Bold Moves That Transformed My Business

Oct 7, 2025
3 min read

By Wendy Sellers

The HR Lady ®

In my book “Suck It Up, Buttercup: Be a Leader People Will Follow,” I share the leadership lessons I wish I had learned earlier in my career. It’s a candid look at my mistakes, the hard lessons, and the practical skills that helped me turn from a compliance-driven HR professional into a confident leader—and, ultimately, into The HR Lady®.

But writing the book wasn’t the boldest move I’ve made. Publishing it—and using it as my platform to educate others (online and on stage) —was.

From HR Professional to Author and Speaker

After nearly 30 years in HR, I had the experience. I had the stories. I had the fire to help managers lead better. But like many people, I doubted whether anyone would want to read what I had to say. The safe route would have been to keep consulting quietly, training leaders one company at a time, one person at a time.

Instead, I put my name, my reputation, and my voice on the line. Suck It Up, Buttercupisn’t a sugar-coated management book—it challenges the myth that dominant, emotionless leaders get the job done best. It asks leaders to reflect on how they communicate, how their personality style lands on others, and whether their approach really inspires people to follow. It even includes a chapter called “Acting Lessons,” where I literally challenge readers to practice new behaviors for 15 minutes a day. Bold? Definitely. Risky? Absolutely.That risk paid off. Publishing the book in both English and Spanish, and even recording the audiobook, opened doors I never expected.

Once the book was out, I made another bold move: I stopped waiting for speaking opportunities to fall into my lap. I pitched myself relentlessly—sometimes to audiences that intimidated me, sometimes to industries outside my comfort zone.

The result? I’ve spoken to leaders in healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, higher education, and more. I’ve taken the lessons of my book and turned them into interactive, no-fluff keynote sessions that leave leaders laughing, reflecting, and, most importantly, changing. Each time I step on stage, I think back to the moment I almost played it safe and kept my voice hidden. Boldness made the difference.

Becoming The HR Lady®

Looking back, my entire career has been a series of bold moves. Accepting that first HR job with zero experience. Moving from Pennsylvania to Florida not knowing where it would lead. Earning not one, but two master’s degrees. Saying “yes” to industries I knew nothing about and learning as I went.

But the biggest transformation happened when I decided to stop just doing HR and start teaching leadership. Writing Suck It Up, Buttercup gave me the credibility to do it. Speaking gave me the platform to spread the message further.

Today, I don’t just manage HR—I help leaders worldwide become the kind of people others want to follow.

The Lesson

Here’s what I’ve learned: bold moves aren’t comfortable, but they’re necessary. If you want transformation—personal or professional—you can’t wait for permission. You have to write the book, pitch the stage, make the move, even when your inner critic tells you it’s safer not to.

I’m living proof that courage compounds. Each bold move builds on the last, creating momentum you could never get from staying comfortable.

So my advice? Suck it up, Buttercup. Be bold. Your business—and your future self—will thank you.

Connect With Wendy