I have an update to share with you all. If you are not subscribed to the podcast hit the follow or subscribe button so you get the comeback episode when it comes out. And if you know anyone who can benefit from any previous episodes, please share those episodes with them. If you are looking for leadership development opportunities for yourself, your team or your organization, reach out to me. We can customize a program that meets your specific needs. You can reach me at [email protected]. Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. I’m excited about what the future holds for Women Taking the Lead and for all of us striving to make a difference in the world of work. Have a wonderful summer, and I look forward to coming back with renewed energy and a clear vision for the future. Until then, here’s to your success! Resources Connect with Jodi Flynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. https://calendly.com/d/djm-mnc-2km Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. https://forms.gle/xiTZt2JAWZnWEiWp7 Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3LH7S0

Did you know women represent only 33% of employees in the Tech industry? And according to Accenture half of women who go into the tech industry drop out by the age of 35. Knowing those stats, it’s great when you hear of a company that is beating those odds. I wanted to know what is making the difference, so I’ve invited Laura Baldwin, the President of O’Reilly Media to share what they are doing at O’Reilly with all of us. Meet Laura Baldwin Laura Baldwin began working with O’Reilly Media in October 2001 as Chief Financial Officer and added Chief Operating Officer to her responsibilities before becoming O’Reilly’s first President in March 2011. Prior to O’Reilly, she consulted for the publishing industry with BMR Associates, managing diverse large projects. Her media career started at Chronicle Books, where she was CFO for ten years, contributing to its successful distribution and gift business launch. Laura’s diverse experience in banking, corporate governance, and media fuels her passion for the industry. She credits her leadership ethos to her all-girls high school, where she was taught that leadership is available to anyone who demonstrates initiative and drive regardless of their gender. At O’Reilly, she helped to create a diversity scholarship program and continues to advocate for an inclusive and open workforce. In this episode Laura and I discuss: ·         O'Reilly's executive team stat (45% women) and companywide stat of 43% women ·         When O’Reilly realized there was a discrepancy in their company, and something needed to change. ·         What they are doing differently, which has allowed them to sustainably achieve these numbers. ·         O’Reilly’s current focus to help their people continue to have flexibility and manageable workloads. Resources Connect with Jodi Flynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. https://calendly.com/d/djm-mnc-2km Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. https://forms.gle/xiTZt2JAWZnWEiWp7 Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3LH7S0 Where you can find Laura and O’Reilly’s resources O’Reilly’s diversity statement: https://www.oreilly.com/diversity/ Free diversity resources: https://www.oreilly.com/online-learning/building-diversity/ Laura Baldwin:  https://www.oreilly.com/people/laura-baldwin/ Corporate Responsibility in the Age of AI: https://www.oreilly.com/radar/corporate-responsibility-in-the-age-of-ai/

Why do we sometimes struggle to achieve certain goals, while others that are even more challenging are accomplished without much difficulty or stress? Any goal designed to create change or transformation takes commitment. And your commitment level - to do what it takes to achieve the goal - determines your experience as you work toward that goal. Why is that? In this episode we’re exploring why a 100% commitment to your goal makes achieving the goal easier and dare I say much more enjoyable.   Resources Connect with Jodi Flynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. https://calendly.com/d/djm-mnc-2km Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. https://forms.gle/xiTZt2JAWZnWEiWp7 Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3LH7S0

What does it truly mean to have a psychologically safe workplace and why do so many organizations struggle to create psychologically safe environments? According to research released last fall by Wiley, only 53% of individual contributors and 55% of supervisors say they feel safe taking risks at their organizations. Risk taking is a required component of creativity, problem solving, and innovation. A low threshold for risk can be concerning depending on the requirements of the job or the industry one is in. In this episode of Women Taking the Lead, we delve into the concept of psychological safety, its profound impact on team performance, the essential behaviors for creating psychological safety, and strategies to overcome challenges. Resources Connect with Jodi Flynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. https://calendly.com/d/djm-mnc-2km Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. https://forms.gle/xiTZt2JAWZnWEiWp7 Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3LH7S0

Is finding the right talent a challenge for you? This is a topic that frequently comes up in my coaching and consulting conversations. Regardless of the size of the company or industry, there is a fear (or realized reality) that the people with the skills and experience needed for a particular position is nearly impossible to find. But is that a "Capital T Truth"? In this episode, I’m joined by Leanne Rodd of FlexProfessionals to discuss creative solutions to the talent challenge. Whether you are an individual who needs a part-time work schedule or a hiring manager struggling to find the right-fit new hire, this episode is going to get you thinking. In this episode, Leanne and I discuss: How the workforce has changed and what it is going to look like in the next 10 years. The Hidden Workforce. The populations and companies that benefit from the flexibility space. Creative solutions to meet unique talent requirements. How part-time employees can be a benefit to companies that are growing or transforming. Resources Follow Jodi Flynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. https://calendly.com/d/djm-mnc-2km Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. https://forms.gle/xiTZt2JAWZnWEiWp7 Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3LH7S0 Where you can find Leanne and FlexProfessionals: Website: https://www.flexprofessionalsllc.com Social links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannerodd/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexprofessionalsllc/ https://www.instagram.com/flexprofessionalsboston/  

If you could have more time or more energy, which would you choose? I’m going to get bold and make the case that many of your challenges would be overcome if you had more energy. If you’re like me trying to control time, you take things off your schedule only to find other things have filled that briefly open space. As a result of your effort, you still don’t have any extra time. What you’ve got is a new routine. In this episode I’m laying out why you are better served by finding the best ways to renew your energy, rather than looking for more time. Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Most people, without training and mindset work, are uncomfortable giving others feedback. Without training and mindset work, giving feedback is perceived as a hard conversation. This is largely because of uncertainty of how the receiver is going to respond to the feedback. The fear is that the receiver will at minimum take offense and withdraw. They could also become defensive and lash out. I think we can all admit that there have been times when we avoided giving feedback for this reason. We’ve avoided giving feedback to protect ourselves, even though it would give the other person an opportunity to change their behavior and increase their chances of positive outcomes. On the other side of that equation, when we don’t get quality feedback it leaves us with a gap in knowledge and unable to even consider making changes. Trust answers the basic question, can I rely on you? How much trust someone has in you is in relationship to the level to which they believe you can be relied upon. In this episode I’m sharing five things that will cause people to lose trust in you.

Have you come face-to-face with any of the prevailing myths about women in the workplace? Last month I interviewed Analiza Wolf, the author of The Myths of Success: A Woman of Color's Guide to Leadership. Analiza’s book, and our conversation, focused on the myths we women, buy into that hinder our growth as leaders. Not too long ago, I was listening to an episode on The McKinsey Podcast, produced by McKinsey & Company. The episode was titled Busting myths about women in the workplace. Interesting. Not myths that we women hold about ourselves. Rather, the myths that are held about women in the workplace in general. Then recently I came across an article by Gallup titled The Path to Gender Parity in Leadership, published March 8, 2024. This article complimented and added to the information shared on The McKinsey Podcast. I found the topic of myths about women all so fascinating that I wanted to share it with you. Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

I'm going to get a bit vulnerable here and be transparent that on the Women Taking the Lead podcast I have not given a lot of time to the topic of pay equity. Part of it is because I'm typically not working with women around the areas of negotiating salary. That may come up when a client of mine is being offered a promotion but typically, I'm not dealing with the issue of disparities in pay. And what my guest is going to really underscore for us today is pay equity is not something that comes about because women have good negotiating skills. I know, shocker. Because that's what we've been led to believe for a long time now. If only women would develop certain skills, there wouldn't be so much inequity. My guest Emily Aries is calling BS on that. Meet Emilie Aries: Emilie Aries is a speaker, podcaster, author, and the Founder & CEO of Bossed Up, an award-winning leadership development and career services company committed to closing the gender leadership gap. Aries has worked with leaders at Fortune 500 companies to support retention, diversity and inclusion, and human resource initiatives, and has been featured in media outlets including the Washington Post, CNN Money, Buzzfeed, and more. Her book, Bossed Up, serves as a practical roadmap for women who want to set themselves up for sustainable, long-term career success and step up as the boss of their lives. In this episode Emilie and I discuss: Current stats on pay inequities (it’s not just a problem for women) Why developing negotiation skills is not solving the gender gap in pay. What has proven to be effective in closing pay gaps across genders, ages, races and abilities. What you can do on the individual, organizational and legislative level to bring about pay equity once and for all. Where you can find Emilie: Book Emilie to speak: www.emiliearies.com Bossed Up: www.bossedup.org Subscribe to the Bossed Up podcast: www.bossedup.org/podcast Find Emilie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliearies/  Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello and welcome to Women Taking the Lead. I’m going to start us off by reading a quote I read not too long ago of my guest today. “As leaders in an increasingly polarized society, it's crucial that we recognize the talent within our organizations. Incredible talents are often overlooked, underutilized, or placed in situations that are bound to fail. The consequence of this is stagnant teams and underperforming businesses because our people feel disconnected. However, it's not the people who are broken; it's our organizational systems that require fixing.” That is a bold statement made by Dr. Mary-Clare Race, the President of Talking Talent. Meet Mary-Clare Race Dr. Mary-Clare Race is recognized for her remarkable career spanning four continents. She has played a pivotal role in facilitating business improvement for globally renowned organizations, including Barclays, Goldman Sachs, GSK, Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Estee Lauder Companies, as well as governmental organizations including the British Government, Cabinet Office, and the UK National Health Service. A prominent figure in her field, Dr. Race's research contributions have been published in reputable journals such as Frontiers in Psychology, Mental Illness at Work, and People & Strategy. While her expertise features in industry-leading publications including The Harvard Business Review, People Management and The Financial Times. Talking Talent, a team of business psychologists, coaches, talent specialists, and diversity leaders committed to creating workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected. With almost two decades of experience, they know that the best way to ensure business success and resiliency is by building spaces where people feel like they truly belong. Through their coaching-led approach, they help individuals and organizations develop the skills and behaviors they need to create a culture of belonging. Talking Talent has delivered award-winning DE&I programs and coaching within world-renowned organizations, including Disney, NatWest, Lloyds Bank, Citi, EY and many more. Clients have reported a 56% increase in job performance and £100 million saved each year in retention costs through a 50% reduction in the risk of staff turnover. In this episode Mary-Clare and I discussed: The history DEI and the current state of DEI efforts around the globe. The importance of considering the ecosystem vs. the individual when looking to retain talent Where companies can make investments in the coming year to see meaningful progress. How the most effective programs will both customize to the organization and personalize to the individual. Why, when psychological safety is introduced to a team or organization, the issues can appear to get worse before they get better. Where you can find Mary-Clare Race: www.talking-talent.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/talking-talent-ltd/ Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

There are a lot of myths out there about what you need to do to be successful at work. You may already be at a point in your career where you’ve realized this and had to shift gears. And you may still feel like you are walking a tight rope of, for instance, needing to be more decisive but not too decisive because that can work against you as a woman. Or, advocating for yourself more but not too much because that also has consequences. On this episode of Women Taking the Lead I’m joined by Analiza Quiroz Wolf to talk about the strategies and practices that will actually lead you to success in the workplace. In this episode Analiza and I discussed: ·         How her own story influenced the need to debunk the myths of success and the research and experiences that went into it. ·         How our strategies for success often come from those who want the best for us but those strategies don’t always translate into success at work. ·         The notion that you will be seen, acknowledged and rewarded by focusing on your responsibilities and working hard. ·         How growing your influence is about developing relationships with others and again doesn’t involve a lot of hard work. ·         Letting go of leadership stereotypes so your own strengths as a leader can emerge. Where you can find Analiza Wolf: Website: www.analizawolf.com Book: https://bit.ly/mythsbook LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/analizawolf/ linkedin.com/company/bossmamas Facebook: www.facebook.com/womenofcolorrise www.facebook.com/analizaqwolf/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/analizawolf/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/analizawolf/ Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/list/19480823.Analiza_Wolf Amazon: www.amazon.com/stores/Analiza-Quiroz-Wolf/author/B07VH11YVP Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Would you describe yourself as being self-aware? Most people do. But according to research done by organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich and her team involving 5000 participants, it may be that only 10%-15% of the population is actually self-aware. Additionally, they found that when someone considers themselves to be highly experienced, that estimation may keep them from questioning their assumptions, seeking evidence that goes against their own position, or continuing to learn. This played out in more experienced managers overestimating their leadership effectiveness as compared to newer managers.   In the last episode we covered how to lead with emotional intelligence, and benefits of utilizing empathy in your leadership. In this episode we will expand on two of the five components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness and self-regulation. Additionally, you get a few suggestions on how to develop these abilities, so you feel more confident and creative in your role. Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Ever had those moments in leadership where it's not just about spreadsheets but also about dealing with people's feelings? Imagine having an insider secret to level up your leadership game—something that makes you a better manager, team player, and inspirational leader. The secret is emotional intelligence or EQ. In this and the coming episode, we're digging into what honing emotional intelligence can do for your leadership style. Because emotional intelligence isn't just a nice-to-have, it's required if you want to lead effectively and have a positive impact on your team and your organization. In this episode we cover: The unique challenges women face in leadership roles. Brief overview of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and its significance in leadership. The growing recognition of the value of emotional intelligence in the workplace. The unique strengths women in leadership posses Empathy as a superpower Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you couldn't fully be yourself? Maybe you hesitated to share an idea, express an opinion, never mind present an opposing view. Or maybe felt like you didn't belong? And as a leader, have you ever been made aware of an employee having this experience at work? I have Pasha Marlowe joining me to discuss the profound importance of psychological safety and belonging. Meet Pasha Marlowe: Pasha Marlowe (she/they) has 30 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist and neurodiversity coach. She specializes in the intersection of neurodiversity, disability, and LGBTQIA+. Pasha speaks to organizations and ERGs about neurodiversity-affirming practices, psychological safety, and neurobelonging. She encourages leaders to have a lens of inclusion and intersectionality to allow all, including those with the most marginalized identities, to be seen and heard. In this episode Pasha and I discussed: How Pasha got into such a specialized field of work. How as leaders we can create environments for psychological safety to exist. Shaping our words and actions to contribute to psychological safety. Continuing your own development to sharpen your lens of inclusion and intersectionality. The work Pasha is doing for organizations. Where you can find Pasha: Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pashamarlowe/ https://pashamarlowe.com/ [email protected] Neurobelonging.org Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Have you ever wondered why some teams do okay while others effortlessly tackle challenges? The secret lies in one word: TRUST. In fast-paced environments, team cohesion is more crucial. A cohesive team, built on trust, can leverage diverse skills, tools, and resources to conquer any obstacle. Building and maintaining trust is not a one-and-done exercise. Everything you do is either growing, maintaining, or diminishing the level of trust on your team. This episode explores the role of team trust and how it can transform your team dynamics. I'm covering the key benefits of team trust, the obstacles that destroy trust - or at the very least prevent it from growing, and how you can build trust on your team if trust is low. Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.  

Are you at a loss for how you can actively support and empower women of color to thrive in leadership? I often look at reports showing the current numbers of people in all levels of leadership. And, regardless of the level of leadership, the industry, etc., women of color are in the lowest percentiles. This conversation with Rebecca Muriuki explores positioning yourself for a leadership promotion as a woman of color. We discuss the challenges women of color navigate, and how we can all be part of the diversity change that we want to see in corporate leadership. This conversation will give you practical tips to create environments for women of color to feel a sense of belonging in their current teams, while also helping them feel empowered in their career ambitions. In this episode Rebecca and I discussed: ·         Rebecca’s path to advancement as a woman of color. ·         Implementing strategies for creating inclusive workplace environments. ·         Navigating the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women of color in leadership. ·         Fostering leadership skills that empower managers to advance their careers and drive positive change in their organizations. ·         The #1 mistake to avoid when reducing barriers to leadership opportunities to have more diversity in leadership. Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Do you have a strong leadership style that has been mislabeled as harsh or uncaring? Every now and again, as I’m connecting with each of you on LinkedIn, I’ll ask if you have any topic suggestions for the podcast. I recently got a response that immediately piqued my interest. The response read, “One thing I struggle with as a leader is gender stereotypes and expectations on how a female leader needs to act. People assume female leaders need to always be nurturing and soft, and when they need to be direct or decisive people find that harsh. If you have a podcast that addresses this issue and how to overcome it, I would love to listen.” Me too! So here it is. Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Have you ever received a promotion in which your manager becomes your peer? If you have you know it’s a big transition on top of an already big transition. The intensity of the change in relationship will depend on the relationship you already had with your former manager, but even in the best circumstances it will be a little unsettling. Especially if you have differing opinions in a management meeting. I have Liz Johnson with me for a coaching episode of the podcast today and this is one of the things we’re discussing. Let me tell you about Liz. Meet Liz Johnson Liz Johnson is the VP of Research and Development for a private, mid-sized biopolymer company located in the upper Mid-West of the United States. She holds a BA in Chemistry and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering specializing in implantable polymeric biomaterials. She grew up on the East Coast, studied in the Mid-West and West Coast. She is now back in the Mid-West where she lives with her husband, 3 kids and 2 dogs. Liz’s passion is bringing people, process, and technology together to launch great products.  In this Coaching Episode Liz and I discussed: How homing in on your personal mission will help you navigate career choices. Strategies for reducing overwhelm and setting priorities. Reframing your perspective and questions to ask your team to identify opportunities to delegate. How to gain buy-in when decisions need to be made quickly. Finding common ground with someone you used to report to, who is now your peer. Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

It’s a big day for the Women Taking the Lead podcast and it’s not just because we’re ringing in 2024. This is the 500th episode of Women Taking the Lead!! This episode is covering some of the changes and milestones that this podcast has experienced and I’m sharing 20 of the most downloaded episodes. Can you join in the celebration and help me expand the reach of the Women Taking the Lead podcast? This helps more leaders hone their skills so they can advance in their career, and still enjoy their sanity and a personal life. Select from any of the gifts below: 1)    Leave a rating or review in your preferred podcast app. 2)    Share the show directly with a friend, family member or colleague, especially a specific episode you believe they would find valuable. 3)    Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app. I’ll leave some links in the comments. 4)    Post about the show on social media. Feel free to tag me so I can like and comment. I’m @jodiflynn on LinkedIn and @jodimflynn on Instagram. 5)    Give this post a “Love” and leave a comment below to expand the reach. 6)    Do some other great thing to help me reach more women that I have not thought to ask. Thank you SO MUCH for your generosity and support. I hope these 500 episodes are of value to you and here’s to your success! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🥂🎇 Top 20 Most Downloaded Episodes* 1. Two Reasons You Got Tripped Up After You Started Your New Role - 2/14/2022 2. 100% Jodi: Taking Time to Process - 5/24/2021 3. Two "Soft" Skills That Exponentially Uplevel Your Leadership - 5/30/2022 4. [Coaching] You Are the Leader to Develop Other Leaders - 6/27/2022 5. How to Set Explicitly Clear Expectations to Prevent Disappointment - 3/8/2023 6. [Coaching] Are They Really Judging You? - 8/8/2022 7. Facing Conflict Head On - 8/1/2022 8. Infuse Your Leadership with Bold Requests - 2/21/2022 9. How to Hold Others Accountable to Lead Effectively - 7/11/2022 10. Carla Miller on Creating Influence - 9/19/2022 11. How to Make Staying Organized Easy to Do - 9/26/2022 12. A Model for You to Process Change and Emotions - 10/10/2022 13. [Coaching] How to Turn Being the Bearer of Bad News into a Coaching Opportunity - 5/23/2022 14. [Coaching] Do You Need to Name the Priority? - 8/29/2022 15. [Coaching] Constructively Dealing with Unconscious Bias - 7/18/2022 16. How to Show Your Team Your Appreciation...Especially if it Doesn't Come Naturally to You - 5/16/2022 17. How to ask Your Company to Sponsor You to be Coached - 3/7/2022 18. Avoid Being a Bargain Deal by Knowing When to Negotiate - 10/31/2022 19. Unlock Your Mindset and Reveal Your Genius - 3/1/2023 20. How to Keep Motivated and Moving Forward - 10/24/2022 Resources Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Saboteur Assessment: Find out which Saboteurs are impacting your performance, wellness and relationships, and how they do it. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Have you ever worked on a team going through a lot of change? I’m guessing you have many times and in many different scenarios. I’m also guessing your experience of that change had a lot to do with the level of trust that the team had for one another and the leaders of the team and/or organization. When there is a high level of trust the impacts of the change are softened. When there is low trust change can be traumatic. Clearly, we want to work in teams that have high trust but if that’s not the current condition, how do we get there? To answer that question I’ve asked Malia Monaco to join me for this episode.   In this episode Malia and I talk about: ·         The work that Malia does for leaders and organizations through Positive Intelligence involving change management and trust building. ·         What it takes to build trust in teams and what becomes possible when trust grows. ·         Why it’s important to get to the root of the problem rather than tackling the symptoms, which is where many organizational initiatives go wrong. ·         How our belief system will shape what we see around us and determine whether we bring harsh judgment or blameless discernment to our reactions. ·         While insights are important, they only make up 20% of sustainable long-lasting change what makes up the other 80%. Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Saboteur Assessment. Find out which Saboteurs are impacting your performance, wellness and relationships, and also how they do it. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Where to find Malia Monaco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maliamonaco/ Email: [email protected]

Corporate wellness programs are very common now but how effective are they? Many people talk about what their company offer but when you dig in many of these programs are underutilized. The reasons, and they vary, include the programs don’t fit the demographics of the organization, there’s a lack of awareness of what the company offers, lack of accessibility to the programs. I recently met a consultant who had a fresh take on corporate wellness and I asked her to have a conversation with me to give you an opportunity to think about your own wellness programs, if your company offers one, and if it’s meeting the needs of the entire organization, especially yours. Meet Tawn Williams A renowned leader in the wellness space, Tawn Williams is a wellness consultant, speaker, and leadership development expert. She currently functions as the CEO and Head Holistic Experience Curator at House of Anaya, a platform she founded to help people access tools for wellness. One of only a handful of women of color in the corporate wellness consulting space, Tawn holds over 20 years of industry experience, having worked with international leadership teams at Intel, Avnet, and BRP. Tawn uses her unique lens and extensive background to help design corporate and individual wellness plans that feel holistic, personal, and inclusive. In this episode Tawn and I discuss: Why, despite corporate wellness programs being a $53 billion dollar industry, burnout and stress continue to be at an all-time high. How well thought out wellness initiative, folded into the culture give companies a strategic advantage in today's competitive recruiting landscape. How effective wellness programs take into account not only physical and mental health but emotional, social, financial, and spiritual well-being. Anaya Wellness’s upcoming Impact Leadership Summit and Retreat Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Where you can find Tawn Website: https://www.anayawell.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawn-williams/

