From Tech Executive to Transformation Catalyst: The Moment My Sobriety Journey Made Me a Better Leader
The most powerful leadership transformations often begin with a single moment of truth. For me, that moment came when my supervisor shared their own story of change. While I was terrified of telling people the truth about how I was numbing my feelings to manage my stress, she openly shared how she had done the same in the past, but learned a healthier–and happier–way to cope. She created a bridge of authentic connection that would alter not just my life, but my entire approach to leadership.
Today, as I partner with organizations to develop authentic, transformational leaders, I draw from both my decades in tech leadership and my personal story. This unique combination of corporate expertise and raw personal change helps leaders unlock their teams' full potential through radical authenticity.
I wrote my memoir “The Bad Girls Club: Promises of a Spirituality Based Recovery" because I wanted to put words to that transformation process. The same journey I went on to change my life offers signposts for business leaders wanting to:
Break free from the constraints of judgment and shame
Cultivate the courage to be genuinely authentic
Create psychological safety that enables innovation
Build trust through vulnerable storytelling
Transform organizational culture through personal example
What sets my leadership development approach apart is its foundation in lived experience. When I work with executive teams or speak at corporate events, I demonstrate the very principles I teach. By sharing my story, I create a space where leaders feel empowered to examine their own opportunities for growth and authentic connection with their teams.
My work has shown that when leaders embrace authentic transformation, teams become more innovative and creative. It doesn’t even have to be a big, dramatic moment. During the early days of the pandemic, I opened a team meeting by abandoning the agenda I had so carefully crafted because I saw my team was distracted.
My team looked at me expectantly, unsure of how we were going to proceed. I turned to my white board that spanned the entirety of a small wall in my office and addressed my team as individuals: “Who besides me is thinking of things not related to work today? Let’s hear it. What’s on your mind?” In under five minutes we filled that white board – front and back.
The relief was visible. The stiffness, stress, and awkwardness fell from each set of shoulders as we truly heard what each of us was carrying, and it was a lot. Acknowledging and giving space was a transformative moment for us as individuals and collectively as a team. Without a doubt, each member knew I saw and valued them. They weren’t afraid to be honest about what they needed to perform and deliver success.
That meeting led to deeper engagement and collaboration in the long run, simply because I wasn’t afraid to be authentic in front of my team and I held space for them to do the same.
Whether through my customized leadership workshops, executive coaching programs, or keynote speaking engagements, I help organizations develop leaders who drive sustainable transformation by leading from a place of authentic power.
Ready to explore how authentic leadership transformation can revolutionize your organization? Let's connect.
I look forward to sharing my moment of truth with your team and helping you develop transformational leaders.