Senior Engineering Leader for Final Mile Services and E&T Development Program

I built a successful career in engineering and leadership.

On paper, it checked every box. Strong income. Respect. Stability.

Stability can become a cage when the money is good, but the question of purpose won’t go away.

That’s why I help engineering leaders make a purpose-led next move in their careers.

I bring 30 years of experience leading teams, navigating complexity, and making high-stakes decisions. Now I apply that same clarity and structure to the decision you can’t ignore forever, what you want your next season of impact to be.

My 3-Step Process

1) Purpose Clarity - We translate what matters most into plain language, so you can stop spinning and start choosing.

2) Next Move Focus - We narrow your options to the few paths that actually fit you, your strengths, values, and desired impact.

3) Execution Plan - We build a practical plan you can run while still employed, so your next move is intentional, not impulsive.

If you're a leader who knows you're made for more impact, I’ll help you get clear on your purpose in 90 days or less.

DM me “PURPOSE” and I’ll send you the first step.

Tarek Taha

My wife and I got married at 22.

We lived in a 1 bedroom apartment with worn out furniture and brown shag carpet near campus.

We didn't have much because we were both in grad school.

But we were committed to building a great life together.

And sacrificing to make things work.

34 years later, we are living a life we never could have imagined.

Who you choose to marry is the single most important decision you will ever make.

It's more important than your:

- Job title
- Car you drive
- Vacations you take
- How you compare to your neighbors

Or really anything else when building your life or career.

You want someone who believes in you and who you believe in.

Someone willing to go through the highs and the lows.

And who you can enjoy life and dream with.

Choose your spouse wisely.
--
I created this tool to help high achievers realign their life/career with who they actually are: https://lnkd.in/ghmvDS_b

Engineering Leader-turned-Leadership Coach | I help Engineering leaders lead on purpose WITHOUT burning out | DM me “PURPOSE” to join my mastermind

18 years ago, my boss called me into his office.

He was the best boss I ever had.

I told him I'd received an offer from another company and was considering taking it.

He said, "How much are they paying you?"

I told him it was 40% more than my current compensation.

Instead of getting mad, he said he would support whatever decision I made.

I shared how this job would allow me to achieve my financial goals more quickly.

Even though he would be sad to lose me, he knew I needed to do what was best for my family.

It's your job to advocate for yourself and do what's right for you.

Sometimes you have to take emotions out of it.

By the way, I decided to stay and am so glad I did.

My boss and I are still friends today!

Do what's best for you and your family.

Don't settle.
--
I write about authentic leadership every Sunday: https://lnkd.in/g-rc8hvd

Engineering Leader-turned-Leadership Coach | I help Engineering Leaders lead high-performing teams WITHOUT killing culture | DM me “PURPOSE” to join my mastermind

My friend's entire department was eliminated while she was on maternity leave with her first child.

Her company gave their reasons for why this was necessary.

She lost sleep and was stressed out while trying to learn how to be a mom.

Thankfully she found a new job just as her leave was ending.

People think they have to be loyal to companies.

You don't.

Your company is not your family.

They will go on without you the moment you leave.

Make sure your family comes first.

Most hiring managers don't know how to hire great talent.


The worst one I witnessed would force rank resumes based on GPA.

Then he would ask for proof of their ACT score to break ties.

There was no assessment of the candidate's ability to:

- Collaborate with the existing team
- Solve real business problems
- Think on their feet

This resulted in hires that were intelligent on paper but couldn't translate it into real company value.

The best test takers may be your worst employees.

Some of the best I hired had lower GPA's but worked 3 jobs to pay for their degrees.

Hire for potential not for a score on a scoreboard.

Engineering Leader turned Leadership Coach | I help engineering leaders live on purpose, not on autopilot | DM me “PURPOSE” to join my mastermind

My boss told me it could take 10 years to make Director.

That was the moment I decided I wasn’t waiting around for someone else to validate my potential.

The very next day, I made it my job to find a role that challenged me, stretched my skills, and actually leveraged my talents.

Here’s the truth: we only get one life. Why waste years hoping the system will reward your loyalty?

