We’ve all seen great teams perform and succeed at the highest level.

Watching a leader drive his or her team to accomplishments beyond what anyone imagined, other than the team itself, is what exceptional documentaries are made of.

Impressive teams that work great together—all around us, all the time—are often overlooked.

Most of the time, with very little effort, one is easily identified as the person “in charge” of an accomplished team.

When you see a person up front, always representing the team, they naturally stand out as the leader, coach, boss, or superstar.

I love watching a team perform so well together that, beyond a first glance, you’re not entirely sure who’s in charge.

I first recall meeting Heather Hartmann in 2018 at an event she managed in West Palm Beach, Florida. She did an outstanding job.

No offense to anyone else who may have been helping, but to this day, my memory of that conference was that Heather was the primary person managing the entire event.

Heather struck me as the person in charge from start to finish. I’m sure she had assistance, but I don't recall anyone else. No teammates. No photographers. No social media experts. Nobody but her stood out to me. (That’s probably just a poor memory on my part.)

Witnessing Heather grow sharper as a leader from 2018 to 2026 has been very impressive.

Not in her work ethic. She had a great work ethic in 2018.

Not in her attitude. Her attitude has been inspiring since I met her.

Not in her ability to run a first-class event. She continuously goes above and beyond to give others unique and memorable experiences.

The most impressive thing now about Heather’s leadership is watching her intentionally elevate those around her. She knows when to lead, when to follow, and when to let others step up and take the spotlight.

Seeing her in action during the 2026 Campus Rec Summit in Charleston, SC, it is obvious that she trusts, values, cares for, and utilizes her teammates to the fullest extent of their gifts and abilities.

While Heather is the face of the events she manages, she consistently highlights her team's great work through public praises and during one-on-one conversations.

I was fortunate enough to have had several enjoyable conversations with many of the Campus Rec Magazine staff who made the Charleston event possible. It was evident that they all genuinely care for one another.

Through several personal conversations, everyone sang Heather’s praises.

Heather sang everyone else's.

Heather is a Sharper Leader who sharpens those around her. She is funny, thinks quickly in the face of unexpected challenges, accepts feedback from her teammates, and adjusts quickly. She always attributes their success to the team and thanks them relentlessly.

Demonstrating great leadership with zero ego, Heather leads while allowing others to lead, learn, and grow.

When others see you leading, do they see only you, or do they see a cohesive team?  

The best leaders don’t try to play every role; they build trust and instill confidence in the team by knowing when to lead, when to follow, and when to shine the light on others.