In this episode, JL Heather shares insights from his extensive experience in organizational transformations, emphasizing the importance of empowered culture, transformational leadership, and continuous improvement. Deb and JL discuss the concept of agile methodologies, human-centered design, and how to overcome innovation blockers. JL provides practical advice for leaders on how to rekindle their creativity, effectively delegate, and maintain psychological safety within their teams. The conversation also explores real-life examples of coaching successes, making it a valuable listen for senior leaders looking to enhance their leadership skills and drive organizational growth.



Episode Highlights:

04:20 Understanding Agile Methodology

07:56 The Importance of Innovation in Leadership

14:04 Addressing Leadership Burnout

22:18 Identifying and Overcoming Innovation Blockers





JL Heather is a seasoned expert in organizational transformation with 20 years of experience helping businesses achieve extraordinary results through Empowering Culture, Transformational Leadership, and Continuous Improvement. Having partnered with global brands like Ford, Pfizer, Wendy’s, and T-Mobile, JL blends a mastery of lean/agile principles with advanced coaching credentials, including CPCC and ACC certifications. A Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) practitioner and skilled facilitator, JL has led hundreds of workshops—from Design Sprints to executive team building—creating safe, dynamic spaces for leaders and teams to solve challenges collaboratively. JL’s mission is to elevate how organizations deliver value and inspire impactful leadership.



How to connect with JL:

Website: www.centered.work

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlheather/



For more insights:

Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn

Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3T09kVc

Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/49SmRV3

In this episode, JL Heather shares insights from his extensive experience in organizational transformations, emphasizing the importance of empowered culture, transformational leadership, and continuous improvement. Deb and JL discuss the concept of agile methodologies, human-centered design, and how to overcome innovation blockers. JL provides practical advice for leaders on how to rekindle their creativity, effectively delegate, and maintain psychological safety within their teams. The conversation also explores real-life examples of coaching successes, making it a valuable listen for senior leaders looking to enhance their leadership skills and drive organizational growth.
 
Episode Highlights:
04:20 Understanding Agile Methodology
07:56 The Importance of Innovation in Leadership
14:04 Addressing Leadership Burnout
22:18 Identifying and Overcoming Innovation Blockers
 
 
JL Heather is a seasoned expert in organizational transformation with 20 years of experience helping businesses achieve extraordinary results through Empowering Culture, Transformational Leadership, and Continuous Improvement. Having partnered with global brands like Ford, Pfizer, Wendy’s, and T-Mobile, JL blends a mastery of lean/agile principles with advanced coaching credentials, including CPCC and ACC certifications. A Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) practitioner and skilled facilitator, JL has led hundreds of workshops—from Design Sprints to executive team building—creating safe, dynamic spaces for leaders and teams to solve challenges collaboratively. JL’s mission is to elevate how organizations deliver value and inspire impactful leadership.
 
How to connect with JL:
Website: <a href="http://www.centered.work/">www.centered.work</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlheather/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlheather/</a>
 
For more insights:
Follow me on my YouTube Channel: <a href="https://bit.ly/47GgMdn">https://bit.ly/47GgMdn</a> 
Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  <a href="https://bit.ly/3T09kVc">https://bit.ly/3T09kVc</a>
Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: <a href="https://bit.ly/49SmRV3">https://bit.ly/49SmRV3</a>

Inspire your team. Elevate your people. Transform your organization from within.

The most common problem business leaders face is being able to identify a problem before it ripples into the entire organization. As the Drop in CEO I help businesses get to the root of the issue and use 15+ years of proven executive leadership strategies to fix the problem and make way for a brighter future.

Join me, Deborah Coviello, each week as I connect you with CEO’s and industry leaders who are doing the work of transforming their businesses from the inside out. Learn how to be an inspirational leader, take control of your career, and build a strong foundation of purpose.

What if the secret ingredient to your company’s success is you?
Inspirational leadership starts with acknowledging that people are the most important asset in your company. Learn how to identify strengths within others and elevate them to the next level of success.

Inspiration and Insights from Industry Leaders

The Drop In CEO

JL Heather: The Power of Innovation and Agile Methodologies

In this episode, Tom Oliver shares his career journey that began as an 'Army brat,' his aspirations to attend the Air Force Academy, and how he navigated challenges during his military service, including life-threatening situations while flying. After transitioning to the corporate world, Tom excelled in turnaround and crisis management roles at companies like General Foods, Nabisco, and Dole Food Company, showcasing his ability to streamline processes and improve performance metrics. Later, Tom ventured into entrepreneurship, founding a successful medical device company. Throughout his career, Tom emphasizes the importance of mentoring, developing people, and the simple but powerful principle of 'try.'