Several weeks ago I released Ep 492 How to Release the Grip Imposter Syndrome Has on You with Kim Meninger. So many of you responded with follow-up questions that I asked Kim if she would be open to doing a Live Stream to answer questions on Imposter Syndrome. Kim was happy to do it and we promoted that event for anyone who wanted to attend live and put a call out for question submissions from those who would not be able to attend or would like to remain anonymous. In this episode Kim and I discuss: What causes the condition of Imposter Syndrome, the consequences of its development and the ages that are most at risk. How to head off an episode of Imposter Syndrome before you get triggered into a fight or flight response. How to discern the difference between Imposter Syndrome and realistically not being qualified to do something. How to interact with others when you are both the youngest leader in your organization and the youngest person on your team. How to manage others who are experiencing Imposter Syndrome. Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Where you can find Kim Website: www.KimMeninger.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/KimMeninger TED Talk: How to Bring Your Diverse Voice to the Workplace

Sometimes you’re looking for a mindset shift and transformation. And sometimes what you need is help STAT! If you have no bandwidth and you are at your wits end, stay with me because I’ve got a woman who can help you. Meet Kelly Nolan Kelly Nolan is an attorney-turned-time management strategist and mom of two. After experiencing overwhelm as a young patent litigator in Boston, Kelly figured out a time management system that helped her show up in the ways that she wanted at work and at home – without requiring her brain to somehow magically remember it all.  She now empowers other professional working women to manage their personal, family, and career roles with less stress and more calm using her realistic time management system, the Bright Method.  The Bright Method has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, and Kelly's work has been published in Forbes, Fast Company, Insider, and Parents. Kelly also hosts the Bright Method podcast. Most importantly, the Bright Method works for real women, helping them manage it all with more clarity, less stress, and the confidence to hold boundaries at work and at home.   In this episode Kelly Nolan and I discuss: Our differing approaches to time management and how to know which one is right for you The four pillars of Kelly’s realistic time management system, the Bright Method.  Systemization and reducing mental load How to know with confidence what you can say Yes to Building flex-time in your calendar to absorb curve balls Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Find Kelly: Free 5-day program, the Reset & Refresh: https://kellynolan.com/refresh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ 

How are you at knowing exactly what you need in any given moment? This may sound silly but, really, how tuned in are you to what you really need, and not what you think you need or think you want. Many of us get swept away by the day and how we think we should be functioning. When the workday comes to a close, we’re a little dizzy thinking about what happened. On these days, if you’re honest with yourself, you probably also realize you put your needs – be they physical, mental or emotion needs – on the back burner to get through the day. This would be something you could easily recover from if it happened once in a blue moon. However, if busy days are your normal, and you don't regularly check in with yourself to determine what you need, this episode is perfect for you. Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Does the thought of stepping into a new role, surrounded by new faces and greater responsibilities, send a ripple of anxiety through your core? If so, you’re not alone. The first 90 days post-promotion can feel much like navigating through uncharted waters. However, with the right mindset and strategies in place, you can steer through this phase effectively, emerging as a capable and confident leader. This transition period is pivotal not just for personal growth, but also for establishing a solid foundation for your new team and manager. In this episode, we’re delving into imposter syndrome, establishing authority and credibility, and fostering relationships with new team members as you stabilize post-promotion. Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Do you ever wonder if your financial decisions are aligned with your values and goals? Money can be a murky topic, especially if you don't feel 100% competent or confident around money management. And considering most women between the ages of 30 and 60 are getting pulled in many directions when it comes to money, it can be a topic that induces stress. And as I've shared recently on this podcast, I can relate to that feeling. That's why I've asked Allison Bishop to join me in this episode to inspire you to take charge of your finances, make informed decisions, and live with purpose. In this episode of the Women Taking the Lead we'll: Discover why talking about money is essential, whether it's with your family or in professional settings. Understand the importance of being intentional with money, making decisions that match your priorities. Delve into how every financial choice impacts another, highlighting the necessity for strategic planning. Debunk common misconceptions about financial literacy, retirement planning, and debt management. Learn why having a firm grasp of your finances today can lead to a more stable and fulfilling tomorrow. Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Let’s talk about Imposter Syndrome. While Imposter Syndrome is a universal experience there are times when this experience is activated more than others. A common trigger for Imposter Syndrome is when we take on new and expanded roles. There’s excitement at first and then the potential for doubting yourself will creep in. Imposter Syndrome, and the reactions women often have to it - overpreparing or withdrawing, can hobble women just as they are given an opportunity to make a greater impact. In August I had an opportunity to speak on a panel for Aspen Tech’s Women’s Leadership Forum. That is where I met Kim Meninger. We instantly clicked and the added bonus is Kim specializes in Imposter Syndrome and even did a TED Talk on the subject. In this episode Kim and I discuss: Imposter Syndrome as a fear response: Kim likens imposter syndrome to our brain's fight or flight response and offers practical steps to manage it. How everyone experiences imposter syndrome but men and women tend to respond to it in different ways. The importance of recognizing individual triggers and patterns that activate imposter syndrome. How to approach your work in a way that prevents over-preparation or withdrawal. Giving yourself space and grace when taking on a new role. Where you can find Kim Website: www.KimMeninger.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/KimMeninger TED Talk: How to Bring Your Diverse Voice to the Workplace Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Have you and your coworkers been grappling with burnout at work? Burnout has been a hot topic and yet it continues to persist because the symptoms are often dismissed as run-of-the-mill stress or overwork. In this episode I’m chatting with Julia Coit and Lindsay Coit, two of the breakout session speakers for The Maine Women's Conference coming up on October 25th. They shared their personal stories and their insightful perspectives on burnout at work. In this episode Lindsey, Julia and I discuss: ·         The current state of affairs in regard to burnout. ·         The myths of burnout that keep us from eradicating it. ·         Why learning about burnout makes you a better leader. ·         The Solution: a marriage of individuals and corporations. ·         Where to get started Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Attend The Maine Women's Conference. Use code mewc_jodiflynn_10% at check out to get 10% off. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Where to find Julia and Lindsey: Julia Coit’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-coit/ Lindsey Coit’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-coit/ Julia’s email: [email protected] Lindsey’s email: [email protected]

We are unpacking a big topic today. We’re exploring developmental trauma broadly and child poverty trauma specifically, and the impact it has on leaders. Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Nikki Yardy joined me to create more awareness around this topic and how you can explore this topic as an individual and support others as a leader. In this episode Nikki and I: ·         Discuss manners, etiquette, and class levels in society ·         Explore the concept of poverty trauma and its impacts on identity and self-worth ·         Define developmental and complex trauma and its influence on Imposter syndrome in the workplace ·         Underscore power of EMDR and its impact on trauma recovery You may find this episode speaks directly to your own experience but even if you don’t relate to growing up poor or having experienced any childhood trauma, chances are someone on your team has. And while other peoples’ experiences and their journeys are their own, having more information on this topic could give you insights on how to be a better leader to them. Resources mentioned in this episode Glennon Doyle Etiquette vs. Manners. Classy with Jonathan Menjivar Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson Where to find Nikki: Free Webinar: Understanding Trauma Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.nikkiyardy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkiyardy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkiwetherell/ Other Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Saboteur Assessment: Find out which Saboteurs are impacting your performance, wellness and relationships, and how they do it. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Have you ever wondered why women often find themselves juggling a multitude of tasks and responsibilities both at home and in the workplace? Why is it that women seem to be burdened with an invisible load that is attached to the roles traditionally assigned to them? This episode aims to shed light on the concept of the "mental load" carried by women and how it differs from their male counterparts. We will explore the various dimensions of this complex issue, its historical roots, its impact on women's lives, and the urgent need for change in societal norms. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Saboteur Assessment: Find out which Saboteurs are impacting your performance, wellness and relationships, and how they do it. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Are you ready to redefine failure and discover how to tap into confidence? I’m chatting with Dr. Brittney Ezell, a former athlete and motivational speaker, who shares her unique perspective on failure, courage, and quitting. Here are the key takeaways from this thought-provoking discussion: 1. Failure is Not the End. Brittney emphasizes that failure is not the opposite of success but an integral part of it. It's an event, not a quality of a person. Instead of fearing failure, we should embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. 2. Courage is a Choice. Courage isn't an inherent trait; it's a choice we make when faced with challenges. By acknowledging that courage can be summoned when needed, we can build our confidence over time. 3. Confidence is Rooted in Past Success. Confidence is not something we can instantly generate. It's a product of our past successes. Building confidence is like stacking small wins, which eventually lead to a strong belief in oneself. 4. The Importance of Mentorship. Surrounding yourself with mentors who hold up a mirror to your potential can be transformational. They help you see your unique strengths and capabilities. 5. Quitting vs. Pivoting. Quitting is giving up on yourself; it's discarding your skills, experiences, and unique qualities. Pivoting, on the other hand, is about redirecting your path while retaining your core self. Dr. Brittney Ezell will be a keynote at The Maine Women's Conference on October 25 in Portland, Maine. This conversation is a little taste of what she is going to share at the conference and I encourage you to come to Maine, come to the conference and see Brittany in person. The link to get your ticket below. Be sure to Use code mewc_jodiflynn_10% at check out. Resources Episode Show Notes: Other resources and links mentioned in this episode. Attend The Maine Women's Conference. Use code mewc_jodiflynn_10% at check out. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

How is the new season impacting you? You may be VERY aware of these changes (Hello new school year!). Or, only mildly considering the change. Before the fall, Q4, or winter holidays fully ramps up, let's take a moment to go into the season mindfully. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Saboteur Assessment: From the Find out which Saboteurs are impacting your performance, wellness and relationships, and how they do it. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Have you ever experienced a transformational time in your workplace that demanded agile thinking, new combinations of skills, a higher level of collaboration, and a growth mindset? This week I have Anuradha Mayer of Wind River on the podcast to discuss the importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) for any company looking to thrive as we move into the future of work. In this episode Anuradha and I discuss: 🔸 Wind River's focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) as one of their core values. 🔸 The importance of vulnerability and trust in building strong teams and relationships. 🔸 Strategies to address biases in the hiring process, such as diverse interview panels and candidate slates. 🔸 How commitment to healthy, rigorous debate in teams leads to better business outcomes and a culture of trust and collaboration. 🔸 Adopting agile approaches in talent management, including continuous feedback sessions, for better employee development.   Listen in to hear more about how embracing curiosity, a growth mindset, and an openness to healthy debate will strengthen you as a leader, your team as a cohesive unit and your organization as a whole. Connect with Anuradha on LinkedIn to stay updated on her inspiring insights and connect with the wonderful team at Wind River Careers for exciting opportunities! 🚀 Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Saboteur Assessment: Find out which Saboteurs are impacting your performance, wellness and relationships, and how they do it. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Have you heard the terms management skills and leadership skills being used interchangeably? It sounds like they refer to the same skills but they are, in fact, different. And as a leader in an organization, finding the balance between management skills and leadership qualities is vital for achieving success. The ability to balance these two skill sets is also essential in fostering a cohesive and high-performing work environment. This episode explores the difference between these two skill-sets, the significance of combining management skills with leadership qualities. I’m also going to provide strategies for you to achieve this balance effectively. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Are you aware that a 2022 Women in the Workplace study shows that women make up 48% of entry level positions, but only 26% of C-Suite positions? These numbers can be even more stark in male-dominated industries. You can only imagine how delighted I was to meet Sarah O’Hare of Freudenberg Group, a global solutions company that is developing innovative technologies across 40 market segments. Meet Sarah O’Hare Sarah O'Hare serves as the President, North America and Global Head of Human Resources. The company is based in Weinheim, Germany and employs 51,000 people worldwide. As the Global Head of HR, Sarah focuses on strategic benchmarking in order to ensure ample opportunities are in place for women. These efforts have resulted in a 32% increase in women holding specialist and management positions and she’s going to share another mind-blowing stat in our conversation to come. Immersing herself in various cultures and countries across the globe and spearheading initiatives in her various career roles, Sarah remains passionate about cultivating a culture that lifts its people up. In this episode Sarah and I discussed: 💙 The power of presence and collaboration: the importance of showing up, contributing thoughtfully, and aligning with others. 💙 How diverse perspectives fuel innovation and problem-solving. 💙 Customizing strategies promoting diversity in male-dominated companies based on the company's culture. 💙 The importance of CEO support and individual actions in promoting inclusion. This includes holding executives accountable, setting measurable goals, and creating a culture that values diverse voices. 💙 And, leaving a legacy. Your time is limited. What do you want to impact in the time you have? Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Are you ready to unlock the secret to success as a leader? Today's episode of "Women Taking the Lead" we'll explore the power of curiosity and how cultivating this essential characteristic can enhance your leadership journey. I am very comfortable proclaiming that curiosity was the characteristic propelled my success as a leader and in every area of my life. It is the reason I connect with others more easily, learn faster, and solve problems more quickly.   Stay tuned to discover even more reasons why curiosity matters, how it benefits you as a leader, and get some practical strategies for developing and maintaining a curious mindset. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

How companies support their female employees that are going through perimenopause and menopause is starting to hit the headlines. Think about it. Most women go through the menopause transition between the ages of 45 and 60. This is when women are in their professional prime. It’s nearly impossible to be your best at work when you are dealing with hot flashes, fatigue and brain fog. This is especially true when there’s no support for what you are going through. There are changes on the horizon, but we’ll usher in these changes much more quickly if we can become active participants in the solution. For that reason, I’ve invited Tamsen Fadal on the Women Taking the Lead podcast. Meet Tamsen Fadal Tamsen Fadal is an Emmy award-winning newscaster and author. In addition to being the PIX11 News primetime anchor, Tamsen is an advocate for women in the next chapter of their lives. She is an Ambassador for Let’s Talk Menopause, a nonprofit invested in changing the conversation around menopause, and an expert for menopause in the workplace In this episode Tamsen and I discussed: ·         What’s going on in workplace around menopause now.  ·         What companies can do to support their female employees who are going through menopause. ·         Best practices of a menopause policy. ·         What can individuals do to support their colleagues and get the ball rolling on making these changes in their own companies. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Did you know the clothes you wear impact how you perform as a leader? And they impact how others interact with you. I remember from my Catholic School days being told that uniforms were worn for a couple different reasons. One, they helped to level-set students from different socio-economic levels. And second, students who wore uniforms behaved better and performed better in their classes. You’d think we would move past having our clothing impact our performance but it’s not the case. The clothing we wear impacts our ability to focus and also impacts how others interact with us. To chat more about this, I am bringing back Jenny Eversole from Style Space. Jenny originally appeared in episode 466, Elevate Your Style, Simplify Your Routine and Save Money. In that episode Jenny and I chatted about: How fashion changed during the pandemic Hybrid Dressing: Styling for the office vs. Zoom My experience working with Tami Some takeaway tips that anyone could apply right away Jenny is back with Tamy Lugo, the stylist I worked with from Style Space, and we are taking that original conversation to the next level. We are going to discuss how a woman’s clothing can support her as a leader and play a role in achieving her goals. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

There are companies that have had success creating gender equality in the workplace. This is demonstrated by representation of nearly 50% or more women throughout all levels of leadership in the organization, including the executive level.  Are you curious to know exactly what is making the difference in those companies?  For this episode I invited Dana Sente, who serves as Vice President, Training and Development for Veris Residential. In this role, Dana identifies and oversees training and employee development for all property positions. She also works closely with the Company’s COO on ways to educate employees about corporate values related to ethics and responsibility. Dana has developed education programs to support both hard and soft skills for Veris Residential employees. Training opportunities include yearly real estate classes, maintenance certification classes, LEED® certification and other ESG training. In this episode Dana and I chatted about: Dana’s own leadership path What she has put in place at Veris Residential to make sure women’s leadership development needs are being met What companies can do to develop a culture of trust for women The importance of being human, being available and getting to know your people Resources Episode Show Notes: Links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Inventory: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST inventory and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Have you ever had to manage a difficult team member? It can be a challenge, especially when personalities clash and work styles don't align. As women leaders, we tend to be conscientious of relationships and want everyone to enjoy their job. This is fantastic and yet we also need to be aware that this can sometimes hold us back from having difficult conversations and giving honest feedback. In this on-air coaching episode, Louise, a Head of Department in education, shares her struggles with managing a team member who lacks urgency and falls behind on tasks. If getting on the same page with someone has been a challenge for you, this is episode is going to give you some things to think about. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Are you looking to enhance your leadership skills and create a positive feedback culture within your team? Constructive feedback is an essential aspect of effective leadership. It empowers team members to grow, improve, and reach their full potential. That's why I have Lynae Remindino back. She’s sharing best practices for providing feedback that drive positive change. Better yet, Lynae is also sharing a model that guides leaders through feedback meetings, ensuring a collaborative and supportive approach. In this episode Lynae and I discuss: 💡 The GROW model: Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward. This framework helps guide leaders through the process of providing coaching and feedback. 💡 The importance of reflection first: Take time to evaluate your own role in setting expectations and identify areas for improvement. This prepares you to approach the conversation constructively. 💡 Understanding the value of feedback: Ask yourself why providing feedback is important and how it will benefit the individual, the team, and overall performance. 💡 Shifting your mindset from conflict to coaching: Approach feedback conversations as opportunities for growth and collaboration, rather than focusing on correcting someone or creating conflict. 💡 Fostering open dialogue and understand perspectives: Seek to understand the other person's viewpoint, as their interpretation of events may differ from yours. This allows for a more comprehensive and constructive conversation. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Do you ever find yourself struggling to give constructive feedback? It takes some finesse and perhaps a little bit of courage to face the unknown reaction from the person you are giving feedback to. Constructive feedback is so important because it helps team members improve and grow. When done correctly, feedback can build trust and strengthen relationships. However, giving feedback can be tricky, and it's easy to fall into common pitfalls. That's why I have Lynae Remondino back on the podcast and she and I are sharing our insights on how to give feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable. In this episode Lynae and I are discussing: ·        The importance of setting clear expectations and building trust before giving feedback ·        How to avoid common pitfalls, such as waiting too long to give feedback or using vague terms like "bad attitude" ·        The benefits of focusing on specific behaviors and their impact on the team ·        How to create a safe space for feedback that encourages growth and development ·        The role of active listening in giving and receiving feedback By following these guidelines, you can provide feedback that helps team members improve and grow, while also strengthening your relationships with them. Tune in to this episode and start giving constructive feedback like a pro! Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Are you curious about neurodiversity in the workplace? Did you know that nearly 30% of the population falls into the neurodivergent category, including individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more? Understanding neurodiversity is crucial because it challenges the notion that processing information differently is a deficit. Instead, it recognizes that people are just different, and accommodating their unique needs can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and happiness. This episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for leaders to promote neurodiversity and create inclusive workplaces where individuals can thrive. Meet Katherine McCord Katherine, a physically and neurodiverse woman herself, built her career on inclusive innovation in People Operations and HR Tech. She lives by the motto that different is not a deficit. In 2014 she founded Titan Management, a national people operations consulting firm, and then in 2021 she shook up HR Tech by designing the first ever fully accessible, anti-bias Applicant Tracking System plugin that fires the resume and showcases company diversity! Featured at Web Summit, HR Disruptor, SHRM, and London School of Business, she makes an energetic, interactive, education-based speaker who always brings some spice! In this episode Katherine and I discussed: The definition of neurodiversity and understanding that these differences are not deficits but rather natural variations. The significance of making accommodations for neurodivergent individuals in the workplace and the need for leaders to create psychological safety, listen to employees' needs, and provide appropriate accommodations to enable their comfort and productivity. How, by standardizing accommodations to make them available to everyone, not just neurodivergent individuals, leaders can create an inclusive work environment where everyone feels supported. Using Humor! Katherine shares her personal experience with neurodiversity and suggests using humor as a tool to diffuse tension and normalize differences. Why, If you are a neurodivergent leader, sharing personal experiences and being open about one’s own neurodiversity can establish trust, create psychological safety, and encourage open conversations about diversity, mental health, and physical differences.   Connect with Katherine: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mccord-093bb343/ Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Have you struggled to communicate effectively after losing someone you love? In this episode of the Women Taking the Lead podcast, special guest Lynae Remondino joins Jodi Flynn to cover the importance of communication and transparency in the midst of grief, and other difficult times. In this episode Jodi and Lynae discuss:  The passing of Jodi's father and how her family communicated during his illness. The healing power of humor and appreciation. The importance of being there for loved ones and giving yourself space to grieve. From coping with grief to finding positivity in challenging moments, this episode of Women Taking the Lead is a must-listen for anyone looking to lead with compassion and resilience. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the Positive Intelligence webinar: https://womentakingthelead.com/webinar Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Is everyone clear on what your expectations are? And are you clear on what others are expecting from you? Are you sure? In episode 472, Lynae Remondino and I covered the importance of asking clarifying questions to prevent misunderstandings. For a variety of reasons, it’s almost too easy for misunderstandings to occur. On almost any given workday you can probably find an example in which you thought you were clear with someone that they were to do X, Y and Z and instead they did X, Y and M. The culprit is unclear expectations. In this episode I have Lynae back and we are discussing: ·         How to make sure your expectations are explicitly clear. ·         Why accountability is so important and what can go wrong without it. ·         How to get better at creating and honing clear expectations. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Ask any expert on success, regardless of their specialization, and they will tell you that mindset is what determines what an individual will be capable of achieving. Mindset. But... how do you measure mindset? And once you've measured it, how do you build a stronger, more positive, more resilient mindset? In this episode I’m chatting with Stacy Hartmann, a renowned success coach. She is also a sought-after international motivational speaker who has spent the past 10 years helping creatives, coaches, and expert entrepreneurs transform their lives, and make an impact by unleashing their creative and intuitive genius.   While working with her, Stacy’s global tribe of clients have started their own six figure companies, become authors, innovated new methodologies and shifted paradigms in old stagnant industries. In This Episode Stacy and I Discussed What the Energy Leadership Index Assessment (ELI) is and what it measures How it is different from other tools   How a woman in leadership can use the information provided by the ELI to find her definition of success Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Have you ever walked away from a conversation sure the other person understood all the instructions and expectations? They may have even told you they got it all and understood what you wanted. And only as things are going sideways do you realize that they actually didn’t fully understand what you wanted from them. I’m sure we’ve all had that experience and it can be exasperating. And as much as we learn from those experiences, it takes a certain skill to guarantee that all the information communicated has be received and understood as intended. In this episode I have Lynae Remondino back and we’re going to discuss how to ask questions so there are no misunderstandings. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core muscles to build to gain mental fitness. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Are there some people in your life that you find always misunderstand you and what your intentions are? We all have people in our lives that are so easy to get along with and those that always seem to question our ideas or our approach to an initiative. Here’s the thing, it may have nothing to do with you and everything to do with having different communication styles. Differences in communication styles, if appreciated, can be the basis of strong relationships and strong teams. But if not understood or appreciated, communication style differences can tear relationships and teams apart. For this episode I invited Lynae Remondino, a Talent Management Director and a genius at unlocking potential while improving organizational effectiveness and efficiencies. She is a strategic and an empathetic professional who acknowledges her purpose in life is to advocate for people.  Lynae’s certifications include Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Situational Leadership, Development Dimensions International Leadership Facilitator, and Succession Planning and Talent Development. In this episode Lynae and I chatted about: What it means to adapt your communication style Why it’s important to adapt your style (and not abdicate your style) The four different communication styles based on the DiSC and BEST models Which communication styles are more prevalent (you may find yourself outnumbered) How to develop the ability to adapt their communication style Resources Episode Show Notes: Links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core mental muscles to build to become mentally fit. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Leadership Operating System Inventory: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Are you at a loss for how to handle those seemingly small awkward moments at work? Whether it’s being interrupted, talked over, hearing women referred to as girls, or getting a men’s polo shirt as a company gift. It can be hard to know how to appropriately handle these behaviors and situations, and easy to convince yourself it’s not a big deal. But it is a big deal. Because these behaviors create a culture that make women feel like they are not appreciated or respected as colleagues or team members. Hence, my conversation with Dawn Hudson.  In this episode Dawn and I chatted about: Why she and the Band of Sisters decided to focus on gender rooted micro-aggressions in the workplace? The variety of suggestions for the same scenario provided by the different authors and how impacted their relationships and the approach to the book. What’s at stake for companies if they don’t address microaggressions in the workplace. Advice Dawn would give to anyone looking to advance their career. Episode Show Notes: Links mentioned in this episode. Register for the How to Get Mentally Fit webinar: Learn the 3 core mental muscles to build to become mentally fit. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.   More information can be found at https://thebandofsisters.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/band-of-sisters/ Instagram: the_band_of_sisters

Are negative thoughts sabotaging you? I frequently talk with talented, experienced and incredibly capable women. For the most part, they are doing great: setting goals, creating plans to accomplish them, and making progress in their careers. Occasionally, many of these women express a desire for things to be better. Not externally, necessarily. But internally. They say things like, “I wish I could get out of my own way.” “If I could just get over the self-doubt.” And sometimes, “Even when things are going well, I have this nagging voice in my head that ruins any opportunity I have to feel satisfied.” This episode is covering the very thing that drives your behavior, what you do and how you do it: mindset. Not only that, mindset determines how quickly you will bounce back from setbacks and mistakes, and whether or not you are able to feel satisfaction or fulfillment. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Register for the Positive Intelligence webinar: https://womentakingthelead.com/webinar Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader.

