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In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara unpacks the “A” in HEART — Appreciate, Acknowledge, and Apologize — and why these three leadership behaviors are essential to building trust, credibility, and healthy workplace cultures.

Sara explores why great leaders never take credit for their team’s work, why appreciation and recognition must be personal (not one-size-fits-all), and why the most powerful words a leader can say are, “I screwed that up.” Drawing from real leadership experiences, she also addresses how lack of accountability and fear-based cultures erode trust, silence feedback, and ultimately weaken performance.

This episode challenges leaders to balance appreciation with accountability, humility with high standards, and recognition with action — because accountability isn’t punishment, it’s an act of caring.

A HEARTfelt thank you for listening!

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Empathy is the leadership trait that separates managers from true leaders. In this episode, Sara explores why empathy matters, how it strengthens accountability, and why it is essential for giving feedback, navigating conflict, and building trust.

She also honors the memory of Chris Andrews — a former leader who mentored her during one of the most defining seasons of her career. His empathy, courage, and faith shaped the way she leads today.

This episode is a heartfelt invitation to embrace empathy as a powerful force for transformation — in your team, your relationships, and your leadership journey.

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In this special bonus episode of Leading with HEART, Sara Valentine shares her keynote address from the 2025 Sister Leaders Conference in Portsmouth, VA. This raw, powerful message weaves together her personal story of resilience with the HEART Leadership framework—inviting listeners to reclaim their voice, step boldly into their vision, and redefine victory through faith, compassion, and purpose.

This isn’t just a speech—it’s a testimony of what it means to lead with HEART when the world tells you to harden.

🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and remember: your voice matters more than your polish.

Correction: My father’s conviction was technically only for my two sisters and my niece's abuse. I apologize for the misstatement in my speech.

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In this powerful episode, Sara Valentine explores the first pillar of the HEART Leadership framework: Hear. True leadership starts with listening—not just to what's said, but to what’s unsaid, uncomfortable, and sometimes hard to hear. Sara shares personal stories, including a pivotal conflict with a union rep, and reflects on moments in her HR career when she failed to truly hear those who needed it most.

She also challenges leaders to examine how well they’re listening—to their people, their gut, and even their own mistakes. If you've ever struggled with defensiveness, burnout, or missed the human behind the policy, this episode will challenge and encourage you to hear differently.

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In this episode, Sara sits down with purpose-driven HR leader Cynthia A. Howell to explore what it truly means to lead with faith, integrity, and compassion. From her early days in retail management to senior roles in human resources, Cynthia shares how empathy, listening, and a heart for others have shaped her leadership journey. Together, they discuss the power of authenticity, the importance of inclusive leadership, and how putting people first can transform workplaces from the inside out.

Connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn: Cynthia A. Howell

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In the very first episode of Leading with HEART, Sara Valentine shares her story of being brand new to HR — green, eager, and learning through mistakes. With the guidance of her first boss and mentor, she discovered the power of trust, grace, and leadership that builds people up instead of tearing them down. Through personal stories (including one unforgettable “lesson in humility”), Sara shows how leaders can transform lives when they choose to Hear, Empathize, Acknowledge, Respond, and Thank.

A HEARTfelt thank you for listening!

Welcome to Leading with HEART, a podcast about bringing humanity back into leadership. I’m Sara Valentine, and I believe leadership isn’t just about strategies or titles—it’s about people.

HEART is a framework to Hear, Empathize, Acknowledge, Respond, and Thank. These simple yet powerful steps can transform the way we lead, build trust, and create meaningful connections.

In this trailer, I’ll share the vision for the podcast, why HEART matters, and what you can expect from upcoming episodes. From personal stories of faith and resilience to conversations with inspiring leaders, each episode will give you encouragement, practical tools, and a reminder that you’re not alone in this journey.

Subscribe now and join me as we learn, grow, and lead with HEART… together.

A HEARTfelt thank you for listening!