Companies exist to serve investors. That’s not wrong, but it means you have to serve yourself too.

The great news? I landed a great role at a company that I stayed at for 21 years. 

I had the joy of leading a rotational program that helped 130 engineers launch their careers.

There are no bonus points for staying where you’ve stopped growing.

You have permission to move on.

♻️ Repost if you know someone who needs to hear this message.
🔔 Follow Tarek Taha for more.
—
Here is a free tool I built to determine how authentically you are living your life: https://lnkd.in/ghmvDS_b

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TAP plug

https://open.substack.com/pub/tareksblog/p/when-life-strips-away-your-control?r=2kw56y&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Helping multi six-figure earners make a purpose-led next move without quitting first | Sr Engineering Leader | DM me “NEXT” to setup a call

I went to Kuwait against my will my junior year of highschool.

My dad was a professor and decided he would take a sabbatical there.

I was resentful and missed my friends.

The first few weeks of school were very hard.

But I slowly began to connect with people from all over the world.

Sweden. Jordan. Syria. The Netherlands. France.

We got to travel all over Europe.

We visited our family in Egypt and even did a cruise on the Nile river.

That year helped shape who I am today.

I think of the countries we visited.

I think of the wonderful people I met who taught me so much.

There were so many moments when I wanted desperately to return home.

But I'm glad I didn't stay home.

What childhood difficulty helped shape who you are today?
—
Realign your life with who you really are: https://lnkd.in/ghmvDS_b

I had coffee with my daughter every Saturday for 10 years.


We'd sit at the same table.

She would order the vanilla latte.

I would have black coffee.

The time you spend with your kids matters more than your:

- Job title
- The respect of your peers
- Business model
- Growth strategy

Or pretty much anything else you build in your life.

There is no shortcut to impacting your children's lives.

I never regret one moment I spent with her.

Spend the early years with your kids intentionally.

The days are long, but the years are short.

Make them count.

--
Join a mastermind with leaders who want to live on purpose: https://lnkd.in/gYz5MgeY

High performers stay stuck longer than everyone else.

Not because they lack courage.
But because they overthink their options.

I saw this clearly the day I was asked to build yet another presentation for a senior leader.

It was my job.
It was the “right” thing to do.
And I knew it would have zero measurable impact.

That’s when it hit me.

I wasn’t being strategic.
I was avoiding a move I already knew I needed to make.

High performers don’t get stuck from lack of information.
They get stuck waiting for certainty while putting their purpose on the shelf.

Security feels responsible.
Comfort feels earned.
Logic feels safe.

Clarity doesn’t come from more thinking.

It comes from taking the next right action that’s aligned with who you are.
And that doesn’t always mean quitting your job.

Sometimes it just means getting honest about the decisions you’re avoiding.

Engineering Leader-turned-Entrepreneur + Leadership Coach | DM me “NEXT” to discover your purpose

My friend just put in his 2-week notice.

His manager:

- Publicly called him out in meetings in front of his peers.
- Regularly sent late night texts with random to do's in the middle of the night.
- Demoted him recently while saying "You're doing a great job" for months

He had been losing sleep for months because of his job.

But specifically because of his boss.

Even though he doesn't have a job lined up, he decided his mental health was worth protecting.

People quit jobs for all kinds of reasons.

But the most common reason people pick if they're being honest is because of bad bosses.

Engineering Leader-turned-Entrepreneur + Leadership Coach | DM me “PURPOSE” to join my mastermind

I sent my first newsletter to 5 friends.

That was back in 2023.

I had ideas to share, but I was afraid of what others would think.

I had shared my ideas with my peers at work, but never with the world.

I began adding readers and gaining confidence as positive comments would come in.

I now have 836 people reading my newsletter.

That number would get my attention if I were speaking to them in person.

Last week, I got a note from a reader who told me she started writing because of my posts.

What a gift to know that I helped someone else begin their journey.

I believe everyone reading this was born on purpose and for a great purpose.

The best advice I can give you is just to start.

Only then will the way forward reveal itself to you.

I wrote more in today's newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gMYJSpCC

Me before life-saving surgery:


I will do everything I can to climb the corporate ladder.