Are there young women in your life who are already making a big impact in the world? This week’s episode is a little different as I am chatting with two young women who have identified a problem that, if solved, would impact the health, education, and income of a community in desperate need. Bridget Muturi and Janelly Torres are the co-founders of Women Innovated Empowered & United (WIEU) I invited Bridget and Janelly on the podcast to raise awareness of the problem they’ve identified and to hopefully raise the money they need to make their work a reality. Being college students, they don’t have a PR or communications team and though they’ve never been on a podcast or done anything like this before they were excited for the opportunity. In this episode Janelly, Bridget and I chatted about... The current conditions for the community living in Kibera, Kenya The high cost of feminine care products and the impact it has on the health of the women in Kibera The solution Bridget and Janelly came up with and what their initiative will look like The design, planning, and collaboration that is happening to make this project sustainable over many years What you can do to support their work Donate to The Kibera Project Venmo: @Bridget-Muturi Cash App: $JanellyT02 Follow along with their adventures Instagram: @w.e.i.u You can also click the link in their bios to donate to The Kibera Project. Resources Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching. Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Perhaps never before has the focus of mental and emotional wellness been at the forefront of leadership. According to the Harvard Business Review, “mental health challenges are now the norm among employees across all organizational levels.” In 2021, during a follow-up study to their 2019 Mental Health at Work Report, seventy-six percent of respondents reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition in the past year, up from 59% in 2019. The pandemic impacted every area of people’s lives, and has been a leading factor in an increase of mental health concerns. And it is not behind us yet. Taking care of yourself is vital: if you are depleted your health, work, and ability to support others will suffer. This episode explores why, as a leader, taking care of your mental and emotional wellness, and supporting your team to do so as well, is critical. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Have you been struggling with your wardrobe lately? During the pandemic many of us reverted to a uniform of professional top matched with yoga pants or sweatpants. We were video conference ready and that was fine when we were working from home with cameras on. Now that return-to-office, hybrid work, in-person conferences and networking events are full-steam ahead, you might be feeling less than excited about the options in your closet. Our clothes can help bolster our confidence or make us feel blah. And for many of us, our bodies changed, if ever so slightly over the last 3 years. For the past 6 months or so I’ve been looking at a closet full of clothes convinced I had nothing to wear. Then I met Jenny Eversole, the founder of Stylespace. Stylespace.com is a virtual styling platform to elevate your style with expert stylists. After nearly a decade running her own fashion label, she learned how personal style can make a big difference in one's confidence, happiness and overall success. Jenny founded Style Space for people to discover their best style and to look, feel, and BE their best. This is what Jenny shared with me: “Throughout the years, our lives change, and as we age, our bodies are meant to change too. With each new season of life, we have the opportunity to express this new chapter with our personal style. It takes time and learning to know what works best for us in this new stage of life. An expert stylist can be very instrumental in helping us define our style in whatever stage of life we are in.” I took Jenny up on her offer and did a session with a member of her team. I was so thrilled with the results I asked Jenny to come on the Women Taking the Lead podcast to talk about the struggle many of us are having with our closets. In this episode Jenny and I chatted about: What changed during the pandemic Styling for the office vs. Zoom (Hybrid dressing) Dressing like an executive, approachability My experience working with a stylist 5 takeaway tips you can apply today Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Where You Can Find Jenny Eversole: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jheversole/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/stylespaceinc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylespace.official/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylespace.inc

Have you had a chance yet to hit the reset button or recharge your energy this season? For the northern hemisphere this is a time of slowing down and taking stock. It’s time for some rest and coziness in your life. Even if you are in the southern hemisphere, the New Year holiday will also prompt you to take a step back and think about what you want to accomplish in the coming year. This is a replay of a previous episode where I covered how to identify the type of rest and recharge activities that are right for you. And as I stated in the intro of that previous episode, rest is not one-size-fits-all. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Much-need time off to reconnect with loved ones and reenergize body, mind and soul is about to commence but while I’m away I have some episodes lined up, starting with this one that will replay previous episode that are worth hearing again. These episodes were specifically curated for this time of year to support you to take some time away if you want it or need it, and to reenergize and reconnect with yourself. There will also be a brand-new episode in the mix coming out just after New Year’s on the topic of post-pandemic fashion trends and getting in tune with looks that align with you and your body. I loved this conversation and I think you will too. I’m already lining up interviews in the New Year with some interesting women, and more solo episodes on communication and setting expectations. As a reminder, I’m always game if you are interested in doing an on-air coaching call in 2023. Now let’s dive into the importance of taking time off!  Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work within organizations has gotten a lot of press lately. But what does it take for a company to truly become more diverse, equitable and inclusive? To dive more deeply into the topic for this episode, I have brought on Wema Hoover. Meet Wema Hoover, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader Wema is a DEI leader and former Global head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Google. She has also held executive roles at multiple Fortune 500 companies including Chief Diversity Officer and Global Head of Culture, Inclusion & Diversity at Sanofi and Global Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Pfizer. Wema is a frequent speaker to business leadership audiences. She is working on a book and has authored many articles such as How to Transform DEI Energy Into Action in the Workplace from INC., and has been featured on Diversity Inc. and other podcasts. In this episode Wema and I discuss... The approach to embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into people processes in an organization Gauging company readiness, metrics to measure progress, and creating environments for people to thrive What women can do to create more diversity in their own company How to find Wema: Connect on LinkedIn Resources Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching. Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Do you have a hard time setting boundaries at work for fear that it will make you look bad? In this episode I’m going to answer a listener question on this very topic. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach. Previous Episode Referenced Your “No” Screams Senior Leadership 100% Jodi: Tending to Your Mental and Emotional Wellness is Not an Option

How comfortable are you being idle? As a high achieving woman, you might dream of utter relaxation. But the internal and external pressure to stay productive and highly efficient might sabotage your attempts at restoration. While action is required to achieve results, action without strategy, reflection, and rest can result in needless activity and wasted time. This episode covers why always being busy is counterproductive and keeping you from achieving your biggest goals. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

What's in a title? To what extent does your title concern you? Titles may be a thing at networking events or cocktail parties. And your family and friends will celebrate a title upgrade with you. But are titles that important? A few years ago, many online publications said they absolutely were important, especially in a job search.  However, is this still the state of affairs? To dive more deeply into the topic for this episode, I reached out to a colleague of mine, Alicia Canario. Meet Alicia Canario Alicia is a strategic HR leader with 25+ years global experience leading high performing teams and partnering with leaders to execute business objectives. She has a successful track record of leading manufacturing organizations through change management and proven experience securing top talent to meet business objectives. Her educational credentials include a B.S in psychology from the University of Illinois-UC, M.S. degree in Human Resources from Loyola University Chicago, MBTI (Meyers Briggs) certification, and senior level certifications from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). In this title episode Alicia and I discuss... How our drive to get big titles can cause us to end up in positions that do not suit or fulfill us. Alicia’s journey to find the right fit, regardless of title. How realizing what you don't want can help you pivot to what you do want. Questions you can ask yourself to get out of a "not right fit" position. The mindset challenges that you need to overcome to take action. How to find Alicia: Connect on LinkedIn Resources Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode. Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? Apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching. Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching. Find out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Do you cringe thinking about the mistakes you’ve made? If you have high standards for yourself, and I’m guessing if you’re listening to this podcast you do. These high standards, combined with any tendency to be hard on yourself, may cause you to want shy away from fully owning your mistakes. It may be a knee-jerk reaction, to want to move on quickly, pretending the mistake didn’t happen. But as a leader, the best course of action is to own your mistake and learn from it. Not only is it good for you as a leader, it’s good for the morale and performance of your team.  This episode covers how to own your mistakes in a way that allows you and your team to grow in experience and trust. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

As a woman leader you are constantly being sent the message to be more assertive and confident. Confidence and assertiveness do have their place and most times I would encourage women leaders to embrace confidence and feel free to be assertive. However, never is this at the expense of honestly admitting when you don’t know. If you don’t know the answer to a direct question, ‘I don’t know’ is the beginning of a good conversation. But, balancing your confidence as a leader and owning up to a lack of knowledge or competence in a certain area can be tricky. This episode covers how to graciously admit when you don’t know and handle the situation in a way that engenders more confidence in you as a leader. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Did you know...? Women make just 83 percent of what men do, and that gap is wider for women of color. According to a new Equal Pay Day study released by Credit Karma, 31% of women say they still don’t feel comfortable asking their employer for a raise. 66% of women say their current salary is holding them back from reaching their financial goals, including paying off debt and saving for retirement. 35% of women surveyed said their low salaries were preventing them from being able to afford necessities like rent. Nearly 60% of women never negotiate their pay at all. In this episode Anna and I discuss... Key times in your career that impact how much money you make The story behind the creation of Shift Profile The mindset that keeps women from asking for what they are worth Always be negotiating! Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Are there some days when you can't seem to muster the motivation to do what's right in front of you? First, let me state that this happens to all of us. It is common. But some people have figured out how to tap into sources of motivation when this occurs. And this ability to effectively self-motivate oneself distinguishes high-achieving professionals from everyone else. And, to make it a little more complicated, motivation is a personal experience. What works for one person might not work for you. This episode covers common strategies to consistently stay motivated that work for most people. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Inventory. Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST self-assessment and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Do you work in a fast-paced environment? Or, do you contribute to different departments or divisions? If that’s the case it can be very difficult to be confident that what you are giving your time to is exactly what needs your time attention right now. If you’re not careful pretty soon things that are incredibly important to other people become your top priority at the cost of your own goals and initiatives. This episode covers how to prioritize your projects, initiatives and tasks so you know exactly what the priority is. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, every organization has an emotional culture, even if the culture is one of suppressing emotions. “By not only allowing emotions into the workplace, but also understanding and consciously shaping them, leaders can better motivate their employees.” To dive more deeply into this topic, I reached out to a colleague of mine, Joy Stickel. Joy is an accomplished and highly motivated global human resources leader with a deep passion for work in the talent and culture space. Her HR career spans over 25 years and extends across a range of industries including hospitality, high tech, life sciences, and pharma. She is currently the Executive Director of Talent Management and Development for Sumitomo Pharma. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

There’s a French cooking term mise en place that means to set in place. It is a method of preparation taught all over the world that maximizes efficiency and reduces errors. There are 5 steps to mise en place: Know your recipe — necessary ingredients, cookware, and baking times Prepare your ingredients — clean, chop, mince… whatever is required Arrange your ingredients — appropriate size bowls, positioned logically Prepare your workstation — set the oven temperature, clean the utensils Arrange your tools — similar logic applied to cookware and necessary equipment This level of organization in advance, not only increases the chances of an optimal outcome for the recipe, it provides an easier and even enjoyable experience for the cook.  There’s no scrambling around looking for that tool or ingredient. There’s no disappointment after serving the dish realizing an ingredient has been missed or measured incorrectly. This episode covers how staying organized at work increases your chances of optimal outcomes, and makes work easier and more enjoyable. Not only that, staying organized makes you look good in the process. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Do you sometimes feel like you are not being listened to? Or, that you don’t have the influence you need to make an impact at work? This is common early in our career but truth be told, this impacts women up and down the leadership ladder. And even to women who have been leaders in their company for decades. In this episode I have an expert who is here to talk about how you can gain more influence so you can make a big impact at work. How to find Carla: Website: www.carlamillertraining.com Connect on LinkedIn Get your copy of Closing the Influence Gap Listen to the Influence & Impact podcast Watch her free How to be a Respected Leader masterclass Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach.

Do you get stuck in analysis paralysis when trying to make a decision? While rushing into decisions is something to avoid, putting off a decision can also be harmful to your time, energy, work performance, and those depending on you. Putting off decisions will prevent progress, cause frustration, and can undermine how others perceive you as a leader. This episode covers the skills to develop and the effective approach to improve your ability to make timely decisions. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Are you constantly feeling like a hamster on wheel?  As though no matter how fast or how long you work, you are always behind on your to do list. We all have the same number of hours in each day. Why is it that some people are able manage their time efficiently, while some of us cannot seem to find enough time to complete our tasks and projects on time? Not without working long hours and weekends, that is. You may not realize it, but there are time wasters just waiting for you to fall into their grasp.  Sneak peak… beating yourself up for making a mistake is a Time Waster!! This episode covers the impacts of time wasters and what you can do to take back control of your day.  Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Are you pulled in so many directions you’re busy all day, but when the day ends you don’t feel like you accomplished much of anything? Just like you, the women I coach are in demand. They have teams that want their attention, clients to serve, and tasks that need to get done. I’ve been there myself on many occasions. There are different responses to this state of affairs. You might be in the camp of looking out at some point in the future. You convince yourself that once you get there, it will be a lot better. I did that for years and guess what? As that point in time got closer my calendar filled up and I had all new projects on my plate. This cycle perpetuated for a long time before I realized what I was doing. You might be researching to find new strategies for time management and productivity and making a few strides but still needing some relief. Or, you might have started to give up hope that it will get any better. Regardless of what camp you are in, you’re going to get a lot out of this on-air coaching call. I’m chatting with Madison who is wearing many hats as her company is experiencing and gearing up for even more growth. She and I talk through many of her responsibilities and strategize how to organize by priority and organize her calendar. We look at leveraging members of the team who are experienced and eager to do more. And there’s an added bonus, and what I believe may have been a pivotal point in our conversation. We also talked about what might be going on when a team member isn’t changing their behavior after you’ve given them feedback. If any of this is resonating with you, listen in. This is a good one! Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. One-Hour Leadership Coaching Session: This session is designed to get to the heart of the challenges you are experiencing in your new role. You’ll be sent a quick questionnaire to fill out ahead of our meeting so we can make the most of our time together. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Has the swirl of summer left you feeling a bit unbalanced? In this episode we’re going to acknowledge that this season requires a bit of letting go of control and going with the flow. Because summer is a swirl! Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Could anyone possibly meet the expectations you have for yourself? Many of the women I coach have such high expectations for themselves, they sacrifice health and happiness to meet them. Sometimes the driver is the thought that others are expecting a lot from you. But if you looked closely, is that true? Are others watching you and expecting you to overdeliver all the time? Or are you assigning them those judgments because in reality you’re judging yourself. I had a fantastic conversation with Andrea about trying to meet your own unrealistic expectations, delegating, having healthy boundaries, and asking for help. If you feel like you’re doing too much for everyone else, and not getting enough time for you, or for the people and things that are also important to you, listen in. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. One-Hour Leadership Coaching Session: This session is designed to get to the heart of the challenges you are experiencing in your new role. You’ll be sent a quick questionnaire to fill out ahead of our meeting so we can make the most of our time together. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

How would you describe your comfort level when it comes to confronting conflict? Do you look at it as an opportunity for growth and relationship building? Do you avoid it in the hopes that it will resolve on its own? Or do you find yourself somewhere in the middle? Perhaps at first observing and assessing the situation. But if it’s clear it’s not going away immediately you take steps to nip it in the bud. Some leaders choose to ignore conflict in the workplace in an attempt to “keep the peace.” Yet that can add fuel to the fire. By looking the other way, leaders create an atmosphere of non-trust. Addressing conflict early on is an important first step. A study by the American Management Association (AMA) found that managers spend 24% of their time resolving conflict. Instead of just “resolving” workplace conflict, transform it to cultivate a cutting-edge team that can effectively solve problems and develop creative new ideas. This episode covers facing conflict: how to address and mitigate it, and when to look to other professionals to step in. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Have you had a chance yet to hit the reset button or recharge your energy this summer? If you have and you are raring to go, amazing! But if you haven’t, this episode may be timely for you. It may be that you haven’t had a chance to take time away yet. Or, you had time away but came back even more tired than you left. In this episode, we’re covering how to identify the type of rest and recharge activities that are right for you. Because, like shoes, rest is not one-size-fits-all. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

We all have unconscious biases. Men and women, young and old, people from every ethnic background and every socioeconomic class. While you may be able to catch one of your own implicit biases in a flash of awareness, it’s more likely someone else will point your biases out for you. Becoming aware of and removing your unconscious biases takes an openness to hear someone out. It takes reflecting on what they share with you, and considering behaving differently going forward. For many of us, critical feedback causes our defenses to go up. That's a natural human tendency. Because of this, it takes courage to point an unconscious bias out to another person. How the feedback is delivered matters if you want the other person to take in the feedback you are sharing with them. As a leader, you want to keep this in mind as you are preparing to talk to another person about an unconscious bias you've observed them display. This is what came up in a coaching session I had recently with, Jaime, a member of this community and a member of the military. The unconscious biases in others that are typically experienced by women leaders is around their competence. Even though women leaders score higher on competence than their male counterparts, women are still considered to be less competent than men. This is why mansplaining occurs and it's why a woman leader's reports and decisions are more likely to be questioned and second-guessed. How do you deal with this without losing your mind or your temper? Listen in. In this conversation Jaime shares her experiences and ultimately talks through the solution that feels right for her. I think her solution is going to resonate with you as well. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. One-Hour Leadership Coaching Session: This session is designed to get to the heart of the challenges you are experiencing in your new role. You’ll be sent a quick questionnaire to fill out ahead of our meeting so we can make the most of our time together. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Do you dread one-to-one meetings because you’ll be asking the other person to account for an outcome or their performance? Many leaders want to have high performing teams but overlook the fact that accountability is at the heart these teams. If you want your team to deliver on expectations or communicate when they can’t, you have to be able to hold others accountable. Additionally, you need to look at yourself and ask what kind of role model you are to your team? In this episode, we cover how your ability to hold others accountable impacts your team’s performance and how to get best out of your team. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Have you experienced the eye-opening magic of seeing from more than one perspective? When we are children, we believe we are the center of the universe. At that stage in life, we have a difficult time considering why someone would see things differently than we do. If fact, if someone didn’t agree with us, we made up a story about why this person could possibly not agree with our outlook. It takes work to shake out of this default way of thinking and start making a habit of considering how other people are seeing things. However, the reward of staying open-minded and seeing things from multiple perspectives is new ideas, new opportunities and new solutions that you may have missed if you only look at things from your own vantage point.  Now take this ability as an individual and add to it a diverse team of people who all see the world differently. If this team can respect and appreciate each other for the unique perspectives and experiences they all bring to the table, this is your dream team. In this episode, we’re going to cover the skill of considering and incorporating multiple perspectives as a leader, why it’s so important, and how you can incorporate it into your leadership. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

The work I do with my clients often centers around adapting to a new role or promotion. It sounds easy, and many of my clients beat themselves up because they assumed it should be an easier transition than it actually is. Taking on a promotion typically looks like being further away from the hands-on work that is being done. Trying to stay close to the work, while coming from a good place of wanting to make sure the work his high quality, can overwhelm your to-do list and train some bad habits in your team. Each new role you take on requires you to shift the way you think of yourself and how you think you provide the highest value. This was something a woman in our community, T, realized while we were recording this on-air coaching session. Take a listen to this episode and let me know if any of this resonated with you. I'm offering T some tips and new perspectives, along with a book recommendation that may be helpful to you as well so stay ‘til the end. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. One-Hour Leadership Coaching Session: This session is designed to get to the heart of the challenges you are experiencing in your new role. You’ll be sent a quick questionnaire to fill out ahead of our meeting so we can make the most of our time together. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

How are you at developing others? Would you say you’re a pro at this? Do you need work in this area? Maybe you’re somewhere in between? Making sure your team is getting ongoing learning and development opportunities, formal and informal, is important if you want to hire and retain talented individuals. This also translates into a bigger bottomline for your company and a team that is effectively hitting their goals. In this episode, we’re going to cover what research is saying about learning and development in the workplace and the best ways to develop those around you. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Have you ever left a leadership development training feeling like it barely scratched the surface of what you needed? Or, that too much time was spent on competencies you’ve never had an issue with? You might have even had your concerns as a leader brushed aside or dismissed with comments such as, delegate that to your team, speak up more in meetings, brag more, or communicate clearly but don’t be too direct. All this without any guidance on how to navigate the bias, the double-standards, and the identity issues that emerge when we are asked to change our patterns of thought and behavior. The root of the problem is most leadership development training was not designed for women and fails to take women’s specific brain functions, societal conditioning or obstacles into consideration. In this episode we’re covering why leadership development for women is so important and why it needs to change. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

As a leader, are you looking to develop any of the following between yourself and others in your organization: more trust, stronger relationships, buy-in, and commitment? How about executive presence, that X-factor that has others stop and take notice?  There are a couple of not-so-soft skills, that when applied in combination, will have those around seeing you in a whole new light and admiring you as a leader. These skills are: directing your full attention and listening deeply. It sounds really easy, and it can be once you’ve developed these skills and made them a habit. Unfortunately, most of us think we are better at these skills than we actually are and if you want the benefits, you need to take an honest look at how you’re doing.  In this episode we’re covering why giving those around you your full attention and listening is so important, and ways to develop these skills. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. How to Supercharge Your Networking: this episode explains the Three Levels of Listening in detail. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

