Lead Beyond Today

In this episode of Lead Beyond Today, Shannon andHeather explore what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams in today's evolving workplace.

They discuss the realities leaders and teams are facing,from changing expectations and increasing complexity to the importance of creating clarity amid uncertainty. A central theme of the conversation is that high performance doesn't happen by chance, it is intentionally cultivated through strong leadership practices.

The episode highlights the importance of setting clearexpectations, establishing the conditions that enable people to thrive, and fostering an environment built on trust, accountability, communication, and psychological safety. Shannon and Heather also examine the leader's role insupporting individual growth, helping team members build on their strengths, overcome challenges, and continuously improve.

The episode concludes with a practical action that leaderscan implement immediately to strengthen their teams and create a culture where high performance becomes sustainable rather than accidental.

In this episode, Shannon and Heather speak with MadeleineNatale about the realities of returning to work after maternity leave and the misconceptions many organizations and women have about this transition.

The conversation explores how returning to work involvesmuch more than logistical adjustments, highlighting the personal, professional, and leadership shifts many women experience after becoming mothers.

Madeleine shares common mistakes women make during reintegration, how to approach the transition more strategically, and why flexibility, resilience, and proactive career reflection are essential during this season.

They also discuss what inspired Madeleine to create acoaching practice dedicated to supporting working mothers and how leaders and organizations can better support women returning to work through more intentional and supportive workplace practices.

The episode concludes with practical insights and oneimmediate action returning mothers can take to create a smoother and more meaningful return-to-work experience.

In this episode, Shannon and Heather sit down with Marisa Wheeling Ciesluk for an honest and insightful conversation about burnout—what it looks like, why it persists, and how it reshapes leadership.

Drawing from her own experience as a burnout survivor,Marisa shares the early signals she overlooked and the pivotal moments that forced her to rethink how she leads, works, and lives. Her story opens the door to a deeper discussion: why do so many smart, high-performing women remain in burnout - even when they recognize it?

Together, they explore the often-unasked question that couldchange how women relate to burnout, and examine whether burnout is truly an individual challenge or a systemic issue embedded in workplace cultures.

This episode doesn’t stop at awareness. It offersthoughtful, practical considerations for both individuals and organizations:

- What women can begin to do today to better understand and address their own burnout

- What organizations must take responsibility if they want to genuinely want to support their people.

If you’ve ever wondered whether burnout is something to fixwithin yourself—or something that needs to change around you, this conversation will challenge your perspective and invite a new way of thinking.

In this episode, Shannon and Heather explore the often-challenging space of influencing without formal authority. Many professionals find themselves in roles where they are eager to contribute, add value, and move work forward, but lack the positional power to make decisions or direct others. This gap can lead to frustration and a sense of being stuck.

They reframe influence as something that is not tied totitle, but to contribution and mindset. They unpack what influencing without authority truly means and why it is a critical leadership skill at every level.

They share practical strategies and frameworks to buildinfluence effectively, including:

• Focusing on meaningful contribution rather than control.

• Viewing influence as a "learning playground" to experiment and grow.
• Identifying and learning from role models who demonstrate strong informal leadership.

The episode closes with a reflective challenge, encouraginglisteners to consider small, intentional actions they can take right now to begin strengthening their influence, regardless of their role or title.

In the second part of our two-episode wellness series, weshift the spotlight to Gen X and Boomer women—and what it truly means to transition from thriving as corporate professionals to thriving as whole individuals.

Shannon and Heather and our two guests Page Thomsen and Kim Bruce dive into the most pressing health challenges facing women in midlife and beyond, unpacking the myths that often hold us back. Together, they explore how our bodies and nutritional needs evolve with age, and how we can embrace these changes with grace, intention, and a renewed sense of control.

This conversation is packed with practical, doablestrategies: small behavioral shifts, habit-building tips, and empowering insights that support long-term well-being. If you’re ready to understand your changing body, feel more confident in your wellness journey, and takeactionable steps toward living well—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this energizing episode, Shannon and Heather sit downwith Kim Bruce and Paige Thomsen to uncover the biggest health and wellness challenges facing Millennials and Gen Z today. From fitness fads to nutrition myths, they dive into what really works, and what doesn’t — when it comes to staying healthy in a fast-paced, tech-driven world.

