In this final episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I reflect on my journey of producing the show and share my decision to take a pause from podcasting to focus more deeply on trauma-informed leadership.

After 90 episodes filled with meaningful conversations with incredible guests, I've come to appreciate the transformative power of trauma-informed leadership in creating resilient, purpose-driven organizations. Throughout this process, I've continually emphasized the importance of self-awareness, self-regulation, and co-regulation—three key elements that I believe every leader should explore to build workplaces that truly tap into human potential while breaking free from outdated patterns.

This episode feels bittersweet as I share how my work has impacted others, from leadership circles to academic communities. I've had the privilege of completing a year-long training in trauma-informed coaching and consulting, under the guidance of Thomas Hübl and Amy Elizabeth Fox, which has only deepened my commitment to this vital area of leadership.

I'm incredibly grateful to all of the guests who joined me on this journey and to each one of you for tuning in. Though I've decided to take a break from Evolve, this is not goodbye—it's a chance for me to dig deeper into this work and return with even more insight and focus.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• The Power of Trauma-Informed Leadership: I reflect on how trauma and emotional wounds impact leadership and how addressing these factors can foster stronger, more empathetic organizations. 🧠
  
  

• Creating Safe Workplaces: I talk about the importance of psychological and physiological safety in the workplace, encouraging leaders to create environments where people feel safe enough to grow, thrive, and heal. 🔒
  
  

• Reevaluating Purpose: I ask you to consider how your own emotional wounds and experiences may shape your leadership style and deepen your sense of purpose. 💡
  
  

• The Future of Leadership: I believe trauma-informed leadership is the future, focusing on empathy, vulnerability, and self-awareness to help us lead more effectively in today's complex world. 🌍
  
  

• Personal Reflections and Future Direction: This pause is giving me the space to continue researching and speaking about trauma-informed leadership, and to align my work even more closely with my passion. 🌱

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:49 The Impact of Trauma Informed Leadership

• 05:44 Taking a Break and Future Directions

• 08:31 Reflecting on Emotional Wounds in Leadership

• 11:28 Creating Trauma-Informed Workplaces

• 12:30 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Work

• 14:04 Gratitude and Future Directions

#TraumaInformedLeadership #LeadershipJourney #ResilientOrganizations #EmpathyInLeadership #EmotionalWounds

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I'm joined by Shelly Starks, CEO of Inline Consulting Services and a seasoned business advisor with over 20 years of coaching experience. Together, they explore the profound impact of communication on leadership and dive into the powerful Identity Role Theory that Shelly uses to help her clients unlock new levels of personal and professional growth.

Shelly emphasizes the critical importance of effective communication in leadership, highlighting how mindful and intentional communication can break down defensive barriers and raise emotional intelligence. She explains how many leaders operate on autopilot, particularly in communication, and how this can harm both their effectiveness and relationships. Shelly also introduces Identity Role Theory, a framework that helps individuals understand how their core identity is intertwined with the various roles they play in life.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• The Power of Communication: Shelly underscores the importance of moving beyond autopilot in leadership communication, tailoring messages to the behavioral styles of others to foster trust and openness. 🔄
  
  

• Identity Role Theory: Shelly explains how our identity and roles influence each other. Starting with the idea that we enter the world as a "10" in terms of self-worth, the theory explores how life experiences in different roles (e.g., parent, employee) can diminish our sense of identity and impact all aspects of our life. 📖
  
  

• Mindful Communication: Shelly introduces the Extended DISC tool, which helps leaders understand their behavioral style and how they may be "extending" themselves into other styles to be effective. This misalignment can cause burnout, stress, and inauthenticity, affecting both personal and professional life. 🧠
  
  

• Nurturing Identity: Shelly stresses the importance of spending time with oneself to nurture and protect one's core identity. She emphasizes that leaders must be intentional about separating their identity from the roles they play in order to show up as their best selves in every role. 🌟
  
  

• The Three-Legged Stool of Leadership: Shelly introduces her coaching concept, which involves focusing on the client-facing side, the business's bottom line, and the internal team. Neglecting any of these legs can lead to instability in the entire organization. 🪑

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 05:54 The Impact of Identity on Roles

• 10:36 Practical Applications of Identity Role Theory

• 16:23 Nurturing Your Identity

• 19:46 The Power of Team Coaching

• 20:33 Understanding Identity Beyond Roles

• 22:15 Impact of Burnout on Roles and Identity

• 24:39 Practical Applications and Client Experiences

• 31:37 Advice for Leaders and Final Thoughts

#LeadershipCommunication #IdentityRoleTheory #MindfulLeadership #ExtendedDISC #EvolvePodcast

Connect with Shelly

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-starks/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellystarks/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShellyStarksICS

• www.shellystarks.com

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I'm joined by Heather Plett, author of the award-winning book The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership. Heather shares her deep insights on the powerful practice of holding space, its transformative impact on leadership, and the evolving needs of leaders in today's world.

