TheEdge Podcast

When she got her start in staffing, Natasha Lee was handed the local white pages and told, “Good luck!” Since that day, she has carved a space in healthcare staffing that has given her the chance to bring her attitude of gratitude to everything she does. She has welcomed new people to the industry that she loves and driven an impact that reaches far beyond her desk. In this episode of TheEdge, Leslie Vickrey sits down with Natasha to talk about how she has grown in this space from day one, what it was like starting a staffing firm of her own, and how she brings her positive attitude to her work every day. Driving Success with Confidence “If I was willing to do the work, the rest would work itself out because I worked really, really hard,” Natasha mentioned when talking about what it is that she loves about the staffing industry. Hard work leading to success is a major theme throughout Natasha’s career, which ultimately led her to where she is now as CEO and Co-Founder of healthcare staffing company Floyd Lee Locums, which is looking at a multi-million dollar year just 7 years since they opened. Focusing on Wins, Not Problems When asked about building the award-winning company culture at Floyd Lee Locums, Natasha shared, “We have Teams chats all day long where we’re giving each other accolades for the small wins. We are going to have problems. Everybody has problems. But we don’t focus on the problems. We focus on the win. We focus on when we’re getting it right so that we can duplicate those efforts.” This never-ending positivity is nothing short of infectious and has led to a team and a company that impacts an industry that deserves the best support. Give a listen to Natasha’s episode to get the inspiration you need to approach your work everyday with an attitude of gratitude. For more episodes of TheEdge, click here.

When most people sign up for LinkedIn, they make their URL their name. Heather Jennings made hers, healthcarestaffing. Her dedication to the industry is second to none and led her to her current role as President of iDEAL Personnel Services, a healthcare employment and education staffing firm that recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. In this episode of TheEdge, Leslie Vickrey sits down with Heather to talk through how her grandmother’s history of horse diving in Atlantic City inspired her to live a life filled with sports and resilience and how she has learned to use her voice, advocate for herself, and build a purposeful career and team that is leading an industry forward. Finding Confidence in Your Worth “For a long time, I did find myself overextending to prove my worth. And despite doing good work, I struggled to advance. It was frustrating and at times, I doubted if I’d ever break through, but the key to building resilience was to shift my mindset from constantly seeking external validation to recognizing my own value and contribution,” Heather shared when asked how she was able to take the leaps she’s made in her career. While it may have taken her time to find that confidence in herself, she now brings that value into her every day at work, including how she interacts with and leads her team. Leading with Passion and Purpose “I encourage everyone to stay connected to our mission and our mission statement is, ‘Connecting people and creating paths to thrive together.’ It’s just not a statement that we put on paper. It’s words that we live by,” Heather shared when asked how she builds a team that is so enthusiastic about their work. Heather Jennings believes in leading with transparency and empathy and she shares how she embraces recognition as a practice in the episode. Give a listen to learn her leadership secrets as well as find the inspiration you need to bring the best of yourself to work every day. Find more episodes of TheEdge here.

When Leslie Snavely first applied at CHG Healthcare 5 weeks into parental leave with her first child, she got a rejection in less than 24 hours. But she didn’t take no for an answer and has since spent her career working her way up the company to her current role as President. In this episode of TheEdge, Leslie Vickrey dives into how Leslie’s midwestern roots helped her grow into the leader she is today and how she uses her lifelong love of learning to tackle every new challenge with an eye for opportunity. Learn It, Dream It, and Work For It “Growing up in central Ohio, I learned that it was my responsibility to take control of my life,” Leslie shared when asked how her work ethic grew from her midwestern roots. Being raised by two teachers, she knew that learning everything she could at any chance meant that doors would open for her. She has brought that passion for learning into every facet of her life and even uses it when mentoring and leading her teams…even if their learning looks different than hers. “I’ve had to learn to really listen and understand how people learn…The people that I lead have tremendous potential and my job is to help them get to where they want to be, wherever that ‘where’ is.” The Only Competition Is Yourself In the conversation, Leslie shares how she maximizes her potential by knowing that the only competition she’s really up against is herself. “I don’t feel the need to out ski someone or out mountain bike someone…me doing these things comes from a place of, ‘Why wouldn’t I?’” That doesn’t mean everything always goes according to plan! Sometimes you have to get up and dust yourself off (literally…Leslie has dislocated her shoulder three times mountain biking, but she always gets back on the trail) and keep going after what you want. When she first got rejected for the marketing role she applied for at CHG she had to make a decision. “In some sense, I’ve channeled in my life that ‘no’ is a reason to assess. Is it really something I want? If yes, keep persisting. And it almost turns into a challenge for me. They said no, how am I going to get them to a yes?” Give a listen to the episode to learn what Leslie Snavely did to get that yes and how it has led to a 14-year career that reminds her every day that, “Work doesn’t just have to be work. It can be fun too.” For more episodes of TheEdge, click here.

