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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Tuti Scott
Born in a rural town and shaped by adversity and resilience, Tuti’s participation in basketball provided her with her first taste of belonging, leadership and achievement. Acknowledging her white privilege, Tuti forged a path of equity for women leading change in companies, nonprofit organizations and in the game of money and power. A lifelong feminist, Tuti’s passion for humanity and the survival of our planet are at the core of what motivates her.
Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself
I’m Sheila. Sheila E. to be exact and since there’s a brilliant musical artist who goes by that name, Sheila will do just fine.
I’m a strategist, builder and leader.
I’m a Midwest transplant to the west coast.
Moving On
In 2012, JG Larochette took a huge leap of faith to start Mindful Life Project (MLP), an organization dedicated to transforming schools from the inside out with innovative and comprehensive mindfulness based socio-emotional learning programming. He started without a budget or business plan. What he did have was a profound knowing that the organization had to be founded.
This summer, he announced his exit from MLP and the startup of Mindful Rising and I’m here for it!
Who is Your Best Boss Ever?
A few weeks ago, a former team member named me as her best boss ever which immediately made me ponder who was mine. It took seconds for me to name Lisa Nash as that person.
What I love most about Lisa is the ease in which she supports her team. We were all young in our careers, including Lisa, and capable of delivering at the highest levels. Lisa encouraged that in us and knew that our success, was her success.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Wilma Wallace
A senior executive leader, Wilma brings experience designing and leading global legal, risk, compliance and ESG programs (including equity) and enterprise transformation. As a legal expert, former Corporate Secretary, Corporate Executive and seasoned public and nonprofit board member, she is known as a collaborative, values-driven partner and trusted advisor. Wilma is a champion for social impact, environmental justice, and human rights and a frequent public speaker and instructor on leadership, law department management, business and human rights, and transforming into a more just, equitable and sustainable society.