Heather discusses how holding space is a key leadership competency that fosters personal and organizational transformation. From her extensive experience as a facilitator and co-founder of the Centre for Holding Space, Heather explains how leaders can integrate this practice into their work to foster healing, growth, and more authentic leadership approaches.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• The Practice of Holding Space: Heather defines holding space as walking alongside someone without judgment, fixing, or directing them. She emphasizes that it's primarily an internal practice of managing one's emotions and reactions to support others effectively. 🧘‍♀️
  
  

• Liminal Space: The conversation delves into liminal space, which is the space between one story and the next. Heather compares this to a caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly, encouraging leaders to honor transitions and allow space for personal and organizational evolution. 🦋
  
  

• Brave Space vs Safe Space: Heather challenges the notion of creating entirely "safe spaces" in leadership and instead advocates for "brave spaces" that invite discomfort and growth while still providing support and security. 🌱
  
  

• Emotional Maturity in Leadership: Heather discusses the importance of emotional maturity, vulnerability, and trauma-informed leadership as critical competencies for leaders today. She stresses that leaders must evolve from patriarchal, hierarchical models to those that foster collaboration, compassion, and transformation. 💡
  
  

• Co-Regulation and Support Systems: Heather highlights the importance of leaders having support systems and co-regulation strategies in place to manage the stress and emotional challenges that come with leadership roles. 🌳

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 05:08 The Intersection of Leadership and Healing

• 07:41 Challenges in Modern Leadership

• 10:15 The Importance of Emotional Maturity

• 20:09 The Concept of Holding Space

• 28:43 The Role of Leaders as Shock Absorbers

• 32:21 Introducing the Concept of Liminal Space

• 35:03 Liminal Space in the Workplace

• 37:34 Practical Steps for Leaders

• 49:59 Conclusion and Call to Action

#HoldingSpace #LiminalSpace #BraveLeadership #EmotionalMaturity #LeadershipTransformation

Connect with Heather

• https://heatherplett.com/

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I'm joined by Tevi Lawson, author of The Proxy Diet: A Practical Guide to Self-Analysis and Healing. Tevi delves into his journey from West Africa to the U.S., his personal challenges, and how these experiences inspired the development of the Proxy Method, a framework designed to bridge the gap between mind, energy, and self. Tevi's powerful insights highlight the importance of emotional and mental health in leadership and offer a unique perspective on how leaders can better align with their authentic selves.

Tevi's Proxy Method focuses on energy-level self-analysis, helping individuals trace trauma back to its roots, allowing for deep healing and personal growth. He also shares the story of working with his wife through her traumatic experiences and cancer diagnosis, using the Proxy Method to bring emotional clarity and healing.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• The Importance of Emotional and Mental Health: Tevi discusses how leaders can only be effective when they are mentally and emotionally healthy, emphasizing that taking care of oneself is essential to success. 🧠
  
  

• Energy and Leadership: Leaders need to understand their energy transactions and ensure they're replenishing themselves to avoid burnout. The Proxy Method helps identify energy deficits and find ways to restore balance. ⚡
  
  

• The Power of Authenticity: Tevi highlights the importance of reconnecting with one's original design to achieve personal and professional fulfillment. By living in alignment with their true selves, leaders can find the energy and purpose to thrive. 🔄
  
  

• Seven Days to Happiness Blueprint: Tevi introduces his step-by-step approach to managing energy and maintaining happiness in both personal and professional life, which involves living life in seasons and celebrating accomplishments. 🌱
  
  

• Leadership and Vulnerability: Leaders often carry the burden of responsibility without showing vulnerability. Tevi encourages leaders to take "pit stops" to reflect on their well-being and authenticity. 🛑

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 06:03 The Birth of The Proxy Method

• 11:00 Understanding the Proxy Method

• 19:03 Applying the Proxy Method in Leadership

• 24:05 Seven Days to Happiness

• 32:01 Challenges Leaders Face

• 44:18 Conclusion and Reflections

#ProxyMethod #AuthenticLeadership #EnergyManagement #MentalHealthInLeadership #SevenDaysToHappiness #SelfAwareness #LeadershipWellness

Connect with Tevi

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevi-d-lawson-32a594234

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tevidlawson/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/QX7HQDTpSDe361Q7/?mibextid=qi2Omg

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@proxymethod

• Membership: https://tevilawson.com/membership/

• https://tevilawson.com/proxy-method-education/

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I'm joined by Sam Smith, founder and former CEO of financial services group FinCap, now Cavendish Financial. Sam shares her incredible journey as the first female chief executive of a city stockbroking firm and provides deep insights into empathetic leadership, culture, and growth.