How are you at delivering unwelcome news to one of your team members, and then coaching them through the feedback? Sometimes as leaders we have to tell a team member that they are off-track or that they’re not going to get what they want. It’s not the best part of a leader’s job, but in these conversations are opportunities for growth and development. Not just for our team member, these conversations are great for our growth and development as a leader as well. In this on-air coaching call that’s exactly where a member of our community, Crystal, was at the beginning of the call. Join us in this episode to hear how you can find these opportunities right before your eyes. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Does your team know how much you care about them?  Do they know how much you want them to experience growth, success and happiness as a part of your organization? Or, do you assume that they know because they should know?  In this episode we’re covering why consistently show interest in and appreciation for those around you is so important and how to do it effectively. Because, whether you know it or not, your people don’t all like to be appreciated in the same way. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Are you leading by example? This is a trick question because the reality is you are always leading by example. The question is whether you want the people you lead to do what you are doing. Like it or not, people are watching what you're doing and they're listening closely to what you're saying. And, the higher you go up the leadership chain the bigger an example you become. There's a saying when you reach senior leadership, you are whispering from a megaphone. Your people are watching you closely to determine what is acceptable behavior and attitudes, and what is not. The question is, are you exemplifying the behavior that you would like to see in the people that you lead? Are your actions consistent with your message? Leading by example may not always be easy but it’s a must if you want the best chance of hitting your goals and having harmony in the workplace. In this episode we’re covering what it means to lead by example and how to gauge how effectively you are modeling the behavior you want to see. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you are interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

As with the last episode of Women Taking the Lead I’m asking, for your career, who do you go to for help and support? Help comes in many forms and from a variety of sources. Some help you can get for free and some help costs money. While I always recommend utilizing your free help when appropriate, and for as many things as you can, it’s important to know that free resources will only get you so far. We can get stuck in our careers or with a situation at work because we keep going back to the people in our lives whom will offer their help for free, but who don’t have the expertise to guide us through our challenges effectively. Knowing whom you can go to for what will save you time and energy, and not put any undue pressure on those in your support system who want to help, but can’t give you what you need. This episode will cover the types of career helpers you want to pay for, and how to utilize those people. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

For your career, who do you go to for help and support? Help comes in many forms and from various sources. Some help you can get for free and some will cost money. I recommend utilizing the free resources when appropriate and for as many things as you can. And, it’s important to know that free resources may only get you so far depending on what your goals and challenges are. I’ve seen many women get stuck in their career or with a situation at work because they keep going back to the people in their life who will offer their help for free, but who don’t have the expertise to guide this woman through her challenge effectively. Knowing whom you can go to for what will save you time and energy, and not put any undue pressure on those in your support system who want to help but can’t give you what you need. This episode will cover the types of help you can receive in your career for free, and how to utilize those people. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

How are you doing getting regular physical activity into your weekly routine? No judgement here. When there’s a lot going on it’s easy to free up time by skipping the workout, walk or bike you had already planned. In an emergency this is a logical move, but how often it is vital to skip the workout to handle a true emergency? Physical activity is not neutral. There are either benefits to getting in some activity or there are consequences for not being active. These consequences effect you mentally as well as physically. Given that, it is vital that you get regular movement in. And, you don’t need a gym membership or do intense workouts to be physically active. This episode is building on the last episode on mental and emotional wellness and making the case for exercise as a leadership development practice. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Perhaps never before has the focus of mental and emotional wellness been at the forefront of leadership.  According to the Harvard Business Review, “mental health challenges are now the norm among employees across all organizational levels.” In 2021, during a follow-up study to their 2019 Mental Health at Work Report, seventy-six percent of respondents reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition in the past year, up from 59% in 2019.  The pandemic impacted every area of people’s lives, and has been a leading factor in an increase of mental health concerns. And it is not behind us yet. Taking care of yourself is vital: if you are depleted your health, work, and ability to support others will suffer. This episode explores why, as a leader, taking care of your mental and emotional wellness, and supporting your team to do so as well, is critical. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Apply to be on an “On-Air Coaching” episode: Are you a female leader who has been promoted in the last year? You are invited to apply to be on the podcast. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Too many of us are not taking time off, despite the added stress caused by the pandemic (and the blurred lines between work and home). What if we shifted our perception of what it means to take time off? Instead of viewing down time as laziness or a failure, what if we saw time off as an investment in ourselves? It’s about valuing yourself enough to make that investment in yourself and modeling that behavior for others. This episode is making the case for taking time off and why taking that much-needed break will yield big returns. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me.

Saying No…is this easy for you? Or does even hearing the word “no” feel like a gut-punch? We’ve all heard about leveraging the power of “Yes” – but what about saying “No”?   In this episode, let’s explore when to say “no” – and how to do it effectively. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.  

What does “asking for help” mean to you? Do you avoid it at all cost because asking would mean exposing yourself to judgment? Maybe you see the importance and ask for help on occasion, but it’s uncomfortable. Or perhaps you ask for help on the regular and you don’t make it mean anything at all. In this episode we’ll explore why asking for help feels so hard, the benefits you may not be thinking about, and how to request help in a way that actually reinforces you as a strong leader. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Have you been thinking about working with a coach, but aren’t sure how to ask your company to sponsor your coaching? In this episode we’re going to discuss why it’s a benefit to your company to invest in your leadership development and how to ask your decisions makers to approve paying for you to work with a coach. Resources Episode Show Notes: Transcript and links mentioned in this episode. Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

How are you at making bold requests?  Which of these sounds most familiar? I know what I want – and I’m definitely not afraid to ask for it. Sometimes I feel confident enough to make a bold request…but not always. Me? Make a bold request. Not a chance. In this episode you and I are going to explore what it looks like to bring some boldness to your leadership and how to be bolder if this is something you shy away from. Resources Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Have you ever found yourself, after you’ve been promoted, wondering how the heck you’re going to get through the day?   In this episode we’re going to cover the common reasons why you might have gotten tripped up after you were promoted; and if you have a promotion on the horizon, what you might want to prepare yourself for. Resources   Resources Checklist to Ask Your Company for Coaching: Would coaching help you become a stronger leader? Wondering if your company would pay? It doesn't hurt to ask! Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader. Leadership Coaching: If you interested in finding out more about my coaching process, the cost of coaching, or how to ask your employer to pay for you to work with a coach, schedule a call with me. Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: The book containing a simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

In this episode I’m sharing some things I’ve been up to in the past year and what I’m doing for myself and my business in the coming months. For those of you who are new to Women Taking the Lead…hello and welcome! I’m Jodi Flynn and welcome to the Women Taking the Lead podcast. Being an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, workshop facilitator and I have the privilege to work with women leaders to hone the skills that will allow them to thrive in Senior Leadership. My absolute joy is to work with women who are still recovering from their last promotion. I am now settled in my new home in Norfolk, Virginia. And thanks to the beauty of technology, I’ve been able to continue to work with women all over the world as I transitioned from Maine to Massachusetts and on to Virginia. I do individual and group coaching as well as workshops and team retreats. I am the current President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference and on I’m the Board of Advisors for LeadHERship Global. There's Been a lot to Process I hope that this episode finds you healthy and well. There is so much change swirling around us right now and it’s so important for us to balance what needs to get done and be decided and taking time for yourself to pause and process everything that’s going on. Speaking of some things that are going on… Firstly, there are some exciting things going on behind the scenes with The Maine Women's Conference. We are actively producing our WeAreME Interview Series. This series features gritty, determined, and inspirational women from all over Maine. Sitting down live via Zoom to chat with a MEWC Board Member to share her story, the lessons she's learned, and her words of wisdom. In addition, participants on these calls have an opportunity to listen in and ask questions. The next WeAreME event is coming up on June 7th at 7 pm ET with Sherri Mitchell. Sherri is a Native American attorney, teacher, author, activist, and change-maker. Sherri will be sharing her story of advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental justice. Head over to TheMaineWomensConference.org to find out more! There’s also some exciting news coming out soon about The Maine Women's Conference 2021 event in November. Be sure you are subscribed to the Newsletter and or following The Maine Women's Conference on social media. You definitely don’t want to miss out! LeadHERship Global Secondly, I am also on the Board of Advisors for LeadHERship Global. LeadHERship Global is an incredibly impactful gathering of extraordinary women, connecting in a confidential, supportive and private community. Above all, LeadHERship Global is specifically designed for the unique opportunities and challenges of senior leaders. Members have access to independent, unbiased and expert advice on the most critical priorities facing leaders today, to accelerate their success. I've been taking advantage of the training, the virtual roundtables and networking opportunities the membership provides. What I love is there are plenty of opportunities to learn, network and get mentoring for your specific needs and stage in your career. You can find out more at LeadHerShipGlobal.com. Are you Active on LinkedIn? Thirdly, I’ve been getting much more active on LinkedIn and I’m really enjoying it. LinkedIn, for me, used to be a bit of a ghost town and the posts shared on LinkedIn were very formal. There are more people active on LinkedIn now and while the posts are primarily work and career related, which I like, they are much more engaging.  I’ve been active on these initiatives and working in my business. While that has brought me satisfaction and joy, I’ve also been feeling a pull recently to stop and reflect, and moreover, think about how I want to move forward with my business. And that includes the podcast. So many good things are happening right now. Moreover, I know I need to make sure everything I do is in service of my mission. That mission is serving you and making sure I’m providing what you need to overcome any self-doubt, so you can step gracefully into new levels of leadership and responsibility.   Hence, I need to slow down to process what’s been happening over the past 15 months, make some changes, and subsequently, come back refreshed and ready to support you. Are you thinking about making some new changes as well? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out to me at [email protected] or comment anywhere you find me on social media. Podcasts to Continue to Help You on Your Journey In the meantime, there is a back catalogue of 423 episodes! Can you believe that?!!! And rest assured, I’ll be back! I am a podcaster and I love this medium. And if you are looking for more great podcasts to listen to, here are some other podcasts I’m currently listening to on the regular. Living Life Well The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos NPR’s Life Kit Wine and Dime with Amy Irvine Career Focus LeadHERship Global Pioneers at Work Women Amplified with Celeste Headlee Business Focus Coach Pony with Christie Mims Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox The BizChix Podcast for Women Entrepreneurs The Brainy Business with Melina Palmer Sales Focus Linking In with Louise Sales Maven with Nikki Rausch Women Making Big Sales with Melinda Chen News and History The History Chicks The Daily As always, I hope this has been of value to you, and here’s to your continued success. Remember to process! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

In the last 100% Jodi episode, we covered what to consider when you are reviewing your responsibilities to decide what you need to focus on and what needs to find a new home. In this episode we’ll cover your next steps to make those change so you are focusing on those tasks that only you can do or those tasks that will get you closer to accomplishing your goals. Let’s do a quick recap. In the episode, Are You Afraid of Success or Are You Afraid of More Responsibility?, I challenged you to consider that what might be holding you back from pursuing your next big opportunity may be an underlying concern that if you take anything else on, you’ll get crushed by the weight of responsibilities. If you feel like you are narrowly hanging on in your current role, the thought of an expanded role would logically be out of the question. However, what I typically find working with women leaders is that they are more than competent to take on a greater role, but they have not adjusted how they are operating as a leader to allow more bandwidth. There are many reasons for this and some are easy to address by asking a question, making a decision and following up to see it through. Some reasons require addressing our mindset and the identity we are holding on to that is trapping us in a situation where we are doing work that we don’t need to do or could reassign. In the episode, What Responsibilities Should You Keep?, I guided you through a process of deciding what responsibilities needed to be realigned based on the resources you have, your values, and your goals. If you have not listened to those episodes yet hit pause and go back to give them a listen. These episodes will set you up to get the most out of what I’m going to cover with you now. I hope with these 3 episodes you now see the opportunity that delegating and realigning your commitments can create. I’ve gotten feedback from some of you that you need a place to start to begin the process. I hear you and this past week I created a quick and simple worksheet that will help you identify all the variables you need to think about as you start having conversations and making decisions. If you would like work with me on any of this, I invite you to sign up for a Responsibility Remodel Session. I would love to help you lift some of the weight of responsibility off your shoulders and do it in a way that makes you and those around you feel good. I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Denis is the CEO and Founder of Leading Change Partners. An organization that transforms business and leaders to lead a bigger game in a disruptive world. A highly respected International Facilitator and Executive Coach. He is the host of the Podcast, Leadership Is Changing. Denis is a professional, with 30 years’ experience successfully working in the Business and Human Resource space. A strong leader and communicator that has the ability to articulate, connect and work with all levels of an organization. Denis was the Global Delivery Lead, Executive Development and Top Talent programs for Hewlett Packard, a Fortune 20 company. Denis is also the co-author of a book called ‘Secrets of Inspiring Leaders Exposed’ and currently writing another book on Leadership. In this episode Denis and I discuss... The training and development programs he provides, and what outcomes he is looking for. What Denis has identified as critical components of training and development, particularly for women leaders. Some of the wins he’s seen as a result of the women he has worked with going through his training program. Where he sees the focus of training and development for women going in the future. Links Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Email: [email protected] Podcast: Leadership Is Changing Apple Link  https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/leadership-is-changing/id1517844848 Spotify Link  https://open.spotify.com/show/3vKxUEsnnWXlXrO8cfRCMF?si=9DMeJFGhRayWxGmWqedCnQ     Join Denis in the various communities; FaceBook – Leadership Is Changing Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadershipIsChanging/ LinkedIn – Leadership Is Changing Page  https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-is-changing-podcast Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

You’ve gotten to the point that you realize you need to make some changes in regard to what you are involved in and what you are responsible for. From here, how do you decide what stays and what goes? In the last 100% Jodi episode, we talked about one of reasons we self-sabotage our success: the fear of having too much responsibility. When our days are full of tasks and obligations, we project that onto a potential future. In this frame of mind, when we consider taking on more responsibility, we picture ourselves miserably buried in work and obligations. To be ready for the future you want, you’ve got to clean up what you’re spending your time on now. In this episode, we’re going to cover what to consider when you are reviewing your responsibilities to analyze what you need to focus on and what needs to find a new home. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Dr. Sarah E. Brown is an author, speaker, coach, trainer, and host of the KTS Success Factor™ Podcast. Her books include the best-selling Let Your Personality Be Your Career Guide and The Road to Success, the latter book co-written with Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul® fame.  She has also developed a completely personalized book series, based on the reader’s unique personality, entitled The Book of YOU®, which helps individuals be happy, successful, and better understood in a variety of pursuits. Following a successful career in corporate America, most recently as Managing Director with Accenture, Sarah retired early to speak, coach, and train individuals (mostly women) to pursue and, more importantly, complete big projects and life goals by drawing on their unique gifts and following proven success principles. In this episode Sarah and I discuss... The distinction between a "good job" and a "bad job". What Sarah has observed in regard to women and their ability to get out of a workplace rut, and how she’s making the solution accessible to women who may not have access to this solution through her employer. What women can do to get the benefits of the coaching process and mentoring even if they don’t have a coach and there aren’t a lot of women at the senior levels of the organization to mentor them. How Sarah trains women to utilize self-coaching in a way that works and is sustainable and how you can get access to this training. Links Giveaway:  Text KTS to 833-230-2802 https://www.bookofyou.com https://www.sarahebrown.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnowThyselfGuides LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KnowGuides Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Patsy Doerr is the Chief Executive Officer of The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI). Patsy leads all facets of AJLI and serves as the face of the organization, advocating in both the public and private sectors. Patsy is a leading expert and thought leader in the field of corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. She has been interviewed by a number of publications and programs, including Forbes, The Muse, The Hill and ThriveGlobal. Completing over 75+ keynote presentations, panel moderations and group discussion facilitations per year, Patsy is frequently tapped to discuss DEI issues. Her greatest passion is helping organizations build and develop initiatives that best position them for long-term success in a diverse, global environment. In this episode Patsy and I discuss... The work the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) is doing in the world to train women and get them ready for leadership in their local and global community. The people who make up the membership of AJLI and why they choose to get involved in the Junior League. The mission AJLI has in regard to its members. How understanding the qualities and values of the people drawn to your mission can help you support them and keep them engaged. Links Forbes Blog: https://www.forbes.com/sites/patsydoerr/#2b288ca43bca  Thrive Global Blog: https://thriveglobal.com/authors/patsy-doerr/  Articles/Interviews: The Muse (Interview): My Job Is to Promote Diversity and Inclusion at a Major Company The Hill (Op-ed): Gender Equality is Good for Business Swaay (Byline): No Title No Problem:  How I Created My Own Positions Throughout My Career PokerDivas (Podcast Interview): It May Be Diverse But Is It Inclusive Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Miki Feldman Simon, is a Career and Executive Coach and the founder of IamBackatWork, a company dedicated to helping women remain and return to the workforce. Miki is a seasoned professional who has held leading executive roles in human resource management, marketing, and business development. She has built and led resilient teams in high growth software companies with successful exits. Miki is a Certified Executive Coach, (CPC), has an M.Sc. (Master of Science) in Organizational Behavior and a B.A in Psychology and Educational Counseling. Miki is passionate about accelerating people’s personal and professional growth, enabling them to step into their full potential. In this episode Miki and I discuss... The current state of affairs with women in the workforce. Where women were before the pandemic and where they are now. The decisions that many women are having to make in order to meet the demands of taking care of their household, their children, sick relatives, and aging parents. The cost of this situation on our society, economy, the workforce, the advancement of women, etc. How Miki works with women to navigate these tough decisions. (Great tips here for yourself and to suggest to your employer) And finally, what Miki shares that we can be optimistic about. Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikifeldmansimon/ Website: http://iambackatwork.com/ Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

As the Co-Founder of D&S Professional Coaching, Debra works with interesting, talented, and successful executives from all over the globe to equip them with the tools they need to advance in the modern job market. Debra has been recognized as a resume, LinkedIn, and job search expert by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Huffington Post, and many other career-related sites in addition to serving as an international speaker and top-rated podcast guest. Debra holds a Master of Science in Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and an Associate of Science in Labor Studies. She is also a Certified Digital Branding Strategist through Career Thought Leaders. In this episode Debra and I discuss... Your personal or professional brand and why is it important. How to create a personal brand for yourself that is unique. Where to begin when starting a job search. How job seekers can stand out to employers, given that it is a very competitive job market. Some things Debra specifically sees women do on their resumes or in their job searches that may be holding them back. Links Website: www.dsprocoaching.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/debraboggs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebraBoggs_DS Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Are you afraid of success or are you afraid of more responsibility? In this episode we’re going to explore why success can be so elusive and why self-sabotage rears its ugly head in moments when success is within reach. I don’t remember when I first heard the expression “Fear of Success”, but I do remember being baffled hearing it. Why would anyone fear success? At that time, to me, success meant a great job with a fancy title, more money than I needed, being fit, being in a great relationship, etc. That’s a pretty fantastic list. Most people want these things or some variation of them. Where is the fear coming from? As I started getting closer to actually having some of those things a light bulb went off. That list of great things I wanted, they in and of themselves weren’t the problem. It was the thought of all the things that come with them that had me start pumping the break. In a nutshell, it’s the added responsibility that causes us to cringe and hold back. When you think about the life you want to be living, what new responsibilities will you need to take on if you were to achieve that life? Is there anything that causes you to hesitate? If you are torn between the life and lifestyle you want to be living and an aversion to taking on even more responsibility, I invite you to do a Responsibility Remodel Session with me. This is a life-changing opportunity to restructure your commitments and obligations, and get you closer to where you want to be. In this 30-minute strategy session you will: get to the heart of the work you want to be doing, or only you can do, and identify the work someone else could be doing. know how to empower your team, clients, colleagues, etc., so you can work less (or refocus your energy) and still deliver. have language to communicate new expectations and gain buy-in so everyone is onboard. have the strategies to keep your to do list clear of non-essential time-wasters, allowing you to give your priority items your all. This is a special session offered to help you get past those mental and physical hurdles so you can make progress on the things that are the most vital to you, and open up opportunity for you to say yes to the things that will allow for the life you want to be living. You don’t have to work more or work harder to have that life. By restructuring what it is you do and do not do, you will actually be able to take on more responsibility and have the time and energy to enjoy the life you are living. For that reason, this session is being offered for $97. That’s 30 minutes with me focused on the things that are most important to you. I would love and be honored to support you to set up your work and your life in a way that feels good to you. A way that honors your core values, allows you to express your gifts and talents, and allows you to enjoy life as well. Go to https://womentakingthelead.com/remodel to find out more and sign up for your session. I cannot wait to chat with you. You deserve to have a life that works for you. As always, I hope this was of value to you, and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Stephen Josephs, Ed.D. is a leadership development expert. He is dedicated to helping leaders shape their culture and bring out people’s best work in ways they haven’t thought of before. He is particularly interested in the strengths women bring to their leadership roles, and he helps them build their capacities and skills to thrive in today’s business environments. In his 40 years of leadership development work in corporations he has integrated mindfulness as a central part of developing executives. His recent course, Mindfulness 2.0 for Engineers, has received high ratings from participants. In this episode Stephen and I discuss... How taking on a new role is a good fit and sometimes you have to make it your own. The challenges faced after taking on a new role when you bump up against the culture. A role play that can help you get a win-win in a confrontational conversation, and create an opportunity to transform your relationships with those whom you had perceived as adversaries. How to get at the original source of inspiration that is there for all of us. A powerful practice that allows you to build rapport and a connection with anyone. Links Books: Dragons at Work and Leadership Agility  Website: http://www.stephenjosephs.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenjosephs Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

What guides you as a leader when you are faced with a moral dilemma? In this episode I’m going to call out some of the dilemmas we are faced with as leaders and some perspectives you can take to help you through them.   Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Stacy Henry is owner and founder of CenterBranch, a consulting and coaching firm dedicated to helping both companies and individuals perform to their highest potential. With services that include keynote speaking and workshop facilitation, women’s development, and leadership and executive coaching, CenterBranch enables people to be their best so they, and the companies they work for, may flourish. Stacy has twenty-five years of experience from a variety of global industries as a leadership development expert, executive coach and HR business partner for C-suite leaders. In this episode Stacy and I discuss... A critical piece of women’s leadership development that can increase the efficacy of any training and development program for women. How to engage senior leaders so they are also engaged participants in the efforts to increase the number of women in senior leadership. Some of the components in a leadership development program that address the specific needs of women. The benefits to the participants of such a program – and to the people around them. How Stacy is applying this ideology in her consulting an coaching work through her company, CenterBranch. Links In her new book, Get Rooted!, Stacy identifies common values and provides readers with a visual framework to understand their roots.  Website: www.CenterBranch.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyhenry01/ Email: [email protected] WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register.

