Creating Leadership That Honors Right Relationship with Holly Zabka

Summary:

This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we sit down with Holly Zabka, president of Provident Entertainment and one of the most heart-centered leaders shaping the music industry today. Holly carries a rare combination of strength, vulnerability, and grounded faith that shows us what leadership can look like when it grows from purpose instead of pressure.

From her childhood singing gospel harmonies with her family to stewarding more than 70 number one songs at Provident, Holly’s journey is rooted in grit, grace, and the courage to stay in right relationship with herself, with others, and with something greater.

This conversation invites you to lead with more heart, more honesty, and more humanity. May Holly’s wisdom meet you exactly where you are and remind you that you never have to lead alone.

In This Episode:

• Discover how isolation impacts female executives and why representation matters

• Learn about balancing conflict and resolution to foster authentic connections

• Embrace self-reflection to counter inner critics for healthier interactions

• Navigate dual roles as a leader and family member without compromising either

• See how faith anchors decisions, guiding values towards purpose-driven actions

• Understand why admitting mistakes fosters an accountable team culture

• Explore holistic engagement where personal life enriches professional efficacy

• The importance of recognizing inner voices and choosing which ones get the mic

Order of Topics:

• Loneliness in Leadership

• Meet Holly Zabka: A Leader in Music

• The Inner Work of Leadership

• Cultivating Joy and Celebrating Wins

• Female Leadership in the Music Industry

• Inspiration for the Next Generation

• The Role of Faith in Leadership and Life

• From Childhood Inspiration to Career Calling

• Leading with Vulnerability and Accountability

• Whole Person Leadership

  
  

Action Items:

• Navigating Leadership Loneliness

  • Build a Support Network: Seek out mentorship and community among other female leaders to combat isolation.

  • Visibility Matters: Share your leadership journey openly to inspire and connect with others.

• Cultivating Right Relationships

  • Embrace Conflict and Resolution: Understand that deep relationships involve both positive interactions and conflict management.

  • Personal Accountability: Regularly assess your role in any relationship dysfunctions, addressing issues transparently.

• Leadership Practices for Personal Growth

  • Engage in Self-Reflection: Recognize how internal narratives affect external actions; counter negative self-talk by focusing on strengths.

  • Celebrate Successes Openly: Acknowledge personal achievements alongside team victories to foster a culture of recognition.

• Supporting Women Leaders

  • Encourage Representation at Decision-Making Tables:

  • Advocate for more women in leadership roles within organizations.

  • Normalize balancing professional responsibilities with family life without sacrificing one for the other.

• Integrate Faith into Leadership

  • Anchor Decisions in Values: Let faith or core values guide decision-making processes and relationship building.

• Model Vulnerability & Create Inclusive Cultures

  • Lead by Example

  • Admit mistakes openly as a leader to promote accountability within teams.

  • Encourage sharing personal stories to integrate humanity into workplace cultures post-pandemic.

• Invest in Continuous Development

  • Engage in coaching or inner work partnerships for ongoing personal growth, benefiting both yourself and your team’s dynamics.

About Holly:

Holly Zabka currently serves as President of Provident Entertainment. A 17-year veteran of Provident, Holly brings decades of experience in leadership roles across the music industry on both the publishing and creative sides of the business. Before assuming her role as President, she most recently served as Senior Vice President, Essential Music Publishing (EMP) and Head of Creative for Provident Label Group (PLG), where she was responsible for signing and partnering with top songwriters across the industry and oversaw creative endeavors and new content development.

In Holly Zabka's tenure, the company has had more than 70 No. 1 songs and has partnered with top artists and songwriters such as Jason Ingram, Ethan Hulse, Brandon Lake, Elevation Worship, Seph Schlueter, Zach Williams, CAIN, Ben Fuller, Matt Maher, Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith, Red Rocks Worship, and more.

Holly grew up traveling and singing gospel music with her family. After graduating from Southwest Missouri State University, she moved to Nashville, where her first job in the music business was as Membership Director of the GMA. She began her career in publishing at Brentwood-Benson, representing the songs of her mom, Sue C. Smith, as well as Joel Lindsey, Tony Wood, Belinda Smith, Dave Clark, and others.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hzabka/

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About UpLevel Productions: Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce, and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization. www.uplevelproductions.com Instagram @uplevelproductions Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany