Our Podcast

BY Joel Junker

From JMO to C-Suite: Lessons Learned (E215)

Learn how Fran Lawler went from JMO to C-Suite. This former officer is an incredibly successful leader. She is a 1995 West Point Graduate, served six successful years in the Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer, and transitioned to a business career in 2001 through Cameron-Brooks. She earned her MBA at Harvard and has held high-level human resources roles, including several Chief Human Resources Officer positions. She recently founded her own leadership consulting and coaching company, Harvest Cove Talent Partners.

Fran is also the first officer I recruited to participate in the Cameron-Brooks program. I met her in Leesville, LA, just outside Fort Polk, LA (now Fort Johnson) in May 2000. She agreed to be a podcast guest to share her experience and leadership lessons. She shares her incredible story, filled with lessons on resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal growth. Fran’s insights shed light on what it takes to lead with authenticity and impact.

Identify Personal Purpose

A pivotal moment in Fran’s career was crafting her personal purpose statement. This exercise helped her align her career aspirations with her deeper values, transforming her approach to leadership and teamwork. As Fran shares, finding purpose was a professional milestone and a personal breakthrough that shaped her trajectory.

The Power of Coaching and Leadership Development

Fran’s passion for coaching stems from her own transformative experiences. She highlights the importance of asking probing questions, fostering self-reflection, and empowering clients to discover their own solutions. As Fran emphasizes, the role of a coach is to guide, not to dictate, creating a safe space for others to explore and grow.

In our discussion, Fran reflects on how coaching has enhanced her professional relationships and deepened her connection with friends and family. This underscores the broader impact of coaching—its ability to enrich lives beyond the workplace.

Harvest Cove Talent Partners: A Vision for Growth and Community

Fran recently took a bold step by launching her firm, Harvest Cove Talent Partners. Inspired by her commitment to growth and human connection, Harvest Cove aims to support leaders and teams in achieving their full potential. The firm’s name reflects Fran’s mission to create a “harvest” of blessings and opportunities, cultivating a space where vulnerability and authenticity thrive.

Leadership Rooted in Purpose

Fran Lawler’s journey from JMO to C-suite is a testament to the power of adaptability, purpose, and continuous growth. Her story reminds us that true leadership goes beyond achieving goals—it’s about fostering connection, empowering others, and staying grounded in one’s values.

Through her coaching work and the creation of Harvest Cove, Fran exemplifies how leaders can inspire transformation while staying true to their purpose. Fran’s story is an inspiration for anyone navigating transitions or seeking greater meaning in their work.

Learn more about Fran’s journey and her insights on leadership and coaching by tuning into the full podcast episode.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

To stay connected, we encourage you to check out our website and YouTube Channel and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more about your transition options, please get in touch with us.

You can also check out our Transition Guide on “3 Game-Changing Strategies for JMOs Making the Jump to Business” for additional transition tips.

To stay connected, I recommend subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on LinkedIn.

Joel

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