Sam's leadership journey is marked by her focus on treating people fairly, which she considers a cornerstone of her business success. She has worked on over 200 transactions, including IPOs and secondary fundraisings, and is now a champion of entrepreneurship and inclusion in the UK, serving as a non-executive director on several boards.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Empathetic Leadership and Culture: Sam emphasizes the importance of creating a positive, inclusive culture and how it has been a key driver for her company's growth. She explores how treating both clients and employees with empathy fosters long-term success. 🤝
  
  

• Entrepreneurial Journey: From age 23, Sam started out with no initial intention of being an entrepreneur but soon found herself leading a team, building a successful business, and scaling it with a focus on fairness and equity. 🌱
  
  

• Authenticity in Leadership: Sam discusses the importance of being your authentic self in leadership, sharing how she has developed her leadership style over the years to align with her values. She also highlights the power of trusting your gut and fighting for your beliefs. 🧠
  
  

• Scaling with Empathy: Sam provides insights into scaling a business by embedding a growth mindset into company culture, emphasizing that growth doesn't have to be chaotic but can thrive in an environment of support and fairness. 📈
  
  

• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Sam talks about the challenges of imposter syndrome and how trusting her instincts helped her stay on course despite external pressures. 💪

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 05:02 Building a Unique Corporate Culture

• 10:29 The Importance of Self-Belief

• 19:26 Finding Clarity and Balance

• 24:11 Embedding Growth in Company Culture

• 25:37 Creating an Open Culture for Ideas

• 29:42 Personal Leadership Growth

• 32:12 The Importance of Self-Awareness

• 36:34 Final Thoughts and Advice for Leaders

#EmpatheticLeadership #CultureMatters #AuthenticityInBusiness #ScalingWithPurpose #InclusionInBusiness

Connect with Sam

• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SamsmithTF

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsmith

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I'm joined by DeDe Halfhill, a distinguished retired Air Force colonel, leadership consultant, and coach. DeDe shares her remarkable journey through 25 years of military service, including her pivotal moments in leadership that shaped her career and personal growth. As a former senior advisor to the Department of Defense and a commander of Air Force bases, DeDe offers profound insights on authentic leadership, vulnerability, and personal transformation.

DeDe's extensive military experience has been widely recognized, with Brené Brown describing her as one of her leadership heroes. Throughout the episode, DeDe talks candidly about her struggles and triumphs as a leader, including a transformational moment in Iraq when she realized the power of embracing her authentic self in leadership. This episode is filled with invaluable lessons on leadership, personal growth, and how to navigate the emotional complexities of leading in high-pressure environments.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Embracing Authenticity in Leadership: DeDe emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself as a leader and the impact it has on effectiveness and team morale. She shares her personal journey from trying to meet external expectations to fully embracing who she is as a leader. 🔥
  
  

• The Emotional Component of Leadership: Drawing from her military experience, DeDe highlights how essential it is to address the emotional side of leadership. She reflects on the challenges of managing large teams in high-stress environments and how vulnerability and self-compassion play a critical role. 🌟
  
  

• The Power of Curiosity: A major turning point in DeDe's leadership approach was learning the value of curiosity—asking questions and empowering others to find their own solutions. This shift, she explains, is key to unlocking the full potential of a team and fostering creativity and collaboration. 💡
  
  

• Leading Through Complexity: DeDe discusses her time commanding Air Force bases and how leading in complex, high-stakes situations required her to develop new strategies and trust her team. She shares how she navigated these situations by creating a safe space for creativity and innovation. 🏆

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:21 DeDe's Military Background and Leadership Experience

• 06:21 The Turning Point in Iraq

• 20:40 Leadership at Barksdale Air Force Base

• 27:23 Leaving the Military: A Tough Decision

• 30:06 Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

• 31:39 The Hard Skills of Leadership

• 38:10 Combining Head, Heart, and Body in Leadership

• 45:44 Practical Tips for Emotional Management

#AuthenticLeadership #MilitaryLeadership #CuriosityInLeadership #SelfCompassion #LeadershipDevelopment

Connect with DeDe

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dedehalfhill/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dedehalfhill/

• https://www.dedehalfhill.com/

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, we welcome Ginny Baillie, founder of Drum, a leadership development company in the UK. Ginny shares her journey in leadership coaching and development, explaining how her approach has evolved since 2017. Together, we explore the concept of "holding space" and why traditional leadership development programs often fail to deliver long-term results. Ginny provides insight into how leaders can foster deeper connection and trust within their teams by stepping away from prescriptive methods and embracing a more organic, space-holding approach to leadership.

