Episode 284: Why Failing Forward is the Secret to Growth with Heather Hodges
About the Guest: Dr. Heather Hodges is an organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, speed painter, and author of Heart Work: How to Lead People, Build Culture, and Unleash Creativity in Home Care. After leaving a corporate VP role, she followed her calling to help leaders unlock creativity and lead with courage. Heather’s unique approach blends research, storytelling, and art to inspire audiences to embrace failure, find their potential, and lead with heart.
About the Episode: In this episode of The Growth Ready Podcast, Steve sits down with Heather Hodges to explore what it really means to be “growth ready.” From her courageous leap out of corporate leadership to launching her own company, Heather shares her story of embracing failure, unleashing creativity, and leaning into the unknown. Together, they dig into the Jonah Complex, why so many adults lose their creativity, and how simple tools (like crayons!) can reignite innovation. Heather also reveals the heart behind her new book and the message she’s sharing with leaders everywhere.
Key Topics & Themes
- Why willingness (not just openness) is essential for growth
- The role of courage and failure in unlocking creativity
- Heather’s leap from VP to solopreneur and keynote speaker
- The Jonah Complex: fearing our own greatness
- How school systems diminish creativity—and how to reclaim it
- Using simple tools (like crayons) to spark divergent thinking
- Lessons from Heather’s new book Heart Work
- Daily practices for self-awareness and intentional leadership
- Competing with yourself: growth as an ongoing journey
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Heather’s Website: https://www.hodgesgroupintl.com
- Heather on LinkedIn: Dr. Heather L. Hodges
- Heather’s Book: Heart Work: How to Lead People, Build Culture, and Unleash Creativity in Home Care
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