What are the ingredients for truly successful leadership? Vera Quinn, President and CEO of Cydcor, joins us to dissect the qualities that set great leaders apart. From her journey in door-to-door sales to navigating the complexities of the Corner Office, Vera's experiences illuminate the themes of self-awareness, integrity, and resilience. She candidly discusses the importance of leaders being brutally honest about their strengths and weaknesses and shares how focusing on service and the development of others transforms organizations. Throughout our conversation, we uncover practical strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness. Vera highlights the significance of understanding and adapting to different personalities to driving personal and collective success. She offers invaluable tips on managing high-stakes, emotional conversations, emphasizing the power of taking breaks and regaining composure. Real-life anecdotes from Vera’s career underscore the message that persistence and resilience are key to overcoming professional setbacks. Curiosity emerges as a pivotal theme, as Vera illustrates how a mindset of continuous learning fosters growth. We discuss the importance of acknowledging mistakes and modeling authenticity and accountability. Vera shares her personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and embracing the belief that with enough dedication, anyone can achieve greatness. Aspiring and experienced leaders alike will find inspiration in her advice on self-improvement and the importance of nurturing a positive internal dialogue. Tune in for an episode filled with actionable insights and heartfelt reflections on the essence of true leadership. What You’ll Learn: • How to master self-awareness through honest self-assessment. • The importance of integrity and resilience in leadership. • Practical strategies for managing high-stakes conversations with empathy. • Building and nurturing a people-first culture. • The power of curiosity. • Why admitting mistakes accelerates your leadership effectiveness. Podcast Timestamps: (00:03) – The Key Qualities of Successful Leadership (15:53) – Difficult Conversations and the Importance of Leading with Empathy (25:26) - Developing People and Building a Peak Performance Culture (37:15) - The Power of Curiosity in Leadership (49:55) - Unleashing Greatness in Yourself and Others More of Vera: Vera Quinn, CEO and President of Cydcor, has been instrumental in the company's growth for over 25 years. Beginning her career as a door-to-door sales representative, she rose through key roles such as COO and VP of Operations, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and effective leadership. Since taking the helm in 2020, Cydcor has been celebrated for its people-first culture and recognized as a great place to work. Vera's leadership has fueled client base expansion and the development of innovative strategies, including touchless selling technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Named one of the top 10 influential women leaders of 2024, Vera studied political science and history at the University of Toronto and serves as the Executive Director of Liberty Children’s Home in Belize. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veraquinn/  Mentions: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Key Topics Discussed: Positive Leadership, Self-awareness, Integrity, Resilience, Authenticity, Purpose, Personality Assessment, Empathy, Innovation, People-first Culture, Personal Growth, Professional Growth, Hiring, Core Values, Curiosity, Accountability, Self-doubt, Positive Mindset, Maximizing Potential, Making Sacrifices, Building Community, Self-improvement More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/