We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Veronica Hill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Veronica, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Life never asked me if I was ready, it simply thrust change upon me.
At 19, I was a bride, and for the next 20 years, I was a partner in a transient military lifestyle. Then, I became a single mother, a family’s pillar, reinventing myself time and again, not because I wanted to but because I had to.
Each relocation was a new chapter, a fresh start with unfamiliar faces and unseen challenges. With every move, I learned to adapt, build anew, and discover untapped reservoirs of strength. Whether it was raising my family alone or navigating a myriad of career pivots, I mastered the art of starting over, transforming myself like a chameleon adjusting to new surroundings.
My path was anything but traditional. A failed business venture could have been a dead end, but I saw it as a crossroads. The lessons were hard-earned, but they taught me tenacity, foresight, and an uncanny ability to see opportunities where others saw failure.
Education and career weren’t linear paths for me, they were intricate mazes. Traditional roots were a luxury I couldn’t afford, but in their place, I cultivated a garden of diverse experiences, wisdom, and resilience. Each twist and turn, each stumbling block, was a stepping stone, shaping me into the woman I am today.
Out of the crucible of these experiences, I founded a boutique executive coaching and business consultancy. I leveraged not just my successes but my failures, my nontraditional education, and my evergreen career. I brought all of me into my work, infusing it with the richness of real-life experience.
My story is a testament to the power of resilience. It’s a story of a young girl who became a powerful woman, a transient who found her home in constant reinvention, a failure who turned her scars into stars.
So, here’s to life’s uncharted paths, to the relentless spirit that turns challenges into triumphs, to the alchemists like you and me who find gold in life’s most unexpected places.
Here’s to the resilience that binds us, the courage that defines us, and the wisdom that guides us. For we are the architects of our destiny, masters of reinvention, and champions of change.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I would describe myself as a highly energetic and passionate Latina businesswoman and people and culture champion with a spirit that fuses the vivacity of Dolly Parton and the resilience of Frida Kahlo.
My business coaching and consultancy, The Leadership Consultant, is on a mission to provide personalized leadership development and strategic guidance to emerging and established professionals, by leveraging innovative methodologies and a unique perspective rooted in authenticity and empowerment.
My vision is to transform the landscape of leadership across industries and cultures by empowering individuals and organizations with the tools, insights, and confidence they need to thrive. A world where leadership is not just a position but a mindset that starts within ourselves and where positive impact resonates throughout organizations, fostering growth, wellbeing, and a shared sense of purpose.
Why?
I’m passionate about unlocking and unleashing the true potential within individuals and organizations through authentic and inclusive leadership and psychologically healthy organizations. I believe that leadership is more than a title, it’s a responsibility to inspire, empower, and create positive change. By aligning personal growth with organizational success, I strive to make a lasting impact that transcends the workplace, enriching lives, strengthening communities, and shaping a future where leadership is synonymous with integrity, collaboration, and innovation.
I have the privilege of facilitating personal and professional transformations through 1:1 and group coaching on life, leadership, and business.
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?
With age comes wisdom – and I’m wise enough to know there’s so much I don’t know. What I have learned, however, are that self-awareness, resilience, and curiosity have been fundamental in my personal and professional growth journey.
Having a developed sense of self-awareness has allowed me to deeply understand and leverage my strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and beliefs to make decisions that align with my true self, easily navigating and overcoming challenges to recognize opportunities.
For those early in their journey, I encourage you to invest time in self-reflection. Utilize tools like journaling, mindfulness practices, or professional assessments to understand who you are and what drives you. Recognize that self-awareness is an ongoing process so it’s important to remain open to growth and change.
Resilience has been essential in overcoming setbacks and failures, quickly, bouncing back with ease, learning from mistakes, and continuing to move forward with a positive mindset.
For those seeking to develop resilience – embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Develop coping strategies that work for you like staying mindful and intentional with your self-talk. Remember, resilience is built over time through experience and perseverance – so be unafraid to do the hard thing and remember to be kind to yourself.
The willingness to continuously learn and adapt has kept me relevant and innovative. Whether it’s acquiring new skills, staying updated with industry trends, or learning from others, continuous learning has been a key driver of my personal and professional success and why I’m pursuing a doctorate degree after 40!
If you’re early in your journey – cultivate a growth mindset. Seek opportunities for professional development, attend workshops, read widely, and surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Recognize that learning is a lifelong journey, not a destination.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always seeking partners and collaborators who not only share a passion for personal and professional growth, people, and culture but also align with my core values. I believe in working with individuals who resonate with my shared principles and are committed to making a meaningful difference.
I’m intentional about expanding my network and developing professional partnerships with those who have a genuine love for helping others grow and thrive, both personally and professionally.
I have a knack for surrounding myself with growth-minded Individuals who are committed to continuous learning and self-improvement, and who see challenges as opportunities for growth.
I work well with action-oriented collaborators who are not just dreamers but doers, willing to put in the hard work to make their visions a reality.
I’m inspired by thought leaders and champions who resonate with my core values of integrity, empathy, excellence, and innovation, and are committed to upholding these principles in our joint endeavors.
If you resonate with these values and are interested in collaborating, I invite you to connect with me through my website, www.theleadershipconsultant.co or email me directly at [email protected]. Together, we can explore opportunities to create impactful experiences that foster growth and transformation.
I look forward to the possibility of working together to inspire and empower others on their journey towards success and fulfillment!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theleadershipconsultant.co
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/theleadershipconsultant
Image Credits
Kat Fodor – fodorfotos [white dress and feature pic only]
