:45 – A common mistake: heads down doing great work, but forgetting to look up and speak out—visibility matters.
0:14:02 – Allies must do more than open doors; they must actively speak up, sponsor, and help others earn their seat at the table.
0:20:35 – Veena’s top advice: Stay curious. Keep learning. Be vulnerable. Own your journey—and never stop asking for opportunities.

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. http://www.sherylkline.com/meeting

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bridget Grimes, CFP, President and Founder of WealthChoice, about the critical importance of financial awareness—especially for women who are the primary or significant breadwinners. With a personal journey that spans Wall Street, single motherhood, and pastry school, Bridget’s mission is rooted in lived experience: to help women who are accomplished professionals but financially overwhelmed reclaim control and confidence in their financial futures.

Bridget founded WealthChoice nearly a decade ago to serve women like herself—high-achieving, time-strapped professionals who often neglect their own financial wellbeing. Her wake-up call came during a divorce when she discovered six figures in credit card debt she hadn’t been aware of. That moment sparked a powerful mindset shift: from financial avoidance to intentional engagement. She now empowers women to do the same—starting with awareness and moving toward action.

Throughout our conversation, Bridget shared that high-income earners often don’t know where their money goes, which puts their long-term goals, families, and futures at risk. Whether it’s supporting aging parents, launching adult children, or investing in themselves, breadwinner women face unique financial demands that require strategic, proactive planning.

Key takeaways from the interview:

0:00:48 – Bridget launched WealthChoice to help women like herself—smart, busy, and often financially overwhelmed—gain clarity and peace of mind.
0:03:54 – Her own financial wake-up call came during a divorce when she learned of $100K in hidden debt, which ignited her mission to become financially engaged.
0:05:14 – Breadwinner women must make the mindset shift from avoidance to intentional engagement to achieve financial security and peace.
0:06:34 – Even high earners often don’t know their financial standing, leading to unnecessary anxiety and missed opportunities.
0:07:51 – The first step is simple but powerful: know what you earn, what you spend, and what’s left over to allocate intentionally.
0:10:00 – Women are often "financially squeezed" by aging parents, adult children, and societal pressures—all without a clear plan.
0:12:28 – It’s common for women to sacrifice their own futures for others. Financial planning can help prevent this imbalance.
0:15:48 – Saving beyond the 401(k) is essential for women who want to maintain their lifestyle into retirement.
0:18:30 – Career planning is just as critical as budgeting—income is the fuel for your financial future, so plan and advocate accordingly.
0:20:12 – Life changes—like divorce, elder care, or job transitions—require constant recalibration. Financial accountability and guidance are key.

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