In this week's episode, I am joined by Laysha Ward! Laysha Ward is an accomplished C-suite executive with 32 years of leadership experience at Target Corporation.

She most recently served as the retailer’s Executive Vice President, Chief External Engagement Officer, overseeing its enterprise-wide approach to stakeholder relations.

Laysha grew up in a small town in rural Indiana with a population of 700. She began her educational journey at a program for low-income children and families. From first grade through senior year, she was the only Black girl in her class.

She began her career as a frontline team member on the salesfloor at Marshall Field’s in Chicago.

Today, she is one of the nation’s top black female C-suite executives who teaches how to lead with meaning. In her groundbreaking, inspiring, and holistic approach to leadership, Laysha breaks down the skills and self-work required for fulfilling a life with purpose, leading others, and living out a life of meaning at any and every stage.

Laysha believes that when you lead with meaning, you are taking a holistic approach that blends your life and career.

Her new book, “Lead Like You Mean It; Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite” launches on Feb 18, 2025! Key Points

• Purpose-driven leadership keys

• Integrity's role in career success

• Value of authentic relationships

• Balancing work and personal life

• Embracing life's imperfections

Best Quotes

01:58 - 02:03

• "But I also have an amazing lived experience as a girl from small town rural America."

02:04 - 02:10

• "And everything that I've done in between really has given me a unique vantage point on leadership."

03:12 - 03:24

• "The book really becomes a platform for me to offer up more of those lessons, more of a roadmap, to share more broadly with people."

03:40 - 03:47

• "Because that's what's at the core of lead, like you mean it, right? Those are the four guiding principles of lead. Like you mean it."

09:53 - 10:07

• "And so the book talks about flourishing together, and I use examples of not only my husband Bill, who is quite the character and very lovable, so I really encourage folks to read that, that portion of the book."

15:59 - 16:11

• "And so if we just make that foundational and understood, we can begin to work openly, candidly, honestly, towards making sure that every day we have the support that we need to do our best and be our best."

23:46 - 23:56

• "We are all human. That we are all worthy, that we are all a student and a teacher and have something to give and are worthy of also receiving."

45:53 - 45:59

• "I call it strategic serendipity. Things may not happen when you want 'em, but they're always right on time."