Leadership isn’t always loud. And reinvention doesn’t always come with a perfect plan. For me, the most powerful leadership lessons came not from boardrooms—but from the quiet, chaotic moments when everything fell apart. In this article, I’m sharing what adversity revealed about my relationship with resilience, the myth of perfection, and what it truly means to lead with presence and truth.

Being called “strong” can feel like a compliment—but when it’s the only thing people see, it becomes a burden. Real leadership starts with being seen, not just admired.

Leadership isn’t about being unbreakable—it’s about being real. In this post, Charlene Wheeless shares what it was like to lead a global team while quietly battling cancer, and how it redefined her approach to authentic leadership, courage, and wholeness.

A toxic work culture can affect more than just your productivity—it can drain your energy, impact your health, and make you question your worth. Learn how to spot the signs and protect your well-being as a leader.

Cohesive leadership teams drive results, but building that cohesion isn’t a quick fix—it’s a journey. 🚀 In my new article, I talk about how intentional choices, ongoing learning, and a little bravery can transform any team. And speaking of bravery, I’m spotlighting a friend’s new book too! 📖 Dive in!

Black women are still being left behind.

The power of music to move you.

When I speak to employees from companies whose leaders took a firm stand last summer, I also hear that a strange thing is happening inside those companies – nothing.

I’ve been sitting on this blog post for nearly two months. When I first wrote it, I was filled with optimism and ready to declare some semblance of a victory. But deep in my subconscious, I knew it wasn’t time to even hint at success, and I wasn’t sure optimism was warranted, either.

Since the seditious insurrection incited by the president last week, I’ve had two things on my mind. First, as a Black American, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as the insurrectionists scaled the walls of the Capitol, broke through its windows and doors and disrupted a sacred Constitutional process. My first thought was, if I had done that, I would have been shot dead on the spot. I asked myself, and I ask you now: Would these events have unfolded differently had the horde been Black?

Authored by Charlene Wheeless, senior advisor for equity and justice at APCO Worldwide and Barie Carmichael, senior counselor at APCO Worldwide