In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how Melissa Boyd, the Founder and CEO of Her True North Leadership Programs and Coaching, embarked on her path to success in the world of leadership development. Join us as Melissa shares her experiences, notable accomplishments, leadership style, and the values that have guided her along the way. Discover what sets Her True North apart from other leadership programs, how Melissa navigates industry challenges, and her aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by Melissa’s journey as a CEO and her relentless pursuit of excellence in empowering female leaders.
The Inspiration Behind Pursuing Leadership
Melissa Boyd was driven to leadership after years of mentoring highly motivated, ambitious, and enthusiastic female leaders who struggled in their first leadership or middle management roles. She observed that organizations often failed to equip emerging or newly promoted leaders with the necessary practical skills to lead and motivate teams effectively. In response, she created Her True North to address this gap. Her Leadership and Coaching Programs provide essential foundational tools that female leaders can reference throughout their careers. Melissa’s programs also focus on overcoming common fears such as imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Her vision remains centered on supporting first-time and newly promoted female leaders with a practical approach to leadership. A pivotal moment in her career was working under a leader who taught her the importance of leading with heart. She learned that authentic leadership does not mean avoiding difficult decisions but instead handling them with honesty, empathy, and compassion.
Defining Visionary Leadership
To Melissa, visionary leadership is the ability to articulate a vision while fostering a culture of trust, inclusivity, and collaboration. Leaders must ensure that their vision resonates personally with individuals while aligning with broader organizational goals. Beyond metrics and objectives, leadership is fundamentally about people. Melissa believes that building authentic relationships with teams is key to understanding what drives and motivates them. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, inclusivity, and strategic thinking as essential traits for leaders in 2025. Visionary leadership also requires bold decision-making aligned with core values, even in the face of uncertainty. Forward-thinking leadership must also remain grounded in present realities.
Innovative Strategies and Technologies Implemented
At Her True North, Melissa Boyd has embraced interactive virtual workshops to enhance the leadership experience for first-time and newly promoted female leaders in a safe and collaborative environment. These virtual workshops allow women from across the world to participate and gain insights from like-minded individuals globally. Additionally, Her True North has integrated collaborative learning platforms such as Skool to foster connection, community, and continuous learning. These innovations support adaptability, inclusivity, and digital fluency—essential qualities for modern leadership. As hybrid work models and diverse teams become more prevalent, Melissa ensures that her programs incorporate emotional intelligence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and technology integration to equip leaders for the future.
The Future of Leadership Development
Melissa foresees the leadership development industry evolving significantly over the next five years. With rapid technological advancements, the growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion, and the increasing need for adaptive leadership, organizations will require leaders who can manage change, build resilient teams, and foster innovative, trust-based cultures. Her True North aims to play a transformative role in this evolution by empowering first-time and newly promoted female leaders with personalized coaching and human-centered leadership training. Melissa is committed to preparing women for future leadership challenges while ensuring they stay true to their values.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
The creation of Her True North is a prime example of turning a challenge into an opportunity. Melissa recognized a significant gap in the leadership development market—there were no practical leadership or coaching programs specifically designed for first-time or newly promoted female leaders. She spent two years developing programs to fill this gap in the Australian leadership development market. Having led teams for over 25 years, Melissa understands the impact of imposter syndrome on new leaders. Her programs are designed to provide practical tools, examples, and approaches that help female leaders succeed from day one, allowing them to bring their teams along on the journey toward achieving business objectives.
The Measurable Impact of Leadership
Her True North has made a measurable impact by equipping female leaders with the skills, confidence, and support needed to excel in their roles. Graduates of the 12-week leadership program reported a 90% improvement in confidence and clarity within their first 90 days, resulting in higher team engagement and productivity. Many program participants have received promotions or expanded responsibilities within their organizations. The Skool platform has fostered a thriving community of female leaders who actively share best practices and strategies, demonstrating the value of collaborative learning environments.
Aligning Vision with Global Trends
Her True North aligns its vision with key global trends such as sustainability, inclusivity, and digital transformation. Melissa ensures these principles are embedded in her leadership and coaching programs by encouraging sustainable team practices to reduce workplace burnout and foster collaboration. Her programs create equitable workplaces by addressing unconscious bias and championing diverse perspectives. By integrating virtual collaboration and online learning communities, Melissa ensures that participants develop digital fluency and adaptability, preparing them to lead effectively in an evolving landscape.
Transformative Leadership Success Stories
Melissa has witnessed many leadership transformations through Her True North. One notable example is a participant in the 12-week leadership program who had recently been promoted to a middle management role. After completing the program, she shared that the program challenged her to reflect deeply on her leadership style. She noted that she had taken several leadership courses before but found that this one resonated the most with her professional growth. This feedback reaffirmed Melissa’s purpose: to develop well-rounded female leaders who can successfully drive business goals and targets.
Fostering Collaboration and Inspiring Teams
Throughout her 25-year corporate career and in Her True North, Melissa has fostered collaboration and inspired teams by establishing trust, inclusivity, and shared purpose. She believes that when individuals feel valued and aligned with a clear, meaningful mission, they naturally contribute their best efforts to the team’s success.
The Role of Mentorship in Leadership Development
Mentorship and coaching are central to Her True North’s EmpowerHER program, which combines a 12-week leadership curriculum with group coaching and one-on-one leadership coaching. Limited to 14 women per cohort, this intimate program provides personalized attention and guidance, allowing participants to thrive as influential leaders. The program fosters self-reflection, skill-building, and collaboration, equipping the next generation of female leaders with the tools for success.
Adapting Leadership Across Cultures and Markets
Her True North’s EmpowerHER program prioritizes cultural intelligence, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting diverse values, norms, and communication styles. By actively listening to different perspectives and tailoring leadership approaches to meet unique audience needs, Melissa ensures an inclusive and equitable leadership experience.
A Major Milestone for 2025
By the end of 2025, Melissa Boyd aims to expand Her True North’s reach to an additional 500 first-time and newly promoted female leaders across various industries and global markets. This milestone aligns with her mission to empower women during their critical first 90 days in leadership roles, solidifying Her True North as a globally recognized resource for female leaders.
Significant Career Achievements
Melissa Boyd’s most significant career milestones include taking her first leap into leadership in 2000, completing her MBA in 2005, founding Her True North, and being recognized as a leader in women’s leadership development. These achievements reinforce the impact of Her True North’s programs in driving change and empowering women in leadership.
In conclusion, Melissa Boyd’s leadership journey has been defined by a commitment to empowering female leaders with the tools, confidence, and knowledge needed to excel. Through Her True North, she has bridged critical gaps in leadership development, ensuring that first-time and newly promoted female leaders receive the guidance they need to succeed. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, Melissa is shaping the future of leadership development. Her passion for mentorship, strategic vision, and innovative approach continue to make a lasting impact on the leadership landscape, setting new standards for excellence and empowerment in leadership training.
For more information about Melissa Boyd & Her True North Leadership & Coaching Programs, visit www.hertruenorth.com.au or email info@hertruenorth.com.au to discuss individual or organizational leadership needs.
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