What if the best leadership decisions come from asking "what if it were me?"

Join me as I sit down with Laura Harmon, Chief People Officer, to discuss career growth, authentic leadership, and the importance of creating space for others. Laura shares her journey from IT to HR, how being a mother has shaped her leadership style, and why taking pauses can lead to greater intentionality.

You'll Learn:

⭐ The importance of financial literacy for women (and what "F-U money" really means)

⭐ The ripple effect of authentic leadership

⭐ How creating safe spaces has been a theme in both her personal and professional life

⭐ Why asking questions and embracing curiosity never gets old

⭐ How parenthood influences your leadership approach

Key Insights:

• Evolution of HR: Over 25 years, HR has transformed from administrative function to strategic partner, requiring continuous adaptation and learning.
• The Power of Pauses: Taking intentional breaks - whether in conversation or career - creates space for reflection and more thoughtful decision-making.
• Financial Freedom as Leadership Tool: Building financial literacy and having options gives you the power to make values-aligned decisions, especially when facing challenging workplace situations.
• Creativity in Professional Settings: Bringing creative approaches to traditionally structured environments can unlock innovation and engagement.
• Legacy Through Authenticity: True leadership legacy isn't built on perfection—it's built on creating space for others to grow, making mistakes, and learning from them.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Introduction and background on Kristin and Laura's relationship

[03:00] - Laura's career journey from IT to HR leadership

[08:00] - How HR has evolved over 25 years

[13:00] - The power of asking questions and embracing curiosity

[18:30] - Using creativity in professional settings

[23:00] - How parenthood influences leadership approaches

[30:00] - The courage to make mistakes and learn from them

[36:00] - The importance of taking pauses and being intentional

[44:30] - Building a legacy through authenticity and creating space for others

Resources and Links:

Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com

Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)

Books:

• "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

• "We Should All Be Millionaires" by Rachel Rodgers

• "Financial Feminist" by Tori Dunlap

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!