Me after surgery:

I will do everything I can to live out my purpose.

We can always get more money

But we can't get more time

Prioritize what matters.

👉 Authentic purpose mastermind starts soon. DM me "PURPOSE" for more

Most people let others set their own ceiling.

I did too.

Then I stopped waiting for permission.

Started reading books by people like John Maxwell and Mel Robbins. 
Mentors decades ahead I'd never meet.

Specifically:
• Blocked 90 minutes every morning for reading
• Took notes in a simple Google Doc
• Applied one idea per week to my actual work

Six months in, others asked where the new ideas were coming from.

I wasn't smarter. I just had different inputs than everyone else in the room.

Here's what actually works:
1. Pick one skill gap holding you back right now
2. Find the best book or course on it
3. Study 30-60 minutes daily before your inbox owns you
4. Test one thing from it this week

That's it.

No one can limit you when you refuse to stop learning.

Control your inputs, control your ceiling.

♻️ Repost if you know someone who needs to hear this message.
🔔 Follow Tarek Taha for more.

Engineering Leader-turned-Entrepreneur + Leadership Coach + Substack writer | DM me “NEXT” to discover your purpose

The only people who matter are the ones who will carry your coffin.


Yet people sacrifice SO much for status that means absolutely nothing.

Your teammates you're too scared to leave?
They'll forget your name in a month.

That toxic friend you keep texting?
They won't even come to your funeral.

Your company that "feels like family"?
You are only a line on a P&L.

Meanwhile...

Your parents are waiting for a call.
Your real friends don't know if you're alive or dead.
You worked late (again) instead of connecting with your kids.

We overfocus on relationships that don't matter.

And underfocus on the ones that do.

Stop pretending.

Call your mom and dad.
Talk to your real friends.
Leave the job that's sucking the life from you.

The people who will carry your coffin deserve your best.

Everyone else can wait.

Your clock IS ticking

Every Sunday, I share practical lessons on how to live on purpose. 

👉  https://www.tareks.blog

Thanks Noah Little for the inspiration.

Most college graduates: It's not fair that a company won't give me a job after I paid 1000's of dollars for my college degree.

Smart college graduates: I have a side hustle to diversify my income, learn valuable business skills, and support myself while I look for a job.

You have more control than you think.

You just have to think differently.

Accountability for your future is your responsibility alone.

I was the last one to realize the promotion I had waited two years for was never coming.

I used to think hard work spoke for itself.

Nope.

Progress didn’t come from being patient.
It didn't come from staying silent.
It didn’t come from hoping someone noticed.

It came from realizing one thing.

My manager was not thinking about my career.
They were thinking about their own challenges.

That’s when things started to change.

Your career won't move forward on effort alone.

It moves forward when you finally take ownership.

Ownership looks like:
Not waiting for a tap on the shoulder.
Asking for what you want.
Asking what needs to change to get it.
Walking away if it’s not on the table.

Your career isn’t your manager’s responsibility.
It’s yours.

If you’re feeling stuck right now…
Stop waiting.
Get in motion.

That’s when things finally shifted for me.

♻️ Repost if you know someone who needs to hear this message.
🔔 Follow Tarek Taha  for more.

I failed the Professional Engineering exam. Twice.


I spent hours preparing.

Relearning concepts I hadn't thought about in years.

Passing this test would have opened new doors for me.

Instead, I failed and I pivoted.

I took a job with a logistics company.

I built a successful 30-year career.

My employers didn't give a rip about P.E. certification.

If you're dealing with rejection right now:
↳ A test you didn't pass
↳ A job you didn't get
↳ A promotion that went to someone else
↳ A career path that didn't work out

It might feel like the end.

But that rejection is just redirection.

It's never too late to become who you were always meant to be.

♻️ Repost to remind someone who needs this
🔔 Follow Tarek Taha for more

THIS is why I write transparent LinkedIn posts.


It can be a bit scary to put yourself out there.

- I don't write perfectly
- I don't always get everything right
- I don't know all the answers

But I share my ideas in my own way so others might be inspired to do the same.

My advice for anyone doubting why they should post about themselves and their career journey:

You don't have to change the entire world to have a lasting impact.

