Lighthouse Leadership Consultants™

Dear C-Suite: Your People Are Not Okay Today. If you lead with empathy, then you know that someone on your team or in your organization is deeply affected by the events happening around us right now. Your employees aren’t just workers; they’re people—people with identities, backgrounds, and stories that don’t disappear when they walk into the office (or log onto a virtual meeting). So here’s the challenge: Will you be a UNICORN Leader™ and lead with awareness, compassion, and intentionality? Here's what a UNICORN Leader™ Would Do: 1. Unique Check-ins: Reach out in a genuine, thoughtful way, not just with a “How are you?” but with real curiosity and care. A UNICORN Leader™ knows each team member brings a unique perspective and might be experiencing things differently. 2. Nimble-Nurturing: Adjust expectations and workload when you sense the team needs support. Offer flexibility, whether it’s taking a mental health day or reassigning tasks. Nurture the well-being of your people so they can show up authentically. 3. Inspiring Connection: In times like these, connection is key. Share your own story, vulnerability, or challenges if appropriate. Inspire trust by showing that you, too, are navigating these complex times and are open to honest conversations. 4. Compassionate Leadership: Compassion is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Lead with empathy, building a safe environment where people feel comfortable sharing their struggles or simply knowing they don’t have to hide them. 5. Optimistic Vision: Encourage a positive outlook, not by ignoring difficulties but by fostering resilience and hope. Remind your team that while times are challenging, there’s strength in unity and purpose. 6. Resilient Support: Equip your team to handle emotional and operational setbacks. Offer resources or even just a listening ear, reinforcing that resilience is built through support, not solitude. 7. Noble Intentions: Focus on what’s meaningful for your people and your organization. Being a UNICORN Leader™ means putting humanity first, working toward a culture that respects and uplifts every individual, especially in times of distress. Today, tomorrow, and in the coming weeks, you have an opportunity to be a true UNICORN Leader™. Check in. Be intentional. Show your team that they don’t have to carry their burdens alone.

✨ 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 ✨ 10 months into this wild ride, and we couldn’t be more honored to be recognized as one of The Mecklenburg Times’ 50 Most Influential Women! 🌟 But this isn't just about an award—it’s a reflection of the intentional work we’ve put into creating real impact. At 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. True leadership means sharing your platform, creating space, and giving others the opportunity to rise—𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪. In these 10 months, we’ve walked that talk: ✅ Every author in our UNICORN Leader™ book is a Person of Color because diversity of thought and experience is #essential. ✅ Our 'On The Rocks' podcast co-host comes from a minority-owned business, ensuring different voices are amplified, Tanqueray R. Edwards, MPA. ✅ Our entire creative team is made up of POC, LGBTQIA+, and minority-owned businesses. 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘇𝘇𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱. ✅ We don’t just donate to causes, we pay for expertise from minority-owned businesses, valuing their work and ensuring they grow economically alongside us. ✅ We use our platform — webinars, events, and social media — to elevate diverse voices — not just as participants, but as LEADERS. Being #CommunityMade means standing on the shoulders of incredible people, sharing the successes, and amplifying those voices who deserve to lead the conversation. 🌍 Thank you for believing in this vision, for supporting, and for being part of this journey. Together, we’re building something powerful. Actions > Words. Kristi Straw, MBA 🦄 #Leadership #Diversity #RepresentationMatters #EQ #AmplifyVoices #RealChange

Congratulations to the Chief Members who made bold moves this week. We’re cheering you on not only in these big moments but in your moments of impact every day. — Colleen Wilson was hired as Chief Product Officer at Best Egg — Lynette Fraga, PhD launched Fiercely Forward LLC — Adrienne Bigley Fretz launched TENDhr — Maureen Burke Cawley joined the advisory board of Kindred Minds — Vanessa Esparza was appointed President of the Exhale to Inhale Board — Michele Pytlinski joined the advisory board of the Women in Leadership Program at the University of New Haven — Marla Crawford was named one of Corporate Counsel Business Journal’s 50 Women to Watch — Soumya Kesireddy was named one of Staffing Industry Analysts’ 40 Under 40 — Hady Mendez was named one of ALPFA New York’s 2023 Latinas to Watch — Andrea Mohamed received WOMEN IN TECH ® Global’s Most Impactful Initiative - North America Award — Kristi Straw, MBA 🦄 was named one of The Mecklenberg Times’ 50 Most Influential Women — Patricia Van Nostrand was named one of Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Chiefs of Staff of 2024 — Lisseth Zouhbi was named one of Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Chief Human Resource Officers of 2024 — Mercedes Soria published Women Living Fearlessly

