LEADERSHIP
Our definition of
Courageously using your talents
to make a way for others
to courageously use theirs
Our Core Values
Compassionate Leadership
True leaders focus on cultivating individual growth, building courageous organizations, and contributing to a more just and caring world.
Conflict Transformation
Impactful leaders transform the energy-draining friction of conflict into generative productivity through use of social and emotional intelligence, perspective-taking, communication and motivation.
Wellbeing
Leaders that integrate all elements of wellbeing into their personal and team practices catalyze thriving and resilient organizations.
Justice
Leaders know that each person has unique value and should be uplifted as such. We seek to amplify the unique talents of each individual so that both they and those who they lead can flourish. We seek to inspire and design just and compassionate workplaces that transform communities.
Our Leadership Development Model
Our leadership development model is a cyclical model with clear outcomes. As leaders, we travel through each of these phases multiple times through our careers.
Ground: To effectively lead, leaders must first know who they are. We help leaders gain clarity on their strengths and values so that they can lead with authenticity and impact. Outcome = Clarity
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Grow: Continuous learning and development is a must for leaders. Learning from experts as well as personal successes and missteps enables leaders to hone their skills and adapt to our VUCA world. Outcome = Confidence
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Give: Leadership development is for the benefit of others. You develop yourself to enrich the lives of others and create a more just and caring world. As an added benefit, giving of yourself to your teams and to your community is one of the best ways to continue to develop your skills and enhance your own wellbeing. Outcome = Connection
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Leading with C.A.R.E.
We believe that the keys to successful leadership isn’t just about direction—it’s about momentum, alignment, and connection. We coach leaders using the C.A.R.E. Leadership Model empowering them to build intentional, sustainable impact by focusing on four dynamic principles: Connect, Align, Reinforce, and Empower.
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Together, these elements form a continuous cycle—a leadership flywheel—where each component strengthens the next, creating powerful momentum for individuals, teams, and organizations.
Connect: Great leadership begins with connection—starting with yourself and extending to others. This phase is grounded in emotional intelligence, authenticity, and trust-building. Leaders who connect deeply foster psychological safety and create space for genuine collaboration.
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Align: Alignment ensures everyone understands how their work connects to the bigger picture. It’s about clarifying goals, setting shared expectations, and helping team members see the value of their unique contributions. When alignment is strong, individuals feel purpose-driven and equipped to move in the same direction.
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Reinforce: True growth doesn’t happen by accident—it’s reinforced through action. This phase is about establishing feedback loops, accountability systems, and recognition rituals that keep momentum alive. It’s where consistency meets adaptability.
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Empower: Empowerment is where leadership multiplies. By fostering autonomy, sharing decision-making, and removing barriers, leaders create the conditions for others to step up. This not only builds confidence and ownership but also cultivates new leaders across the organization—extending leadership impact far beyond a single individual.
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Founder & Director
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Teri Schmidt is passionate about human connection and the leadership potential within each of us.
Her career has weaved through the educational, corporate, and nonprofit sectors but has had a consistent thread throughout: In each role, her focus has been either on developing the potential in others or working to remove barriers toward people expressing their potential. Using her 20+ years of coaching, leadership, and performance improvement experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, she transforms overwhelm into impact.
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Teri is the CEO of Strong Leaders Serve Coaching where she partners with caring, driven leaders who are under pressure to deliver results through others. Leaders hire Teri when they can't afford to lead on autopilot or figure it out as they go and they want to gain the clarity and build the trust that delivers real impact fast. She works with clients using individualized coaching and immersive methods like LEGO serious play to help them transform potential into performance.
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Teri also hosts the Strong Leaders Serve podcast inspiring leaders to make their workplaces more compassionate and just through their leadership, without burning out.
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Teri is an Ironman triathlete and loves to be in nature backpacking, camping, and doing some occasional rock climbing. She currently lives outside of Dallas with her three favorite people, her husband Jeff and her two teenage kids, Tyler and Megan.
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