In this Leadership with Heart episode, Heather speaks with Kirsten Benefiel, CEO of HSS, a company focused on leading the next generation of innovative security managed devices. Kirsten is a leader who strives to be authentic by showing up, being vulnerable and listening more than she speaks.
Kirsten describes how aligning her life and leadership style with her personal values makes for a much easier leadership experience. Kirsten shows her compassion by explaining how a leader can never over communicate care for their team, whether it be via showing up, listening, or just trying to help.
Heather and Kirsten both elaborate on the importance that values, purpose and mission play in the trajectory of both one’s personal life as well as their professional path. Oftentimes the greatest rewards in leadership are the outcomes that a leader can affect by leading with purpose and their core values. To reach this level, Kirsten explains how she first had to focus on what her values were and what made her tick.
Kirsten elaborates on a crucial experience in her leadership journey that taught her that success is not always about the outcome, it’s about the journey too, because how you win also matters. Kirsten and Heather discuss best practices for how to “check yourself”.
At the end of their conversation Kirsten offers a piece of heartfelt advice to anyone who is struggling, finding themselves at a crossroads or just in need of motivation.
Key Takeaways:
Define your personal core values Align your life with your values. You’ll have a much easier time leading. It’s not always about the outcome, it’s about the journey. Don’t be overshadowed by your ego. Your values are a filter that shape decision making and your behavior. Be your own critic. Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance Life is not a zero-sum game Expand your circle of influence Never operate from a place of fear Vulnerability is empowering324: Which Comes First: Wisdom or Leadership?
323: The Role of Active Listening When Undergoing Organizational Change
322: How to Reignite Workplace Culture After Return to Work Orders
321: The Impact of Mission-Driven Leadership: Insights from a Healthcare CEO
320: The 9 Behaviors of Caring Leadership
319: An Inspiring Personal Story About Achieving Your Dreams
318: Is Culture Collision Costing You Customer Loyalty?
317: Is Culture Clash Making Your Employees Unhappy?
316: Is Culture Slip Unknowingly Infiltrating Your Company Culture?
315: How Organizational Culture Deteriorates And What To Do About It
314: Why Focusing on Work-Life Integration and Not Balance is Key to Success
313: Navigate and Embrace Change With Success as a Team
312: The People Side of Organizational Change
311: Human-Centric Approaches in Government and in Tech
310: Why Coaches Should Get Active Listening Certified
309: Why Leaders Should Get Active Listening Certified
308: What Is a Culture Team?
307: A Beginners Guide to Culture Change - An Interview with Christinne Johnson, First Bank
306: 5 Steps To Create an Employee Led Culture Team
305: Balancing Vision and Metrics: Tracey Jenkins' Playbook for HR Leadership
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
HCI Leadership Revolution
Human Capital Leadership
The Power of Music Thinking
BusinessWISE
Business Wars