An Inspired Chat with Leslie Short of NYC and Philadelphia

Leslie Short shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Leslie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts with prayer, reading various news sources, social media, and yoga, and then I’m ready for part two of my workout.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Leslie Short, and my career has been anything but linear. I own The Cavu Group, K.I.M. Media LLC, and Ascend Bereavement Management, but my heart and focus are with The Cavu Group. That’s where I work with CEOs and leaders to rethink what culture really means inside a company.

I come to this work not just as a Corporate Operations Strategist, but also as a mediator, conflict coach, and chaplain. Those roles taught me how to listen, how to guide people through conflict, and how to create spaces where leaders and employees can thrive together. For me, culture isn’t a buzzword; it’s the foundation of a sustainable organization, and it has to live in every corner: from the mailroom to the boardroom.

Beyond strategy, I’m also an author. I’m writing my second book now, a memoir that traces my career journey, a path that’s taken me from stages and studios in Europe and Japan to boardrooms here in the U.S. Each of those chapters left an imprint on me. Together, they tell the story of how I’ve learned to navigate change, build bridges, and help others do the same.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents gave me my work ethic. They taught me that whatever I chose to do, I should do it to the best of my ability, and never measure myself against others.

My first ballet teacher reinforced that lesson early on. In her classes and rehearsals were work. There was no room for distraction, no space for half effort. That discipline shaped how I approached every stage of my career.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
My faith as a child shaped how I handled situations. I was selected at the age of 7 to train for my career as a ballet dancer. I was told then it could be a lonely career. I knew that with my faith, I could accomplish anything!

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
We have many aspects of ourselves. My public version and the elements that are needed to move through situations are very much part of the real me. I know who I am and don’t feel like I need to switch who I am to be in public. I am who I am. My values don’t change at work or in life. What matters in my life and career is listening to my spirit’s guidance. At the end of the day, I must be centered in my decisions.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I kept it moving. That I never stopped trying new things and having new experiences. If I wanted to do something, I figured out how to make it happen. I loved life, but I didn’t play with things or people that didn’t serve my soul well, that I moved by mind, soul, and spirit. Most importantly I hope I did no harm!

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Image Credits
Stanly Debase

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