When Culture Leads With Heart: How One Leader Created a $23 Million Breakthrough

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What if building culture wasn’t just a “nice‑to‑have,” but the very backbone of business success and human fulfilment? In this episode of the EPIC Impact™ podcast, Steve Ramona sits down with Lyndsay Dowd, seasoned leader turned author and culture disruptor, to explore how culture and impact are inseparable in business and life.

Lyndsay’s story begins in the high‑pressure world of corporate sales, managing a $150 million quota at IBM, where she discovered that the real breakthrough didn’t come from perks or pressure—it came from trust, connection and a servant‑heart leadership. A single moment defined it: a boss telling her, “Girl, I’ve got your back. Now fly.” That moment ignited a team of 55 people to think differently, collaborate deeply, and ultimately close a $23 million deal—a game‑changer.

Through raw honesty, laughter and stories from the field, Lyndsay guides us through what she calls “power skills” (not soft skills)—delegation, vulnerability, autonomy, psychological safety—and how they transform the way people show up. We dive into specific tips you can apply: ask “How can I be the best leader for you?”, celebrate the small wins with sticky handwritten notes, delegate with trust, and create space for human‑to‑human connection, not just headcount.

If you’re building a business, leading people, or simply yearning to make an impact, this episode will challenge you to rethink culture from the bottom up—and see how when you lead with a servant’s heart you unlock not just better results, but deeper meaning.

P.S. If you’re ready to take the next step, listen for Lyndsay’s one‑minute challenge near the end, and make one change this week that helps someone feel seen.

Guest Bio
Lyndsay Dowd is a leadership strategist, two‑time bestselling author (“Top Down Culture” and a contributor to “Voices of Women”), and the founder of Heartbeat for Hire. With nearly 30 years of experience—including 23 at IBM—she has guided leaders and organizations to ditch toxic culture and build high‑performance teams rooted in trust, purpose and human connection. Known for her candor and heart‑centered approach, Lyndsay coaches C‑suite leaders, speaks globally and hosts the top‑2.5% ranked “Heartbeat for Hire” podcast.

https://heartbeatforhire.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsaydowdh4h
https://www.instagram.com/lyndsaydowdH4H
https://www.facebook.com/LyndsayDowdH4H
https://www.tiktok.com/@lyndsaydowdh4h
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9asGvE8Ks4XjR2UNwNmKDw
https://www.topdownculture.com

https://inphone--strategiesthatstick.thrivecart.com/epicimpactbook/

https://epicimpact.ai/

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