Leading with Empathy: Suzanne Jakstavich on Redefining Flexibility and Leadership

How do you lead with conviction while navigating the unpredictability of life as a working parent? In this heartwarming and deeply insightful episode of The Balancing Act, Sarah Sheridan, Director of Sales and Executive Recruiting at Hirewell, sits down with longtime friend and HR executive Suzanne Jakstavich to explore leadership, resilience, and redefining what “balance” really means.

From Finance to HR: A Purpose-Driven Career Pivot

Suzanne shares her non-traditional journey into HR, rooted in the life lessons she absorbed from her parents—her father, a Chicago firefighter, and her mother, an administrative assistant in a large manufacturing center. These early experiences sparked her curiosity around workplace trust, leadership under pressure, and the importance of supporting people in meaningful ways.

“How do people perform under pressure on the job? How do you work together? How do you trust people? These questions are at the heart of HR.”

Parenting and Professional Growth Intertwined

Suzanne opens up about raising her 15-year-old son Connor, who is on the autism spectrum and lives with complex medical conditions. She discusses how parenting has shaped her worldview, honed her leadership instincts, and deepened her empathy.

“This boy has been my greatest teacher. Parenting him has made me a better leader, a better human.”

Her reflections emphasize how the emotional labor of caregiving translates into workplace skills like patience, active listening, and advocating for others.

Leadership Lessons from the Social Squad

One of the episode’s most powerful moments comes when Suzanne shares a story about observing her son at a weekend social group for kids on the spectrum. Instead of stepping in when Connor struggled to join a game, she was encouraged to step back—and let him grow.

“That moment reframed leadership for me. Sometimes the best support you can offer is restraint.”

This anecdote highlights the importance of trusting your team and giving them space to solve problems on their own terms—a lesson all leaders can apply.

Walking the Talk on Flexibility

Known for her candid leadership style, Suzanne doesn’t just talk about work-life flexibility—she models it. Even her email footer reminds recipients that her work hours may not match theirs, encouraging asynchronous collaboration.

“Flexibility isn’t a perk. It’s how I show up fully for my family and my job.”

She shares how her leadership journey, parenthood, and the pandemic all contributed to a deeper understanding of the need for empathy-driven policies that respect people’s whole selves, not just their output.

Ditching the Work-Life “Balance” Myth

Suzanne and Sarah discuss the limitations of the term “work-life balance” and the hidden pressure it places on working parents to “have it all.”

“Life happens in rhythms, not in balance. Flexibility means shifting your energy based on what matters most at that moment.”

She encourages leaders to rethink traditional structures and to champion work-life integration that supports both business needs and personal fulfillment.

Supporting Caregivers in the Workforce

The episode closes with a call for companies to move beyond perks and into structural support for working parents and caregivers. This includes flexible hours, thoughtful meeting scheduling, and a shift in leadership culture that normalizes humanity in the workplace.

“The messiness of life doesn’t make you less capable. It makes you more compassionate, more grounded—and in my experience, a better leader.”

Key Takeaways:

• Empathy is a leadership strength, especially when informed by personal life experiences.
  
• Flexibility isn’t optional—it’s foundational to supporting high-performing, whole humans.
  
• Trust your team and create space for their growth, even if the process is messy.
  
• Normalize humanity at work—whether that means leaving for a pediatrician appointment or being candid about hard days.
  

Listen to the full episode of The Balancing Act for more insights into leadership, parenting, and how real life shapes great HR strategy.

Sarah Sheridan