What makes someone a great leader?

Is it their title, experience or position in the organisation?

Or is it their ability to help the people around them become better, more confident and more successful?

In this episode of The Corporate Escapists, Christine Innes sits down with Amanda Van Der Heiden, a global Learning & Development leader specialising in people, process and change management.

With more than 20 years of experience working across 40+ organisations, 15+ countries and 12+ industries, Amanda brings a fascinating perspective on servant leadership, leadership development, workplace culture and building high-performing teams.

Together, Christine and Amanda explore what modern leadership really looks like — and why the best leaders aren't focused on being the most powerful person in the room.

In this episode:

✨ What servant leadership really means

✨ How great leaders set their teams up for success

✨ Developing leadership talent from within your organisation

✨ Why young leaders need to be encouraged to use their voice

✨ Moving beyond traditional hierarchical leadership

✨ How to use people's strengths to create growth

✨ Stretch opportunities and developing future leaders

✨ Creating strong workplace cultures across global teams

✨ Aligning personal values with organisational values

✨ Adapting your leadership style to different people

✨ Communication styles and appreciation in the workplace

✨ Preparing first-time managers for leadership

✨ Building high-performing teams through people-first leadership

💡 A key message from Amanda

Leadership isn't about having all the answers.

It's about creating an environment where other people can succeed.

Amanda's people-first approach challenges the traditional idea that leadership is about power and position.

Instead, modern leadership is increasingly about trust, collaboration, communication, strengths and shared success.

👑 About Amanda Van Der Heiden

Amanda Van Der Heiden is a Learning & Development leader specialising in People, Process and Change Management.

With 20+ years of experience, she has led global initiatives across 40+ organisations in 15+ countries and 12+ industries.

Amanda holds a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is CPTM-certified, with credentials from ATD, SHRM and McKinsey.

She is also an award-winning Speaker, Consultant, Coach and Author, known for aligning people and strategy to drive measurable business results through practical, people-first solutions.

🔗 Connect with Amanda

🌐 Website: https://www.GTDScorp.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandavanderheiden/

🎙️ About The Corporate Escapists

The Corporate Escapists celebrates entrepreneurs, leaders and changemakers and the stories behind the work they do.

Because behind every achievement is a story.

Behind every leader is a human.

And while facts tell… stories sell.

🎙️ Subscribe for conversations about leadership, business, personal growth, purpose and the people creating meaningful change.

#TheCorporateEscapists #ServantLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Leadership #HighPerformingTeams #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleLeadership #BusinessLeadership #ChangeManagement #WomenInLeadership

GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE NOW:

https://www.thecorporateescapists.com/i-n-s-p-i-r-e-magazine/

What’s the difference between building a business from scratch and becoming a successful franchise owner?

In this episode of The Corporate Escapists, Christine Innes sits down with Dave Roemer, CEO of Complete Pest Solutions and a franchise industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience.

Dave and Christine unpack the realities of franchising vs entrepreneurship, leadership, customer service, business growth and what it really takes to build a successful business.

They explore why some people thrive within established franchise systems, why leadership is essential even for solopreneurs, and why genuine relationships and exceptional customer service can become your biggest competitive advantage.

Dave also shares his philosophy that success isn't simply about making money — it's about how many people you help become successful along the way.

In this episode:

• Franchise vs entrepreneurship

• What makes a successful franchisee

• Leadership and team building

• Growing a service-based business

• The power of exceptional customer service

• Building trust, reviews and referrals

• Turning customers into loyal advocates

• Servant leadership and purpose

• Why relationships drive business growth

• Building a business around the life you want

About Dave Roemer

Dave Roemer is the CEO of Complete Pest Solutions and has more than 35 years of experience in franchising as both a franchisor and franchisee.

He has worked alongside franchise owners with nationally recognised brands including Dunkin’, Arby’s, Long John Silver’s and Rita’s Italian Ice.

Today, Dave's mission is to help franchisees become more profitable while expanding Complete Pest Solutions nationally.

His philosophy is simple: personal success is measured by how many people you help become successful.

Connect with Dave

🌐 Website: https://completepestsolution.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/davidjroemer

About The Corporate Escapists

The Corporate Escapists celebrates entrepreneurs, leaders and changemakers and the stories behind the businesses they build.

Because behind every achievement is a story.

And while facts tell… stories sell.🎙️

Subscribe and discover the people, lessons and stories changing the way we think about business, leadership and success.

#TheCorporateEscapists #Franchise #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #BusinessGrowth #CustomerService #Franchising #DaveRoemer

GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE NOW:https://www.thecorporateescapists.com/i-n-s-p-i-r-e-magazine/🔥 Meet Your Host, Christine Innes – the Visibility Queen behind The Corporate Escapists.5× #1 International Bestselling Author, Editor, TV Show & Podcast Host, Speaker, and Educator.Once a high-flying corporate queen, I had the title, the salary, the lifestyle… but felt completely dead inside. Hitting rock bottom forced me to face the truth: I didn’t know who I really was. Through years of inner work, I rebuilt my life and designed a business that lights me up — and now I help others do the same.Today, I show entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers how to use their story to build visibility, attract more clients, and create a legacy that matters.

What’s the difference between being an entrepreneur and becoming a successful franchise owner?

In this episode of The Corporate Escapists, Christine Innes sits down with Dave Roemer, CEO of Complete Pest Solutions and a franchise industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience.

Dave shares the truth about franchising vs entrepreneurship, leadership, customer service and what it really takes to build a profitable business.

They explore why some people thrive within a franchise system while others are better suited to creating their own path, why leadership matters even when you're a solopreneur, and how genuine customer relationships can turn ordinary customers into loyal advocates.

Dave also shares his philosophy that success isn't simply measured by how much money you make — but by how many people you help become successful.

In this episode we share about:

✨ Franchise vs entrepreneurship

✨ Leadership and business growth

✨ Customer service and loyalty

✨ Building trust and generating reviews

✨ Servant leadership

✨ Purpose-driven business

✨ Dave's 35+ years in franchising

**Connect with Dave:**

🌐 Website: https://completepestsolution.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/davidjroemer

The Corporate Escapists — where the stories behind business, leadership and success are brought to life.

Because your story matters. ✨

GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE NOW:

https://www.thecorporateescapists.com/i-n-s-p-i-r-e-magazine/

Meet Christine Innes — Founder & Host of The Corporate Escapists.

6× #1 International Bestselling Author. Editor. TV & Podcast Host. Speaker. Educator. Storyteller.

I once had the corporate career, the title, the salary and the lifestyle… yet felt completely disconnected from who I was.

Hitting rock bottom changed everything.

Today, I’ve built a life and business around something I believe deeply in:

People don’t connect with perfect. They connect with real.

The Corporate Escapists celebrates the entrepreneurs, leaders and changemakers behind the businesses, movements and ideas shaping our world.

Because behind every achievement is a story.

Behind every brand is a human.

And while facts tell… stories sell.

🎙️ We uncover the stories behind the success — the risks, failures, breakthroughs, lessons and moments that changed everything.

Because stories create connection. Stories create impact. Stories create legacy.

And yours might be the one someone needs to hear.

👉 Join my world:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christineinnescoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christine_innes/