If you change the world for one person

It is worth it.

Your legacy matters.

Thanks Matt Barker for the inspiration.

I spent three years preparing for a move I could’ve made sooner.

Those years weren’t wasted.

They were filled with personal growth, conferences, books, podcasts, and long walks where I tried to think my way into clarity.

That’s the responsible thing to do, right?

In reality, it was familiar.
Planning was the method I used my entire career.

Corporate life rewards certainty, data, and proof.

Purpose doesn’t work that way.
You find it by getting in motion.

At some point, I realized:
• I wasn’t uncommitted
 • I wasn’t unqualified
 • I wasn’t lacking information

I was applying the corporate rulebook to a major life decision.

Nothing external changed.

The only difference was deciding to stop waiting for certainty that will never arrive.

Corporate rewards following the rules.
Purpose responds to action.

👉 If you’re in that “not ready” loop, DM me NEXT and I’ll help you take the first step, without quitting first.

I used to think leadership started once you had the glass office.

Titles.
Offices.
Recognition.

It isn’t.

Leadership is choosing to serve.

True leaders don’t stand on a mountaintop waiting to be recognized.
They reach back to pull others up with them.

Here’s what leading through service actually looks like:
1. Put people before position
 ↳ Your role is to elevate others
 ↳ Influence is earned, not granted

2. See the unseen
 ↳ Notice the quiet contributors
 ↳ Treat every voice as valuable

3. Lead with empathy
 ↳ Assume unseen battles
 ↳ Respond with patience, not judgment

4. Model sacrifice
 ↳ Own mistakes when things break
 ↳ Give credit when things work

5. Teach by example
 ↳ Show the standard
 ↳ Let actions lead

6. Build trust through humility
 ↳ Admit mistakes
 ↳ Invite feedback

7. Serve first
 ↳ Put the team before ego
 ↳ Lead beside people, not above them

Serving others isn’t a strategy.

It’s your responsibility.

I don’t know how to rest.

A few days into my first week without a corporate job, my wife pointed this out.

After leaving a 30-year corporate career, my calendar was empty, but my mind wasn’t.

Coffee done. Workout done. Journaling done.

Then I caught myself building a to-do list that didn’t exist.

Because when I’m not checking boxes, I feel less valuable.

Maybe you can relate.

There will never be enough boxes to check.

So I’m asking a new question.

What if I optimized for peace instead of productivity?

Get the free Authentic Life Audit when you join my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gipJQXPP

Helping multi six-figure earners make a purpose-led next move without quitting first | Sr Engineering Leader | Former JB Hunt | DM me “NEXT” to setup a call

Executive People leader and Talent business executive with 15+ years of combined experience in national and international organizations, ranging from global shipping /supply chain, technology, academics, to health and social service industries.  

Diversity and inclusion champion with exemplary success for informed Data informed-decisions and People Analytics, Talent Management, leadership development, and strategically aligning HR programmes to design and support innovative manager and employee experiences. Results-oriented and business-driven with a record of delivering against key performance objectives. 

Dynamic communicator and impactful corporate trainer, keynote speaker and lecturer, with proven success in full-cycle workforce planning within fast-paced, growth scaling businesses.   

Expertise: Talent Acquisition and People Management, Organizational Behaviour and Development, Leadership, Coaching, Employee Relations, Internal Communications, Succession Planning, Job Analysis, Competency Development, Total Rewards, AI Transformation Management and Executive Search.

Shauna MSW

Two weeks of doing nothing. And I’d do it again.

I’ve been off for the last 2 weeks. Don’t hate!

It’s one of the rare perks of the public education system.

Admittedly, I did nothing. Got lazy. Ate too much. Watched too much.

And honestly? I’m unapologetic.

Turns out, the world doesn’t end when you stop running yourself ragged.

In fact, stepping back reminded me: I can move fast and still think clearly.

I can combine pace with responsibility without losing my mind.

So yeah, this week I’m easing back into the grind.

But I’m bringing the lazy-me perspective along with me.

Same work, different rhythm.

A little more permission to play, and a little more space for an organic work/life balance.

