Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Heather Younger.

Founder and CEO of a leading employee engagement and workplace culture consulting firm:

🎙️ Interview Summary

Guest: Heather R. Younger
Role: CEO, workplace culture consultant, author, speaker
Topic: Employee engagement, workplace culture, self-leadership, and overcoming fear

🧭 Purpose of the Interview

To explore Heather Younger's journey as a workplace culture expert, her insights into employee engagement, and her new book The Art of Self-Leadership. The conversation centers on empowering individuals to lead themselves, navigate workplace challenges, and overcome fear to unlock personal and professional growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Employee Advocacy & Engagement
Heather has read over 30,000 employee surveys and facilitated 100+ focus groups.
She emphasizes active listening and creating safe spaces for employees to express concerns.
Her mission is to amplify the voices of employees, especially during organizational transitions like mergers.

2. Self-Leadership & Personal Growth
Heather encourages individuals to be their own advocates and not wait for others (including HR) to “save” them.
She promotes intentional reframing—shifting negative thoughts into rational, empowering ones.
Her new book, The Art of Self-Leadership, includes exercises like fear mapping to help readers identify and overcome internal barriers.

3. Navigating Fear in the Workplace

Heather outlines five ways fear holds people back professionally:
Fear of feedback – avoiding growth due to fear of criticism.
Fear of retribution – hesitating to speak up.
Fear of speaking truth to power – lacking psychological safety.
Inherited fears – generational or cultural fears that shape behavior.
Fear of regret – not taking action and living with “what ifs.”

4. Daily Practices for Mental Strength
Reflect nightly on what went well and what you controlled.
Practice gratitude and mindfulness.
Prioritize sleep, hydration, and mental clarity.
Treat each day as a chance to iterate and improve.

💬 Notable Quotes
“I needed to be the change I was seeking.”
“Feedback is a gift—even if it hurts.”
“You have to fight tooth and nail for your own mental space.”
“Don’t wait to be invited—ask.”
“See yourself as a work in progress, not a finished product.”

📚 Book Mentioned
Title:The Art of Self-Leadership
Focus: Empowering individuals to lead themselves through fear, change, and uncertainty

📞 Contact Info
Website: HeatherYounger.com
LinkedIn: Heather R. Younger
Social Media: Active on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Heather Younger.
Founder and CEO of a leading employee engagement and workplace culture consulting firm:
<hr>
🎙️ Interview Summary
Guest: Heather R. Younger Role: CEO, workplace culture consultant, author, speaker Topic: Employee engagement, workplace culture, self-leadership, and overcoming fear
<hr>
🧭 Purpose of the Interview
To explore Heather Younger's journey as a workplace culture expert, her insights into employee engagement, and her new book The Art of Self-Leadership. The conversation centers on empowering individuals to lead themselves, navigate workplace challenges, and overcome fear to unlock personal and professional growth.
<hr>
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Employee Advocacy &amp; Engagement
<ul>
<li>Heather has read over 30,000 employee surveys and facilitated 100+ focus groups.</li>
<li>She emphasizes active listening and creating safe spaces for employees to express concerns.</li>
<li>Her mission is to amplify the voices of employees, especially during organizational transitions like mergers.</li>
</ul>
2. Self-Leadership &amp; Personal Growth
<ul>
<li>Heather encourages individuals to be their own advocates and not wait for others (including HR) to &ldquo;save&rdquo; them.</li>
<li>She promotes intentional reframing&mdash;shifting negative thoughts into rational, empowering ones.</li>
<li>Her new book, The Art of Self-Leadership, includes exercises like fear mapping to help readers identify and overcome internal barriers.</li>
</ul>
3. Navigating Fear in the Workplace
Heather outlines five ways fear holds people back professionally:
<ol>
<li>Fear of feedback &ndash; avoiding growth due to fear of criticism.</li>
<li>Fear of retribution &ndash; hesitating to speak up.</li>
<li>Fear of speaking truth to power &ndash; lacking psychological safety.</li>
<li>Inherited fears &ndash; generational or cultural fears that shape behavior.</li>
<li>Fear of regret &ndash; not taking action and living with &ldquo;what ifs.&rdquo;</li>
</ol>
4. Daily Practices for Mental Strength
<ul>
<li>Reflect nightly on what went well and what you controlled.</li>
<li>Practice gratitude and mindfulness.</li>
<li>Prioritize sleep, hydration, and mental clarity.</li>
<li>Treat each day as a chance to iterate and improve.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
💬 Notable Quotes
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;I needed to be the change I was seeking.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;Feedback is a gift&mdash;even if it hurts.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;You have to fight tooth and nail for your own mental space.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t wait to be invited&mdash;ask.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;See yourself as a work in progress, not a finished product.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
📚 Book Mentioned
<ul>
<li>Title: The Art of Self-Leadership</li>
<li>Focus: Empowering individuals to lead themselves through fear, change, and uncertainty</li>
</ul>
<hr>
📞 Contact Info
<ul>
<li>Website: HeatherYounger.com</li>
<li>LinkedIn: Heather R. Younger</li>
<li>Social Media: Active on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram</li>
</ul>
<hr>
&nbsp;
#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Uplift: She tells you how to navigate workplace fears: job security, performance anxiety, and change.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2b80bcee-b33b-4828-8943-b27b016a63d6/transcript

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