About Susan Heathfield and ValuesCrafting
Living Your Values in Real Life—With Confidence and Integrity
Most people talk about values. I show what living them looks like.
You already know what matters most.
Living these values is the hard part.
Especially when responsibilities stretch your time and energy, workplace dynamics feel messy, or people look to you for guidance and steadiness.
ValuesCrafting exists for those moments when doing the right thing isn't always straightforward or easy.
If you're a manager, HR professional, coach, or a person others turn to for advice, I created this space with you in mind.
Each week, you'll get grounded insights, real-life stories, and practical ways to align your actions with your values, even when your environment makes that challenging.
ValuesCrafting isn't lofty inspiration or corporate speak. It's real-world support for making meaningful choices, even under pressure.
What You'll Find Here
You'll feel at home here if you believe values should be more than words—they should shape conversations, decisions, and daily actions.
At ValuesCrafting, we focus on:
Navigating difficult conversations without losing your center
Making decisions you won't regret, even under pressure
Building workplaces where trust is the foundation, not the exception
Staying true to your values—even when it's hard—and knowing when to release what no longer fits.
These are the choices that define us. This space exists to help you meet them with integrity, transparency, and a deep sense of self-respect.
Why I Write This
I’ve lived and led through uncertainty, growth, loss, and reinvention. I created ValuesCrafting to share what I’ve learned with people who are still trying to live their values, both at work and at home, as well as in the quiet spaces in between.
I know what it’s like to fight for what matters. I’ve been the one people turn to for thoughtful, steady answers.
I write ValuesCrafting so you don’t have to face those moments alone.
I share stories, strategies, and reflections from decades of lived experience, not to provide a script but to help you live your values with confidence.
I don’t have all the answers. However, I believe in asking the right questions and giving you space to hear your own.
Why ValuesCrafting Exists
People have always shared their stories with me, not just friends or clients but also strangers, colleagues, and people I've met only once.
They'd open up, often within minutes. And without effort, I'd know what was fixable, what wasn't, and where they needed to go next.
Bill Hamilton, my late husband, recognized this in me long before I did. He called it my superpower: the quiet ability to make people feel safe, seen, and unjudged.
ValuesCrafting is an extension of that superpower.
It's a place to explore who you are, what matters most, and how to live that truth, even when life gets messy and the stakes are high.
Most of us already know our values.
The hard part is living them in practice.
My Experience
I’ve spent decades guiding leaders, teams, and individuals through complex challenges, not by offering scripts but by helping them live their values with clarity and courage.
I’ve:
Founded my consulting company in 1987
Led over 2,000 training and facilitated sessions for more than 100 clients
Helped shape the values-based culture at TechSmith Corporation
Spent 25+ years writing about HR, leadership, and workplace culture for About.com and The Balance Careers
Been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, The Washington Post, and more
Everything I write is informed by that real-world work and by the legacy Bill and I built together.
What Others Say About ValuesCrafting—and About Me
These reflections come from people I’ve worked with, taught, or written for—leaders, employees, colleagues, and friends. Their words remind me that when we lead with values, what we leave behind is often deeper than we realize.
What Readers and Colleagues Say
“I’ve worked for a lot of employers who say people are our most important resource but working here is the first time I have really experienced this. You and Bill really believe that people are your most important resource.” —Employee Co-Owner.
“I am in awe of the priority and respect you constantly show your employees. This was my first experience in an organization driven from admirable principles–and, I must say that I have been forever changed for the better. You have set a new benchmark against which I will measure. I have grown so much from the experiences you have provided me, and I hope I can impact others in the same way you impacted me. If there is ever anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.” —Former Employee.
"Your pieces are always so relatable and insightful—I truly look forward to each new one you share." —Colleague.
“You may not have realized the impact or importance that you played in my life, but I want you to know that I have recognized it. You are a part of and an influence on what I am proud of about who I am. You impacted the person I am today. You are a person that I think about when I think about who I want to be. You are a person who deserves my gratitude and a person who has earned my respect. With overwhelming appreciation and much love...” —Employee Co-Owner.
"Thank you for this priceless gift! I'd love to sit and chat about these vital aspects of healthy relationships. You remain in our thoughts as you walk in this new season." —Colleague.
“Susan is an outstanding community leader and an exceptional writer. The extensive knowledge she shares in her indispensable guides are thoughtful, practical and inspirational. It is no wonder that Susan is the HR expert's expert.” —Colleague.
"Your training taught me not just how to be a better manager, but how to be a better man. I'm humbled and grateful for what you helped me build with my wife and children." —Employee Co-Owner.
"I watched the culture video by Susan and Bill this morning, and I was moved to tears. I've spent my entire adult life as a part of TechSmith, and this was a beautiful reminder of why." —Employee Co-Owner.
“Susan is a seasoned professional who provides expert advice and commentary on Human Resources both for companies and for employees. In addition, she is a top level management and organization development consultant whose expertise has assisted hundreds of clients. Susan is a terrific resource for any organization seeking cutting-edge insight on Human Resources and management issues.” —Colleague.
"Susan is often recognized as the web's premier human resources expert. She is a treasure trove of knowledge on HR, an incredible writer, and a community leader." —Colleague.
"We love ValuesCrafting—not just for the ideas, but because this kind of writing feels more relatable than anything you've published. It's not just helpful. It's human. It sounds like you." —Two Colleagues.
Join Me
We don’t just need good ideas.
We need places that help us live them.
ValuesCrafting is one of those places.
Whether you're guiding others or holding yourself accountable, this space offers weekly reflections and real-world guidance to help you stay grounded, clear, and aligned—even when it's difficult, challenging, or stressful.
I’m glad you're here.
Let’s walk this path together.
Let's build something that lasts.
— Susan Heathfield
