In the Cut
LEADERSHIP BLOG
An intro from Sheila.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Venu Gupta
Committed to fostering solidarity and political engagement among people of color across backgrounds and identities, Venu’s work spans many sectors including law, business, media, education and nonprofit. A compassionate, human-centered leader, Venu works with individuals and clients to explore and promote anti-racism and racial justice practices.
Sheila and Venu discussed Venu’s leadership style and her aspirations to transition into ministry. They also explored the concept of inspiration, the importance of decision-making and the impact of personal values on leadership.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Archita Fritz
Archita says that she was never supposed to be in those rooms. Not in boardrooms where multi-million-dollar decisions get made. Not in private equity meetings where marketing is an afterthought. Not in leadership huddles. The only woman. The only person of color. The only voice asking different questions. And yet, here she is. A LinkedIn Top Voice in Thought Leadership and award-winning product marketing strategist, innovator, keynote speaker, podcaster and board member.
The Layoff Interview Prep
It may have been a minute since you interviewed for a job. Maybe you’ve been in your position for a while. Or, maybe you’ve been promoted without needing a resume or an interview. And now this. A layoff.
It’s time to plan for what’s next.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Dr. Thane Kreiner
Dr. Thane Kreiner started his impressive career as a scientist, founding and leading 4 life sciences ventures as the CEO. As the Executive Director of Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, he transformed it into the world’s leading university-based accelerator. Building on his relationship with Santa Clara University, Thane co-founded Black Corporate Board Readiness designed to accelerate the representation of qualified Black leaders in corporate governance.
Try Better Tuesday: Why hater-ade?
It’s Try Better Tuesay and I say if all you have is Hater-ade, pour it out. And if you get out of your bed on the wrong side, get back in and try again.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Sena Kwawu
Sena holds equally the skills of an operator and innovator and has put them to good use over his impressive career in high growth and mature public companies. His transformational leadership instincts started in Ghana and have benefited global teams and the customers they serve. At whatever table Sena has a seat, expect that his contributions will matter today and for many days to follow.
Thankful Thursday: The Big We by Hali Lee
There’s nothing like another rainy night in Seattle to huddle up in an independent bookstore and get real talk about real money doing real things in big and small ways.
It’s Thankful Thursday and today I’m thankful to Tuti Scott for her invitation to hear author Hali Lee talk about her new book, The Big We, How Giving Circles Unlock Generosity, Strengthen Community, and Make Change. Hali is a co-founder of the Donors of Color Network, founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, and co-creator of Philanthropy Together, a national collective giving support organization.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Tsitsi Hampton
Meet Tsitsi Hampton, a career merchant with a strong female family foundation, she leads with a spirit grounded in respect and collaboration. She is always comfortable in her leadership roles and clear about what needs to happen “in the moment” to successfully lead her teams. As she says, “Leadership must be fluid to meet the moment.”
Thankful Thursday: The Ladder of St. Augustine
It’s a Thankful Thursday during Women’s History Month and today I’m grateful for my Mother, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. You ask, “what do these 3 people have in common?”
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Delida Costin
Committed to equipping individuals and teams to get to where they want to be, Delida Costin has spent more than 3 decades serving as a chief legal officer, chief people officer, corporate secretary, board member and investor.
I guarantee that if you read this short In the Cut Leadership Conversation, you’ll leave with something new on your mind.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Lisha Bell
My 2nd installment of In The Cut Leadership Conversations, features Lisha Bell, a tech veteran and a fearless warrior in the creation of wealth for underrepresented founders and investors.
Read her inspiring story and why her work is so important… for all of us.
Sentences Have Periods for a Reason
I was strategizing with a friend about a negotiation-like conversation she was going to have. I suggested that she speak slowly and deliberately and offered, “sentences have periods for a reason.” It was my tip to finish what she had to say, and well, be finished.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Greg Webb
In my first in a series of In The Cut Leadership Conversations, meet Greg Webb. He’s a veteran in the beverage industry having owned an Anheuser-Busch distributorship in New Jersey and holding management roles with Anheuser-Busch and Miller Coors. He continues his work consulting with distributors on growth strategies and serving on the Advisory Board of the National Black Brewers Association.
You’re invited to read his evolving story of leadership.
The Layoff Confidence Drain
Last week I received a text from a mentee sharing her frustration and disappointment in her ongoing job search, leading to sadness and a strong lack of confidence. She said, "I have never had a problem finding a job." She’s not the first to share this sentiment with me, and she will likely, and sadly, not be the last.
Introducing In the Cut Leadership Conversations with Sheila
I have always loved the topic of leadership. As a kid I devoured biographies and autobiographies, grasping at what made someone tick. Learning about what made them soar or sour through life. Understanding what they were thinking when making life-changing decisions that affected many beyond themselves.
On March 3, 2025 I am launching my new leadership series, In the Cut Leadership Conversations with Sheila. I’ll be chatting it up with some incredibly cool and brilliant people who lead in ways that I admire and respect.
If You’re Looking, Look Differently This Time
No matter the circumstances, looking for your next job brings a whole lot of emotions. This makes it even harder to pause long enough to do real soul searching about what you are really looking for.
Rethinking Confrontation as Conversation
Most of us choose to describe significant and ongoing differences with others as being in conflict, so much so that it seems to require a confrontation to resolve. The word confrontation brings with it a stream of anxiety and uncomfortableness, often leading to avoidance. But what if conflict is simply an opportunity for conversation?
Thankful Thursday: Istanbul Part 2
It’s Thankful Thursday and here’s the 2nd installment on my work travel to Istanbul.
Encouragement is a Necessary Management Instinct
The truth is that things don’t always go as you planned. You are not in control of everything and mistakes are going to happen. How you deal with this and how you are supported influences how you feel in the moment and long after.