Leadership Insights from Jill Roshto and Chad Beard

Developing People, Communication, and Building Relationships

We recently hosted an inspiring executive leadership panel featuring Jill Roshto, Executive Director of the Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits, and Chad Beard, President of NGI National Constructors, who shared their leadership journeys with participants of our Leadership Coaching Series. This leadership development class, aimed at high-level leaders looking to enhance their strategic skills, provided the perfect forum for an in-depth conversation on three major themes: developing people, communication, and the power of relationships.

1. Developing People: A Leader’s Most Important Role

Both Jill and Chad emphasized the critical importance of investing in people. Chad shared his passion for seeing others grow within his organization: "The most fulfilling thing is developing people. Watching someone grow from an entry-level role and take on more responsibility—it’s incredibly rewarding." He described how he encourages leadership from within, fostering a culture where team members feel supported and empowered to advance their careers.

Jill echoed Chad’s sentiment, explaining that effective leadership goes beyond the immediate task at hand. "Leadership isn’t just about managing day-to-day operations—it’s about creating the conditions where others can succeed and thrive," she said. Both leaders agreed that when people are given the right opportunities and tools, they can achieve extraordinary results, and that investing in talent is one of the most impactful things a leader can do.

2. The Power of Communication

One of the central themes in the conversation was communication—both its benefits and its potential pitfalls. Chad highlighted the importance of clarity, especially in the fast-paced world of construction: "If expectations aren’t clear, miscommunication can quickly derail a project. You have to be specific about what success looks like."

Jill underscored the necessity of face-to-face communication, especially in a world dominated by texting and emails. "It’s easy to hide behind technology, but the most important conversations need to happen in person," she said. She warned against the over-reliance on digital communication, stressing that face-to-face interactions foster trust and a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives.

Both leaders discussed how great communication skills are essential not just for leading teams but for navigating conflict. "Being able to have open discussions—especially the tough ones—is what separates good leaders from great ones," Jill noted. Chad agreed, adding that leaders should never shy away from giving feedback, even when it’s difficult.

3. Building Relationships: The Key to Long-Term Success

At the heart of leadership, Jill and Chad believe, is the ability to build strong, lasting relationships. Jill shared how relationships have been the foundation of her career: "Nothing is worth anything without strong relationships, whether it’s within the company or in the community." Her extensive experience across corporate, retail, and nonprofit sectors has shown her that success is often built on the quality of the connections you make.

Chad expanded on this, emphasizing that a cohesive team is essential for business success. "You can have the best talent in the world, but if they can’t work together, you’re going to struggle," he said. He described how they focus not just on individual performance but on ensuring that each team member can collaborate effectively with others. "We’ve had successes and failures when it comes to team cohesion, but the right mix of personalities is critical," Chad explained.

Both leaders agreed that the most effective teams are those where people are aligned on core values and can trust one another to perform their roles. Building those relationships takes time, but as Jill pointed out, "It’s worth every bit of effort. At the end of the day, your relationships are what will carry you through the toughest challenges."

Final Thoughts

The panel discussion with Jill Roshto and Chad Beard left our Leadership Coaching Series cohort with valuable insights into what it takes to lead effectively in today’s fast-changing world. Their emphasis on developing people, communicating openly, and building strong relationships serves as a powerful reminder that leadership is more than strategy—it’s about connecting with others in meaningful ways.

Success Labs is a leadership development and management consulting firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For 40 years, our expert team of consultants has worked with hundreds of companies to grow leaders, build teams and drive results through great people strategy. Contact us to get proactive about expanding your company’s potential and stay up-to-date with our latest news and leadership development updates here.