005 - Empathy Isn't What You've Been Taught with Liesel Mertes

Thriving in High-Growth Organizations with Nicole Fallowfield

What does it actually take to get promoted to SVP in a fast-growing company? Nicole Fallowfield didn't follow the traditional HR path — and that's exactly why she got the job.In this episode of Leading Through Growth, I sit down with Nicole Fallowfield, newly appointed Senior Vice President, Talent Business Partner at Unison Risk Advisors. After 17 years of navigating one of the fastest-growing organizations in the industry, Nicole shares the leadership mindset, non-negotiables, and pivotal moments that shaped her career — including the day her CEO told her, "This is the role you've been training for your whole life."What you'll learn:- The mindset shift required to thrive in high-growth, high-pressure environments- Why leadership skills outweigh technical expertise when advancing your career- How strategic HR — succession planning + talent development — drives business growth- Nicole's non-negotiables: transparency, psychological safety, and direct feedback- What "fail fast" actually means in practice (and why most leaders resist it)- How high-achievers intentionally recharge to sustain performanceIf you're a leader, HR professional, or aspiring VP trying to navigate a growing organization, this episode is for you.SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW🔔 Subscribe for weekly leadership insights:  www.YouTube.com/@TonyRSanders  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCIz5G1d9IqlgRbw1LQmIW9g] 🎙️ Listen on Apple/Spotify: www.growwithgawlo.com/podcast💼 Connect with Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyrsanders/#Leadership #CareerGrowth #HRLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #LeadingThroughGrowth

007 HR Found Me ft Angie Woods

If you've ever scrolled past a TikTok telling you to never trust HR, this episode is for you. Angie Woods has spent 30 years in human resources — and she's on a mission to change how leaders think about the people function. As a Chief People Officer at a rapidly scaling company, Angie isn't just filling seats. She's building systems, developing leaders, and creating the kind of culture that can actually survive explosive growth. In this conversation, Tony and Angie dig into what it really takes to grow a company without breaking your people. They talk about the rubber band theory of organizational stretch, why hiring fast is one of the most expensive mistakes a growing company can make, the Wednesday morning leadership development sessions that are changing how her leaders show up, and what vulnerability on stage taught her about showing up more authentically at work. Angie also clears up some of the biggest misconceptions about HR — and makes a compelling case for why a strong people function isn't a cost center. It's a growth strategy. If you lead people, build teams, or are navigating the chaos of a fast-growing organization, this one is worth your full attention. What you'll learn: * Why growth-stage companies need to hire for adaptability, not just skill * How competency frameworks connect hiring, onboarding, and performance * What HR leaders wish business leaders understood about partnership * How to give people hope through change without pretending you have all the answers

006 - Culture Fuels Growth with Scott Whitaker

In this episode of Leading Through Growth, Tony Sanders sits down with Scott Whitaker, Director of Human Resources at Ryan Fire Protection, to explore what it really takes to scale a company without losing its culture. Over the past four years, Ryan has experienced rapid growth—expanding from just under 300 employees to nearly 700. Scott shares what that growth looks like from the inside, and how intentional leadership, shared ownership, and people-first thinking have helped them preserve and strengthen their culture along the way. They dive into: * Why culture can’t live in HR alone * How leadership must scale across the organization * The challenge of integrating cultures through acquisition * Why growth breaks companies that aren’t intentional * And what leaders can do to build a culture that actually scales If you’re leading a growing team or organization, this conversation offers a grounded, real-world look at how culture fuels sustainable growth.

005 - Empathy Isn't What You've Been Taught with Liesel Mertes

Most leaders don’t avoid empathy because they don’t care.They avoid it because they were never taught how to handle it.In this episode of Leading Through Growth, Tony sits down with Workplace Empathy Expert Liesel Mertes to unpack what empathy actually looks like in leadership—and why so many well-intentioned leaders miss the mark.In this episode, we explore:- Why empathy in leadership is about emotion, not shared experience- The common patterns executive leaders fall into (like “fixing” instead of seeing)- How your own empathy patterns show up under pressure- What to say—and what not to say—when people are struggling at work or in your personal life- Simple, practical ways to build empathy as a leadership skillThis isn’t about empathy as a soft skill. It’s about becoming more effective in how you lead people.

004 - Create Your Own Footprint

In this episode, Tony sits down with Michelle Baker, Chief People Officer at Forum Credit Union and co-host of the Career Dreams podcast, to explore what it really means to grow into leadership. Michelle shares the mindset shifts that shape how leaders experience the same challenges differently—why some feel energized while others feel overwhelmed—and how that perspective influences everything from decision-making to team dynamics. They also unpack the tension between speed and effectiveness, the importance of adapting your leadership to others, and why modeling behavior is one of the most overlooked responsibilities leaders carry. At the center of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: You don’t have to fill someone else’s shoes—you have to create your own footprint. This episode is for leaders navigating growth, identity, and the responsibility that comes with both.