Cheryl Ethier

How I maintain my own growth, learning, and development (for myself and those I lead)

Growth and development requires a willingness to learn and to un-learn. What we know to be true often changes and our capacity to evolve, recognize new perspectives and adapt without compromise is key. Learning is part of my daily practice, and I’ve carried that mindset throughout my career.  For my teams, I encourage the same growth mindset: every challenge is a chance to evolve. It is less about having all of the answers, and more about empowering others to contribute theirs.  My proudest moments are when teams rise to challenges with confidence and creativity. Inspiration comes from showing trust and leading by example. 

Healthy habits for mental health and wellbeing

As a mother of four, balance is not optional—it’s survival. I need to make time where it may seem there is none so that my focus is on what really counts. Mental health and wellbeing cannot be about time off or away from my daily life; I need to find my balance in the mundane tasks that we go through daily.  I lean into the moments that I value and appreciate, and let go of what I cannot control.

What that looks like for me is treating these moments as special, every time. They are our rituals, don't skip any steps whether it is dinner with the family, a walk with my dogs, or moments of stillness to reset. Protecting my wellbeing ensures I show up as a strong, grounded leader at work, and at home.

The greatest piece of business advice I received from a mentor/sponsor

I have had the privilege of learning from amazing female leaders and mentors. The greatest piece of advice I received was to know to believe in myself, do the research, put in the work and remain confident in my ideas and perspective, often different but always valuable. I have worked in change, improvement and innovation for years, my mentors taught me early to shift from resolving the problem now and to dedicating efforts towards building systems that are sustainable. Leadership is about creating value that lasts beyond your tenure and it will not happen overnight.