Turning Disruption into Advantage with Meridith Elliott Powell

Описание: In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel, Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer sits down with Hall of Fame speaker, sales futurist, and CEO of Motion First, Meridith Elliott Powell, for a powerful conversation about leadership, disruption, and what it really takes to thrive in constant change.

Meridith’s career has followed an unexpected pattern: she repeatedly stepped into industries at moments of extreme disruption, from travel and tourism after natural disasters to financial services after sweeping regulation and healthcare during major system overhauls. Along the way, she discovered what most people resist. Uncertainty is not a threat. It is an advantage.

Drawing from decades of research and real-world execution, Meridith shares her proprietary Thrive system, a framework designed to help leaders, sales teams, and entrepreneurs turn volatility into competitive advantage. Together, Cynthia and Meridith unpack what it means to adapt your perspective, focus on people, and commit to process when the pace of change feels relentless.

The conversation also explores Meridith’s concept of the five buckets that anchor confidence and resilience: health, relationships, finances, career, and spirituality. When these are out of balance, disruption hits harder. When they are aligned, leaders gain clarity, energy, and endurance. Meridith challenges listeners to manage energy rather than time and to build schedules that reflect values, not just responsibilities.

The episode closes with a future-focused look at leadership and sales in the age of AI. Meridith dismantles common myths, explains why human connection is becoming more valuable, not less, and makes the case that future-ready leaders are those preparing their teams not just for today’s work, but for tomorrow’s uncertainty.

If you’re leading through change, feeling overwhelmed by disruption, or waiting for clarity that never seems to arrive, this episode is your reminder: there is no rescue coming and learning to thrive anyway is the real competitive edge.