Do you prefer convenience or happiness? You may be thinking, “Both!” But the reality is our long-term happiness and satisfaction usually requires a long series of inconveniences. In this episode I’m making a case for why you actually want to be inconvenienced a lot more. Hello, I’m Jodi Flynn and welcome to the Women Taking the Lead podcast. I’m an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, workshop facilitator and I have the joy to work with women leaders who want to hone the skills that will allow them to thrive in Senior Leadership. I know I’ve met a woman I would love to work with when we start having a few laughs about our tendencies toward perfectionism and people pleasing. I had been living in Maine for the past 18 years, but I am currently in Massachusetts staying with family while I prepare to make my final move to Virginia. Thanks to the beauty of technology, I’ve been able to continue to work with women all over the world even in the midst of so much movement and transition. I do individual coaching as well as workshops and team retreats, and I am the current President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference. I spend the free time I have catching up with friends and family, coordinating my move to Virginia, and finding calm by watching the Great British Baking Show. Applied knowledge is power If you spend any time with teenagers and young adults you’ve probably witnessed many occasions where they choose the short-term pleasure or convenience over the long-term gain. Currently living in a home with a 9-year-old, 13-year-old, and 19-year-old, I am treated to many conversations and behaviors around this very topic. I’ve also had a very direct conversation with my 21-year-old nephew about this. We’re always faced with things, great and small, that we’d rather not have to do. But if we want to reach our goals and find satisfaction and fulfillment – the things that truly make us happy – we have to make some sacrifices. You might be thinking, “Jodi, why are you taking a podcast episode to talk about this? I already know this.” I absolutely know that you know this. What I would ask you is, how closely are you living this? When working with my clients we make the distinction between what we know and what we believe. Sometimes we hear an idea or theory and think, “That sounds about right. That makes sense to me.” And if there is some science to back it up, we then consider ourselves to “know it.” There’s the saying, knowledge is power, but that’s not exactly true. Knowledge is potential power. Applied knowledge is power. If you are making the sacrifices necessary to achieve satisfaction and fulfillment in your life, great! If not, use this episode as a gentle reminder. Though we may “know” something it’s often helpful to have reminders to live what we know. In this episode are some examples of the short-term sacrifices or inconveniences I invite you to make so you can live a life that brings you satisfaction and fulfillment.  I'm also sharing suggestion for how to make it easier to make those sacrifices. I hope this is of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Hailed as “a force of nature” and “a rising superstar”, Nikki Groom is on a mission to help rising women leaders recognize their worthiness, own their power, and amplify their impact – without checking their integrity at the door. She is the author of A Power of Your Own: How to Ignite Your Potential, Uncover Your Purpose, and Blaze Your Own Trail in Life and Business, a business, brand and marketing strategist, and the creator of the Movement Makers Mastermind: a small business growth accelerator for women entrepreneurs. Nikki hosts the Movement Makers podcast, is the Founder of The 100 Stories Worth Telling Project, and acts as an adviser for social entrepreneurs and enterprises. She has been involved in dozens of projects and partnerships that focus on empowering women in business. In this episode Nikki and I discuss… Our concept of worthiness and how that can hold us back from pursuing our happiness How shame looks in our day to day lives as women and how to release yourself from its grips Women’s credibility challenge  Finding freedom by giving yourself permission to fail Links “A Power of Your Own: How to Ignite Your Potential, Uncover Your Purpose, and Blaze Your Own Trail in Life & Business” the book, available from Amazon and other leading booksellers. Nikki’s website: https://www.nikkigroom.com/ Nikki’s Instagram: @NikkiGroom Free resources to help you amplify your impact: https://www.nikkigroom.com/ Download the first chapter of the book free: https://www.nikkigroom.com/book WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Are you ready for 2021? That can be a loaded question most years but this year it seems that question could easily set someone off. Given our routines have been upended, we have been through so much emotional upheaval, and the next year is uncertain, in this episode I’m going to give you a different kind of New Year exercise that is designed to support you no matter how you’re feeling about the past year or year to come. Hello, I’m Jodi Flynn and welcome to the Women Taking the Lead podcast. I’m an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, workshop facilitator and I have the joy to work with women leaders who want to hone the skills that will allow them to thrive in Senior Leadership. I know I’ve met a woman I would love to work with when we start having a few laughs about our tendencies toward perfectionism and people pleasing. I had been living in Maine for the past 18 years, but I am currently in Massachusetts staying with family while I prepare to make my final move to Virginia. Thanks to the beauty of technology, I’ve been able to continue to work with women all over the world even in the midst of so much movement and transition. I do individual coaching as well as workshops and team retreats, and I am the current President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference. I spend my free time catching up with friends and family, coordinating my move to Virginia, and lately I’ve been cooking more family-style meals with my sister and nieces. I have a few more skills in the kitchen. Do you have a few more skills this year? For many of us, the pandemic added a lot of stress and new responsibilities but ironically, also freed up a lot of our time. Because extra-curriculars, travel (even local travel), and events were cancelled or cut back, we’ve found ourselves with more space on our calendars. This free time, and a desire to distract ourselves from the uncertainty of our situations, brought on a boom of indulging in new and old hobbies, and polishing some skills. Many of you have improved your cooking and baking skills, have quickly upgraded your technical skills, and even the grandparents have become old hats at video conferencing. As we start to plan for 2021 let’s take a quick look back at 2020. My first question for you to consider is, what skills have you gained or improved upon in the past year? Be sure to include tactical skills, which may include more facility around software or mastering a crochet loop, as well as soft skills, such as improved listening skills, asking better questions, or advocating for yourself. What has the year taught you? As you reflect on last year, think about what else you learned about yourself. Did you discover a new interest? Did you realize you’re not doing the work you want to be doing? Did you realize you’re definitely in the right field but would like to contribute in a different way? Did you learn something new about taking care of yourself or your energy? Did you learn something new about the people around you and what they need or don’t need from you? When you think about yourself in the past year, what are you most proud of? Use these questions as prompts but don’t limit your reflection to just these questions. Keep exploring how the past year has informed you. One more question about the past year, which will segue right into imagining the year to come. What was missing for you in the past year? There may be many answers to this question so again, don’t limit yourself to one or two answers. Some common answers I’ve heard from my clients is hugs, good communication, in-person events, the ability to shop leisurely, and travel. Those seem to the be the glaring items that were missing last year. But I’ve also been hearing: alone time, space to sit quietly and think, structure and accountability. Thinking about what you’ve learned about yourself in the past year, what would you like to bring into 2021? Thinking about what was missing in the past year, what would you like to create in the year to come? Slowly start to identify goals With these answers you can start to create goals that don’t just represent a new achievement, they will support you to be your best self in 2021. Also, these goals will support you through the uncertainty we’re sure to experience through the first half of the year. As opportunities present themselves, and we know more about our situations, you’ll be able to expand and build upon your goals. Normally I would be encouraging you to be very specific and detailed about your goals, but the reality of our situation is we can predict very little about the year to come. What is in your control is your focus, your choices and your habits. Let’s double-down on these. Would additional support be helpful? Now, do you or someone who reports to you want or need someone to partner with in the new year? Working with a skilled coach can help get to the heart of what’s holding you back in your work or in your life in general. I’ve had 3 women sign up to work with me starting in January. One woman is an executive who has hit a point of mastery in her career but is beginning to feel unfulfilled. She is excellent at what she does and other companies are trying to recruit her but she has lost the passion for the work she does. She would apply for other jobs but isn’t clear on what she wants to do next. Through coaching she is going to explore what does excite her and would bring her fulfillment. Another woman is an executive within an organization who was promoted about a year ago. She’s meeting expectations in her role but doesn’t feel like she’s doing a strong job. She said she never felt like she got her feet under her after her promotion and there are some things she would like to be doing better. In this situation the owner of the company reached out on her behalf to identify coaches she could vet and he is investing in the coaching for her. The third woman whom I’ll be working with is a business owner. Her business is doing great, is very profitable, and though she is near retirement has not plans to leave the business any time soon. What she would like, though, is to take a little more time off and doesn’t see how she can do that because her team and customers are so dependent on her. We’ll be working together to create the structure and support that will allow her to be the visionary of her business and mentor to her team while allowing her team to work more independently and provide almost all of the customer service. If any of these scenarios sound familiar or if you have a unique situation you would like support with, I invite you to reach out to me directly at [email protected] or engage or send me a message on a social media platform. I’m on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. We can chat about your situation and determine if coaching with me is a good fit for you. I would be honored to be of service to you in the coming year. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Kim Langers, COO of Rastegar Property Company is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of the asset management and development team, marketing, technology, business strategy, and operations, along with helping Rastegar achieve its business goals. She is also instrumental in fostering the growth of the company and building a team that takes it to the next level. Previously, she held the Regional Operations Manager post at Herbalife Nutrition and was dedicated to improving distributor and preferred member experience in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Caribbean. Before that, Kimberly supervised manufacturing for Coca-Cola and production for Merle Norman Cosmetics. In this episode Kim and I discuss... Fining opportunities in your career to live your core values The challenge within organization to create a culture of diversity and inclusion and how much easier it is to create that culture when it is a top-down approach How the lack of access to mentors for both young women and members of the LGBTQ community affects career choices How personal insecurities can distract us from reaching our full professional potential and how to overcome those insecurities Why women/members of the LGBTQ community end up having to work harder for their opportunities and why that needs to stop Links Connect with Kim: https://rastegarproperty.com/team_member/kim-langers/ WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Shannon Kenny is a Sustainable Business Consultant who helps eco-conscious businesses grow with integrity so they can create meaningful impact while running a successful business. Growing up on the Caribbean island of Trinidad instilled a deep sense of environmental responsibility within her, and in 2017, she turned that conviction into her career with the launch of Mama Eco, a business dedicated to helping eco-conscious people make better decisions for the environment. Prior to that, Shannon worked in the travel industry as a luxury travel advisor, and in the art world as an artist and curator. She has spoken at sustainable events as well as been on panels with thought leaders in the environmental world. And has been featured in several publications, including USA Today, MarketWatch, mindbodygreen and Grateful.  In this episode Shannon and I discuss... The work Shannon does as a sustainability consultant and the type of clients she serves Why it is important for businesses to think about environmental sustainability and begin to take transparent steps to help the environment How businesses can benefit from incorporating sustainability into their DNA and how it serves their employees, customers and bottom line Why it’s important for women to take the lead when it comes to sustainability Links Website: www.mamaeco.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mama.eco/ WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

In this quick episode I’m going to be direct about what’s needed from you as a leader and a reminder of what you need to be doing for yourself. Hello, I’m Jodi Flynn and welcome to the Women Taking the Lead podcast. I’m an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, workshop facilitator and I have the joy to work with women leaders who want to hone the skills that will allow them to thrive in Senior Leadership. I know I’ve met a woman I would love to work with when we start having a few laughs about our tendencies toward perfectionism and people pleasing. I had been living in Maine for the past 18 years, but I am currently in Massachusetts staying with family for the next month, and then I make my final move to Virginia at the beginning on 2021. Thanks to the beauty of technology, I’ve been able to continue to work with women all over the world even in the midst of so much movement and transition. I do individual coaching as well as workshops and team retreats, and I am the current President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference. I spend my free time catching up with friends and family, coordinating my move to Virginia to create a life with my guy, working out and watching the Great British Baking Show. I saw a tweet a few weeks ago that said this week has been the longest month. Have you been feeling that way too? This year has brought a bag of tricks we weren’t anticipating. Add a contentious election right before the holidays and that’s the cherry on top. You may also be having that feeling you had when you were a child on a long car ride with your parents and you were dying to get out of the car. In frustration and agony, you couldn’t help it, you kept asking, “Are we there yet?” We are not there yet. A president has been announced and vaccines are being approved, but we are a long way from healing as a nation and as a globe. Though you are like feeling a bit tired and uncertain, this is a great time to be a leader. When times are uncertain and chaos is ensuing, that’s when people are looking to those who lead to help them navigate a path through. If you are a leader, and I’m assuming you are if you are listening to this podcast, those who look to you for guidance need you to bring your best self forward right now. It's a lot to ask of you, but there’s a lot at stake. It won’t help anyone if you are easily triggered and reactionary right now. I have lost count of the number of times I had to give myself a talking to over the last couple of weeks, telling myself, “don’t engage, don’t engage, it’s not worth it.” Have you found yourself digging deep recently to stay away from conflict? The number of messages I've received in recent weeks detailing a "crazy" post on social media and the sender's struggle to not respond or comment on it have been numerous. I've seen a few and have been triggered by them as well. I want to react and discharge the emotion. And then I remember I am a leader and I have a bigger mission at stake. A moment of unleashing my pent-up frustration cannot be taken back and could hurt my cause significantly. Thoughts like, "don't engage, it's not worth it", may not be of the highest virtue but they've saved me from acting rashly and I'm grateful for that. We're all feeling a little on edge lately. I’m hoping with the winter holidays here we all have an opportunity to unplug and step away from the fray for a little while. And you especially, as a leader, need to take time to take care of yourself. If you need to vent to a trusted friend, unplug from the news, delete your social media apps from your phone or take a nap in the middle of the day - do it! Doing something nice for someone else will also make you feel good. I’d love to hear what helps you to stay above the fray? You can reach out to me directly at [email protected] or engage or send me a message on a social media platform. I’m on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Jennifer Brown is an award-winning entrepreneur, dynamic speaker, and diversity and inclusion expert. She is the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), a strategic leadership and diversity consulting firm that coaches business leaders worldwide on critical issues of talent and workplace strategy. Jennifer is a passionate advocate for social equality who helps businesses foster healthier, more productive workplace cultures. Her book Inclusion: Diversity, the New Workplace & the Will to Change inspires leadership to embrace the opportunity that diversity represents and empower advocates to drive change that resonates in today’s world. Jennifer's second book, How to Be an Inclusive Leader, provides a step-by-step guide for the personal and emotional journey we must undertake to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. In this episode Jennifer and I discuss... Self-awareness and some of the truths we need to face to open ourselves to become an inclusive leader The difference between performative and authentic allyship and how we can be a more authentic ally in the workplace The need to accept that “the work” is messy and if we can embrace failing forward we will grow, learn and become more inclusive The importance of organizations preparing the way for their employees to bring their whole self to work Links Website: https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferbrown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrownspeaks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbrownspeaks/inclusiveleaderthebook.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbrownconsulting WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

In this episode, I’m sharing some exciting news. And it’s not just that I celebrated my 46th birthday this week, though that is true. I’m also sharing that my book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing, is now finally, finally available in Audible. Hello, I’m Jodi Flynn and welcome to the Women Taking the Lead podcast. I’m an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, workshop facilitator and I have the joy to work with women leaders who want to hone the skills they’ll need to thrive in Senior Leadership. I know I’ve met a woman I would love to work with when we start having a few laughs about our tendencies toward perfectionism and people pleasing. I had been living in Maine for the past 18 years, but I am currently in Massachusetts staying with family for the next month, and then I make my final move to Virginia at the beginning on 2021. Thanks to the beauty of technology I’ve been able to continue to work with women all over the world even in the midst of so much movement and transition. I do individual coaching as well as workshops and team retreats, and I am the current President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference. I spend my free time catching up with friends and family, coordinating my move to Virginia to create a life with my guy, working out and watching the Great British Baking Show. I first published my book Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing in November of 2016. For years I’ve been asked why I don’t have an audio version of my book in Audible, given that I am a podcaster and many of the women in my community also like to consume audio content. Well, the wait is over! Accomplished is available in Audible and if you are not already on Audible, you can sign up and get Accomplished for free. Use the link, https://womentakingthelead.com/audible and you will be redirected to Audible to sign up and get Accomplished for free. If you are already an Audible member you can go find Accomplished right in your Audible app or use link https://womentakingthelead.com/audiobook and it will take you right there. You may be thinking, “What is Accomplished all about and why would I want to read it?” When we are not seeing the changes that we want, we often look to outside sources to explain the problem, giving our power over the situation away and hurting our self-image. Accomplished takes a different approach. It peels back the layers of misconceptions that you have about yourself and introduces you to the alter egos that appear when you are under stress. It gives you the opportunity to get to know the woman you really are underneath all the coping, the stress reactions, and the expectations of others. It guides you through a process to uncover and articulate your personal mission – the “work” that will bring you alive, bringing your best self forward in each moment. It gives you an opportunity to reflect on the people whom you spend the most time with and start to identify the specific qualities you want in the people who surround you. This is the secret to accomplishing goals you had only wished or struggled for up until now. And all of this inside work will lead to the motivation to make something happen in your life. In this final stage Accomplished guides you through crafting goals that are worthy of the real you. You have your pick of the audio version, kindle or paperback. And more good news, you can get the audio version of Accomplished for $4.87. This would also make a great gift for another woman. Now, this episode is short and sweet but I’m going to be back this Monday with another episode in which I’m chatting with Jennifer Brown of Jennifer Brown Consulting on the personal journey to be inclusive. It was enlivening. If there is any way I can support you, reach out to me at [email protected] or message me on any platform we are connected on. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Nicole Tersigni is a comedic writer who lives in Metro Detroit with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Since childhood, Nicole has felt an intense need to diffuse uncomfortable moments with laughter, so writing a book that finds humor in dealing with tiresome, entitled men was inevitable. Drawing on her experience in improv comedy and women's advocacy, Nicole is excited to combine these worlds and bring some much-needed levity to the fight against the patriarchy. When she's not writing feminist humor books, she's working on screenplays, or (more likely) cracking jokes on Twitter. In this episode Nicole and I discuss... In this episode Nicole and I discuss… 😯 The concept of mansplaining and when it starts to impact women 😯 What caused Nicole to take up the crusade to call out mansplaining 😯 The post on Twitter that caught fire and inspired the book 😯 The five types of mansplaining Nicole pokes fun at in her book 😯 The galling assumption that is at the heart of mansplaining 🤨 Raising daughters to recognize mistreatment and deal with it in a way that allows the other person to hear the critical feedback Links Twitter @nicsigni  Instagram @nicsigni_writes Book Men to Avoid in Art and Life Website: https://www.nicoletersigni.com  WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Dr. Carmen W. Landrau is a board-certified cardiologist and professional keynote speaker who uses her experience navigating a male-dominated career, to empower women to embrace their talents and acknowledge their achievements so that they may transform into phenomenal leaders. Carmen is a keynote speaker at corporate conferences and associations events and has participated in panels, workshops and national TV interviews with great acceptance. Her talks are sought-after by those actively involved in the advancement of women into senior executives of an organization. Her ability to elevate an event and engage the audience is repeatedly well received. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exercising and spending quality time with her husband and kids. In this episode Carmen and I discuss... Her journey from cardiologist to keynote speaker in women’s empowerment How making a difference is what can help you overcome fear and take action If you are called to do something new, no matter what you try, that feeling is not going away and you will only feel better if you explore the possibility The importance of celebrating your successes, big and small Tips for women to take that next step Links Website:  www.drlandrau.com LinkedIn: www.Linkedin.com/in/drlandrau WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Ellen Miller grew up in rural Maine and is a leadership coach and operational executive for TRC Companies and Former Vice President of AVANGRID. She understands the challenges of being a pioneer and breaking trail in a non-traditional role. As a leader, she has experienced digging in, charging ahead, and rising above both personally and professionally. She is curating on Instagram, “Illuminating: Women In The Shadows”, to highlight and honor women pioneers in the past to inspire and empower the women pioneers of today. In this episode Ellen and I discuss... Why all women are pioneers, whether a business owner or an employee forging new paths for women to succeed. We have to blaze trails and make inroads that require us to engage and motivate people all around us. Why starting with vision, mission, vision sounds cliche but is an absolute must if you want to avoid the common pitfalls involved in leading a team. How Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be used to motivate your team and reduce stress. Why it is crucial to be able to redefine success, especially when you are in a crisis, so you and those around you can focus on what's important. Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpoweredus/ Instagram:  @mpoweredus Email: [email protected] WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

