In this episode of Lead the Shift Conversations, I sit down with Chale Dodge, a Business Analysis Practice Lead and passionate advocate for professional communities, to explore the experiences that have shaped his approach to career growth, leadership, and service. Chale's journey into business analysis wasn't one he originally planned. An unexpected opportunity opened the door to a career that would eventually see him move from Business Analyst to Senior BA, Lead and Practic

I stopped writing because I convinced myself I didn’t have anything meaningful to say. Then I realised that the “not ready yet” story is exactly what keeps us stuck in waiting.

Humility should keep us grounded, not make us invisible. Yet many of us have learned to downplay our strengths, achievements and contributions so we don't appear arrogant or “too much.” At what point does humility become shrinking?

A few months ago, my kids’ cousins had just started at a new school. During their first week, I asked if they had made any friends. One of them, just 10 years old, said something that stayed with me: I have people I talk to but I wouldn’t call them friends. I paused. Hearing that from a 10-year-old stopped me in my tracks. There was so much awareness in that simple statement. I remember thinking, wow… kudos to the parents for raising a child with that kind of discernment. At

You might think you need a title, a corner office, or all the authority to create change. The truth? Leadership starts right where you are, with the actions you take and the courage to speak up. Whether at home, at work, or in your community, your influence is already there, waiting for you to claim it. I used to tell myself that I couldn’t make change because of the level I held. I wasn’t a CEO, I wasn’t in the executive suite, and I didn’t wield all the power in the world.

Many years ago, I came home from work and saw my baby boy reach out, not for me, but for our nanny. My heart sank. He had been with her since I returned to work when he was four months old. My first son had gone to childcare even earlier. It wasn’t new; but this time, it hurt more. I was juggling a full-time job I didn’t enjoy, commuting, pretending to be okay, and quietly questioning everything: my choices, my motherhood, my worth. We had moved across the country for my husb