👉🏾 Follow Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more. 
♻️ Repost to help others.

Credit: @robdanceofficial

Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA

From Boardrooms to Crisis Rooms | HR Director, Co-Founder, Keynote Speaker & Coach | Transforming Folks to Speak Powerfully & Lead Humanly | Shopify-Alum

Just because someone “knows better” doesn’t mean they know everything.


Earlier in my career, I used to assume that leaders who had been around longer or who had climbed higher always had the clearest strategy.

Then I realized: nope, they’re human.

They make decisions with incomplete information, competing priorities, and blind spots.

Just like the rest of us.

So what happens when YOU see the gaps?

When you quietly disagree with the strategy?

That’s when your own leadership is tested. 

Not by being loud, but by showing up thoughtfully.

Asking questions, offering alternatives, and taking ownership of your piece without undermining the whole.

Leadership isn’t about being right.

It’s about navigating disagreement with curiosity and courage.

And making the strategy better, even when it wasn’t yours to create.

Here are four (4) tips to do the right thing, support your people, and get the work done, especially under pressure.

↳Stabilize yourself.
↳Prioritize where you can make a difference. 
↳Support your team through the transition. 
↳Preserve trust through consistent communication.

Disagree? Read the article in the comments that suggests otherwise.

➕ Follow Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more.
♻️ Repost to help others.

I once said no to recognition I had earned because it felt safer to stay small.


A few years ago, I got nominated for a women in leadership award. 

I said no. 

At the time, I told myself it was about timing, politics, and professionalism.

The truth? 

I was worried about what my bosses would think.

Would it look like self-promotion? Cause tension? Make my work harder?

So I stayed quiet. I didn’t even question it. It just felt easier.

Looking back, that wasn’t courage. 

Courage isn’t always a big move. 

Sometimes it’s just letting yourself be seen, taking credit for your work, and noticing who really has your back.

My, how times have changed. I work differently now. 

I take different risks. I’m clearer about which risks are worth taking.

But I still think about that moment. Not with regret, exactly. 

More as a reminder that sometimes the scariest thing isn't taking the risk, 
it's realizing how much we talk ourselves out of before we even try.

Where are you letting comfort dictate your courage?

➕ Follow Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more.
♻️ Repost to help others.

Here's the thing no one really mentions. 

Talent gets you noticed. But consistency gets you chosen.

And I don’t mean perfection.

I mean constancy.

Like showing up when things feel uncertain.

Or staying emotionally steady when outcomes aren’t.

And responding instead of reacting.

That kind of consistency isn’t flashy. It’s mature.

And it creates something people rarely name but deeply feel: safety.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life doesn’t unfold the way we imagine. Careers don’t either. 

The people who earn trust over time aren’t always the most gifted in the room.

They’re the ones others can rely on when things wobble.

Talent may open doors. But it's consistency that keeps you in the room.

👉🏾 If you found this valuable, follow me, Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA, for unfiltered takes on leadership, life and career. 
♻️ Repost to help others.

Some of the most accomplished people I know are still asking for help.


I started mentoring someone recently.

They're accomplished: Ivy school degrees, solid lived-experience, and clearly know their stuff.

We met through an alumnae program I'd been watching for a while.

When I joined, it felt like the right time to do what I wish someone had done for me.

Yet, despite everything they've already done, they still wanted guidance.

Not because they're lost or struggling.

Just because they're trying to figure out what's next.

It reminded me that none of us really does this alone.

Having the credentials doesn't mean you have all the answers.

Being good at your job doesn't mean the path forward is obvious.

If you manage people or mentor anyone, the ones who look most "together" are usually the ones quietly carrying the biggest questions.

And if you're asking for help at any point in your career?

That's not a step backward. 

That's smart.

Nobody gets anywhere meaningful by themselves.


➕ Follow Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more.
♻️ Repost to help others.

Fearless kids in the backseat recently reminded me life doesn’t wait.


Driving home from a funeral two weeks ago, my family and I fell into one of those deep, honest conversations about life.

About making the most of the time we have.

I mentioned a product idea I’ve been sitting on for years, one of those “someday” dreams.

And then something unexpected happened.