In this episode I’m going to cover being forceful versus being influential. We all have an idea of what we want and there are many strategies we can utilize to accomplish our goal. However, in regard to using force, which many of us can default into because of the short-term gains, there are many more benefits to cultivating influence even though it takes more time and conscious intention. Hello, I’m Jodi Flynn and welcome to the Women Taking the Lead podcast. I’m an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, workshop facilitator and I have the joy to work with women leaders who want to hone the skills they’ll need to thrive in Senior Leadership. I know I’ve met a woman I would love to work with when we start having a few laughs about our tendencies toward perfectionism and people pleasing. I have been living in Maine for the past 18 years and thanks to the beauty of technology I’ve been able to work with women all over the world. I do individual coaching as well as workshops and team retreats. I am currently in the processes of taking my coaching system and turning it into an online course for those who prefer a Do-It-Yourself model of learning. I am the current President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference and I am a Curriculum Partner for a Women’s Leadership development program through Real Women Collective Action (RWCA). I spend my free time catching up with friends and family, planning trips to Virginia to visit my guy, working out and watching the Great British Baking Show. Communication and Relationships Because of my expertise in communication and relationship building there have been times I’ve been approached by organizations looking for scripts of what to say. And hearing what this episode was going to cover, you may also have wondered if there are the right things to say to be more influential. I always respectfully hear what they have to say and why they want these scripts and then I explain to them that communication, relationship building, and gaining influence are more about who you are being that what you are saying. When I talk about who you are being, I’m referring to your demeanor, your attitude and the overall experience you are creating for the other person or people around you. You’ve probably heard this before: communication is comprised of only 7% word choice or verbal communication. The other 93% is split 38% vocal (think tone of voice, inflection, volume, etc.) and the final 55% is nonverbal communication (facial expressions and body language). That means, that while you may have 7% of your communication nailed down the other 93% of what you are communicating may not be in your conscious control. Even if you can get conscious control of some of your vocal and nonverbal communication and get that percentage up to 50% or 60%, you still have 40%-50% of your communication sending different messages. [Listen in to get more information on transforming subtle force, which only gives you short-term gains, into influence. How to Increase Your Influence Have a strong sense of integrity; keep your word Be clear on your core values and live by them Be confident and secure in who you are and your abilities Continue to develop yourself personally and professionally Respect and treat the people you lead with fairness Own up to your mistakes and make amends Be inclusive, invite others in, letting them be a part of the process Make others feel valued and heard Be agile and flexible, especially when faced with challenges Demonstrate openness, transparency, humility and intelligence Have a good sense of humor; value fun and enjoyment in the workplace and elsewhere Take your work seriously but don’t take yourself too seriously Be curious and embody a sense of possibility Assume good intent Inspire people by sharing your vision with them and helping them to see themselves in that vision Be a team player and make others happy to be on your team, playing alongside you Be willing to roll up your sleeves, work hard, and do what it takes and so much more... If you are already doing these things you are probably very in tune with having a blessed life. Well done and keep going. We are blessed to have you among us. And, if while going through that list you realized you could use some support in developing any of the characteristics and the demeanor that creates influence, I would love to partner with you on this. What is so great about coaching is the things that help to make you a better leader are the things that cause you to be happier and healthier in all areas of your life. If you’re ready or you would like to hear more about how coaching can help you develop influence reach out to me at [email protected]. It would be an honor to be a part of your journey. And if you thought of a friend or colleague whom this episode would be helpful to, please share it with them. Some of the most useful resources I’ve gained on my journey have come as recommendations from those who cared about me. As always, I hope this was helpful to you, and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Mary Cheyne is a TEDx speaker, MBA and Transformational Public Speaking Trainer & Coach who has trained over 15,000 people in 30 cities internationally. Mary is the 2009 World Champion of Public Speaking first runner-up, out of 25,000 contestants from 14 countries and is also the best-selling author of the book, “Present” Yourself in Public Speaking – Tell Your Inner Critic to SHUT UP! And the Real You to SPEAK UP! Mary is proof that transformation is possible, as she began her career as a self-conscious, introverted computer programmer! Two fun facts about Mary is that she also holds a Karate Black Belt rank and plays the ukulele.  In this episode Mary and I discuss... The invisible force that causes you to hesitate to speak up even though you know what you’re talking about How to manage your inner critic so it doesn’t sabotage your best efforts Public speaking is not people’s #1 fear. Do you know what is? What it means to wake up the warrior woman with yourself How to be confident and assert yourself in any situation Links Download the “Bypass Your Inner Critic” Cheat Sheet:  https://magneticpodium.com/InnerCriticSummary/ Website: https://www.magneticpodium.com Watch Mary’s TEDx Talk: The Hidden Power of Bruce Lee that We All Have https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq7FxNyKURY WTL Leadership Survey I’d love it if you could help me to do some research on the coaching and training that is most needed right now. I’ve put together a quick survey (5-10 minutes) to gather this information so I can make sure you are getting exactly what you need as a leader right now and in the near future. Go to womentakingthelead.com/survey to add your voice to this project. Thank you so much for your help! Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Were you one of the people who, when the pandemic shut downs began, took a step back to reflect on how you were living your life; checking in to see if you were on the right track? If you didn’t like what you were seeing, you’ve probably been doing some research to see what changes you could make and how to make those changes. From there, the next natural step is to get into action. When the pandemic began, I redid a series on the Cycle of Change and completed 3 of the 4 phases that make up the Cycle of Change. The phases I covered were: The Toss-In Phase or the ending of a cycle, The Shuffle Phase which includes deciding what you want to do next, and The Deal Phase when you decide what strategy you’ll utilize in the next phase. The timing did not feel right to cover the final phase back in the spring but I am feeling it now. In this episode, we’re going to cover the fourth and final phase of the cycle of change, Play the Game. Hi, I’m Jodi Flynn and welcome to the Women Taking the Lead podcast. I’m an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, workshop facilitator and I have the joy to work with women leaders who want to hone the skills they’ll need to thrive in Senior Leadership. I know I’ve met a woman I would love to work with when we start having a few laughs about our tendencies toward perfectionism and people pleasing. Originally from Massachusetts I have been living in Maine for the past 18 years. Thanks to the beauty of technology I’ve been able to work with women all over the world. If you have a device and Wi-Fi we can work together. I do individual coaching as well as workshops and team retreats. I am currently in the processes of taking my coaching system and turning it into an online course for those who prefer a Do-It-Yourself model of learning. I am the current President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference and I am a Curriculum Partner for a Women’s Leadership development program through Real Women Collective Action (RWCA). I spend my free time catching up with friends and family, FaceTiming my boyfriend who lives in Virginia, working out and watching the Great British Baking Show. Play the Game (Action!) “Play the Game” is an exciting and mostly positive time during the Cycle of Change when you are all-in to live your dreams and reach new levels of success, fulfillment and well-being. Whereas in previous stages you were either reflecting on the past or imagining the future, this phase is about being fully in the moment. You are living the strategy and the plan you created in The Deal Phase. It is a time of action but the amount of action you will take in this phase is based on your personality, how clear you are on your goal, how feasible your plan is and how much support you have. That’s why The Deal Phase is so crucial to set you up for success in this phase, though most plans will work if you can only get out of your own way. What that means is in the Play the Game Phase it’s important to manage your inner critic, which always comes to life when you are doing something new, big or scary. This is where self-doubt can start to plague you and if you allow it too much power you will unconsciously begin to self-sabotage. Know that it is natural and normal for your inner critic to try to have a field day with you. Change the perspective that hearing your inner critic is a bad thing. Rather, hearing your inner critic means you are playing full out and that’s a great thing. If you are able to manage your inner critic you will, for the most part, feel harmonious, optimistic, determined and fully alive. If you are able to remain flexible you will be able to pivot and adjust if things don’t go according to plan. Let’s face it, things rarely go exactly according to plan so it’s important not to get too attached to the plan or judge yourself and others too harshly for not expecting the unexpected. Things may not go as planned but you are 100% in. While this stage is usually associated with wins and success, it can also be the setting for disappointments, setbacks, and new challenges. You can probably look back on times in your life where the Play the Game Phase of the Cycle of Change did not go well. If this is happening to you right now it’s important not to judge yourself too harshly. Look on what is happening as a valuable lesson that you can examine and learn from so you go into the next Cycle of Change stronger and wiser. Place your focus on what is working and what is not working without judgment and you’ll be able to make adjustments and pivot pretty easily because you won’t be heaping the past and emotion on the situation. Remain nimble and empowered by staying curious and looking for opportunities no matter what is happening. Being Fully in the Moment People typically love this phase the most out of all of the four phases and wish it would continue on like this indefinitely, or better yet, for the rest of their lives. Although that sounds great, chances are if you are still open to growth and being your best-self, you will be back in the Toss In Phase and the cycle will begin once again. It doesn’t mean you’ve backtracked, it actually means you are moving forward, even though it may not feel like it at first. For instance, have you ever hit a time in your life when you want to stay in action because being in action makes you feel productive? However, if you are not regularly taking time and a step back to reflect on the goal and your progress, and making sure you are using the best strategy you will limit your own progress. Every phase of the Cycle of Change is important and requires your participation, even if participating looks like sitting idle and looking out a window or writing in a journal. Powerful things are happening internally that will increase your chances of success the next time you find yourself ready to Play the Game. What phase of the Cycle of Change are you currently in, in regard to your career? I’d love to hear from you. Send me a note at [email protected] or comment wherever you see a post for this episode. Also, please share this episode with anyone in your life whom you think could benefit from it. Word of mouth is still one of the most effective ways for us to find the resources we need to make changes in our lives. As always, I hope this was helpful to you and here’s to your success. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Cara Macklin, a multi award-winning entrepreneur and business success coach has been recognized for her achievements including Women in Business Outstanding Innovation, IoD finalist Director of the Year for Innovation, Women in Business Young Business Woman of the Year and Northern Ireland’s Top 40 under 40 and has been featured on BBC, Thrive Global, TedX, and in 2021 on FOX TV Both an entrepreneur and coach, Cara’s journey began at 5 years old, growing up in her family business where her education began around the kitchen table… Starting her first business at 15 and spent over 15 years as a Director in the family business an award-winning healthcare & hospitality group which grew from 3 businesses with 250 employees to 7 businesses and 600 employees. She disrupted the elderly healthcare industry in Ireland creating the first ‘Lifestyle Care Home’ cited by IoD chairman as a ‘world class concept.’ Cara left her family business and founded Caram as a Visionnaire Success Coach to elevate dynamic leaders ambitious to do things differently and achieve even more, through her unique blend of business acumen, creative thinking, and success mindset. In this episode Cara and I discuss… Cara’s work as a visionnaire success coach The biggest challenges leaders have when working on the future vision and next level of the business Cara’s success in working with teams to disrupted the elderly healthcare industry in Ireland. Steps you can take to tap into your creativity to create a vision of success for you. Links Email: [email protected] Website: https://Caram.org.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caramacklin/ Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Linda Fisk is a multi-award-winning leader, keynote speaker, author and university professor dedicated to amplifying and extending the success of other high-caliber business leaders. Linda serves as the CEO of Collective 54, the only national peer advisory network for owners of professional services firms, focused exclusively on growing, scaling, and maximizing firm valuation. As CEO, she accelerates the success of Collective 54’s members, enabling them to live their most meaningful lives. Prior to leading Collective 54, Linda was the global head of brand marketing, public relations and communications at Susan G. Komen following a 5-year executive leadership role at YPO, where she developed her passion for bringing leaders together to solve problems. Linda forged a career as an entrepreneurial and forward-thinking marketing leader on the cutting edge of customer acquisition, retention and loyalty. Linda has a Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology and has written extensively on the subjects of social comparison, depression and anxiety, subjective well-being and personality theory, with a focus on relating scientific research to commonly understood concepts.  Currently, Linda is interested in the psychology of influence, persuasion and negotiation. In this episode Linda and I discuss... The power of partnerships Core values or principles of an effective partnership Examples of unlikely yet successful partnerships How to know if a partnership will benefit you and your goals The power of peer advisors and collective wisdom and expertise Links Website: https://www.collective54.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindafisk Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello there! Before we dive in, I wanted to let you know that Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing is coming soon in Audible!!  I’m crossing my fingers that it will be available by September 18 because that is my 10-year anniversary of being in business. It would be something special to be able to talk about both of these events simultaneously. Stay tuned on more information about the book. This episode is dropping on the US holiday of Labor Day so if you are listening to this episode, I hope you have had a chance to take some significant downtime this weekend. And downtime is the topic of this episode of Women Taking the Lead. I recently shared an article I found on The Daily Muse titled, "Yes, You Should Still Take Time Off Work During COVID-19—Here’s How to Make the Most of It" by Regina Borsellino. The post was liked and commented on across platforms it so I knew it was hitting home. I got the feeling we needed to talk more about this. The article made a case for why you should take time off during COVID-19, for both personal and professional reasons. It also contained 6 tips to help you make the most of your time off. It’s all about setting yourself up for success. Self-care lays the foundation of the work I do with my clients. Just recently I was meeting with a new client and she was very wound up by a lot of things that were going on at work and was near her wits end. Our next meeting was the week after she came back from a week off and the difference was astounding. The circumstances at work were no different, but she was able to see things from a new perspective and felt that resolving these issues was very doable. She also talked about feeling lighter and more productive. The time away had helped her to crystalize her thoughts about how to take better care of herself. That week off gave her an opportunity to stop focusing on the problems she was facing and as a result, brand new solutions started presenting themselves to her. I want to underscore that – by intentionally putting the problems to the side and relaxing, her mind started to formulate solutions to the problems without her putting any effort into solving those problems. I also had an experience with a friend this past week that also underscored the need we have for rest. My friend has a lot going on in her life right now. She is getting pulled in many different directions, is up against some big deadlines and there was a lot of work to be done. She texted me a week ago because her anxiety had spiked and she was in a really bad place. I did what I could to support her in the moment but I was really worried about her for the rest of the day. When I checked back in with her that evening, she reported that she had laid down in the middle of the day to catch her breath and wound up sleeping for 2 ½ hours. She slept so soundly she woke up in the same position she fell asleep in. Her anxiety was gone and she accepted she was just going to have to take everything one step at a time and do what she could. She called me a few days later to let me know the biggest project with the hard deadline was completed a day ahead of schedule. She’s taking a break before she dives into the next project. We think we need to be a non-stop superwoman but the fact is we need to stop periodically to take care of ourselves to be at optimal. There is a principle of diminishing returns that you’ll want to be aware of. In the realm of productivity, it states that there is a point at which the same investment of resources will yield fewer results. For example, you may be able to complete four reports every hour. However, if you continue to work at that pace without a break you will reach a point when you are no longer able to produce four reports an hour. And if you continue, your output will continue to diminish. We need to take breaks to stay productive. And as was shown in the case of my friend, we need to take breaks to maintain a stable mood and confidence in our abilities. If you find that you are pushing yourself too hard, ask yourself what is the story you are telling yourself that is preventing you from taking a break? The story can take on many variations. It could be you see other people appear to be working harder than you are so feel like you’re not doing enough. It could be that you feel you must keep working because there’s no way it’s all going to get done if you rest. You may be afraid that you’ll lose your motivation for good if you slow down for a bit. Or, you’re afraid your business will tank or your job will be at risk if you don’t keep going full speed. I’m not going to tell you your story is true or false. I am asking you to challenge your story to see if it’s really true. And, what could you gain if you took some of the pressure off yourself and allowed yourself to recover and re-energize after all the work you’ve put in thus far? And if you lead a team, remember what you do sends a louder message than what you say. You may say you want your people to take breaks and fully unplug when they are on vacation. But if you don’t do it, they will think that your words are only words, and that you expect of them what you model. Lastly, here is an Instagram post from a colleague of mine, Elizabeth Ross Holstrom. She is the founder of Mindful Employer, and supports companies who are creating or would like to create mindful and conscious work environments. This post is a picture of cards she’s created to give some ideas for what you can do to renew yourself if you are taking a break – whether it’s one minute, three minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or more. Check them out and if you’d like them for yourself or your company get in touch with Elizabeth! Stay tuned for Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing in Audible. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform or sign up for my messages through the Women Taking the Lead website. Pretty soon you’ll be able to get Accomplished in print, kindle and now the audio version! This book is based on my Accomplished coaching system, and the accompanying worksheets will help you develop your own personalized care plan so that you are regularly renewing your energy and doing the things that satisfy and fulfill you. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Malinda Gagnon specializes in launching and growing products and companies, and has 20 years of experience in business strategy and digital communications. She is the CEO and Founder of Uprise Partners, a consulting and investment firm specializing in engineering, IT and marketing. At Google, she was a founding team member of the advertising technology organization in Cambridge, MA. At WPP/GroupM, the world’s largest media investment organization, she founded and led a digital consulting practice, as well as the Product Management and Technology group. She has advised clients such as Procter & Gamble, General Electric, Volkswagen, Unilever, Land Rover Jaguar, Allergan, Walmart and many others. She is also a mentor for MassChallenge and Techstars.  In this episode Malinda and I discuss... Her journey working in male-dominated fields and what made her successful. How we are multifaceted and can draw on feminine and masculine energies/approaches to respond to what's needed in the moment. What instigated the transition she made to owning her own business. How she managed recently to loosen up and take herself less seriously. Links Website: uprisepartners.com Podcast: datamyths.com Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Meredith Bell has been an entrepreneur since 1982, and she’s an expert in helping companies develop the people side of their business. Meredith is co-founder and President of Performance Support Systems, a global software company based in Virginia. Meredith heads up marketing and sales for the company. Over the years, she’s served as an informal mentor and coach to the coaches, consultants, business owners and human resource professionals who use their products. One of her strengths is creating strong, long-term relationships. Meredith and her business partners have worked together for 25 years, and many of their clients and resellers have done business with them for 20 years. She understands what’s required to build the loyalty and commitment that lead to repeat business and referrals. Playing Small Moment Meredith’s playing small moment happened when she was bullied by a possible client to lower her price, and because she wanted the client’s business she gave in and lowered her price. She says she would not handle the incident the same way today. The Wake Up Call Meredith had a wake up call when she found herself ignoring her inner critic, telling her she wasn’t important enough to take a certain action. She acted quickly before there was time to second guess herself. She realized there was nothing wrong with being bold. Style of Leadership People sense that Meredith cares for them. She pays attention to what people are saying and not saying. She lets them know she is there to serve them. What Are You Excited About? Meredith is excited about her new online coaching system, Strong for Performance. It applies to those who are developing leaders. It excites her every day to see people motivated and inspired. Current Business Challenge Meredith finds it challenging to get the word out about her new product as quickly and as grand as possible. What Does Your Business Support System Look Like? Meredith’s business partners have supporting skill sets that help make everything work. She also benefits from outsourcing and automation tools. Leadership Practice Listening deeply to people when they are talking is Meredith’s effective leadership practice. Book to Develop Leadership Straight Line Leadership by Dusan Djukich Advice For Younger Self “Have more fun. Be less serious and lighten up.” And, “Make more bold requests.” Inspirational Quote “How can I serve this person so powerfully that they never forget this conversation for the rest of their life?” ~ Rich Litvin New Book: Connect with Your Team Special price for Kindle is just $.99 during launch week only (August 3-9). https://amzn.to/3jL0pEI Links Website: http://www.strongforperformance.com/ Email: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/meredithmbell Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithmbell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeredithMBell Free Gift: Support Coaching videos and ebook:  http://prostarcoach.com/coachingebookandvideos.asp Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up and immediately you dread having to get out of bed? Before your feet touch the floor a list of things you really don’t want to tackle start floating through your mind. Or, you recall a recent interaction that didn't sit well with you and you feel those feelings all over again. Your mood is heavy, but you’re determined to make it a good day. So, you start the coffee, turn on the shower and focus on positive things. You pick up some steam and before you know it, you’re on with your day until… …it's mid-morning and you’re already excited for your lunch break. Even though you’re trying to remain positive, your nerves are on edge and you could use the time away. You have lunch and are able to breathe a little easier while plotting how you’ll make it through the rest of the afternoon. But your energy never fully returns and you pull yourself through each meeting or task as if you are hiking up a mountain. Before the end of the workday, you’ve given up on being productive and you move on to the typical distractions: Facebook, videos, the news, etc. If you’ve been seeing too many of these days lately, don’t lose hope! There is a solution. But like most remedies, it will take a little work to see actual results. Your energy is consumed by the things you tolerate Your energy is impacted by more than just your diet, sleep, exercise and aging. It is also impacted by how closely you live according to your values and the life you want to be living. If you are putting up with or avoiding something in your life that goes against your values or the life you want to live, you use a lot of your energy to be "okay" with it. The things you tolerate weigh you down, and it takes a substantial amount of energy to put up with things that annoy you. It also takes energy to avoid addressing nit-picky problems you wish would just go away on their own. Often times this looks like saying “yes” when you really want to say “no.” Spending time with negative people, listening to gossip, being taken for granted, or putting up with people who are unreliable - these are all things that you may be tolerating. Tolerating can also look like avoiding a noise that your car is making or when the check engine light goes on. It could be a bodily pain that needs to be checked out or an appliance that doesn’t work as well as it used to. You might be avoiding your finances, your health or your relationships, even though they need your attention. The danger of letting things go Imagine you are holding a beach ball under water. If it’s deflated, this is no problem. You could hold it under the water all day with hardly any energy or effort being used. Now imagine that for each thing you are tolerating you blow one puff of air into the beach ball. Again, no problem if you’re only tolerating a few things. However, chances are you are tolerating more than a few things. Chances are you may be tolerating a hundred or hundreds of little things without even being consciously aware of it. What makes the things we tolerate so insidious is that, when you look at each one individually, it’s not that big of a deal. So, you dismiss it and it remains. You do this to countless things throughout the day and the busier you perceive your life to be the more tolerations build up because you tell yourself it’s not that big of a deal or you’ll deal with it later. Slowly, over time, that beach ball gets bigger and bigger. And it starts taking an enormous amount of energy to get through the day holding it underwater and pretending it isn’t there. Until one day, something comes along that demands energy you have been giving to the beach ball. It could be the figurative straw that broke the camel's back or it could be something big. Suddenly, you don't have enough energy to keep that beach ball underwater and it shoots out of the water and you lose it! You don’t have the energy to tolerate those things anymore and you wonder why you’ve put up with them for so long. If someone happens to be in close proximity to you when this happens, they will likely be the unsuspecting victim of your wrath – which you will later regret and apologize for. How to keep tolerations from creeping in To prevent the blow up, first and foremost, be vigilant. If something doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work for you. When you address things in the moment, you’re able to do it calmly and in a matter-of-fact manner. This keeps the interaction or transaction low drama and thus quick and easy. Also, watch for when you try to convince yourself something isn’t a big deal and so doesn’t need to be dealt with or dealt with right away. Tolerations, individually, are typically not that big a deal so don’t let that be an excuse to avoid it. If it's something that will become a big deal if it is repeated indefinitely, it's a big enough deal to address the first time it happens. If you can’t deal with it immediately schedule when you are going to deal with it. Don’t say you’ll deal with it later with no plan to do so. A couple times a year I do a Tolerations Detox. This is a process I take my clients through to help them address and remove the things they are tolerating and avoiding in a simple and non-threatening manner, so they can maintain a high level of energy, confidence and motivation. I’ve seen this process work time and again. My clients make simple changes and find themselves flooded with the energy that has been missing for months or even years. With this sudden flood of energy, they start rearranging their offices, cleaning out their garages, or tackling other projects that have been neglected for some time. I’ve had several people tell me going through the process of the Tolerations Detox was life changing and removed huge burdens from their minds. The Tolerations Detox is a process that address 5 different areas of your life and I am making one area available for you to try out. Just go to HERE to sign up to access how to address the things we tolerate in the area of Work and Technology. Now, you may be aware you’re putting up with some things around your work but you’ll be surprised at some of the smaller things that can be easily addressed, giving you more energy to get through the day. I invite you to start your Tolerations Detox by signing up at https://womentakingthelead/workandtechnology. And as always, reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions or comments you have. Life is going to feel so different when there are fewer things you are putting up with. Imagine where you could put that excess energy. As always, I hope this was of value to you and Here’s to Your Success!! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Carolyn Delaney is the heart and soul behind Journey, an inspiring magazine devoted entirely to the Recovery Community in Maine.  As founder and publisher, she leads a diverse team of 30 volunteers who are called to take positive actions to combat the current climate surrounding addiction – keeping the content hyper-local by sharing local stories, resources & services. As a woman in recovery, Carolyn knows firsthand how large the ripple effect one can have on their family and community, and the importance of support throughout the process. With decades of experience in technology leadership which started with Desktop Publishing in the early 90s, Carolyn is able to combine her skills, expertise, and personal experiences to offer a magazine that supports the message that Recovery is possible. With a grateful heart for how life has blessed her Journey to Recovery, she wants to give hope to those who struggle, and hope to those who love people who struggle. Carolyn and her team’s mission is to shine a light on Recovery, and what freedom from addiction looks like in our state of Maine.  Her vision is to create a platform for celebrating recovery, and amplifying a message of hope, empowerment and connection. Along with others who wish to remain nameless and anonymous, the Journey team is made up of kind, caring and compassionate people what want to make a difference. In this episode Carolyn and I discuss... Starting a business without knowing how to be a business owner The stories we make up in our heads which we then project onto others, causing us to play small and hold ourselves back What is actually going on when you’re afraid of success and why self-sabotage will potentially kick in The growth that has occurred since Carolyn has read the book Accomplished and how the benefits continue to ripple out The mission of Journey Magazine and why this is important for everyone Links Website: https://www.recovery-journey.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recovery.journey.in.maine/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/journeymagazine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryjourney2/ Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Nicole Burgess helps introverted, high achieving, and/or highly sensitive women be exactly who they are meant to be. She is an empowerment and leadership coach for introverted and sensitive women and the host of the soul-filled sisterhood podcast. Her dream is to create a sisterhood, one sister at a time, with women around the world supporting each other in achieving their heartfelt desires and creating more inclusion, so that together we take the lead in our own lives. In this episode Nicole and I discuss... The highly sensitive and high achieving woman. The traits of a highly sensitive person (HSP). The #1 issue Nicole hears from her HSP clients and why they seek coaching. What creates stress for an HSP and what you can do to mitigate that stress. Some ways to be more empowered in a chaotic world. Managing the expectations of those who do not understand if you are an HSP. Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleBurgessCoaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleburgesscoach/ Website: www.nicoleburgesscoaching.com   Free webinar: 5 Steps to end overwhelm and live balanced, connected and calm as an HSP women entrepreneur:  https://nicoleburgesscoaching.com/endoverwhelm   Dr. Elaine Aron’s self-test, Are You Highly Sensitive?: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/   Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.  