Tune in as they explore how stress and constant connectivityimpact physical health, eating habits, and motivation. You’ll also get simple, actionable tips to boost your nutrition and fitness — plus bonus content from both guests designed specifically for the unique needs and lifestyles of these two generations.

In this episode of Lead Beyond Today, Heather andShannon sit down with workplace conflict expert Tammy Dunnett to explore the difficult but critical topic of bullying in the workplace. Together, they unpack what workplace bullying looks like, why someone might engage in theseharmful behaviors, and how often the signs can be overlooked. Tammy shares a powerful real-life story that brings the issue to light and outlines the five key signs leaders and employees should watch for.

The conversation goes deeper into practical strategies andtools individuals can use when bullying occurs, along with what organizations can do to create a culture where bullying has no room to grow. Heather and Shannon also ask Tammy about creative, low-discomfort approaches organizations can adopt to address bullying while still supporting psychological safety and trust.

Whether you’re a leader, team member, or organizationaldecision-maker, this episode offers insightful guidance and actionable steps to recognize, respond to, and ultimately prevent workplace bullying.

In this engaging episode, hosts Heather and Shannon sit down with Urmi Hossain to explore the power and purpose of personal branding. Urmi shares her inspiring journey of how she began building her personal brand—what motivated her, what it really means to have a personal brand, and how the process has impacted not only her own life but also the lives of others.

Together, they unpack what it takes to get started: from identifying your values and strengths to taking the first bold steps toward visibility. Urmi emphasizes the importance of seeking feedback as a way to validate your efforts andrefine your message. She offers practical advice on how to promote, maintain, and grow your personal brand with consistency and authenticity.

The conversation wraps up with a forward-looking reflection as Urmi shares her next goals and aspirations to continue evolving her personal brand. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your brand to the next level, this episode is full of insights and inspiration.

In this episode of LeadBeyond Today, Shannon and Heather dive into the topic of executive presence—a theme that’s been coming up frequently in their coaching sessions and corporate world. They define executive presence as the ability to projectconfidence, poise, and credibility through communication, body language, and emotional intelligence.

Heather shares why executive presence is crucial for leaders, especially when seeking to inspire trust, influence others, and advance in their careers. The conversation offers practical tips to build executive presence, including improving communication, refining body language, staying emotionally composed, and leading with authenticity. They wrap up by encouraging listeners to seek feedback and start small in their development journey.

In this compelling episode, we are joined by Dr. Valerie Young, the world’s leading expert on impostor syndrome and co-founder of the Impostor Syndrome Institute. Withdecades of experience researching and addressing this pervasive phenomenon, Dr. Young shares her personal journey into this work and the profound impact it's had across industries and individuals.

The conversation dives deep into the evolution of her work, particularly through her Rethinking Impostor Syndrome program, and her acclaimed book The Secret Thoughts ofSuccessful Men and Women, where she introduces five distinct impostor competence types . Dr. Young breaks down these competence types , highlighting common behaviors andwhich tend to appear most frequently among high achievers.

The discussion also explores why success can paradoxically deepen self-doubt, how gender plays a role in impostor feelings, and the implications for leadership and organizational performance. Dr. Young provides practical advice for individuals who recognize these patterns in themselves, as well as strategies for leaders to better support their teams.

Listeners will walk away with critical insights and one powerful action they can take immediately to begin shifting their mindset. As Dr. Young emphasizes, understanding and naming impostor syndrome is the first step toward dismantling it.

In this episode, Shannon and Heather sit down with Summer Scott to explore the journey of women in business , particularly in male-dominated industries. Summer shares what inspired her to pursue a career in business and the challenges she faced to be taken seriously in her field. The conversation dives into how women can leverage empathy and emotional intelligence as a superpower at work, offering insights on staying authentic and true to oneself in environments where women are often underrepresented. Finally, Summer provides valuable advice on creating meaningful change and making a lasting impactas a woman in leadership. Tune in for an inspiring and empowering discussion!

