About Susan Heathfield and ValuesCrafting
Living Your Values in Real Life—With Confidence and Integrity
You already know what matters most.
Living this way is hard.
Especially when responsibilities stretch your time and energy in too many directions. Or when navigating workplace politics and supporting others who look to you for guidance.
ValuesCrafting is here for those moments. It's for people who want to make real choices rather than hold good intentions.
If you're a manager, HR professional, coach, or person others lean on, we created this space with you in mind.
Each week, I share 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 about lofty ideals, vague inspiration, or dense management recommendations. It's about helping you translate what you believe into what you do.
That's why I created ValuesCrafting. Subscribe today for practical, real-world strategies for aligning your actions with what matters most.
You'll receive insights that help you make values-driven decisions at work, home, and everywhere else.
Why ValuesCrafting Exists
People have always told me their stories—not just my friends or colleagues, but strangers, clients, and people I'd met for a moment. Over and over, they'd sit across from me and pour out their fears, struggles, and regrets.
Without thinking, I'd know what was fixable, what wasn't, and where they needed to go next.
Bill Hamilton, my husband, saw this in me long before I fully understood it myself. He called it my superpower: this ability to make people feel safe enough to open up, to know I wouldn't judge them, only hear them.
ValuesCrafting is an extension of that superpower. A space where you can bring the hard questions about who you are, what matters most, and how you can live in alignment with what you find.
Because that's the real challenge, isn't it? Most of us know our values.
But when life is messy, emotions run high, and the stakes are real, how do we live them in practice?
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.
ValuesCrafting focuses on:
Navigating difficult conversations and situations without losing your center
Making decisions you won't regret, even under pressure or competing demands
Building workplaces where trust isn't fragile. It's your foundation.
Staying true to your values, even when it's hard—and learning when it's time to release what no longer serves them.
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
Because I know what it's like to fight for what matters, I have felt the weight of being the one people turn to for thoughtful, correct answers and advice.
I write ValuesCrafting so that you feel less alone in that space.
I share stories, strategies, and reflections from decades of lived experience every week.
I do not have all the answers, but I believe in asking the right questions and giving people the space to hear themselves.
My Experience
I've spent decades guiding leaders, teams, and individuals through the most demanding challenges, not by giving them scripts but by helping them confidently live their values.
My work has been shaped by real-world leadership, building an employee-owned company, and consulting with organizations seeking to create meaningful, values-driven cultures.
I founded my consulting company in 1987 and have led over 2,000 training and facilitated sessions with 100+ clients.
I also spent over 25 years writing about HR, leadership, and workplace culture for About.com and The Balance Careers.
My thoughts and insights are regularly featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, The Washington Post, and many others.
Alongside my late husband, Bill Hamilton, I helped shape the culture at TechSmith Corporation, a global company that continues to lead with purpose, heart, and values.
That legacy informs everything I write.
What Others Say
What Readers and Colleagues Say
"Your pieces are always so relatable and insightful—I truly look forward to each new one you share." —Colleague.
"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.
"You may not have realized the impact or importance you played in my life, but I want you to know I have recognized it. You are part of what I'm proud of in who I am." —Employee Co-Owner.
"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 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
If you want to bring your values to life, not just name them, but live them—ValuesCrafting is here to walk beside you.
Subscribe for weekly reflections and practical guidance, whether you're guiding others or trying to stay steady in applying values in your life.
Let's build something that lasts. I'm glad you're here. Let's walk this path together.
— Susan Heathfield