This episode shares my quick reflections on the racist and political events of May/June of 2020.  I am reaching out to my community in the hopes that I can ease overwhelm, validate the swirling emotions many of us are feeling and offer some resources to begin actively being antiracist everyday. The First Steps You Can Take Sign petitions and donate: Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ Change.org: https://www.change.org/ Color of Change: https://colorofchange.org/   Next, Educate yourself Films: Just Mercy: https://www.justmercyfilm.com/ (currently free on many platforms) Neflix Original, 13th: https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741   Books: How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad Please consider buying your books from black-owned businesses: https://afrotech.com/10-black-owned-online-bookstores-to-support-while-at-home   Other podcast episode for white women: Speaking Your Brand, The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-of-anti-racism-as-white-women-ep-175/   Massive Resource list https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR2mUzWm1BXxQZ-pV-zxzvR8J16Zipi2h5H1P8bz5kMOeO6bGnwJOEYP6Vo   Articles on how to be an Ally: For Our White Friends Desiring To Be Allies, https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies?fbclid=IwAR21Gm97ZmSRSAp0MST1ZPbfOaulK0VDlaT10N9Aot3dQy-80e_59hJNBxU 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice, https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234 The Great Unlearn (Patreon): https://www.patreon.com/thegreatunlearn?fbclid=IwAR1KwfHB2ZdujGv9FrxfY9BlBAD1VixReHoyq-7Z8MazHkvkpfC18Gr0irw   Other resources: The Center for Transformation and Change: https://drkathyobear.com/   As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success!   Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make!

Kate Erickson is the engine at Entrepreneurs On Fire, an award winning podcast where John Lee Dumas interviews inspiring Entrepreneurs who are truly ON FIRE. She is also the host of the podcast Ditch Busy and co-author of The Podcast Journal: Idea to Launch in 50 Days. You can learn more about the free training Kate & John have created for entrepreneurs who are ready to achieve financial and lifestyle freedom over at EOFire.com! In this episode Kate and I discuss... What it means to “ditch’ busy”. Not just the strategy behind time management but the lifestyle change that occurs and what becomes possible when you are feeling great about how your time is spent. How to break down overwhelm so you can overcome it and prevent it from cropping up over and over again in the future. An approach to your to-do list that will make you feel amazing rather than feeling defeated. A mindset that you can take on that will focus your time and energy, even in the midst of chaos. Links Website: https://www.eofire.com Website: http://ditchbusy.com Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

In the last episode I continued our exploration of the Cycle of Change using the analogy of a card game which was first introduced to me by iPEC Coaching. If you have not listened to the first two episodes covering the Cycle of Change, I recommend you go back to the episodes. They are titled How to Process These Unexpected Changes and Contemplating Your New Normal, respectively. These are quick episodes and will catch you up on The Cycle of Change as it looks during the COVID-19 pandemic, or really any time of crisis. I mentioned in Contemplating Your New Normal that when you move into the Shuffle Phase you require more time to reflect and begin researching different options for the future. You start doing some research and reaching out to others who know more about whatever it is you are exploring. In the Shuffle phase you don’t have a lot of information yet, so you are thinking and gathering, exploring ideas, imagining different possibilities that could play out in the future. The Cycle of Change Phase 2: Deal (Preparing/Developing) The next phase in the Cycle of Change, using that card game analogy, is The “Deal” phase. The Deal phase is marked by an increase in activity – this will include active networking, testing out interests or experimenting, training and skill building. The plan that was developed in the Shuffle phase is beginning put into action! You will have more energy and a more positive attitude because now you can actually do something. You are following a path; you have a direction to go in. You’re open to new experiences, new people, and preparing yourself for the intensity of the next phase. When you are in the Deal phase you are more optimistic, seeing life as an opportunity, and you experience more confidence in this stage than in any other. You are the proverbial adventurous student of life eager to stretch, learn, and grow in new directions. Think about it. When you’re playing a card game and the cards are being dealt, there’s so much opportunity. It’s anyone’s game at this point. When you first enter this the Deal phase in life, you will shy away from making commitments. Remember, this is the phase of experimenting and because of this you’ll tend to want to keep your options open and take things “one step at a time.” What’s important in The Deal phase is your ability to move to the point where you can make a choice to move forward with commitment and make something happen. You may not know how it’s all going to turn out but you are ready to execute your plan. Here you’ll also be looking around for allies, mentors and guides who can help to see you through the next phase successfully. You’re now developing a plan that will take you into the next phase, beyond networking and experimenting. You will identify one or more goals for the next phase, and thus the work at the end of The Deal Phase is to have a strategy and a plan formed that lays out the steps that will take you to your goal. Anticipation, excitement and energy will increase as you gain more clarity around all of these pieces. There is also fear of failure or success, likely a combination of both, but you will be poised for action. The Deal Phase During COVID-19 You may have experienced the full cycle of change during the COVID-19 pandemic in certain areas of your life. There is no definitive length of time that you need to spend in each phase, what’s important is that you are doing the work in each phase. You may have found that with some things in your life you felt grieving and despair, a longing for what was. This may have passed relatively quickly as you contemplated and absorbed the changes. You may have then found yourself reaching out to others to see what they were doing or going to Google or Youtube to find ideas for how to do things differently. Before you knew it, you may have found yourself experimenting with your new ideas and noting what worked and what didn’t work. And not long after you found yourself saying, “This is what I’m doing. I’m all in.” For other things in your life, you may find yourself still in the Toss In, unable to accept that things won’t be the same, at least not anytime soon. What will be helpful to you in the Deal phase is: Having a vision of what success will look like in the next phase. This will not only get you excited for what’s to come but may also help to identify any gaps in resources or training that you will need to set you up for success. In the last phase you were identifying your core values and how you wanted to live your life. Here, it’s also important to know what brings you alive, what value you want to bring and at least a sense of what your purpose or mission is. If you can connect your goals to these things it will fuel your fire. However, don’t overthink it, experiment with what you want to bring forth in this phase. For instance, in my case I can boil down my purpose to the statement, “my purpose is to wake people up to how awesome they already are so they can get on with their purpose.” That is clearly tied to the goals I have for Women Taking the Lead and yes, it fuels my fire. It motivates me on the days when I can’t see progress or I just don’t feel like it. Start with the change you’d like to see in the world and let it unfold from there. If you are externally motivated, find an accountability partner or and accountability group. This will help you keep up momentum. That’s not to say you cannot pivot based on what you are learning from your networking and experimenting. Forward movement coming from informed decisions is what you are looking for here and the accountability will help ensure that this is what’s happening. Also, having trusted advisors who have your highest good at heart and who can listen intently, cheer you on, and help you clarify your next steps is priceless. If you have someone like this who is also great at setting priorities and making a plan, especially if this is not your forte, that’s a bonus! If you are in this phase and you have not yet read my book Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing I’m going to strongly encourage you do so. A lot of what you need to do to navigate The Deal phase successfully is in this book.   From creating a vision of success, to getting at your core values, your purpose and mission, Superpowers, and even creating goals and designing a plan are in this book. It’s a tool you do not want missing from your toolkit.   You can find the paperback and kindle version of Accomplished in Amazon, and as soon as I can get into the Portland Pod recording studio once again, I will have the book recorded, mastered and uploaded into Audible for your listening pleasure as well. Stay tuned for that!   If you have read Accomplished and you are finding yourself in The Deal Phase, read it again. This book is a process that will take you to new levels of knowing yourself and finding success with each reading.   Okay, that’s The Deal phase. We only have one more phase to cover, Playing the Game phase and I’ll be covering that in next week’s episode.   As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success!   Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

I hope this post finds you healthy and well, maybe not everything going perfectly but seeing some sort of a light at the end of this tunnel. I truly believe we are all going to get through this and be okay and I believe this because we always do. We always get through our worst days, we always come out the other side of things. The question always is, really, “what do we want to experience while we’re going through it? Who do we want to be, how do we want to show up as? So, I have been using these episodes as a way to support you and let you know you are not alone and what you are going through is very normal. The Cycle of Change   Last week, I introduced The Cycle of Change using the analogy of a card game as I learned it through iPEC Coaching. I gave an overview of the four phases you can find yourself, in any area of your life. I’m going to dive into each phase and I started with the phase that we are all probably finding ourselves in due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toss In phase. We don’t go through The Cycle of Change once; we go through it over and over again with each cycle ending in the Toss in. The Toss In is a stage of completion and probably some bittersweet feelings as you start to accept everything that happened in the last phase. Eventually, you start emotionally detaching from the last phase and in some cases, there may be a physical separation from the environment and people who were in the last cycle with you. This is true in the cases of buying a new home, ending a relationship, changing jobs, starting a new business, etc. So, using the card game analogy, this is when the last game comes to an end but you’re still alive and so you will continue to play one game or another. Again, it’s a continuous cycle. The phase that comes after the Toss In phase is the “Shuffle” phase. It is a non-committal phase where you want to contemplate what was and what could be next. In the Toss In phase of non-action, the contemplating and reflecting had more to do with grieving and letting go of the past and what could have been. In the Shuffle phase the contemplation and reflection moves toward focusing mostly on possibilities for the future. I know a lot of you will feel uncomfortable allowing for inactivity for an indefinite amount of time. But believe me, if you give yourself the space to do this you will then naturally begin to move into the part of The Shuffle phase where you begin to research and network, and you will find the next thing that will re-energize and re-engage you. When you enter The Shuffle phase you will find that you are better able to deal with the pain you began experiencing in the Toss In phase. You will also find you are better able to think on those events from the last cycle without becoming emotional. Rather, you can reframe what happened and logically process the information to find what worked and what didn’t work, giving you more expertise moving into this new cycle. This is also the phase where you will evaluate where you are in your life. You’ll examine your core values and feelings so you can decide what is really important to you in your life and that will help you decide where you want to move next and how you want to play that game. If you are in the beginning of this phase, you’ll likely feel that you have lost control in this area of your life and that may spill over into other areas because you will second guess yourself. However, you’re also likely feeling like there’s an opportunity here for you – you just don’t know what it is yet. This is also a phase in which you will likely experience spiritual growth because of the need to go inward and connect with something greater, causing a leap in personal growth. At the end of this phase you will have more inner strength, a plan to grow, and renewed energy. You will have a new vision for the future which will give you hope and a new purpose. With all of this you will have more enthusiasm going into each day and will probably be breathing a sigh of relief that you can now move on and DO something. If you allow yourself to do the kind of work required in this phase (reflecting and researching) you will be able to focus on the right activities that will move you forward, rather than engaging in activities that are just what you think you “should” be doing. If you find you are enthusiastic about researching, exploring new ideas, and networking and connecting with people who can move you forward in this area, you are likely well into this phase. I believe that because we are getting news about some of the restrictions due to COVID-19 being lifted many of us are starting to come out of the Toss-in phase and getting into the Shuffle phase. You may have come to a place of acceptance that while some things will be allowed this summer it will be far from normal. In the Toss-in phase there is grief for what was lost, in the Shuffle phase you begin to think about creating some new activities and traditions. I’ve already had friends say, “we can’t sit in a restaurant but we can grab take out and sit 6 feet apart either on a large blanket or at a picnic table.” You may have already started reaching out to people you know to explore new business or career opportunities. You team may be literally “shuffling” responsibilities to allow for more growth and development. If you’re not there yet, don’t worry. This phase begins with contemplation. That can look like long walks by yourself, sitting in your yard or staring at nothing. As you move toward the end of this phase you begin researching and networking to explore ideas. Wherever you are, you are the perfect place for you. Here are some things that may help you take advantage of The Shuffle phase. First, trust that everything you need to move through this phase will come to you. You don’t have to control or force it, just let it unfold and follow what interests you. Your curiosity and your interests are your north star right now. Second, if you’re starting to reach out to others, only give your time and energy to those who want your highest good.  Avoid those who seem to be pushing or pulling you in a direction that doesn’t feel good or make sense to you right now. If you can sense judgment coming from them, just put some space between you and them for a while. Third, when you’re ready to take a little bit of action, don’t overthink it. Just start somewhere. You can always pivot if your first moves aren’t giving you the information that you need. Fourth, there may be some anxiety and you will likely find yourself coming face-to-face with beliefs or automatic ways of being from the past that make you anxious and hold you back. Confront them and challenge the truth of it. For instance, for me an old belief that I get confronted with on occasion is the belief that if I have needs then I am burdensome and a bother to people. In this phase, that would hold me back from reaching out to others to ask them to impart their wisdom to me. The reality is, those with wisdom crave the opportunity to pass on what they know to those who are ready to receive it. When I am confronted with thoughts like, “they have so much going on, I don’t want to disturb them”, I have to consciously let that go and trust that if I they really don’t have time for me, they will kindly let me know. Lastly, when you’re ready, begin creating goals and a plan to accomplish those goals. Then decide how and when you want to begin. Tap on those people who have your highest good at heart. They want to help in this stage because you are acting in alignment with your own highest good. If this was helpful to you, I’m going to ask a favor. Please share this episode with a friend or colleague whom you know could benefit from this information. It’s sharing resources that helps us all get through tough times. I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

In September of 2017 I did a few episodes on the Cycle of Change. Given what we are going through currently I think this is a good time for a review. I was first introduced to the concept of the cycle of change when I was getting certified as a coach through iPEC Coaching. They had a nice analogy of the cycle of change as a card game. The Cycle of Change Change occurs in a cycle and we’re always in some part of the cycle of change in every area of our lives. Each part of your life is likely in different parts of the cycle. Because we tend to interpret different stage of the change cycle as good or bad, we commonly have the experience of feeling like there are always some areas of our life in which we are winning and other areas that feel like we are struggling. In this episode I’m going to give a brief overview of The Cycle of Change and discuss the overarching phase we are currently going through during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the card game analogy for The Cycle of Change there are several phases. Before you play a card game you have to decide what game you’re going to play. This usually happens as you’ve started to shuffle the cards so this phase is called The Shuffle Phase. The game is chosen and cards are dealt. During The Deal Phase your mind is considering your resources, the other players, a strategy is chosen and you are formulating a plan. Then you move into the phase called Play the Game. Obviously, this is the phase of movement and action. Then the game comes to a close and you are now in The Toss in Phase. During this phase you are absorbing what just happened and either celebrating a victory or considering how you feel about defeat. Phase 4: Toss In All things come to an end and typically people are rarely ready for the cycle to end because when you’re in the Playing the Game phase there’s a lot of energy and excitement. At the end, the Toss In, there is loss, grief, confusion or a lack of clarity for what’s next. Whether it is the end of a job role or a relationship, people in this part of the cycle are usually unhappy and cannot see how they will be able to go through it all again. In this part of The Cycle of Change you will take little action on your own and resist change because of fear and uncertainty, and depending on how the last phase ended, there may be a lack of hope. In this phase you may also feel victimized and like you don’t have control over your circumstances. You may find yourself being grumpier, ill at ease, and even experiencing pain more. At the end of the Toss In, there can be an intense state of “hibernation” or “cocooning”. If you’ve read my book, Accomplished, you’ll be very familiar with. This state eventually passes, and if you let yourself just be during this phase you will naturally find yourself getting renewed and re-energized, ready for the next phase. Does this all sound familiar to what we’ve been going through lately? When our events were cancelled, when the schools and business establishments were closed, when the Stay at Home orders were issued, we all found ourselves unexpectedly in The Toss In phase. This is why so many of us have been experiencing feelings of grief. We are grieving a way of life that will either take a long time to get back to or may never be the same again. Here is some guidance for you that may help to ease the discomfort of being in this phase. Allow yourself to experience all the thoughts and feelings created by loss and uncertainty. Don’t try to rush through it, or numb the experience, because you feel uncomfortable. It is normal for this phase to feel uncomfortable and unnatural, especially if you are living in a culture that celebrates achievement, productivity, and getting things done. It’s okay to give in to the need to withdraw for a while because the reflection and contemplation you will do while you are feeling low energy is critical to gaining clarity to go into the next phase. I also want to underscore that numbing this experience by overindulging in sugar, alcohol, tobacco, Netflix, exercise, etc. will prevent you from doing the deep work that strengthens you and provides clarity for the next stage. I’m not judging having anything in small doses and moderation. It’s using these things to distract yourself from uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that will cause suffering in the long run. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in indecision because you just had no clue what you wanted or didn’t want, it was probably because you skipped past the Toss In phase and so never got the information you needed to do the next phase well. In this stage of grieving you are doing an analysis of what went right and what went wrong while you were in the last Cycle of Change. You are considering your thoughts, feelings, actions and the results you got during that cycle. Many of us have been looking at the lifestyle we were living in the last few years and questioning if that’s how we want to move forward. All of this is important information that you need to synthesize, and then integrate, to strengthen you to move forward. Do the work. And the work looks like being with yourself even if it feels yucky. It’s okay to vent to release the emotion. Fear, anxiety, doubt, loss and anger are all normal during this phase. Find people you trust implicitly and make it clear to them you don’t need them to fix you or make you feel better, you just need them to hear you and validate where you are. Let them know you’ll tell them when you are ready to take some action but until then you need them to respect where you are in the process. It may help to explain to them that this is a grieving process. Look for the positives. What is going well? What can you count on? This will give you some foundation to stand on while other things feel like they are coming undone. Lastly, be good to yourself. Give yourself some guilt-free space to just be for a while without the need to do, accomplish or achieve anything. Remember, this too shall pass but don’t force it. Otherwise, you’ll just find your back here again without having made any progress. If this was helpful to you, I’m going to ask a favor. Please share this episode with a friend or colleague whom you know could benefit from this information. It’s sharing resources that helps us all get through tough times. I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

If any of you have ever met Amy, you know she is passionate about three things.  Family, Finances, and WINE!  This comes through in all that she does and all that she is.  When asked to describe herself she first and foremost states, “I am a wife, a daughter, and hopefully a good friend, who happens to also be a financial planner.”  Amy holds a Master’s Degree in financial planning and is a Certified Financial PlannerTM, Enrolled Agent, Certified College Financial Consultant, and a Financial Wellness Coach with over 25 years of financial planning and industry experience.  She is the Founder and owner of Rooted Planning Group, Amy is definitely “doing it her way” and has been recognized by her financial planning colleagues as being a “disrupter,” a title she holds close to her heart and is proud of. On her website it states, “I love what I do, but I also very much enjoy warmth, good conversation, wine tastings, and volunteering. In this episode Amy and I discuss... The measures she is taking in the financial upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic The steps you can take to get your healthcare initiatives in order Highlights of the CARES act and what you'll want to pay attention to How Amy is working with her clients to alleviate their fears and plan for the road ahead Links Website: www.rootedpg.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootedpg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooted-planning-group/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedpg/ Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

March started off a celebration of Women’s History Month and ended with episodes on how to identify and support leaders who are struggling, especially now that we are in the midst of a pandemic. Ironically, the focus in March changed the week of the 5-year anniversary episode where I offered some perspectives that will help you to look at things differently so you could release some of the stress that you are likely experiencing. Changing your perspective, depending on the perspective you choose, can be like releasing a pressure valve. The next episode, which was the episode before this one, talked about the effects stress has on your system and why you may be finding it hard to function at your very best. I listed out some symptoms of a leader who is struggling and the mindset of a leader who, while being challenged in a crisis, can continue to function and grow in the face of those challenges. I know it has not been easy to talk about hard things but the way to the other side is through. We need to acknowledge what we are dealing with before we can get through it. Common Responses to Stress Under stress, we typically go into a Fight, Flight or Freeze response. Flight looks like avoiding or running away from a problem. Fight looks like getting defensive or combative. Freeze looks like going still as you take in information and formulate your next move – are you going to Fight or take Flight? New research is also showing a female response to stress will also include Tend and Befriend. Some of us under stress will have increased nurturing behaviors and seek out social connections. How many of us in the current crisis have gone on a baking frenzy? My hand is way up in the air. How many of us have increased the amount of reach outs to friends, family, and colleagues to reassure them and ourselves that they are thought of and the connection is still there? Again, my hand is way up in the air. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, it is not business as usual. While you can’t expect that you’ll have the same performance that you had before this crisis there are some gentle things you can do to increase your focus and productivity. First, you must find calm. Perhaps not feeling calm all day every day, but injecting calm throughout the day. When we are stressed, we tend to be very active but not always productive. When we feel stressed, we often also feel time-pressured. We start moving so fast we can get stuck in the weeds, losing sight of the big picture and important details. We start giving unimportant details too much time and attention which results in lots and lots of wasted time. We are also more likely to make mistakes when we are moving too fast and under too much pressure. The goal is to avoid or, if you are already there, to get out of this frenetic state so you are functioning optimally. Start with a practice in the morning that helps you calm your racing mind and get clear on what the priority of the day is. Set timers or put on your daily calendar time blocks to unplug and engage in activities such as meditation, prayer, reading, walking, stretching, yoga, breathing exercises, fun and play. You choose what works best for you. Those activities will help to take you from feeling energetically stretched and scattered to bringing that energy back in your body and feeling centered. This level of calm has several benefits. It quiets the chattering, distracting, monkey mind thoughts so you can give whatever you are currently doing your full attention. A state of calm comes with a heightened level of awareness so you are able to see things more clearly. Additionally, this level of awareness helps you to realize everything will get done in due time. It all gets done one step at a time. This practice of finding calm will help with the next practice to help you continue to increase your focus and productivity. Practice being aware of your thoughts and emotions. Your thoughts and emotions are your signals to your state of being. If you find yourself anything but calm, joyful, or enlivened, you are likely feeling threatened by something and it’s creating fear, however subtle. You may not even recognize the fear. The emotion of fear gets a bad reputation in our culture because we see it as a weak emotion only felt by those who lack courage. When in reality, courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. An act is not courageous unless the person taking the action is feeling fear but does not let the fear paralyze them. By definition, fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Guess what? The current crisis is threatening to you and to people and things important to you. If you can become aware of your experience and name it you have some power over it. You can then look more closely at what the fear is and challenge the belief that is causing it.  I’ll use myself as an example. When I find myself getting wiped out, I notice it’s after spending too much time reading the news online. The numbers and the stories overwhelm me because I feel powerless to stop it or make a difference. The belief is I am powerless in this situation and am a victim of the circumstances. To challenge this belief so it no longer has power over me, I ask myself, “Is it true that there is nothing I can do that will make a difference?” The quick realization is that there are many things I can do to make a difference: I can social-distance to prevent myself from getting sick I can produce a podcast to help others get through this crisis I can email, text, or call someone to check in on them I can work on projects I wouldn’t I have time to complete if I was traveling more I can get prepared for when the restrictions are lifted I can donate money to any of the organizations on the frontlines of the pandemic Name your fear and the belief that is causing it, and then challenge that believe so that you can see that you do have some power and there are some things you can do to control your destiny, however small. Find a trusted person to talk about your feelings with. It is so powerful to have someone you can go to admit that you are sad, angry, joyful or “meh” without your emotion being judged. Now, all that being said, this exercise isn’t to push you through the emotion so you can move on as quickly as possible. Do this exercise gently and know it’s okay to sit with the emotion for a while before you take a closer look at it. The next practice I recommend to increase your focus and productivity is to… Accept help if it is offered. For some (or many) of you, this is really hard to do because you’re accustomed to being the person who is on top of things and gives off the impression of having it all handled. Some leaders even feel threatened by this. But if you want to have more focus and be more productive, you’re going to have to make this a team effort. Let’s face it, during a crisis it must be a team effort so let your team shine. Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things. You show you’re open by listening, asking questions, showing appreciation for an idea (even if the idea isn’t going to work acknowledge the person for speaking up and bringing the idea to you). I started with accepting help if it’s offered because the next one can be even more challenging for over achievers. Reach out for help Lay your cards out on the table. Make and a list of what needs to get done and ask your team and your colleagues for help. If you have a team, make them a part of the process of identifying everything that needs to get done and ask if they are willing and able to take on some tasks. I’m hearing stories of teams shuffling tasks around so the tasks are being done by the person it makes sense to be doing it. For some of you, you need to step away from daily operations for chunks of time to attend webinars on the changes in your industry. You need to rely on your teams even more right now. You may be quarantined or sick. You’re going to need to rely on your friends, family and local community to get groceries, medications and other supplies. Now is not the time to let the identity of being the superhero get in the way of the greater good, and your own good. Believe it or not, there are people right now who are dying to be more helpful. Helping others gives us a sense of meaning and purpose. If you don’t give others a chance to be helpful you are blocking an opportunity for them to find meaning in this crisis and to also show how capable and caring they really are. If you struggle with any of these recommendations to help you increase your focus and productivity (finding calm, self-awareness, accepting help and asking for help) I’m going to invite you to take the Energy Leadership Assessment as the solution to that problem. Forbes magazine listed the Energy Leadership Assessment as One of the Top 11 Assessments Every Executive Should Take. The reason for that is, quoting right from the article, “The Energy Leadership Index Assessment provides a unique lens on self-awareness and emotional intelligence, two key ingredients for any leader. Situational awareness of yourself and others is critical for a leader to respond appropriately to the people in their charge. Understanding where you are at any moment and how you respond to stress can make all the difference.” The knowledge you gain from taking the assessment allows you to continue to grow and develop as a strong, compassionate, effective leader. If you would like to explore the Energy Leadership Assessment you can go to womentakingthelead.com/assessment to find out more and purchase it if that feels right for you at this time. I would love to work with you. Again, for those of you in leadership, I thank you for your contribution. We need self-aware, skilled leaders more than ever. I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

