Your career trajectory dies the moment you stop learning. In this candid conversation, Nicole Fallowfield, Gibson’s Chief People Officer shares how embracing curiosity over certainty opened her path to executive leadership.

Nicole shares how acknowledging “I don’t always have to be right” transformed her leadership approach and opened doors to executive opportunities. She reveals why continuous learning and authentic leadership matter more than perfect execution in the path to senior leadership.

In this episode, we also discuss executive career development through the lens of peer relationships and strategic influence. Nicole reveals how including different perspectives in decision-making accelerated her professional growth, while sharing an honest look at her evolution from tactical problem-solver to strategic leader. 

She opens up about the realities of executive leadership, from handling tough conversations to shaping organizational culture, offering valuable insights for anyone pursuing senior leadership roles.

If you’d like to learn what it takes to succeed at the executive level, join us for a deep dive into one leader’s journey from Director to C-suite executive.

Key Highlights

• The mindset shift that propelled Nicole’s success: Moving away from needing all the answers to embracing continuous learning, a transition that proved crucial for executive leadership. 
• Her honest revelation about peer relationships: Building influence meant actively seeking feedback across departments and being genuinely open to different perspectives, especially when tweaking processes that affect the entire organization. 
• The surprising truth about difficult conversations: Nicole shares how her natural ability to handle tough conversations with empathy became a leadership strength, particularly in supporting other leaders through challenging employee situations. 
• Her evolution in delegation: Despite being a successful leader, she openly discusses her ongoing journey with delegation, sharing how her team helps keep her accountable and why letting go actually elevates both leader and team performance. 
• The unexpected impact of her promotion: Female employees saw themselves represented through her advancement to Chief People Officer, revealing how leadership appointments can influence organizational culture beyond the role itself. 
• The critical skill that opened doors: Being trustworthy and willing to tackle tough decisions while maintaining kindness proved more valuable than technical expertise. 
• A practical approach to continuous learning: Nicole maintains a current list of skills she wants to develop, demonstrating how even C-suite leaders must stay committed to growth and learning. 
• The reality check about executive roles: The transition from Director to Chief People Officer required an intense focus on strategic thinking versus tactical execution, highlighting the different mindset needed at the executive level.

Links Mentioned

Nicole’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolefallowfield/

Gibson: https://www.thegibsonedge.com/

Full Bio

Nicole is a principal and the Chief People Officer at Gibson. Her focus is to create the best employee experience through a workplace culture that promotes an engaged, inclusive and thriving workforce.  

Nicole joined Gibson in 2008 as the Director of Wellbeing.  In that role, she consulted with clients on strategies to enhance organizational health.  Most recently, Nicole served as the Director of Administration, where she had accountability for HR, IT, and facilities.  

She is a Certified Wellness Practitioner, Certified Intrinsic Coach, and a licensed Thriving Workplace Culture Consultant™. Nicole is a past president of the Wellness Council of Indiana (WCI) and served as a member of the Executive Board of Advisors for the WCI from 2004 to 2020. 

Prior to joining Gibson in 2008, Nicole was the Vice President of Sales for Principal Wellness Company in Indianapolis. While at Principal, she held several positions including At-Risk Consultant, At-Risk Intervention Manager, and Account Executive. She began her career with the Hammond Clinic at the NiSource Corporate Wellness Center in Merrillville, Indiana. Her responsibilities included developing, implementing, and overseeing corporate wellness initiatives.