In this episode of LeadBeyond Today WIL Alberta, hosts Shannon and Heather sit down with special guest Penny Izlakar to explore the transformative impact of mentorship. Penny shares what inspired her to become a mentor, the most rewarding aspects of the experience, and a powerful success story that illustrates the value of guidance and support.

The conversation also covers common challenges that mentees face and how mentors can help them navigate obstacles with confidence. Plus, Penny offers practical advice on settingmeaningful goals in the mentoring process and how to find—or become—a great mentor.

Whether you're seeking guidance or looking to support others in their growth, this episode is packed with insights to help you make the most of mentorship. Tune in and get inspiredto lead with confidence and purpose!

In this thought-provoking episode, Shannon and Heather dive deep into the polarizing yet essential topic of performance reviews. Whether you're an employee dreading the annual meeting or a leader navigating self-evaluation, this episode offers a fresh perspective. They share fascinating insights into current trends shaping performance reviews and how they impact leaders and team members alike.

But that’s not all! Sharon and Heather bring not two, not three, but SEVEN actionable strategies to help you prepare for a stellar performance review—whether you're giving it or receiving it. These tips go beyond the basics, offering practical advice that will transform the way you approach this often-feared process.

What makes this episode truly stand out is their unique take on reframing performance reviews. Instead of something to fear, they reveal how these evaluations can be embraced as powerful tools for growth, connection, and progress.

So, grab your pen and paper (or open your Notes app!) because you’ll want to capture every single gem from this episode. Trust us—you don’t want to miss it!

In this episode, hosts Heather and Shannon  welcome Katelyn Bullock to dive into one of the most pressing topics in today’s economy: company culture.

Katelyn unpacks the biggest challenges organizations face when building a thriving culture and shares inspiring success stories of companies that turned their culture around—along with the remarkable results they achieved.

Heather and Shannon explore Katelyn’s approach to helping businesses cultivate a strong, engaging culture and why this focus is more critical now than ever before. Wrapping up the conversation, Katelyn outlines essential steps companies can take to improve their culture and foster a workplace where employees thrive.

If you’re looking to understand the key to building a successful organizational culture, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.

In this insightful episode, Shannon and Heather team up with Keri to unpack one of the most critical aspects of leadership: psychological safety. Drawing on compelling examples from renowned organizations like Pixar, Toyota, and Google, they delve into the barriers that hinder psychological safety and explore actionable strategies to foster it in any workplace.

Keri shares practical steps and approaches for creating an environment where employees feel safe to express ideas, take risks, and engage without fear of judgment. They also tackle the big question: is psychological safety solely the leader's responsibility, or does everyone play a role?

The episode concludes with an engaging discussion on how to recognize the warning signs of poor psychological safety and offers insights into how organizations can effectively measure and improve it. This is a must-listen for leaders, teams, and anyone committed to building a thriving, inclusive work culture.

In this episode, Heather and Shannon dive into the topic of Difficult Conversations, sharing practical tips, tools, and strategies to navigate them effectively.

They explore essential questions like: What makes a conversation difficult? Why do we tend to avoid them? And what are the consequences when we do? Tune in to discover a 4-step model that leaders can use to prepare and structure these conversations for better outcomes.

Heather and Shannon also emphasize the importance of follow-up to foster ownership, accountability, and mutual growth.

In this episode, hosts Shannon and Heather sit down with time management expert Jacquie Surgenor Gaglione to explore how we can take control of our time both in the corporate world and everyday life.

Packed with practical strategies and tips, the conversation delves into prioritization, focus-enhancing tools, and techniques that help minimize distractions and keep us on track. Jacquie shares her favorite methods for staying productive, making time management feel accessible to everyone.

Tune in to discover how with a bit of effort and dedication, you too can master the skill of time management!

Leaders often struggle with empowering and engaging their teams. Self-doubt and a lack of resources can hinder their ability to build meaningful relationships.

In this episode, Shannon and Heather delve into the crucial questions that leaders keep asking themselves, searching for the magic formula to positively engage their teams.

They discuss the importance of psychological safety, effective communication, and the value of giving and receiving feedback. They emphasize that leaders must show care while challenging their teams and serve as role models in building meaningful relationships within the workplace.

In this episode on mindfulness Roni Jacknow provides a clear definition of what mindfulness is and isn't, alongside practical tips and exercises to help you practice it effectively.