Within minutes, my oldest volunteered to be CPO, with design and marketing ideas.

My youngest called dibs on CFO, given his love of math and shrewd business sense.

Hubby stepped up as COO.

And just like that, my entire C-suite was mapped out in the backseat of our car.

It wasn’t a perfect plan or a lightbulb moment that got me moving.

It was their raw enthusiasm, the fearless confidence of youth, 
the kind that doesn’t overthink or wait for perfect timing.

It was their unfiltered belief that this could actually happen.

It was a reminder that life doesn’t wait, and that those closest to you; your family, your friends, your tribe; are there to cheer you on when you take the leap.

What stood out the most?

Someone we’d just said goodbye to won’t get another chance to chase their dreams.

And somewhere out there, someone is rooting for you; even when you’re stuck in doubt, fear, or uncertainty.

We spend so much time waiting for the “right moment.”

Sitting there, surrounded by the people who know me best, 
I realized the right moment isn’t some magical future date.

It’s simply the moment you decide to start.

Life isn’t for someday. 

It’s for today.

➕ Follow me Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more.
♻️ Share with your network.

Let’s be honest for a moment.

What if the thing you keep calling “being careful”
is just avoidance with better language?

What if the discomfort isn’t confusion;
it’s resistance to telling the truth?

I hear some version of this more often than people expect.

What if clarity isn’t missing because you’re unready or incapable;
but because you keep postponing the decision that would create it?

What if you already know what needs to change,
and the real work is admitting the cost?

No spectacle.

No announcement.

Just a quiet refusal to keep lying to yourself.

If this landed, you’ll know why.

Which one are you?

Follow me, Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more.
♻️ Repost to support your network.

Some transitions don’t announce themselves. 
They just ask you to let go.


Over the holidays, I spent time with a very close friend.
He’s waiting for a layoff he knows is potentially coming.

No scrambling left. Just awareness.
He shared that the “trapeze theory” we studied years ago had been comforting.

You’ve already let go of what was holding you.
You can see what’s next.
But you’re not there yet.

And that space?
It’s raw. It shakes you.
It leaves questions you can’t answer.

What impressed me wasn’t the fear. It was his honesty.
He’s stopped fighting what he can’t control: the timing, the decision, the why.

Instead, he’s tending to what he can:
how he shows up, what he protects, who he wants to be in the middle of this.
That’s real self-leadership in practice.

Oddly, we treat growth like something you chase.
But sometimes growth is quieter than that.

Sometimes it’s just staying with yourself while the ground is gone.

If you’re in that in-between right now, not where you were, 
not yet where you’re going,
you’re not broken.

You’re human.

The people who make it through this?
They don’t wait for the landing.
They swing.
Hard.
And they figure it out on the way down.

If you’re mid-air too, lean into it. Swing.

👉🏾Follow Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more.
♻️ Repost to help others.

You know that sinking feeling when you realize 100 people just sent an email promising "see attached" with exactly the wrong attachments?


Yeah. That was my Monday.

Still coming back up for air from the holidays, I hastily fired off an email to the masses.

Someone from the team messaged me right away to point it out. 

And for about 3 seconds, my ego wanted to minimize it, make an excuse, maybe even get a little defensive.

But here's what I did instead: I thanked them. Genuinely. 

Then I owned it, fixed it, and resent the email with a quick apology and the actual correct attachments.

The whole thing took maybe 5 minutes to fix.

I've been thinking about this moment in the context of leadership. 

There's this concept in Good to Great (by Jim Collins) about Level 5 leaders having a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. 

The humility to admit mistakes quickly. 
The will to fix them and move forward without dwelling.

If I'd let ego run the show, I would have wasted energy on defensiveness, damaged trust with the person who helped me, and probably made everyone uncomfortable. 

Instead, by just being human about it, we moved on. The work continued. 

Maybe even built a tiny bit more trust along the way.

The reality is that leadership isn't about being perfect or having all the answers. 

It's about how you handle the inevitable moments when you mess up. 

Do you make it about protecting your image? 
Or do you make it about the mission and the people around you?

What's a recent "oops" moment that taught you something about yourself?

