PPB October 2020

HEATHER MCLEOD Sales Manager Elite Sportswear & Awards Ltd., dba Elite Promotional Marketing Edmonton, Alberta Heather McLeod has been working at her family’s business for as long as she can remember. The Western Canada-based distributor was founded 60 years ago by Cecil Bishop and today, there are four locations. She started working at the original store as a young girl, but it was important to her father that she have other job experiences too, so she went to work for the City of St. Albert for 10 years in a variety of roles including swimming instructor, customer service representative and division finance assistant. She also briefly sold radio advertising before rejoining Elite as an outside sales consultant in 2000. What’s remarkable about McLeod’s management skills is her ability to explain decisions, even difficult ones, to her team and help them feel a part of the process. “Whether it’s good news or bad news, Heather always takes the time to explain the situation and why the decision was made,” says nominator Melissa Sinclair, who’s worked for McLeod for three years. “Taking the time to explain things allows us on her team to understand company decisions better and be informed. Her door is always open for anyone to talk to her about situations, troubles, successes or outside work life.” Nominator Samantha Fullerton says, “Heather allows each team member to focus on what they do best. She truly understands what it takes to manage a sales team, by taking the time to understand what motivates each salesperson and working with them to reach their individual goals both personally and professionally. I have not had a single ‘no’ from Heather since beginning to work at Elite because she works to see the value in the ideas being presented. Every contribution from a team member is recognized, every success is celebrated, and every learning moment is taken as just that, rather than as a criticism.” McLeod is also treasured for taking the time celebrate her team’s successes—both big and small. “On top of the annual sales team awards she gives out, she constantly keeps an eye on projects being worked on and orders being entered, and always congratulates reps on day-to-day activities like finalizing a nice sale, making contact with a prospect or pitching a ‘wow’ product to a client,” adds Sinclair. Heather McLeod on her best boss. My best boss was one of my old sales managers. I loved the energy and excitement that she brought about every sales opportunity we had. She provided valuable experience and feedback, was always professional and genuinely cared about helping make her team successful. We have stayed in touch over the years and she is now my mentor. The most valuable lesson she’s learned frommanaging others. I’ve learned that giving constructive criticism is exceedingly difficult for me, but if I do not give the feedback, I’m not helping that individual have the opportunity to grow and improve. Her best advice for being a great boss. Treat others how you want to be treated. By showing respect, caring for your team and listening to their thoughts and ideas, you cultivate a strong and loyal teamwith common goals, and that will lead to success. I identify with this quote so much because, like [HR blogger and author] Tim Sackett so beautifully wrote, “It is important to be 100-percent authentic, completely committed and passionate about what you do.” Her best advice for being a great boss. Never give up! Think as big as the boss. Work as hard as the employees. Remain as humble as the interns. “Tish is an amazing boss with the ability to lter through the noise and get to the heart of a problem. She is a great communicator and disseminates information in a way that is easy to understand.” —Julie Gray “Heather allows each team member to focus on what they do best. She truly understands what it takes to manage a sales team.” —Samantha Fullerton Heather McLeod, center, with nominators Melissa Sinclair, left, and Samantha Fullerton. Best Bosses 2020 | FEATURE | OCTOBER 2020 | 27