Ginny Baillie is a seasoned leadership development coach who founded Drum, a company dedicated to helping leaders and teams build deeper, more authentic connections. Since 2017, Drum has focused on creating open spaces for leaders to collaborate and engage in meaningful, supportive conversations without rigid frameworks. Ginny has worked with organizations worldwide, helping leaders shift from traditional, results-driven models to approaches that prioritize trust, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• The Shortcomings of Traditional Leadership Development: Ginny discusses why many traditional leadership programs, despite significant investments, fail to create lasting change. She emphasizes the importance of fostering environments where leaders can genuinely learn from one another, rather than relying on structured, step-by-step approaches.
  
  

• The Power of Holding Space: The episode introduces the concept of "holding space," which Ginny describes as a crucial leadership skill. Rather than focusing on controlling conversations or delivering top-down solutions, effective leaders learn to create environments where teams can share openly, collaborate, and co-create solutions.
  
  

• Moving Away from Prescriptive Models: Ginny highlights her shift away from prescriptive leadership models—such as three-step frameworks or ten-point plans—that often fail to address the deeper, systemic challenges within organizations. Instead, she advocates for creating spaces where leaders and their teams can connect authentically, without the pressure of fitting into predetermined models.
  
  

• Collapsing Hierarchies: We discuss the importance of flattening organizational hierarchies to foster more open and honest communication. Leaders who are able to become learners alongside their teams are better positioned to create meaningful, lasting change.
  
  

• Creating Sustainable Leadership Practices: One of Ginny's core beliefs is that leadership development should be sustainable and replicable. She shares her experience with Drum, explaining how leaders who participate in her programs are equipped to continue the work independently, fostering a culture of self-sustainability within their organizations.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 02:38 Challenges in Traditional Leadership Programs

• 08:33 The Importance of Holding Space

• 09:27 Transitioning to New Leadership Models

• 13:44 Skills and Mindset for Modern Leaders

• 28:29 Challenges in Modern Leadership

• 38:43 Self-Regulation Techniques

• 43:33 Final Thoughts and Reflections

#LeadershipDevelopment #HoldingSpace #CollaborationOverControl #AuthenticLeadership

Connect with Ginny

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginny-baillie-mcc-92658a11/

• www.leaderdrums.com

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I'm joined by Merritt Minnemeyer, Founder and CEO of Master of One Coaching.

Merritt shares her unique journey from her background in acting to becoming an international speaker and leadership coach. Together, we explore the critical role of consciousness in leadership, discussing how leaders can elevate their awareness and intentionality to make better choices and lead with purpose.

Merritt is on a mission to eradicate executive mediocrity. As is the Founder & CEO of Master of One Coaching she employs extensive leadership experience and her entrepreneurial DNA to help Founders, Leaders, and Creatives exceed expectations, including their own. Having rebuilt her life after widowhood at 35, Merritt believes that conscious leaders are THE #1 solution in creating and sustaining a successful future, and that anything is possible when powerful people do right by themselves, those whom they serve, the planet, and one another.

Merritt's deep understanding of human behavior, drawn from her early life experiences and professional training in theater, informs her approach to leadership. This conversation dives into how leaders can embody conscious leadership, manage their energy, and make intentional choices that align with their values.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• The Power of Conscious Leadership: Merritt explains the importance of consciousness in leadership, emphasizing that awareness of choice is foundational to leading with intention and purpose.
  
  

• Transformative Life Experiences: Merritt shares a pivotal moment in her life—the loss of her husband to brain cancer—and how his final words, "choose well, choose wisely, choose love," became a guiding principle in her life and work.
  
  

• Integrating Acting into Leadership: Merritt discusses how her background in acting and theater provided her with valuable tools for understanding human behavior, which she now applies to leadership coaching.
  
  

• Energy Stewardship: Merritt highlights the importance of being stewards of our energy and intention, advocating for leaders to consciously manage their energy to prevent burnout and enhance their well-being.
  
  

• Coaching as a Path to Growth: The conversation explores how coaching can help leaders identify and overcome unconscious patterns, allowing them to lead more effectively and with greater self-awareness.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 04:18 Theater as a Training Ground for Leadership

• 10:51 Choosing Love and Conscious Leadership

• 17:30 The Importance of Coaching for Leaders

• 20:09 Energy and Intention in Leadership

• 28:21 The Stress of Productivity and Survival

• 29:26 The Impact of Stress on Our Bodies

• 32:39 Conscious Capitalism and Client Stories

• 35:03 The Power of Intention in Leadership

#ConsciousLeadership #EvolveLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #IntentionalLiving #LeadershipCoaching

Episode Resources:

• Book Recommendation: Conscious Capitalism by John Mackey and Raj Sisodia

Connect with Merritt

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/masterofonecoaching

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merritt-minnemeyer/

• www.masterofonecoaching.com

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: media@carolynswora.com