You'll learn about the primary benefits of mindfulness, including feeling more grounded, centered, and calm, as well as reducing stress and improving focus and attention.

Discover how mindfulness can lead to less emotional reactivity, more effective self-regulation, and improved relationships. Additionally, mindfulness helps you stay connected to your compassionate center, allowing you to show up as your best self.

In this inspiring episode of "Wellness and Boundaries for Leaders," hosts Shannon and Heather focus on the crucial topic of self-care for women in leadership as summer approaches. They emphasize the significance of leaders setting an example of well-being within their organizations and fostering a positive culture around wellness.

The discussion highlights the necessity of engaging in activities that bring joy, relaxation, and rest. Shannon and Heather also delve into the foundational role of establishing boundaries and making decisions that prioritize physical and mental health.

They highlight the importance of revisiting personal values to effectively say no to less important demands and yes to what truly matters. This episode is a valuable guide for leaders seeking to enhance their well-being and lead by example.

In this episode, our hosts Shannon Mayer and Heather Thomson with our guest Keri Schwebius delve into the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) for leaders.

Learn how understanding and managing emotions, both yours and others', can enhance decision-making and relationship-building.

Discover how EQ helps leaders navigate challenging situations and conflicts through active listening, empathy, and effective communication. We share key techniques to boost your EQ, such as self-reflection, seeking feedback, and practicing active listening.

Explore strategies to cultivate empathy and build trust within your team, and see how EQ can help manage stress and prevent burnout by recognizing early signs and taking proactive steps.

We also discuss the EQi 2.0 assessment tool for measuring EQ and why it’s crucial for personal growth.

Finally, find out how organizations can foster a culture of emotional intelligence.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and tools to enhance your leadership skills and drive team success.

In this episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between leadership and core values.

Exploring the significance of understanding one's values, we uncover how they shape leadership styles and decision-making processes. Just like the foundation of a home, core values serve as the groundwork for actions, choices, and behaviors, ensuring alignment and stability in our endeavors.

Hosts Shannon and Heather navigate the complexities of identifying personal values, emphasizing the importance of holistic introspection rather than external influence. They highlight the accessibility of online tools and assessments to aid in this journey of self-discovery.

Through insightful discussions, the hosts contemplate the alignment of personal and professional values, acknowledging the fluidity of priorities over time. Drawing from experiences, they showcase how evolving values impact leadership roles and relationships.

Concluding with a reflection on the ripple effect of aligned values on those being led, the episode underscores the profound influence of authentic leadership rooted in clarity and conviction.

In this episode, Heather and Shannon share their insights on the topic of Leadership. They begin with a brief introduction to the Women in Leadership Foundation, outlining its mission, offerings, and commitment to supporting women in leadership roles across Canada.

They then delve into the purpose of this podcast, "Lead Beyond Today." Describing it as an opportunity to explore crucial leadership themes, particularly focusing on individuals who identify as female, Heather and Shannon emphasize the collaborative spirit that drives WIL endeavors. Drawing upon the wealth of wisdom within the WIL Alberta team and the extensive LinkedIn communities, both locally and nationally, they underscore the importance of collective effort. Their mantra: "We are stronger together."

The conversation unfolds with compelling observations, supported by facts and statistics, highlighting the current challenges facing women in leadership roles in today’s workplace. This prompts reflection on the existing landscape for female leaders and sparks discussions on strategies for effecting positive change and progress.

Heather and Shannon then offer thought-provoking insights into the significance of role models in women's leadership journeys. They eagerly share their own experiences, celebrating the profound impact their role models have had on their personal and professional development.

We trust that today's episode has ignited a sense of confidence and purpose within you. Remember, your voice holds power, your vision is transformative, and your leadership is instrumental in shaping the future. Together, let's dismantle barriers and pave the path towards a brighter tomorrow.

Get ready to elevate your leadership game and lead beyond today! Let’s start this journey together.

Mark your calendar for our launch in March 2024. Stay tuned; we will be announcing our launch for you to subscribe to our monthly podcast on the Women in Leadership National and Alberta LinkedIn accounts and our National Newsletter.