Episode Highlights:

10:19 Flying Career and Near-Death Experiences

14:31 Transition to the Pentagon

17:01 From Military to Corporate: The Big Shift

27:05 Addressing CEO Burnout

28:06 Revitalizing Dole Food Company

32:36 Innovative Solutions for Workforce Management

37:10 From Corporate to Entrepreneurship

37:41 The Power of Trying



Tom Oliver is a seasoned leader specializing in business turnarounds, change management, and strategy execution. As CEO of CoolSystems, he transformed a struggling startup into a leading medical device company, growing revenues to $19M despite significant challenges. His career highlights include leading PowerBar's $415M acquisition by Nestlé, saving Dole Food Company $131M through global productivity initiatives, and driving a 97% revenue increase at Dolefil. Known for his ability to rebuild companies from the ground up, Tom's focus on innovation, strategic growth, and culture-building consistently delivers extraordinary results across industries.



How to connect with Tom:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasoliver/



For more insights:

Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn

Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3T09kVc

Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/49SmRV3

In this episode, Tom Oliver shares his career journey that began as an 'Army brat,' his aspirations to attend the Air Force Academy, and how he navigated challenges during his military service, including life-threatening situations while flying. After transitioning to the corporate world, Tom excelled in turnaround and crisis management roles at companies like General Foods, Nabisco, and Dole Food Company, showcasing his ability to streamline processes and improve performance metrics. Later, Tom ventured into entrepreneurship, founding a successful medical device company. Throughout his career, Tom emphasizes the importance of mentoring, developing people, and the simple but powerful principle of 'try.'
 
Episode Highlights:
10:19 Flying Career and Near-Death Experiences
14:31 Transition to the Pentagon
17:01 From Military to Corporate: The Big Shift
27:05 Addressing CEO Burnout
28:06 Revitalizing Dole Food Company
32:36 Innovative Solutions for Workforce Management
37:10 From Corporate to Entrepreneurship
37:41 The Power of Trying
 
Tom Oliver is a seasoned leader specializing in business turnarounds, change management, and strategy execution. As CEO of CoolSystems, he transformed a struggling startup into a leading medical device company, growing revenues to $19M despite significant challenges. His career highlights include leading PowerBar's $415M acquisition by Nestlé, saving Dole Food Company $131M through global productivity initiatives, and driving a 97% revenue increase at Dolefil. Known for his ability to rebuild companies from the ground up, Tom's focus on innovation, strategic growth, and culture-building consistently delivers extraordinary results across industries.
 
How to connect with Tom:
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasoliver/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasoliver/</a>
 
For more insights:
Follow me on my YouTube Channel: <a href="https://bit.ly/47GgMdn">https://bit.ly/47GgMdn</a> 
Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  <a href="https://bit.ly/3T09kVc">https://bit.ly/3T09kVc</a>
Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: <a href="https://bit.ly/49SmRV3">https://bit.ly/49SmRV3</a>

Tom Oliver: Navigating Leadership Challenges and Turnarounds

In this episode, Amber Shepherd, the strategic alliances business partner at Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation, discusses her transformative career journey from rural Florida to global consulting and her extensive experience in workforce development. Amber shares insights on overcoming organizational challenges, promoting a strong workforce culture, and the importance of inspirational leadership. She emphasizes the significance of employee engagement, career growth, and breaking departmental silos for organizational success.



Episode Highlights:

02:51 Amber's Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Global Consultant

09:56 Transformational Leadership and Workforce Development

13:06 The CEO's Compass: Navigating Leadership Challenges

14:47 Amber's Secret Sauce: Achieving High Placement Rates

26:21 Strategic Workforce Development: Challenges and Solutions



Amber Shepherd is the Strategic Alliances Business Partner at Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation (NEFEDC). As a local business owner and global consultant with a dynamic career in global B2B/B2C business development, customer service, and operations across multiple industries, she brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative strategies to her role. Having nearly 15 years’ experience in workforce development, Amber's roles in Career Services showcased her extensive expertise in aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs. Her experience enhances her ability to support workforce initiatives at NEFEDC, promoting regional economic growth through skilled workforce development. As a global executive management consultant, she drives high-impact marketing strategies, fostering growth through data-driven insights. Amber's ability to turn complex business challenges into strategic opportunities significantly enhances her role at NEFEDC, fostering economic development and community engagement while leading efforts to connect the corporation with key initiatives both nationally and internationally.



How to connect with Amber:

Website: www.nefedc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-shepherd-mhrm-823b0734/



For more insights:

Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn

Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3T09kVc

Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/49SmRV3

In this episode, Amber Shepherd, the strategic alliances business partner at Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation, discusses her transformative career journey from rural Florida to global consulting and her extensive experience in workforce development. Amber shares insights on overcoming organizational challenges, promoting a strong workforce culture, and the importance of inspirational leadership. She emphasizes the significance of employee engagement, career growth, and breaking departmental silos for organizational success.
 
