Episode 264: Reinventing Yourself: An Interview with Jim Fielding

Lessons in Leadership

When I sat down to host Jim Fielding on the Lessons in Leadership Podcast, I expected wisdom from his 30-plus years of leading brands like Disney Stores, Gap, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. What I didn’t anticipate was the profound resonance of his personal reinvention story—a story of courage, fear, and transformation that speaks to leaders at every stage of their journey.

Jim's career shift began in 2019 when he was unexpectedly laid off after 30 years of senior leadership roles. For the first time, Jim wasn’t the one leading a reorganization—he was its subject. What followed was a deliberate, reflective six-month sabbatical that evolved into an entirely new chapter: becoming an author, speaker, and executive coach. As he shared his story, I found myself revisiting questions that many leaders face: Am I maximizing my potential? Am I truly living in alignment with my values and gifts?

If you like today's message, here are four ways I can help you grow faster…

1. Speak at your next event.

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3. VIP Client: Personal and professional 1:1 coaching.

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https://www.billstorm.com/

About Jim Fielding

I’m a leadership coach, speaker and storyteller at heart who believes that authenticity forges connections and kindness fuels success.

Starting my career on the department store floor sparked my love of face-to-face interaction. This led to 30+ years in senior executive roles with some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox. Decades of developing talent and building inclusive cultures reinforced that team members perform at their highest level when they’re able to bring their whole, true selves to work.

These days, my full-time focus is sharing what I’ve learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy and community building, I want to encourage leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe and inspired to be and do their best.

https://www.hijimfielding.com/

Bill Storm is a seasoned advisor and consultant renowned for his expertise in driving peak performance and fostering effective leadership within Fortune 500 companies. With a multifaceted skill set spanning organizational systems, the psychology of achievement, team building, and sales, Bill serves as a trusted resource for executives, managers, and team leaders seeking to maximize their potential.

Bill's career trajectory is marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence in team dynamics. Drawing from his extensive experience as a Peak Performance Strategist with the Tony Robbins organization and as a Team Building Specialist with the John Maxwell Leadership Team, he has developed a unique set of frameworks tailored to the needs of industry leaders. These frameworks provide a foundation for building winning teams and achieving sustainable success in today's competitive landscape.

Driven by a passion for continuous improvement and a deep understanding of human behavior, Bill Storm empowers organizations to reach new heights of performance and effectiveness. His strategic guidance and hands-on approach have earned him a reputation as a go-to advisor for companies seeking transformative solutions. With Bill's guidance, businesses can unlock their full potential and achieve lasting success in the ever-evolving marketplace.

https://www.billstorm.com/