Driving Change: How a Transit CEO Became a People-Forward Catalyst

Episode 3: Driving Change: How a Transit CEO Became a People-Forward Catalyst “We’ve been conditioned to think leaders must be heavy-handed and have all the answers. That’s not me.” – Leann Caver In this illuminating episode, we sit down with a transit CEO who is working on blending operational excellence with a people-first mindset. She shares her remarkable journey into the CEO role, reflecting on how her innate desire to help people shaped her two-decade career in transit. She also discusses the challenges of leading a newly assembled executive team, embracing a People-Forward Leadership™ framework, the power of establishing core values, and why embracing authenticity and empathy can be game-changers for leaders everywhere. About the Guest Leann Caver is the CEO of C-Tran, leading a team of about 450 employees who provide vital transit services to their region and community. With over 20 years in public transportation, she’s dedicated to uplifting people—from frontline staff to executive leaders—through authentic, empathetic leadership. Key Takeaways From the Front Lines to the C-Suite How Leann “fell into” transportation as a bus driver Her steady climb through supervisory, managerial, and executive roles Why hands-on industry experience fosters respect and trust at every level Redefining Leadership Challenging the traditional, top-down mindset Embracing vulnerability, empathy, and open communication Overcoming the fear of not having all the answers immediately Building a People-Forward Culture The role of core values in uniting teams and guiding decisions Breaking down silos and encouraging honest dialogue across departments How personal coaching and team development accelerated the cultural shift Authenticity as a Catalyst Leann’s journey of self-discovery and confidence-building Modeling transparency and trust to empower direct reports Giving executives the autonomy to lead while still aligning around a shared vision Advice for Aspiring and New CEOs Why embracing a people-first approach yields long-term benefits How investing in coaching and leadership development pays off Recognizing the time it takes to shift culture—and why it’s worth it Resources & Links Learn more about C-Tran and Leann Caver Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework  Recommended reading on building trust and collaboration in teams. Get the 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadership™   Call to Action: Connect with us on social for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips: Linkedin Instagram Facebook YouTube Enjoyed this episode? Don’t miss out on the next one—subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Leave a Review: Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode by leaving a review. Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.