Episode Highlights:
02:51 Amber's Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Global Consultant
09:56 Transformational Leadership and Workforce Development
13:06 The CEO's Compass: Navigating Leadership Challenges
14:47 Amber's Secret Sauce: Achieving High Placement Rates
26:21 Strategic Workforce Development: Challenges and Solutions
 
Amber Shepherd is the Strategic Alliances Business Partner at Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation (NEFEDC). As a local business owner and global consultant with a dynamic career in global B2B/B2C business development, customer service, and operations across multiple industries, she brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative strategies to her role. Having nearly 15 years’ experience in workforce development, Amber's roles in Career Services showcased her extensive expertise in aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs. Her experience enhances her ability to support workforce initiatives at NEFEDC, promoting regional economic growth through skilled workforce development. As a global executive management consultant, she drives high-impact marketing strategies, fostering growth through data-driven insights. Amber's ability to turn complex business challenges into strategic opportunities significantly enhances her role at NEFEDC, fostering economic development and community engagement while leading efforts to connect the corporation with key initiatives both nationally and internationally.
 
How to connect with Amber:
Website: <a href="http://www.nefedc.com/">www.nefedc.com</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-shepherd-mhrm-823b0734/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-shepherd-mhrm-823b0734/</a>
 
For more insights:
Follow me on my YouTube Channel: <a href="https://bit.ly/47GgMdn">https://bit.ly/47GgMdn</a> 
Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  <a href="https://bit.ly/3T09kVc">https://bit.ly/3T09kVc</a>
Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: <a href="https://bit.ly/49SmRV3">https://bit.ly/49SmRV3</a>

Amber Shepherd: Strategic Workforce Development and Leading with Inspiration

In this episode, Steve Ramona shares his journey from his early days working at his family's health club to becoming a successful business owner by building strong relationships and continuously serving others. The conversation highlights the importance of ABS (Always Be Serving), effective networking strategies, and the long-term benefits of focusing on relationships over transactions. Steve also discusses his involvement in television and offers insights on patience and persistence in both personal and professional growth. This episode is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to make meaningful connections in their career.



Episode Highlights:

10:41 The Importance of Long-Term Relationships in Business

17:58 The CEO's Compass: A Guide to Avoid Burnout

19:07 Understanding ABS: Always Be Serving

20:07 The Power of Small Acts of Kindness

22:16 The Importance of Patience and Persistence



Steve Ramona, a unique super-connector, specializes in building partnerships through his personalized introductions. These introductions are emails and include video explanations, adding a personal touch to each connection. Steve's introductions have been incredibly successful, resulting in 25 million dollars in deals over the past 11 years. This track record speaks volumes about the value he brings to each connection.
Steve has a podcast, Doing Business with a Servant's Heart, with an audience of over 40,000 people per episode.


He also has a TV show called Together We Serve, which has a 1.2 million monthly audience and 9 million viewers on the TV channel. Steve’s shows mostly feature CEOs, founders, Presidents, and Entrepreneurs with incredible stories. Through these shows, Steve finds great people to partner with and introduces partnerships/collaborations.



How to connect with Steve

Website: https://www.servinginbusinesspodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveramona/



For more insights:

Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn

Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3T09kVc

Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/49SmRV3

In this episode, Steve Ramona shares his journey from his early days working at his family's health club to becoming a successful business owner by building strong relationships and continuously serving others. The conversation highlights the importance of ABS (Always Be Serving), effective networking strategies, and the long-term benefits of focusing on relationships over transactions. Steve also discusses his involvement in television and offers insights on patience and persistence in both personal and professional growth. This episode is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to make meaningful connections in their career.
 
Episode Highlights:
10:41 The Importance of Long-Term Relationships in Business
17:58 The CEO's Compass: A Guide to Avoid Burnout
19:07 Understanding ABS: Always Be Serving
20:07 The Power of Small Acts of Kindness
22:16 The Importance of Patience and Persistence
 
Steve Ramona, a unique super-connector, specializes in building partnerships through his personalized introductions. These introductions are emails and include video explanations, adding a personal touch to each connection. Steve's introductions have been incredibly successful, resulting in 25 million dollars in deals over the past 11 years. This track record speaks volumes about the value he brings to each connection. Steve has a podcast, Doing Business with a Servant's Heart, with an audience of over 40,000 people per episode.
 He also has a TV show called Together We Serve, which has a 1.2 million monthly audience and 9 million viewers on the TV channel. Steve’s shows mostly feature CEOs, founders, Presidents, and Entrepreneurs with incredible stories. Through these shows, Steve finds great people to partner with and introduces partnerships/collaborations.
 
How to connect with Steve
Website: <a href="https://www.servinginbusinesspodcast.com/">https://www.servinginbusinesspodcast.com/</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveramona/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveramona/</a>
 
For more insights:
Follow me on my YouTube Channel: <a href="https://bit.ly/47GgMdn">https://bit.ly/47GgMdn</a> 
Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter:  <a href="https://bit.ly/3T09kVc">https://bit.ly/3T09kVc</a>
Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: <a href="https://bit.ly/49SmRV3">https://bit.ly/49SmRV3</a>

JL Heather: The Power of Innovation and Agile Methodologies

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