Meet Mary Walter

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary Walter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Mary, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I have learned that being the only one in the room who looks like you is easier when you see people as individuals, not as categories. Yes, there were times it felt awkward to be the only woman in a group of men (and I am not a golfer), but those moments were often opportunities to learn, build friendships, and do meaningful work together. People tend to reflect back how you treat them, so I focused on approaching others with kindness, respect, and confidence.

There were occasional odd moments, like the time my boss took my entire peer group to Hooters without inviting me, but I can laugh about those now. What stands out more are the many male mentors, friends, and colleagues who supported my growth and helped me succeed.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the founder of Mary Walter Leadership, where I partner with executive leaders and business teams to achieve extraordinary results and, just as importantly, to excel in their work while growing through the challenges. My sweet spot is helping leadership teams raise their game, strengthen cohesion, and collaborate in ways that amplify both performance and trust. No two teams are alike, so I dig in to understand their unique dynamics and create a tailored approach that fits their goals and culture.

I also coach senior executives one-on-one to help them sharpen their leadership, build powerful relationships, and lead with clarity and confidence. The best moments are when leaders and teams reach a breakthrough, when trust deepens, everyone is aligned, and they evolve into a high-performing unit that consistently delivers exceptional results.

Whether I am coaching an executive through a high-stakes challenge, guiding a team to craft a bold strategic plan, or training a group in mental fitness, my mission is the same: help people do their best work, thrive in the process, and take pride in the difference they are making.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have made the biggest difference in my journey are an openness to learning, a willingness to say “yes” to new challenges even when I felt woefully unprepared, and a commitment to acting in service to customers, employees, and the company.

Openness to learning has kept me adaptable and curious, allowing me to grow with every role and every leader I have worked alongside. Saying “yes” to challenges before I had all the answers pushed me into situations where I had to stretch, figure things out, and ultimately discover what I was capable of. When I opened the Pittsburgh market for Target Stores, I was suddenly in the media spotlight, giving interviews with almost no experience. At one point, I was asked to do a half-hour live TV interview without being given the questions in advance. I remember sitting in the studio lights, heart pounding, every instinct telling me to run, but instead I smiled, leaned in, and got through it. It turned out to be a terrific experience and gave me the confidence to take on the next challenge. Acting in service kept my focus on what mattered most: delivering value to the people and organizations I was there to support.

For those earlier in their journey, my advice is to treat every experience as a chance to learn, even if it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. Step into challenges that scare you a little, because that is where growth happens. And remember that success often comes from making the people around you better. When you act in service, you build trust, strengthen relationships, and open doors you might not have known were there.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe leadership can be learned. So why wouldn’t you want to be the best version of yourself as a leader? The leadership coach Brian Buford once asked, “Do you want your boss to get better, or only focus on their strengths?” Of course, we would all want our boss to improve.

I am not the same leader I was at the start of my career. Back then, I didn’t know how to have difficult conversations, set ambitious goals, or build a performance-driven culture. If I had not worked to develop those skills, I would have failed. Growth in leadership is not optional; it is essential.

I also coach leaders who are already at the top of their game, some of the best in the world. Even for them, the opportunity often lies in not over-relying on their strengths. When you are great at something, it can be tempting to lean on it so much that it overshadows everything else. If you are a decisive leader, make sure you are also listening. If you excel at building relationships, make sure you are holding people accountable.

Use your strengths as a foundation, not a limit, and keep expanding your range. Keep learning and developing. It not only makes leadership more interesting, it is what leads to uncommon and lasting success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marywalterleadership.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marywalterleadership/
• Twitter: https://x.com/marykatewalter
• Other: https://theteamgurus.podbean.com/