1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 Follow Gina: https://www.instagram.com/ginalosborn/ Follow Helen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clearpathhelen Helen Lao, a first-generation American, left a secure HR career to build Clear Path Solutions, one of the top executive search firms in the U.S. In this conversation, she shares her journey from selling tires to leading a national team, her philosophy of relationships over transactions, and the bold risks that shaped her success. Timestamps: 00:01 – Betting on herself: founding Clear Path Solutions 01:31 – Growing up first-generation, language barriers &amp;amp; resilience&amp;nbsp; 02:49 – Expectations, being the “black sheep,” and work ethic 04:22 – Selling tires as the only woman in the room—becoming top salesperson 05:10 – Transition to recruiting and early HR career&amp;nbsp; 06:39 – Quitting a stable HR role (with 4 kids) to start a firm from scratch&amp;nbsp; 09:30 – Early struggles: $700 split payroll and hand-written checks 10:39 – Matchmaking philosophy: cultural fit over job titles&amp;nbsp; 14:47 – Leadership traits of top CEOs &amp;amp; listening as a superpower 24:58 – Saying “no” to clients: living from abundance, not scarcity 38:17 – Boldest move: walking away from stability into entrepreneurship&amp;nbsp; 45:20 – Advice to women leaders: unlearn silence, speak boldly Making Maverick Moves http://makingmaverickmoves.libsyn.com/website <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37954200/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/192295505