402: From Sales to CEO: Leadership Wisdom with Shawn Hanks

Leadership With Heart

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, reflects on his evolution from sales leader to CEO. He shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership, including when he learned that offering his opinion too soon in meetings unintentionally stifled the voices around him.

Rather than leading with answers, Shawn now leads with questions and listens first, giving his team the space to bring forward their insights.This conversation is grounded in humility and real-world experience.

Shawn opens up about the difference between knowing and living the exemplary leadership phrases. He speaks about the gap between theory and practice, the challenge of leading former peers, and the importance of self-awareness at every growth stage. His daily journaling practice shows how he maintains clarity and perspective over time, treating each entry as a conversation with his future self.

You’ll also hear about Shawn’s belief in gratitude as a leadership skill, not just a mindset. His approach to leadership blends emotional maturity, vulnerability, and the quiet strength of consistency. Whether handling a business decision or helping a team member course correctly, his message is clear: people want to follow human beings, not polished personas.

So here’s something to think about. In your meetings and conversations, are you genuinely listening for new ideas or unintentionally shaping the answers before they are spoken? Let us know how you create space for diverse thinking in your leadership.