In the Cut
LEADERSHIP BLOG
An intro from Sheila.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Dave Walker
Dave Walker says he’s actively pursuing retirement but retirement isn’t actively pursuing him! Before the idea of taking a break came to Dave, he spent more than 30 years in international development in the public health and conservation sectors. Dedicated to building the scale and scope of development programs in more than 50 countries, he developed strategic plans, led multi-function social marketing teams, managed cost-efficient operations and guided research driving product and process innovation. And to think this all started when we sat in side-by-side cubicles dreaming up new products at Quaker Oats in Chicago, Illinois!
Tomorrow
Life presents us all with a lot of crossroads, right? The place where moving in one direction versus the other creates a different reality for you. The difference may be huge, like choosing one job or another, a partner or remaining single, living in one city or another. Or, the choices may be smaller in impact like going to the gym or not; eating a burger and fries or a salad.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Susan Long-Walsh
For more than 30 years, Susan Long-Walsh has studied not only how people experience work, but why the same workplace can inspire trust in some and frustration in others. She has viewed complex workplaces from multiple vantage points—as an employee, manager, recruiter, executive, founder, advisor, consultant, coach, board member and employee resource group chair. All positions provided a view of how leadership works for the good and not so good of the people impacted. She’s a woman who has had access and has the receipts that tell the story.
Decision Making: Explain vs. Defend
Have you ever experienced presenting an idea or decision and the response you got was harsh? Nearly critical? Is your natural response to shift toward defending your idea or decision? I’ve known that feeling in my lifetime and as I matured in leadership, sharpened my insticts, and elevated my communication, defending a decision became a thing of the past.
In the Cut Leadership Interview with Tyra Mariani
My In the Cut Leadership Conversations are back for a 2nd season! And who better to kick off this season with than my friend and colleague, Tyra Mariani.
Throughout Tyra’s more than twenty-five years working across multiple sectors and organizational structures, she gained firsthand experience on the challenges and benefits of leading, working and managing change in dynamic environments. As the president of the Schultz Family Foundation, she worked alongside Sheri and Howard Schultz in accelerating the family’s work to address inequality. Now the founder and principal of UP Advisors, she provides coaching and strategic advising services to help clients create results for themselves and their teams.
Stronger Together: A Celebration of Women’s Leadership & Resilience
Join me for an engaging conversation that explores both the realities and possibilities facing women today!
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
As a leadership coach, I create bespoke pathways to the goals my clients have defined for themselves. However, all of these coaching journeys have the same beginning and closure – think of it as an arc of discovery, empowerment, discernment, and truth. Along the way, I often use books and/or articles that are relevant to our work together. One of my favorites is The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman and Kaley Warner Klemp.
Make it New
This week I was in a meeting with a team of folx prepping for a presentation that 3 of us in attendance have to make in a couple of weeks. I should say that we “get” to make the presentation because it’s gonna be good!
As we were running through the slides, the facilitator, Rev. Bobbi Becker, said, “Something doesn’t have to be wrong, to make it new.”
Announcing the 2026 Black Women Give Back Honorees!
Announcing the 2026 Black Women Give Back Honorees!
I have some good news to share. I spent part of this year, as a member of the Selection Committee, helping choose the 2026 Black Women Give Back List, and it went public today! This year's theme is Weaving Abundance: Black Women as Architects of Collective Joy.
One-Year Later
Last year, I had the good fortune of speaking with Dr. Nwando Anyaoku about leadership and life. Nwando dropped some serious pearls and you can revisit her entire interview here. I recently caught up with this in-demand global speaker and here’s what she had to say about her 1-year celebration.
One-Year Later
Last year, I had the good fortune of meeting and speaking with Thane Kreiner about leadership, something he knows a lot about. His career has provided him with opportunities at a variety of tables where he often finds himself with the keys to influence and the means to make things happen. I caught up with him recently to see how things have gone since we last spoke.
Overthink the Best
It is often human nature to consider the worst possible outcome long before we dream of the best. And at time such a time as this, the worst can seem far more likely.
We all know that depending on how you view the glass, it can be half full or half empty.
I’ve got to say that my view sees a glass overflowing!
One-Year Later
In April 2025, I asked Archita what she would be celebrating one year later. A few days ago, I asked her how that celebration is going. Here’s what she shared in only the magical, vulnerable and inspiring way Archita can.
One-Year Later
In March of last year, I spoke with Lisha Bell and Greg Webb about leadership in my new In the Cut Leadership Conversation series. One of the questions I ask of all the leaders I interview is, “It’s a year from now, what are you celebrating?”
I reached out to Lisha and Greg to check in on their celebration. Here’s what they shared with me!
One-Year Later…
A year ago this month, I launched my In the Cut Leadership Conversation series and had the good fortune of speaking with Sena Kwawu and Tsitsi Hampton. One of the questions I ask of all the leaders I interview is, “It’s a year from now, what are you celebrating?”
I recently caught up with Tsitsi and Sena to see how they did with that!
Does Your Nonprofit Board Have Strategic Chops?
It’s Try Better Tuesday… and today nonprofit boards are on my mind.
I’ve had the privilege of serving on 15 nonprofit boards that focused on arts and culture, economic development, entrepreneurship and spirituality. Focus areas that speak to me and are easy for me to get behind. And I’ve held leadership positions from Board Chair to leading marketing to strategic planning committees. It’s that last one that has my attention these days. Strategic planning.
Live Life as You Dreamed It
When 3 or more things converge in my life, I’m called to stop to pay attention to them. On this Sunday morning, I’m taking a note from my brother, a dreamcatcher, my Mom and Jacob.
Leadership. It’s about being a good human. Period.
There are a gazillion books about leadership. Literally. A gazillion. And every year, people write new ones.
Over the years, I’ve been asked to consider writing a book on leadership. What I have siad in response is, “There are already a gazillion books about leadership.”
How’s that Leadership Coaching Working Out for You?
I hold 2 portfolios of work and they both make me happy.
One is consulting, where I’m hired to recommend to executives what I believe is best for them in setting growth strategies and preparing for organizational transformation. The other is coaching, where I help executive leaders reveal their truths as they work toward improving their leadership instincts and being better humans.
