How do you keep showing up when everything is shifting?
ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
Today's guest is Erin Rogers, Founder of ERA Collective, Executive Coach, and Leadership Development Partner.
In our conversation Erin offers valuable insights into:
Motherhood - How becoming a mother made her a better leader, grounded in what matters, more emotionally intelligent, and ultimately led to her pivot into coaching.
The mentor who saw her before she saw herself - she shares the Pink Hair story and the lesson of not waiting for permission.
Leading through crisis - what her daughter's cancer journey taught her about presence, priorities, and refusing to wait for 'someday.'
The power of being seen, and of not hiding.
Erin's leadership lessons:
Make sure that you really see the people around you. Keep noticing. Name what you see in them. You might be the one who shifts everything. And don't wait - the window isn't guaranteed.
Crisis Clarifies. You learn what actually matters - and you stop performing leadership and start living it.
One moment of being seen can change everything. That's what psychological safety actually looks like. It's not a policy. It's a moment.
Erin's three key encouragements to leaders:
Stop waiting for permission. The mentor who asked about my pink hair wasn't giving me permission - she was showing me I didn't need it. And I almost waited too long.
See the people around you - even when they're hiding. Ask how they are doing. One question gave me permission to stop shrinking and start helping others.
Your next era can be your greatest era - if you're present, listening to the signals, and learning through your experiences. The things I've struggled with most - motherhood, menopause, my daughter's illness - are now the things I use to support other leaders. Nothing is wasted if you're paying attention.
About Erin:
Erin Rogers is the Founder of ERA Collective, an executive coaching and leadership development consultancy helping leaders show up with intention, build visibility, and navigate the messy middle of professional growth. With 25+ years in senior marketing and communications roles - including 12 years as Director of Brand, Marketing and Communications at EY Canada and 5 years as Country Head of Marketing at HSBC Canada - Erin brings a rare combination of strategic rigour and genuine warmth to her coaching. She is ICF ACC-certified and works with individuals, teams, and organizations ready to step into their next chapter. Erin lives in Toronto with her husband and three daughters.
Connect with Erin:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erin-j-rogers
Website: eracollective.ca
Insights: eracollective.ca/insights
Thank you:
To listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me, Anni Townend, go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, do go to our website www.collaborationequation.com.
A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.
To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.
I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.