➕ Found this helpful, follow me, Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA, for more unfiltered takes on leadership, life and career. 
♻️ Repost to help others.

I watched someone cry on camera this week, and I couldn't look away.


This week, a video came across my feed: someone speaking honestly to the world.

With tears streaming down her face, she shared she’s starting over.

Older than she thought she’d be. Done a lot “right.”

And still… uncertain what comes next.

No filters. No perfect lighting. No polished message.

Just the raw truth of being in between, of feeling lost and unsure of what’s next.

She wasn't asking for advice. She was just... saying it.

How much courage it takes to say "I don't know", when the world keeps asking us to have answers?

How we're all supposed to look like we're moving forward with purpose
while so much around us feels like it's spinning out of control?

And maybe that's what we all need to hear.

That feeling like you failed isn't the detour, it's part of how you get there.

However hard that is to sit with.

➕ Follow Shauna Callender, MSW, CRHA for more.
♻️ Repost to help others.

Some people spend a lifetime preparing for problems they hope never arrive.

Then the moment comes, and they handle it, not because it’s appealing,
but because it’s necessary.

A few years ago, a situation landed on my desk that no one could have predicted.

It was complicated. High-stakes. And frankly, exhausting.

There were no instructions. No template. And no obvious “right” way forward.

I watched people react in different ways.

Some froze. Some panicked. Some overcompensated.

And then there were a few who quietly leaned in, did the work, 
and made sure things kept moving.

They weren’t looking for credit or applause.

They were just doing what the situation required.

It taught me then; so much of the work that shapes outcomes,
the work that really matters, is often invisible.

It’s not in the headlines. Not on a slide deck.

It’s in the choices people make when no one is watching, and when it’s not convenient.

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Things I Wish I Knew Then, But Choosing to Pay Forward Today


I wish I knew that being ready isn’t a feeling. 
It’s a choice you make while your hands are still shaking.

That passion doesn’t excuse disrespect. 
You can care deeply and still hold the line.

That disagreement doesn’t have to derail you or the room. 
Challenge the strategy, not the people.

That consistency matters more than brilliance. 
Emotional steadiness opens more doors than being the loudest voice.

That learning never makes you look junior. 
But refusing to learn does.

Leadership isn’t something you arrive at. 
You practice it every time you choose clarity over performance, 
courage over control, and then pass what you’ve learned to someone else who’s still finding their way.

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Front-row seat to brilliance. Just don’t forget whose story it is.

Working with founders is a beautiful paradox.

You get to see passion in its purest form.

You grow faster than you thought possible.

You help turn big ideas into reality.

And then…they move on to live their dream; not yours.

It’s not a complaint. It‘s an observation.

Founders are built to chase their vision relentlessly.

But if you’re working alongside them, here’s the question:

Are you building your own dream or someone else’s?

The biggest lesson? Learn everything you can. Contribute fully.

But never lose sight of what you’re building for yourself.

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The moment everyone expected an answer, I didn’t have one.


The most credible thing I said in a meeting a few weeks back was: 
“I don’t know.”

We’re gearing up for our busiest season of the year, putting the critical pieces in place to ensure a strong cycle.

A lot is riding on it. Timelines, people, outcomes.

This time, the responsibility sits with me.

All eyes are on me to have the answers.

In a recent meeting, a question came up about one of the steps.

The kind you could talk around. 

The kind that invites certainty, even when it’s incomplete.

I felt the pull to fill the space. To sound confident. To move things along.

Instead, I paused and said I didn’t have the answer yet. 

That I’d confirm and follow up.

Nothing dramatic happened. No loss of trust. No shift in the room.

What I noticed instead was a softening.

More voices. Better questions. A clearer path forward.

I’m noticing how much effort goes into appearing certain, and how quickly that turns into performance.

The leaders I respect most aren’t the ones with immediate answers.

They’re the ones who ask well, name what isn’t clear, and learn in real time.

Not knowing isn’t a failure.

It’s often the most honest place to begin.


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Most leaders grow into the role, while doing the work.

Every time I moved into leadership, I didn’t feel ready.

Not because I lacked ability.  

But because the role was bigger than what I’d done before. 