Sales organizations at staffing firms have long been perceived as a male-dominated field. However, women are increasingly breaking barriers and achieving remarkable success in sales leadership roles. Our most recent episode of TheEdge podcast features a conversation between Leslie Vickrey and Jessie McGowan, Senior Vice President, Business Development, at PeopleScout, A TrueBlue Company. Their insightful discussion explored the challenges and rewards of navigating sales as a woman, offering valuable advice for those looking to thrive in this competitive field. This episode is a must-listen for: Women considering or working in sales organizations Sales managers and leaders in the Staffing Industry Anyone passionate about creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace Overcoming Challenges and Finding Success Jessie acknowledged the challenges faced by women in sales. From confronting stereotypes to navigating a culture that may not always be welcoming, women often encounter unique obstacles. However, she emphasized that these hurdles can be overcome by focusing on developing key skills. Here are some key takeaways from the conversation: Communication is King (or Queen): Strong communication skills are essential for success in sales. Being able to articulate the value proposition, connect with clients, and build rapport are all crucial aspects of the job. Embrace Resilience: The sales profession comes with its share of rejections and setbacks. Developing resilience allows you to bounce back from challenges and stay motivated in the face of adversity. Lifelong Learning: The sales landscape is constantly evolving. A commitment to continuous learning ensures you stay up-to-date on industry trends and equip yourself with the latest sales methodologies. Mentorship: A Catalyst for Growth The conversation highlighted the importance of mentorship, particularly for women in sales. Jessie shared her own experience of being guided and encouraged by a supportive mentor who played a pivotal role in her journey to sales leadership. Mentors provide invaluable guidance, share industry knowledge, and offer a safe space for discussing challenges. Mentorship can take various forms, not just through dedicated mentors but also through supportive colleagues and leaders. Building a strong network of mentors can provide the encouragement and sponsorship necessary to propel women towards success in sales. Building an Inclusive Sales Team Jessie emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive sales environment. This means creating a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, voicing concerns, and contributing their unique perspectives. A truly inclusive environment requires challenging the status quo and dismantling any existing biases within the sales team. By promoting open communication and building trust, leaders can create a more positive and productive work environment. This, in turn, leads to a more diverse and engaged workforce, ultimately contributing to better decision-making and improved sales performance. The path to success in sales leadership is paved with hard work, dedication, and the development of key skills. However, as Jessie McGowan’s story demonstrates, women can excel in this field by overcoming challenges, finding strong mentors, and advocating for themselves within a supportive and inclusive sales environment.  

Vinda Souza, CMO at RefAssured, joins Leslie Vickrey on TheEdge for a conversation that’s both inspiring and thought-provoking. They delve into the importance of marketing as a strategy, finding your authentic voice and brand purpose, and how DEI as a strategy is faring in today’s market. This episode is a must-listen for marketing leaders in the staffing industry, women looking to navigate their careers with confidence, anyone passionate about creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace. Why Marketing Gets Lost in the Shuffle: The Staffing Industry vs. Tech Giants  How can women in marketing leadership secure the resources they need within the staffing industry? What unique strategies can be used to build a strong employer brand in staffing? How to Leverage Storytelling and Authenticity to Craft a Powerful Employer Brand  Why is storytelling such a powerful tool inmarketing? How can you leverage authenticity to connect with potential candidates? The importance of paying more than lip service to your DEI initiatives Should DEI be a strategy or a tactic?  How can we prioritize these initiatives in today’s market?  In life and throughout the episode, Vinda doesn’t shy away from the challenges.  She emphasizes the importance of companies actively seeking solutions to combat bias and empowering women throughout the entire recruitment process. Drawing on her own experiences witnessing vast improvements in diversity throughout her life, she ignites a spark of hope.  Vinda believes that with collective action, we can accelerate progress towards a future free from bias. Join Vinda and Leslie on The Edge as they challenge the status quo and empower you to own your voice!