What does it actually take to get promoted to SVP in a fast-growing company?
Nicole Fallowfield didn't follow the traditional HR path — and that's exactly why she got the job.
In this episode of Leading Through Growth, I sit down with Nicole Fallowfield,
newly appointed Senior Vice President, Talent Business Partner at Unison Risk Advisors. After 17 years of navigating one of the fastest-growing organizations in the industry, Nicole shares the leadership mindset, non-negotiables, and pivotal moments that shaped her career — including the day her CEO told her, "This is the role you've been training for your whole life."
What you'll learn:
- The mindset shift required to thrive in high-growth, high-pressure environments
- Why leadership skills outweigh technical expertise when advancing your career
- How strategic HR — succession planning + talent development — drives business growth
- Nicole's non-negotiables: transparency, psychological safety, and direct feedback
- What "fail fast" actually means in practice (and why most leaders resist it)
- How high-achievers intentionally recharge to sustain performance
If you're a leader, HR professional, or aspiring VP trying to navigate a growing
organization, this episode is for you.
CHAPTERS
0:00 – Nicole's Big Promotion: What Changed
5:00 – Strategic HR in High-Growth Companies
8:30 – The Mindset of a High-Growth Leader
11:30 – When a CEO Sees Your Potential Before You Do
23:00 – How High-Achievers Recharge (Exercise + Fiction)
33:00 – Navigating Ambiguity & the "Fail Fast" Mindset
37:00 – Leadership Non-Negotiables: Transparency & Psychological Safety
42:00 – The Listening Habit Every Leader Needs
CONNECT WITH NICOLE FALLOWFIELD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolefallowfield/
SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW
🔔 Subscribe for weekly leadership insights: @LeadingThroughGrowthPod
🎙️ Listen on Apple/Spotify: www.growwithgawlo.com/podcast
💼 Connect with Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyrsanders/
#Leadership #CareerGrowth #HRLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #LeadingThroughGrowth