Spotlight on Success
Featured Interview
Erin Herman
“Spotlight on Success” is an interview series created by David Levine of I Am Your Virtual Professional. Its purpose is to amplify the voices of today’s business leaders. Each interview provides actionable insights that readers can implement immediately. No fluff, just practical wisdom that enables individuals to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Erin Herman
| Company | Erin Herman, LLC. |
|---|---|
| Role | Leadership Strategist & Keynote Speaker |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-herman-97832217/ |
| Company Website | https://www.theerinherman.com/ |
Erin Herman is a keynote speaker and leadership strategist who helps organizations and women leaders navigate change with courage, clarity, and humanity. Drawing on two decades of global leadership experience, including senior roles at the United Nations and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ALSAC, she delivers bold, relatable messages that turn real life into real leadership impact.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
Interview Questions
1. What’s one strategy your business used recently that created meaningful growth?
I stopped treating keynotes as one-way performances and started designing them as shared moments of practice where leaders actively test decisions, language, and behaviors in real time. That innovation turned stages into laboratories, and it measurably increased follow-up work, repeat bookings, and audience-driven referrals.
2. How has AI or technology changed the way you operate or serve clients?
I use AI as a behind-the-scenes strategy partner to rapidly customize keynotes and field guides to each audience, pulling insights, stress-testing language, and designing interactive moments in a fraction of the time. That allows me to serve clients with deeper relevance, faster turnaround, and experiences that feel unmistakably built for them, not pulled off a shelf.
3. What’s one thing you stopped doing that actually helped your business grow?
I stopped self-editing based on how I thought people might perceive me and it was the most freeing shift I’ve ever made. Letting go of self-criticism allowed me to show up fully, real and relatable, and that authenticity is what’s helped my messages land deeper and my business grow.
4. What’s a customer insight you discovered that changed the way you do business?
I realized my customers aren’t “buyers” or titles, they’re real humans navigating pressure, priorities, and ROI just like the rest of us. That insight changed everything: I design experiences that respect their realities, speak human first, and deliver value they can actually use.
5. If a business had to improve ONE area to grow faster in the next 90 days, what should it be?
Clarity of message. When you can clearly articulate the problem you solve, for whom, and why it matters now, decisions speed up, trust increases, and growth follows fast.
6. What’s one thing you do consistently that keeps your pipeline healthy?
I consistently build trusted, credible relationships by staying genuinely curious, asking good questions, listening without an agenda, and following up with real value. That curiosity turns conversations into connections, and connections into a healthy, sustainable pipeline.
7. What’s a decision you made in the last year that had a bigger impact than you expected, and what led you to make it?:
I made the courageous decision to fully pursue the work that truly lights me up, stepping onto stages and putting myself in front of audiences and media with intention. I did it because the message mattered more than the moment, and betting on myself ended up creating impact far beyond what I expected. I let go of the steady paycheck, health insurance benefits and took a risk on what truly breathes life into me every day, keynoting with messages that inspire and ignite a room.
8. What’s one process you streamlined that made a noticeable difference in efficiency or results?
I eliminated over-preparing and perfection-polishing before engagements. Trusting my experience and doing focused, intentional prep freed time, sharpened my delivery, and actually improved results for clients.
9. What book, podcast, or resource has influenced your thinking or business decisions lately and why?
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. It reminded me that imperfection isn’t a liability, it’s the access point to trust and connection. Letting go of polished perfection has made my work more honest, more human, and far more impactful.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
I am Your Virtual Professional's
3 Key Takeaways
# 1
Design for participation, not performance. Growth accelerated when Erin stopped delivering one-way talks and instead created shared moments of practice proof that interactive experiences drive repeat work and referrals.
# 2
Use technology to deepen relevance, not replace humanity. AI works best behind the scenes, helping tailor messages faster so clients feel seen, understood, and served with intention.
# 3
Clarity and curiosity fuel a healthy pipeline. Clear messaging combined with genuine listening builds trust, strengthens relationships, and keeps opportunities flowing without forced selling.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
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