General Manager, Swazi
Levin, New Zealand
This conversation was originally published in 2018 as part of the original Careering Conversations series.
We've lightly edited it for readability while preserving the original conversation and advice, and added an update on what Sharee has been doing since we first spoke.
Sharee Harper has spent her career leading people, building teams and solving problems, all while raising two children as a single mother. It's a balancing act that has shaped not only her leadership style, but also her perspective on what success really looks like.
When we spoke, Sharee was General Manager of Swazi, helping grow one of New Zealand's best-known outdoor clothing brands. But one of the things she made clear during our conversation was that she never separated work from life. For Sharee, they're deeply connected.
She spoke openly about the challenges of balancing leadership with parenting and the importance of creating workplaces that better support families. Flexible work, understanding managers and recognising that people have lives beyond the office aren't simply nice-to-haves—they're essential to building healthier organisations.
Another message came through loud and clear: confidence matters.
Sharee believes women often underestimate themselves, holding back when they're more capable than they realise. Her advice is simple—back yourself, be willing to learn and don't be afraid to give something a go, even if you've never done it before.
That philosophy extends well beyond work.
One story that stayed with us was Sharee teaching herself to build a fence. She'd never done it before, but through determination, trial and error, she figured it out. It's a small example of a much bigger belief: we often place limits on ourselves long before anyone else does.
Communication is another skill Sharee wishes she'd developed earlier. Whether you're building relationships, leading teams, raising children or navigating your career, she believes the ability to communicate well is one of the most valuable skills you'll ever develop.
Above all, Sharee encourages people to be kind—to themselves as much as to others.
If you're having a day where you doubt yourself, spend time with people who love you. Sometimes confidence starts with borrowing someone else's belief in you until your own catches up.
Since we first spoke
Update coming soon.
What Sharee taught us
Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about believing in yourself, continuing to learn and creating environments where other people can thrive too.