Someone else saw potential I couldn’t yet see. 

From an individual contributor to managing a small team. 
From ESL in Japan to teaching adults and delivering keynotes.
From manager to director. 
From director to VP. 

Each step stretched me.

I stumbled. I questioned myself. 
I learned quickly and sometimes the hard way. 

Leadership didn’t arrive once I felt confident. 
It arrived while I was still figuring it out.

If you’re juggling similar feelings, or standing at the edge of your own jungle gym swing, you don’t have to do it alone. 

If you're looking for support, my DMs are open and I’m happy to share ways to strengthen your next move.

Here's my story of NOT being ready ->

 I Thought I Wasn't Ready for Leadership, except...

Some conversations settle in your chest long after the tea is gone.

We were in a local café (drinking tea ironically). 

Talking about life, family, aging parents, careers, when my friend shared a health update and their perspective on mortality.

A few years ago, they had a life-threatening illness.

They survived.

And what stayed with them wasn’t fear, it was clarity.

They’ve built a life around independence and freedom, and told their family exactly what to do if life ever becomes prolonged without dignity: 
Pull the plug.

I didn’t judge. But I felt a brief, selfish pinch.
Thinking about a life without them in it.

I applaud how arrived they are. Every choice intentional.
Every conversation honest.

It reminded me of something I often write about: 
how the courage to face hard truths is rare.

We spend so much energy on the small, insignificant things: the petty disagreements, the emails that could wait, overthinking the next step.

While the real work is deciding what matters, owning it, speaking up and acting with integrity.

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Experience is valuable, until it isn’t.

Years ago, I worked with a senior executive who said there was nothing left to gain from reading or learning anything new. 

“Experience is enough,” was the claim.

I quietly disagreed and watched how staying curious made all the difference.

What worked five years ago won’t carry you forever.

Roles shift. Context changes. People need different things.

The most valuable learning I’ve done didn’t come from programs or playbooks.

It came from noticing when instincts stopped working and choosing to adjust instead of doubling down.

At this level, lifelong learning isn’t about ambition.

It’s about relevance and role-modelling.

The leaders who last aren’t the loudest.

They’re the ones still willing to learn, especially when no one is watching.


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Nothing discredits a position faster than how it’s delivered.

I was in a meeting recently where the topic was highly sensitive, and the ideas were new.

That combination almost always brings emotion. 

And that’s not a problem.

Passion belongs in the room when the stakes are real.

What shifted the room wasn’t disagreement.

It was how quickly passion crossed into interruption.

Cutting off others.
Speaking over a leader.
Raising a voice in moments meant for listening.

And suddenly, the ideas stopped being evaluated on their merit.

Instead, the energy went into managing the reaction.

Here’s the thought that keeps circling in my mind: 

Intensity is not the same as credibility.

You can disagree strongly and still demonstrate respect.

You can feel protective and still stay composed.

You can even challenge direction without destabilizing the room.

But in leadership spaces especially, how you respond often matters more than what you’re responding to.

Keep this in mind: Passion is always permitted.

But disrespect erodes trust and rarely strengthens your point.

Those who influence most aren’t the loudest in the room.

They’re the ones who can hold tension without letting it take over.


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Not choosing is still a choice.

Clarity doesn’t arrive before the decision.

It comes after.

You can debate, plan, or overthink, but if you keep postponing the choice, you’re still stuck.

The cost is quiet… energy leaking, credibility eroding, self-trust fraying.

Most people know it’s happening to them before they admit it.

Ask yourself: What’s the real cost?

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You'll know the signal when it makes its mark.


Some people recognize this moment. 

Others circle it for years.

I hear this often from leaders and professionals who look calm on paper,
but are restless in private.

The ones who notice it immediately? 

They tend to move differently.

Not everyone wants this conversation. 

The ones who do usually know why.

Are you ready to notice it?


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taplio

The Battle

Tarek Taha

Shauna MSW

Followers

Posts

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Performance ScoreTarek Taha's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShauna MSW's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Tarek Taha

Shauna MSW

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Tarek Taha's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShauna MSW's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreTarek Taha's LinkedIn Performance