It isn't a lack of good ideas that kills the momentum of organizations but rather a failure to select and then execute on the right ideas. Too many ideas, too many agendas and too much internal chaos brings companies to a screeching halt.
It's not a lack of ideas, it's a lack of execution on the right ideas.
We have worked with leadership teams of private and public organizations who are ready to eliminate the overwhelm, get unstuck and start growing again. This is about truth-telling, having real conversations that solve (not sugar-coat) and destroy the shiny object syndrome that is causing your organization to be "stuck in neutral", and even give you a third party "kick in the pants accountability" when things need to move along faster. Yes...it happens to even the best of us.
"More organizations die of indigestion than starvation"
David Packard, HP
There are so many things that I love about my job. I love that every person, every organization, and every meeting is different. I love that there's no set formula for leadership and organizational success. Every leader and every organization has their own journey.
Throughout my professional life, my best work has come through coaching and creating clarity for individuals and teams looking to level up and do their best work. Today, with each hat I wear - trusted consultant on issues of strategy, governance and leadership, executive coach, facilitator, and mediator - this continues to be my focus: slow down the chaos and speed up the progress, focus on the right objects, not just the shiny objects, and stop sugarcoating challenges and confidently deal with them head on. Because when leaders have clarity on the path forward, they will create more meaning, motivation, and bottom-line results in the organizations and communities in which they serve.
MY APPROACH
Marrying intuition, focused inquiry, and deep insight with organizational behavioural science and proven coaching strategies and tools, I help untangle the challenges, assess opportunities, then customize a forward focussed plan towards your stated goals. I question, listen, challenge and support you and your team the entire way as you create meaningful change for killer success. I fuel each engagement with positive energy, clear and compassionate communication, and an authentic interest in what makes people, their teams and their organizations tick.
CLIENTS
Throughout my professional career, I've worked with boards, senior executives, leadership teams, new leaders and high potential managers in a variety of functional roles in organizations and cultures of different sizes, growth stages and industries, allowing me to land any new assignment, assess and immediately contribute. My client base includes public and private organizations in the areas of post-secondary education, healthcare, fisheries, technology, manufacturing, natural resources and not-for-profit enterprises.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
My leadership practice is built on deep academic training, executive certifications, and over 20 years' experience as a manager, consultant, and executive leader in strategy, people, and organizational development. In addition to my governance, strategic planning, executive coaching, facilitation and conflict resolution work, I am an instructor in the Marine Studies Master's Program in the School of Ocean Technology at Memorial University's Fisheries and Marine Institute, as well as a frequent instructor in the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development Program at the University of Manitoba. I am a business graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, hold a M.Ed from Memorial University, a Masters of Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the University of Toronto.
The history of Newfoundland is a history of global industry and the leaders who carved out their place on the island’s rocky shores. Since its earliest days as prominent fishing grounds for the English, Portuguese, and Basque, Newfoundland has remained a touchstone in transatlantic trade and communication.
From Marconi’s first wireless message across the ocean to secret meetings between the Second WorldWar’s top brass, leadership is embedded into this island’s history, as well as the character of its people.
It is with this heritage in mind that Heather has developed Leadership Matters to incorporate the unique culture and traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the values which encompass its long history of industry leadership.
Weaving in the warmth, creativity, honesty, and hard work of her native home, Heather ensures that client relationships are built on the authenticity, generosity, empathy, and empowerment which has come to define Newfoundland and Labrador and who Heather is as a person.