We recently connected with Danielle Gilbert and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

Certainly, I believe that embracing our failures is as crucial as celebrating our successes. One memorable failure occurred early in my career when I was leading a significant project to overhaul the HR system for a major corporation. Enthusiastic and confident, I pushed forward with a comprehensive plan without securing adequate buy-in from all key stakeholders. The implementation phase hit a wall when several department heads resisted the changes, feeling sidelined from the decision-making process.

This failure was a harsh lesson in the importance of inclusive leadership and communication. I learned that success isn’t just about having the right answers but also about bringing people along on the journey. This setback prompted me to reevaluate my approach to project management and leadership. I invested time in developing my skills in stakeholder engagement and change management.

This lesson proved invaluable later in my career as I led more complex projects. I applied these insights to ensure all voices were heard and integrated into the project plans, leading to more successful and smoother implementations. This failure, while initially a tough pill to swallow, became a cornerstone of my professional growth and effectiveness as a leader. It taught me that true leadership involves listening, adapting, and continuously learning from every experience.

Danielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Danielle Gilbert, a seasoned HR executive and the CEO of Manifest In You Consulting LLC. My journey into the world of human resources began during my college years when I realized the profound impact that strategic HR practices could have on fostering positive workplace environments and empowering employees to reach their fullest potential.

At Manifest In You Consulting, we specialize in providing comprehensive human resources services that cover everything from compliance and employee relations to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Our services are designed to transform organizational cultures, enhance employee engagement, and promote effective leadership. We also focus on mental health advocacy, offering workshops and resources that support wellbeing in the workplace.

What sets me apart in the industry is my holistic approach. I believe that HR isn’t just about managing resources; it’s about empowering people. This belief drives our work at Manifest In You Consulting, where we strive to create workplaces where every individual feels valued and equipped to thrive. We solve critical problems for our clients, such as reducing employee turnover, navigating complex compliance issues, and creating inclusive environments where diverse talents are celebrated.

I’m particularly proud of the Women Can Inspire Foundation, a nonprofit I founded to support women overcoming mental health challenges. Through the foundation, we provide scholarships, tools, and resources to help women share their stories of resilience and recovery.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that at Manifest In You and through our various initiatives, we are committed to making a genuine difference. Whether it’s transforming your organization’s HR practices or supporting individual growth and wellness, we are here to help you manifest your true potential.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One significant lesson I had to unlearn was the notion that “leaders must always have all the answers.” Early in my career, I believed that effective leadership was synonymous with always being the most knowledgeable person in the room and having a solution for every problem. This belief led me to take on excessive responsibilities and made it difficult for me to delegate tasks or seek input from my team.

The turning point came during a major project where I was overwhelmed with the workload because I had taken on too much, thinking I needed to manage every detail personally. The project suffered because I couldn’t focus enough on the strategic aspects, and my team felt underutilized and disengaged.

From this experience, I learned the importance of collaborative leadership. I realized that true leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about fostering an environment where everyone’s ideas and expertise can come together to find the best solutions. This shift in perspective allowed me to appreciate the collective intelligence of my team, encourage their contributions, and lead more effectively.

Unlearning this has not only improved my leadership style but also enhanced our team’s productivity and morale. It reinforced the idea that leadership is about empowerment and trust, not just direction and control.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most defining moments of my journey that illustrates resilience occurred during a particularly challenging period in my life. This was when I experienced the profound personal loss of a child through a tragic incident. This event was compounded by the subsequent loss of my mother and several other family members while I was still in high school. Navigating such profound grief at a young age could have easily derailed my aspirations and led me down a path of despair.

However, amidst this pain, I found solace and a sense of purpose in my education and career aspirations. The support I received from educators and mentors during this time was invaluable. They provided not just academic guidance but emotional support, helping me channel my grief into a determination to succeed and make a positive impact. This period taught me the power of resilience and the importance of community support.

This experience fundamentally shaped my approach to human resources and my advocacy for mental health. It instilled in me a deep understanding of the complexities of human experiences and the critical role supportive environments play in individual success. It’s why I am so passionate about creating workplace cultures that support mental well-being and why I founded the Women Can Inspire Foundation, which focuses on helping women overcome their challenges.

This story of resilience is a testament to the strength we can find within ourselves with the right support, and it underscores why I am committed to paying it forward in both my professional and personal life

Contact Info:

• Website: www..daniellemgilbert.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmgandcollc/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/public/dmgandcollc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemgilbert