184: Being Intentional About Your Relationship Strategy with Vanessa Fields

What if leadership wasn't about climbing the ladder but about deepening the connections you make along the way? In this episode, Andrea chats with Vanessa Fields, Director of Human Resources at XPO, who opens up about a crucial (and often overlooked) piece of leadership: relationships. Vanessa shares how her career journey, from retail to HR leadership, was shaped by strong connections. Learn how she navigated the corporate world, from moments of feeling stifled and silenced to becoming a leader who champions resilience and authentic connection. Additional Resources: Connect with Andrea Butcher on LinkedIn Visit HRD Website Vanessa Fields on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Relationships are Key – Building and nurturing authentic relationships is foundational to career success. Intentional Leadership – Vanessa shares how great leaders in her life empowered her to be resilient and lead with vulnerability. People-Pleasing vs. Meeting People Where They Are – There's a fine line between wanting to make others happy and authentically meeting them at their level. Self-Reflection – Vanessa regularly asks herself, "Is my action breaking down or building up this relationship?" as a way to maintain strong connections.