Ep. 70 – Lead the Leaders: A Conversation with Cynda Walter
This week on Pillar Talk, we’re shaking things up. For the first time in a long time, Chris is joined by a guest—and it’s one worth tuning in for. Meet Cynda Walter, Founder of People Empowered and a powerhouse in healthcare leadership development.
Cynda brings 16+ years of experience from the acute care side of healthcare, most recently as VP of HR for Centura Health. She’s seen it all—what works, what doesn’t, and why the right leader changes everything. Now, she’s using that experience to coach high-level leaders and help them reconnect with their purpose and people through her company, People Empowered.
In this episode, Chris and Cynda dive deep into:
- The silent cost of ineffective leadership—and how one bad leader can hold back entire organizations.
- The power of self-awareness in leadership: knowing your triggers, reactions, and how you’re perceived (not just how you intend to show up).
- How high-performing professionals—surgeons, executives, you name it—often struggle with human connection, and how that impacts outcomes, not just relationships.
- Why it’s not enough to have technical skills; if you can’t lead people, you’re leaving impact on the table.
This episode isn’t about surface-level tips. It’s about transformation. It’s about getting real with yourself, challenging your own patterns, and becoming the kind of leader people trust—even when things get messy.
And it wouldn’t be Pillar Talk without talking culture. Chris and Cynda unpack how leaders shape culture, what it takes to build one that lasts, and why great culture drives great business.
🔥 If you’re in a leadership role—or want to grow into one—this episode is your playbook.
🎧 Tune in now to hear why legacy starts with you, and how to lead leaders to their full potential.