INSIDE THE SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE: Naturopath Kim Harris Makes Room for her Dream p. 3 The Frenchie Garden Keeps Growing p.4 Suzanne Barritt Invites Guests to Back Alley Cheese Bar p. 8
Hear From Quad Cities’ 9/11 Heroes p. 10 Sabe Homes Building Affordable Housing p. 14 Meet the ATHENA Leadership Nominees p. 34
What Today’s Leaders Need ATHENA Keynote Holland Haiis teaches leaders how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN
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aybe you were raised by a dad like Earl Woods. Maybe you had coaches who pushed you beyond what you thought you could do. Maybe you were born with that X-factor that makes you brim with confidence whenever you take the podium, lead a team or swing a golf club. But then again, maybe you weren’t. And that’s OK, because international workplace and leadership expert Holland Haiis says we can learn to be as limitless as those who had that extra push as children and developed into ultra-high achieving adults with the confidence of a Tiger. “When we think about the journey of confidence and feeling empowered, it really starts when we’re babies, when we’re children,” said Haiis, a workplace and leadership expert. “Some people grow up with very neurotic parents and they mean well, but it’s ‘Don’t touch that’ or ‘Oh, it’s dirty,’ or ‘Be careful, you’ll fall!’ And that ends up being who we are – we’re afraid to do things. We can absolutely catch up with, as my mother used to say, ‘those who had more turns at bat.’” In both her practice and her book, “Consciously Connecting: A Simple Process to Reconnect in a Disconnect-
ed World,” Haiis promotes a gentle approach. “One of the best ways to build confidence is to follow Nike’s advice and ‘Just Do It,’” she says, as we nudge ourselves into an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation. “Part of our challenge is that we’ve been through a lot in the last 16-20 years – the ‘Me Too’ movement, three large elections, each more contentious than the last, the pandemic, the cost at the grocery store and daycare – all that has disrupted our nervous system. There is so much uncertainty and anxiety in the world that it’s hard to get grounded in our confidence. That’s why it is so important to be comfortable physically in our bodies.” Haiis, who has degrees and certificates in many areas, including behavioral and applied positive psychology, theater, stress mastery, corporate training and team dynamics, uses science-based tools to help people calm their nervous systems, quiet the negative messages and practice facing their fears. It could be something as simple as standing on stage,” says Haiis, an international speaker who spends much of her time presenting to audiences. “At leadership events, when someone tells me they want to feel comfortable and confident as a public speaker, I’ll bring them up on stage. We’ll walk
September 2025 | Issue 8 Volume 13
Global workplace and leadership expert Holland Haiis is the keynote speaker at the sixth annual Prescott Area ATHENA Leadership Awards, hosted by QCBN. Haiis will deliver, “Limitless: What Makes You Unstoppable,” Friday, Sept. 12, at Starting Point. Courtesy photo
around while others are on a break. They’ll be able to look out into the audience and feel a little more at ease with the idea of being in front of an auditorium full of people.” She suggests building confidence in other uncomfortable spaces as well, such as browsing in a high-fashion boutique, strolling through the showroom of a luxury auto dealer, sharing an appetizer in a white-tableclothed James Beard Award-winning restaurant, until we feel like we belong there. “Practice being in the place that feels over your head, out of league, beyond your comfort zone, until you become more comfortable with the space.” She also recommends asking for the training we need to develop the skills required to advance with confidence.
“People want and need soft skills to take them higher – to ignite a team, resolve conflict or inspire creative thinking. We need the tools to help us do our jobs better.” Haiis is speaking at the sixth annual Prescott Area ATHENA Leadership Awards, 3-5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, at Starting Point, hosted by Quad Cities Business News. In her presentation, “Limitless: What Makes You Unstoppable,” Haiis will share actionable strategies to help attendees unlock internal validation that doesn’t depend on permission, ditch the fiction that keeps people stuck and replace inner resistance with intentional ritual. “You’ll walk away with a framework to move from friction to flow and a mindset that doesn’t flinch,” she said.
Thirteen local women, who have achieved excellence in their careers, served their community and mentored other women to reach their leadership potential, will be celebrated along with three local organizations that promote an encouraging atmosphere where leaders can flourish. In addition, Haiis is offering her live, online “Reset and Reboot Resiliency Course,” this fall to prepare participants for the stress of the holiday season and power them up for the New Year. QCBN readers who register at www. hollandhaiis.com/resiliency-courses can use the code ATHENA to secure 5% of the proceeds as a donation in support of women and the Prescott-Area ATHENA Leadership Awards. To hear more from Holland Haiis, visit Zonie Living at StarWorldwideNetworks.com QCBN
TO SEE THE 2025 ATHENA NOMINEES, PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 34 TICKETS FOR THE ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARDS ARE $65. PARTICIPANTS CAN REGISTER AT PRESCOTTATHENA.COM.