Have you ever looked at the person you were becoming and realized you no longer recognized yourself?
Jane Grote Abell grew up inside Donatos Pizza, the family business her father founded with a belief that business could be built on love. After the company was sold to McDonald's, however, Jane found herself working under a leadership style that gradually caused her to operate from fear.
She began questioning her decisions, shrinking her circle, and changing how she showed up at work. The woman who had always been encouraged to speak up slowly lost her voice. Then, while sitting alone in the office at 3:00 in the morning, Jane reached a realization: she either needed to change her environment or change herself.
In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, Jane shares how she returned to her values of character, courage, conviction, and compassion. She explains how that difficult season shaped the culture she later helped rebuild when she and her father bought Donatos back.
Jane and Heather also discuss why values must influence performance reviews, how leaders can remain close to the lived experiences of their people, and why leading with love does not mean avoiding accountability. Jane shares how faith, family, therapy, listening tours, and the willingness to ask for help have supported her through some of her most difficult moments.
This conversation is a reminder that hardship does not always arrive to defeat us. Sometimes it shows us who we have become, what we are no longer willing to accept, and how we want others to feel under our leadership.
What has one of your hardest seasons taught you about the person and leader you want to become? Listen to the episode and share your thoughts.
