April 2026
Defying Gravity: Leadership Lessons From Two Witches
| | |
We had a wickedly good time at the SHRM-ATL SOAHR conference last week! I had the honor of sharing the stage with our CEO, Vicki Abelson, Teela Jackson, SVP at Talent Connections, and Polina Zlatev, VP of Talent, Learning, and Culture at Emory Healthcare, to discuss Courageous Leadership Lessons from Wicked.
The energy in the room and on the panel was terrific as the conversation centered on a primary topic: Elphaba and Glinda aren't just beloved characters, they're mirrors. And depending on the day, the challenge, or the season of your career, most of us will see ourselves in one of them… sometimes both.
These two witches embody leadership archetypes that are as relevant in our workplaces as they are in the movies. And through the lens of Turknett Leadership Group's Leadership Character Model, grounded in integrity and balanced between respect and responsibility, their stories become a leadership development curriculum as well as great entertainment.
| | President, Turknett Leadership Group | |
Courageous Leadership: Transforming Without Losing Your Core
Parvathi Menon | Harvard Business Review
Courage as a Leadership Imperative: Courageous leadership is not about bold risk‑taking, but about making deliberate, values‑driven decisions that turn uncertainty into an opportunity for growth and transformation.
People, Skills, and Inclusion at the Core: Sustainable transformation depends on investing in skills, continuous learning, and inclusive talent practices that future‑proof careers and strengthen organizational capability.
Choosing Courage Over Comfort: At an individual level, courage compounds over time—building integrity, intent, and intuition, and enabling leaders to expand their impact beyond their own careers.
| | | |
We are thrilled to announce our next live virtual event!
Atlanta has been identified among US cities with the highest rates of child sex trafficking. This month’s featured guest leads the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases and provides training to local, national and international audiences. This event offers timely exploration of how women leaders can drive systemic change, safeguard potential victims, and improve outcomes for the Atlanta community and beyond.
Listen in as our speaker shares their unique experiences and insights.
| | | | |
Facilitated by Anne Quiello, M.S., PCC
Senior Consultant & Host of Women in Leadership
| | It's Not Too Late to Join! | |
SOAHR 2026!
What an incredible experience #SOAHR2026 has been! The energy and insights shared were incredible. A huge thank you to our amazing panelists - Tim Huff, Polina Ilieva Zlatev, Teela Jackson, MBA - who joined Vicki Abelson, MBA, PCC for an engaging discussion on leadership lessons inspired by WICKED.
Thank you also to our team members who helped us out in the booth - Kathy Bahrambeigian, Christine M. Roberts, MBA, Cindy Cheatham, MBA, ACC, Kathryn Igou, and Nancy Cranford, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - it was wonderful to have you all join us for this experience!
It's been inspiring to connect with so many talented professionals and take part in sessions that truly elevated our perspectives on leadership and the workplace. A huge thank you to SHRM-Atlanta for hosting this amazing event and to everyone who contributed to making it such a success.
| |
Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts
Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential.
When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it’s necessary to do good work.
But daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.
| |
Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
| | | |  | |
Corporate Headquarters
100 Crescent Center Pkwy
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30084
(770) 270-1723
| | | | |