We’re thrilled to see Kristi Straw, MBA 🦄, our Founder and Visionary Strategist, highlighted for her upcoming session at #DisruptHR! Kristi is passionate about reshaping leadership through emotional intelligence and bold, future-proof strategies. Her approach continues to inspire transformation across industries. We can’t wait to see how she challenges norms and drives real change at this event. #Join us in supporting her and be ready to learn how visionary leadership can shape the future of work! #UNICORNLeader #LeadershipInnovation #EQLeadership #LighthouseLeadership

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽! Ready to transform the way you lead and empower your workforce? 🌟 At the 𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, I will be leading a must-attend workshop on 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚-𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 to help you evolve your team and future-proof your leadership approach. This is your chance to dive into the cutting-edge MAP framework (Mastery, Autonomy, Purpose) and discover the tools to drive 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, and 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 in your workforce. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: ✅ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗔𝗣 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Learn how 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆, and 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 can transform your team's adaptability and engagement. ✅ Build a Culture of 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 and 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Discover strategies to lead a team that thrives on flexibility, digital skills, and continuous learning. ✅ 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: Equip yourself with powerful tools to track the effectiveness of your workforce evolution strategies. ✅ Prepare for the 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: Lead with confidence and ensure your team is ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges today. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 This session is 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨-𝙤𝙣! You’ll experience: 🔹𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 to apply the MAP framework in real-time scenarios. 🔹𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 to gauge insights and learn from your peers. 🔹𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 designed to foster collaboration and share strategies. 🔹𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 that breaks down real-world success stories to illustrate workforce evolution strategies in action. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, boost your team’s resilience, and take your organization to the next level! 👉 Sign up now! https://lnkd.in/gVjfF8zk 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 & 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 📅 October 28-31, 2024 📍 AME Atlanta International Conference ⏰ Join us: Connect. Evolve. Transform. #AME #AMEconference #AMEAtlanta

We are honored! Congratulations to all!

It's a proud day for our Chief Empathy Officer (our version of #CEO). Share, like, and download our newly released Unicorn Leader Impact Assessment to support our Unicorn Leader and #TruthTeller!

60 secomds of #Truth coming in hott!! 🌶 They say if you’re passionate, you’ll never work a day in your life. I say that's a lie. My journey from detassling corn in central Illinois at 14 to a C-suite executive at 42 showed me something different. It's about making choices that truly align with your values and well-being. 🙏 In this upcoming podcast episode, I spill the real story 💣 of resilience and the bold decisions that led me to carve out a new path for myself and my family. Big shoutout to Kalyca Zarich for the amazing interaction and the chance to share my journey. Don’t miss the full episode dropping this Friday! 🦄✨ #TruthTeller #UnicornLeader #LighthouseLeadershipConsultants #Transformation #Passion #Resilience #INSIGHTMethod #InnovativeExcellence ✨️❇️✨️❇️✨️❇️✨️❇️✨️❇️✨️ Craving more insights? I’m Kristi Straw, the truth-teller and author behind Unicorn Leader™. If you're into straightforward and innovative leadership takes, don’t just browse—hit follow!

Ever wondered why some leaders inspire while others falter? The secret might not be what you think. 🛑 Forget the old myths—here’s a fresh perspective on leadership. Introducing the UNICORN Leader Impact Assessment from Lighthouse Leadership Consultants. This tool doesn’t just evaluate; it revolutionizes how you view leadership. UNICORN stands for Unique, Nimble-Nurturing, Inspiring, Compassionate, Optimistic, Resilient, and Noble—traits that define transformative leaders. 𝙎𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙨? You’re likely missing out on fostering a culture that thrives on innovation, resilience, and genuine connection. Don’t let traditional metrics hold you back from your true leadership potential. Our UNICORN framework dives deep into each trait, providing you with a calculated score that highlights your strengths and pinpoints areas for improvement. This isn’t just feedback; it’s a roadmap to becoming a leader who makes a real difference. 𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙥? 1. Swipe to explore the detailed UNICORN Framework. 2. ✅ Be one of the first 10 to DM us and get access to the UNICORN Leader Impact Assessment for FREE. #UnicornLeader #Impact #Assessment

I provide therapy sessions to those of us who want to kick Imposter Syndrome to the curb. I’ve helped my wife Kristi Straw, MBA 🦄 and countless other executives overcome hurdles and create paths to successful careers during the past 15 years and I can help you, too. Reach out if you’re tired of second guessing yourself or tired of feeling “proving” energy while at work or even home. Lighthouse Leadership Consultants™