About Susan Heathfield and ValuesCrafting
For purpose-driven people crafting culture through values
Most people talk about values. ValuesCrafting shows how to live them—choice by choice, moment by moment.
I am nourished by the sea.
Most people talk about values. I show what living them looks like.
Values aren’t slogans or ideals to hang on a wall.
They’re the quiet decisions we make when no one’s watching—especially when life gets complicated and the right path isn’t clear.
That’s why I created ValuesCrafting: a space for reflective, values-driven people who want to do more than talk about what matters.
You want to live what matters—with integrity, empathy, and courage—especially when life, work, or relationships test your best intentions.
ValuesCrafting exists for those moments when doing the right thing isn’t easy—but it’s essential.
You might lead a team, guide clients, raise a family, or be the person others turn to for perspective.
Titles don’t matter here. What matters is how you show up—for yourself, for others, and for what you believe in.
Here, you’ll find grounded insights, real stories, and clear, practical ways to live your values in everyday moments—the ones that shape who you are and what you leave behind.
ValuesCrafting isn’t lofty inspiration or corporate language.
I don’t pretend for a minute to know everything either. But I’ve spent years trying to live a life based on values that are important to me.
So, assuming this journey appeals to you, it’s real-world support for making the right choice, even when it’s hard—and doing it with grace.
Who ValuesCrafting Is For
ValuesCrafting speaks to people who lead and live with reflection. They have a sense that they have something important to offer the world, even if it’s simply a life imbued with care and contribution.
They may work in HR, management, helping professions, or simply be the steady, thoughtful ones others turn to for guidance.
They’re not looking for quick fixes or leadership jargon.
They seek meaning—the quiet strength behind actions, the integrity that shapes culture, and the compassion that connects people.
They read ValuesCrafting because it provides language for what they already feel matters most—and offers stories and examples that help them live it with intention every day.
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 the small actions that define your day.
Here, we talk about navigating difficult conversations without losing your center, making decisions you won’t regret, building trust—the foundation of every meaningful relationship—and staying true to your values even as life changes.
These are the choices that define us.
This space exists to help you meet them with integrity, clarity, and 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 finding their way—those who want to live by their values at work, at home, and in the quiet moments in between.
I know what it’s like to fight for what matters—to be the person others count on for thoughtful, steady answers.
I write ValuesCrafting so you don’t have to face those moments alone.
Through stories, strategies, and reflection, I offer not scripts but thoughts and ideas—to help you live your values with confidence and purpose.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But I believe in asking better questions and giving you space to hear your own.
If you’re ready to move from knowing your values to living them, subscribe to ValuesCrafting and start building the culture you wish you lived and worked in.
Why ValuesCrafting Exists
People have always shared their stories with me—not just clients or colleagues, but also strangers, friends, and those I’ve met only once.
They open up quickly, and without effort, I can sense what’s fixable, what isn’t, and what comes next.
My late husband, Bill Hamilton, recognized this 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 grows messy and the stakes are high.
Most of us already know our values.
The challenge is living them every day.
Susan Heathfield and her late husband, Bill Hamilton, together by the water—a partnership built on shared values of integrity, compassion, and purpose.
Our belief in people, and in the power of values to shape lives, continues to guide everything I write.
My Experience
I’ve spent decades guiding leaders, teams, and individuals through complex challenges—not with scripts, but with strategies grounded in values and courage.
Founded my consulting company in 1987
Led over 2,000 training and facilitation sessions for more than 100 clients
Helped shape the values-based culture at TechSmith Corporation
Spent 25+ years writing about leadership and workplace culture for About.com and The Balance Careers
Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, The Washington Post, and several hundred more publications, and on radio, and television programs
Everything I write is informed by that real-world work—and by the values-driven life Bill and I built together.
ValuesCrafting was born from that belief—and from a lifelong love of people, learning, and possibility.
What Others Say About ValuesCrafting—and About Me
These unsolicited 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 spaces that help us live them.
ValuesCrafting is one of those spaces—a quiet companion for those who choose integrity, even when it comes at a cost to their comfort.
Whether you guide others or hold yourself accountable, you’ll find reflections and real-world guidance to help you stay purposeful, centered, and kind—no matter how challenging the season.
I’m glad you’re here.
Let’s walk this path together—and build something that lasts, one choice at a time.
— Susan Heathfield
Keep showing up with heart, even when it’s hard. That’s what living your values looks like.
