Her Story
About Janice
Janice Honeycutt Hering, PhD, is a nationally recognized CEO, executive coach, and leadership development expert who specializes in helping business owners, executives, and leadership teams achieve higher levels of performance and impact. As the founder and CEO of Firecracker Leadership, she has spent more than a decade providing executive coaching, leadership education, and peer advisory programs designed to help leaders navigate complex challenges, build confidence, and create sustainable growth. Her work is grounded in the belief that leaders should not operate alone, a philosophy reflected in her upcoming book, Courage On Demand, which explores entrepreneurial courage and the power within oneself to help deal with high-risk uncertainty. With more than 30 years of professional experience, Janice brings a diverse background in organizational leadership, nonprofit management, operations, and executive development. Before launching Firecracker Leadership in 2013, she held senior leadership roles including Regional Director of Operations at United Blood Services, where she managed large-scale teams, budgets, and operational initiatives serving multiple healthcare organizations. She has also served as a Chairperson with Vistage Worldwide, Inc., facilitating confidential peer groups for CEOs and business owners focused on accountability, strategic thinking, and personal growth. Janice holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Anderson University (South Carolina), a Master’s degree in Organizational Learning and Instructional Technology from University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business. She is a certified practitioner of GiANT Worldwide leadership frameworks, a Positive Intelligence Coach, and an advocate for building stronger leadership cultures through communication, accountability, and collaboration. Through Firecracker Leadership, she continues to empower executives and entrepreneurs to expand their leadership capacity, embrace courage in uncertainty, and create meaningful results for their organizations and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janice
01What do you attribute your success to?
It comes from a tenacity and my parents had incredible work ethic. They were like if you want something you have to earn it. I had a job at a young age so I could have money and agency. I am scrappy and can make something happen and I'm innovative.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To do the thing and find additional revenue streams so your whole world isn't built upon one thing. For example buying an office space downtown instead of paying someone else's mortgage.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You're not going to be perfect when you start out but people do have grace. Don't discount the things that you've already done like managing a household budget or negotiating kids' schedules those are transferable skills. Stand on that as your foundation and build upon it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
People don't invest the time or the financial investment in themselves. Being around other people and learning from them in a safe confidential space is really important. There is an investment but there is an ROI if you find the right one and if you do the work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My number one value is to bring value in every interaction. Challenge is my love language. I'm focused on what's the potential in you and how can we tease that out so you can live to your full potential.
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