The last episode of Women Taking the Lead was a celebration of 5 years of the Women Taking the Lead podcast and, in that episode, I also covered some ways to begin to relieve the stress you are likely experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. You are dealing with the work and lifestyle changes, as well as the uncertainty around your future health and finances. It’s a lot. It’s a lot, and for some of you, you need to face that fact that you’re not going to have the same level of focus and productivity. Not without making some changes. Stress weighs on you and, from what I’ve seen and talked about with my clients, most of the stress you experience goes unacknowledged. Try this stress test Time yourself walking or running a half a mile. Once you are finished, note your time and take your pulse. Notice the pace of your breath and how much you are sweating. On a scale of 1-10, how do you feel after doing that half mile? Note how long it takes for your heart rate and breathing to return to normal. Now pick up a 15-pound weight and time yourself repeating whatever you just completed, the half mile walk or run. Once you are finished, note your time and take your pulse. Notice the pace of your breath and how much you are sweating. On a scale of 1-10, how do you feel this time? Note how long it takes for your heart rate and breathing to return to normal. The difference between the first and second half mile walk/run is the impact COVID-19 is having on you. It is like carrying around an extra 15 pounds on your shoulders. And yet, if you’re like a lot of leaders I’ve been talking to lately, you’re aghast at how tired and unfocused you are about midway through the day. It’s no wonder, you’re carry extra weight around with you, all day! But what if you’ve been training and conditioning yourself to carry around an extra 15 pounds all day, even if you didn’t have to? That’s what people who want to stay in peak physical shape do? They educate, develop and train themselves to endure more physical stress than they would experience on a day-to-day basis. As a result, when they are required to do more physical labor they perform and recover more quickly than those who have not been training. The same goes for mental and emotional stress. If you have been educating, training and developing yourself to handle more stress than you would typically encounter on a day-to-day basis, when something like a pandemic comes your way, you are better able to handle it.   Crisis Leadership Assessment I’m now going to focus on leaders and the conditioning of leaders. There’s a lot you can learn from this current crisis to improve your leadership skills and the skills of those that you lead as well. I want you to ask yourself honestly, how prepared were you to handle this crisis? For those of you who lead leaders, how prepared were your leaders to handle this crisis? I hope once you’ve gotten past survival and recovery modes you and your organization take the opportunity to analyze the performance of your leadership and identify where the gaps are, so you can identify who needs more training and coaching. This is not to come from a place of judgment, we’ve all had our own leadership missteps as we were developing as leaders. The information I’m about to give is to make it easier to identify those who may be crying for help but can’t bring themselves to speak the words. That person might be you or someone you know. Here are some of the symptoms of a leader who is not prepared for a current crisis. They stopped communicating. They ignored messages they found too overwhelming to deal with and only responded when prompted a second or third time. They also may not be responding because everything feels urgent and they are unable to rank what needs to be done in order of importance. Most leaders ready for a crisis will typically have a template response such as, “I have received your email and I am currently working on a plan to respond to our current situation. I will have more information for you by X, Y, Z.” This at least let’s the sender know their email was received, and is important if not the priority. They cancel or postpone important meetings rather than see the meeting as an opportunity to take the pulse of their people or to get everyone on the same page. A leader ready for a crisis knows the purpose and the structure of the meeting may change but it’s still important to connect with and reassure their people that steps are being taken to (assess the situation, come up with solutions, create a plan, or execute the plan). Their communications became unclear. One message says we’re meeting at this time, another message says something different. Procedures have been updated several times but not everyone has the latest version. After reading this leader’s email you’re still not certain what’s going on. They contradict themselves in the same conversation because they can’t keep their thoughts straight. They are disorganized. They can’t find the email, the printout, or the glasses that are on their head They have an agenda but the meeting goes off the rails because they can’t stay focused. They start a conversation with, “Why were we meeting?” or, “What was I going to say to you?” They are unprepared. It becomes apparent by what they are saying and doing that they didn’t do the research, didn’t read the email, or didn’t read the manual. There is no agenda for the meeting and it becomes clear they are “winging it”. They began making a lot of excuses. They know they are not fulfilling their role; it may be that they cannot fulfill their role for whatever reason, however, instead of owning it and seeking help they offer excuses for why it’s not their fault. Explanations vs. Excuses This is a good segue to distinguish between an explanation and an excuse.   An explanation is an accounting to make something clear. When a leader is providing an explanation, they are taking accountability and ownership. Taking accountability and ownership is not the same as taking blame. Typically, in this type of conversation there is a discussion of how to prevent the same thing from happening in the future, or if it cannot be prevented, how a similar situation will be handled in the future. A well-trained leader does not take things personally, they take responsibility or ownership of the solution. An excuse may look similar to an explanation because it also assigns a reason, but when someone is making an excuse, they are not taking ownership of the problem or the solution. You will know what you are getting is an excuse when the individual refuses to own the problem or the solution. There is an attitude of, “it’s not my fault, there’s nothing I can do.”   Here’s what it sounds like in real life: Two people are late for a meeting both sighting traffic on the highway as the reason. The person giving an excuse might say, “Sorry I’m late, the highway was backed up. Traffic” There might be a sigh, eye roll, or shoulder shrug. The person giving an explanation might say, “Sorry I’m, the highway was backed up. In the future I’m going to leave 15 minutes early to make sure I’m on time.” A well-trained, conditioned leader does not assign blame, they own where they have power and they take responsibility for it. Mentality of a well-trained leader In full disclosure, I’m not sitting here sparkling clean saying to myself, “Boy, these other people need to pull it together.” In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had my moments too. I almost went into leading a meeting without a very clear agenda that had a purpose and expected outcomes. Another gracious and well-trained leader gave me some very kind counsel and direction, we put the missing pieces in place and the meeting well. In my own training as a leader I’ve learned to let go of my ego and accept help when help is offered and is needed. In that situation, I clearly needed support and I am so grateful for it. If you’ve developed your leadership skills and mindset, you’re likely feeling the change in your routine and recognizing these are extraordinary times, priorities need to shift and there’s a lot of work to do, but for the most part you are on top of thing and getting a lot done. I will say before I sign off, these are extraordinary times. Be kind to yourself if you have found yourself not fully prepared to deal with everything that started coming at you recently. Take on the mentality of a well-trained, conditioned leader. They would acknowledge that extraordinary events combined with a lack of preparation have given them their current results and state of being. Then they would ask, what can I do to prepare should this happen again? What was missing? What needs to change? Who can help me? In next week’s episode I’m going to talk about some of those things and we are going to kick off with self-awareness; your self-awareness as a person and as a leader. How I create that with my clients is the Energy Leadership Assessment. If you would like to explore the Energy Leadership Assessment you can go to womentakingthelead.com/assessment to find out more and purchase it if that feels right for you at this time. For those of you in leadership, I thank you for your contribution. We need well-trained leaders more than ever. I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!

This episode is a celebration albeit a somber celebration. At the time of the release of this episode on March 25, 2020 we are 14 days into the Coronavirus or COVID-19 being declared a pandemic. The information we are getting from the news is startling, especially as we are all coming to grips with the fact that this isn’t going to pass in just 2-4 weeks, like we may have originally hoped. Things are very uncertain but we cannot stop doing the very things that continue to develop us and remind us of our humanity and our connection to one another. Let’s do some celebrating, then I’ve got some information that may help you get through the coming months. The Celebration The Women Taking the Lead podcast is 5 years old! The official launch date of Women Taking the Lead was March, 25 2015. Here are some numbers for you. Most podcast don’t go beyond 10 episodes and it’s uncommon to make it to 100 episodes. This episode is the 385th episode of Women Taking the Lead. There have been over 687,000 downloads in 176 different countries. We are only 313,000 away from hitting one million downloads.   Those numbers are amazing and I want to be clear that what this represents to me is community. And you, my community, while you have been listening to this podcast and sharing your thoughts and ideas, I‘ve been listening to you. Many of the best ideas I’ve gotten for this podcast and my business have come from you. I cannot thank you enough. Thank you for your feedback, thank you for sharing this podcast with your friends, family and colleagues and thank you for listening! The Elephant in the Room While I will continue to celebrate and feel all the good feelings that come with hitting this milestone, it would not be an episode of Women Taking the Lead if I didn’t address the elephant in the room You are under a lot of stress right now and could probably use some support. Being a high achiever, that’s probably hard for you to come to grips with – unless you’ve already had a meltdown. In which case, you can no longer hide or deny you need help. I want to offer you some support by giving you some tips on dealing with the uncertainty and the changes that you are taking on to keep our most vulnerable loved ones safe. We joke, and I’ve seen several memes on social media, about all we have to do is stay home. And yes, what we need to do or not do is easy to understand and execute but it is going to take a toll on you. And for those of you who are leaders, it’s going to be even more important for you to take care of yourself, because you need to continue to show up and communicate with your people. They need your direction, your empathy and your steadfastness now more than ever. You must, you must, you must take care of yourself and your mindset to deliver on this. The thing that steals most of your focus and energy is the mental stress of being out of a normal routine, and dealing with uncertainty and bad news. How you mitigate stress is by changing your perspective, or the focus of your attention. If you are struggling with all the uncertainty and have not yet read Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, now is the time to do it. You don’t have to walk into a store or wait for a delivery. You can download it on your Kindle reader or buy the audiobook. If you have read Man’s Search for Meaning now may be the time to review it. Man’s Search for Meaning is Viktor Frankl’s memoirs of his life during the Holocaust. He had survived, having spent three years in four different concentration camps. He noticed that those who were most likely to survive were those who could find some meaning in the experience. Frankl believes meaning can be found through creativity and work, human interaction and experiences, and the manner in which we respond to suffering. Many survivors of the holocaust had coped with their experience by reminding themselves they didn’t want to disappoint relatives who were dead or separated from them, by helping others or, as Viktor Frankl did, to try to find the beauty in his environment. If you feel guilty because you are trying to find positives in the devastation, I want you to let the guilt go because, it’s okay to do that. It’s what is getting you through this and it’s a good thing. I know you also see the reality; you’re not ignoring it. What you are doing is preventing yourself from being mentally and emotionally disabled by it. You won’t be good to anyone if you are constantly watching the news, getting overwhelmed by all you see, and becoming too fatigued to cope. It feels like doom and gloom but we are also seeing and hearing about people who are stepping up to help their neighbors and communities to address the challenges. I’ve seen businesses come up with creative ways to stay open and continue to provide services. I think this is why Kitty O’Meara’s poem has struck a chord with so many of us. It’s unlikely you haven’t read it somewhere by now but for those of you who haven’t heard this poem yet… And the People Stayed Home By Kitty O'Meara And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed. It’s okay to recognize the positives. This is how we take advantage of opportunities. Adopting a woe-is-me attitude so as to not offend other people will not help anyone. Be sensitive to what other people are going through and recognize there are good things happening all over the world and you can be a part of it. I am continuing to get new clients. I have passed 3 referrals to other business owners in the past few days that will turn into business. Yes, we are already seeing an economic downturn and it will have consequences but we will get through this and we will recover. We’ll do this together. When things are turbulent, having a coach can make a difference. There’s no shame in getting extra support and accountability so that you are thriving in such a difficult time. I’m seeing too many leaders who are struggling, not asking for help, and it’s having a detrimental effect on those around them. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if this sounds like a good option for you. I’m here to support you if you want the support. In times like these, when so many things feel out of our control, and they are, I lean into the Serenity Prayer. Stress comes when we either deny the power we have in a situation, and render ourselves victims to our circumstances, or we try to assert power we don’t have, which only causes us frustration. To bottom-line it, stress will typically come from one of two things: We fool ourselves into thinking we have no control in certain situations when we do. We always have control over our attitude, our actions, and our voice. Or, we try to control things we have no control over – like other people’s attitudes, actions, or words. In the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can follow the CDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing. You can shop for your elderly or medically vulnerable neighbors. You can buy gift cards from your local establishments. You can reach out to family and friends to see how they are doing. You can think about developing new streams of income. You can get 30 minutes of exercise in each day. The list could go on and on. Find what you have control over and take action. That will relieve stress and refuel your energy stores. Alternatively, let go of trying to control things you don’t have control over. You can make sure the people you know are informed on proper protocols, and pass along tips for self-care, but you can’t force them to adopt them. And let me be clear, if you are getting upset it is because you are frustrated that you cannot control their behavior. What you can do is bless them, pray for them, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself. As long as you have done what is in your power to do, for your own sanity you need to make peace with the rest. Here’s the Serenity Prayer to help you with that. Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. I’m struck by the line in that prayer that reads, “Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.” Now, it is my own belief that the world is not sinful, it is mistaken – but let’s not get tripped up by that word. If you read the line without the word “sinful” it reads: “Taking, as He did, this world as it is, not as I would have it.” The world is what it is. This is the world we’ve got. Railing against the fact that it should be different doesn’t do you any good. Taking action to make positive changes, that is completely in your power. But you have to first accept that the world is the way it is before you can make a meaningful difference. That means first seeing things factually, unemotionally, and without judgment. The world is neither good nor bad, right nor wrong. It is what it is. Now, from this non-judgmental perspective ask yourself, “What would I like to infuse into the world?” At the end of each episode I send you off with a Marianne Williamson quote with a little jingle playing in the background. Today it feels appropriate to just read it for you now. Our Deepest Fear By Marianne Williamson Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness That most frightens us. We ask ourselves Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small Does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking So that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, As children do. We were born to make manifest The glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; It's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others. Thank you for making this 5-year journey so joyful and memorable. We are in this together. Here’s to Our success! Cheers! Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!

Roze Merditaj is the Founder and CEO of Real Women Collective Action (RWCA). She has over 10 years banking experience and over 8 years running small businesses. Her career in banking has involved many roles and responsibilities that she used every day to help and develop those around her. While in these roles she completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business all the while raising her children as a single mom. Roze was born and raised in Kosovo, Yugoslavia. There, she felt the deprivation of limited life choices for women and being considered a second-class citizen. Years later, having overcome many struggles, being a resource and creating a path for women is one her main passions in life. She mentors and coaches youth groups on financial management in Suffolk, Newport News, and Hampton, Virginia; and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank, Goodwill, and various shelters throughout the year. She believes anyone can achieve great success, with hard work, dedication, and focus. In this episode Roze and I discuss... The current number of women in senior leadership in the United States How networking is helping Roze achieve her vision The curriculum in a cutting-edge leadership development program The importance of partnership and community as you develop yourself as a leader The importance of starting by doing good work in your local community Links Website: www.rwcanow.org RWCA Leadership Development Program: www.rwcanow.org/our-programs Facebook: www.facebook.com/rwcanow.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/roze-merditaj-b341b7129 Instagram: www.instagram.com/rwca_now Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Megan Jo Wilson is the Founder and Ringleader of Rockstar Camp for Women based in Portland, Maine. In the last year and a half, she has graduated over 50 women (and 10 brave men) through her experiential Feminist Leadership Camp which gives Women the tools they need to sing on stage in a spotlight with a live band and a live audience for one night.  As they take these empowering tools off the stage and into their businesses, they expand their impact AND their income, and have a damn good time doing it.  She has been a Certified Co-Active Coach and Business Mentor for 16 years, she is a Certified Sound Healer, and the author of two Bestselling Business-Books: “Who The Fuck Am I to Be a Coach?!” and “Who the Fuck Am I to Be a Rockstar?!”  Her BIG-SUPER-NOVA-MISSION is to redirect Financial Wealth, Power, and Influence into the hands of modern-day Healers and Magic-Makers.    In this episode Megan Jo and I discuss... Rockstar Camp for Women teaches Women Leaders to be more Visible… Why do you think that’s challenging for Women, and why is Visibility so important? You get Women who have no musical training to sing on stage with a live band and audience - why is the concert so important to this experience and what is your secret?! You also say that this is a Feminist Leadership Development program - what is the role of The Feminine in your work and how does that make it different from other programs? What are some of the results that you have seen after Women get on stage with Rockstar Camp?   Links You can find Megan Jo and Rockstar Bootcamp here... Website: www.meganjowilson.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/meganjowilson Instagram: www.instagram.com/meganjowilson Rockstar Showcase:  https://www.portlandhouseofmusic.com/event/megan-jo-wilsons-rockstar-showcase-6   Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register.   Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Allyson Scammell is a master certified coach, EFT practitioner, and intuitive consultant. Her mission is to help soul-guided women entrepreneurs who are fed up with their efforts exceeding their income, to grow in life and business, using their own unique genius and soul's internal guidance system. Allyson was born and raised on a cattle ranch in South Dakota and spent her days dreaming of traveling the world. Immediately upon graduating college, she joined the Peace Corps and served for two years in a village in the Danube Delta. After earning a Master in International Affairs from Columbia University, she went on to work for 17 years in international development and humanitarian affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). At some point in those 17 years, she received a higher calling to leave that work and do something entrepreneurial in greater alignment to her soul’s purpose. Not sure what that was, she went on a journey to discover how she was truly meant to serve the world and found her answer as a coach and mentor to soul-led women. Allyson is a proud mama to three VIPs. She has lived in 10 countries, loves adventure travel, and dreams of one day owning a buffalo farm. In this episode Allyson and I... Do something completely different! In this episode Allyson takes me through a soul-guided meditation that you can follow along with. Allyson discusses: What a soul-guided meditation is what answers you can potentially receive from this practice The four intuitive gifts and how to identify your dominant gift How to vision the future you most want to experience and manifest that vision How to recognize when your thinking mind or ego is getting in the way and how to easefully release it Links You can find Allynson here... Website: www.allysonscammell.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/shegrowsnation Closed FB group: www.facebook.com/groups/shegrowsnation/ Download 3 FREE soul-guided meditations:  https://mailchi.mp/0e8f34543c30/meditation Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

This episode is Part 2 in a conversation I began with Mary-Theresa Tringale about her 7-step process to creating successful events. Mary-Theresa Tringale, currently a resident of Portland, Maine and working full-time as the Manager of Events and Sponsorships at WinterKids, also runs her own business as an Events Strategist & Producer helping entrepreneurs and organizations plan their first live events the right way. A myriad of careers across the country have helped bring M-T to where she is now. These included: Director of Catering for a Best of Boston Restaurant, Women’s Day Magazine Sales Assistant and Integrated Marketing Manager and Events Specialist for Men’s Journal in NYC , and Marketing Manager of Advertising at Portland Press Herald. She is the creator of the first Varsity Maine Awards in 2016, as well as played a crucial role as a founding member and now Past - President in development of the iconic The Maine Women’s Conference, the first of its kind in Maine. She loves to guide transformative coaches or organizations with specific initiatives through the experience of creating an event that will be transformative (for your business, community, audience, clientele) and impactful and reaches people around the world. In this episode Mary and I discuss... Team: understanding what kind of support you have that you don't have to pay for and the kind of support you will need to pay for. Ask for and allow yourself to receive support so your best can come forth! Budget: Your budget starts with your original vision. What in your vision is going to cost money? It finishes with how much money you actually made what you actually spent money on so if you do your event again you have information on which to make decisions. The many different ways you can bring income in around your event. Timeline: based on your mission, vision, budget and event date. Start with the end in mind, the date you've confirmed with your venue and work your way back to today. Links Want to consult with Mary to then take it from there and/or hand over the execution of the event to your team? Mary offers virtual and in-person intensive to guide you through all the steps so you have the knowledge and the plan to lead yourself and your team through all the stages of planning and delivering an amazing experience to your community. Find out more here: https://www.marytheresatringale.com/intensive Work with Mary to craft a personalized Mission Statement [Special discount for Women Taking the Lead listeners!]:  www.marytheresatringale.com/wtlmission You can also find her on... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marytheresa.tringale LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marytheresatringale Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary.theresa.tringale Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Mary-Theresa Tringale Currently a resident of Portland, ME and working full-time as the Manager of Events and Sponsorships at WinterKids, M-T also runs her own business as a Events Strategist & Producer helping entrepreneurs and organizations plan their first live events the right way. A myriad of careers across the country have helped bring M-T to where she is now. These included: Director of Catering for a Best of Boston Restaurant, Women’s Day Magazine Sales Assistant and Integrated Marketing Manager and Events Specialist for Men’s Journal in NYC , and Marketing Manager of Advertising at Portland press Herald. She is the creator of the first Varsity Maine Awards in 2016, as well as played a crucial role as a founding member and now Past - President in development of the iconic The Maine Women’s Conference, the first of its kind in Maine. She loves to guide transformative coaches or organizations with specific initiatives through the experience of creating an event that will be transformative (for your business, community, audience, clientele) and impactful and reaches people around the world. In this episode Mary and I discuss... The steps you must take to build a strong foundation for your live event The process that will give you all the information that will make it easy for you to market your event How to align the content of your event with your business/organizational goals so you get a strong return on investment How to prevent surprises that can prevent you and your audience from enjoying the experience or gaining value during your event Links Work with Mary to craft a personalized Mission Statement [Special discount for Women Taking the Lead listeners!]: www.marytheresatringale.com/wtlmission You can also find her... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marytheresa.tringale LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marytheresatringale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary.theresa.tringale/   Thank You to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop-down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register.   Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

For this post, I’m going to focus on some best practices for delivering workshops you’ve been hired to deliver for an organization or group. I promised to get this episode out to you when I did the original episode on workshops in October and here it is! These are best practices I’ve developed over time because they made sense or I suffered the consequences of not doing them and thus learned a valuable lesson. Practice is the operative word. Some of these I’ve adopted so recently that I will at times forget them. This is why I’ve created a checklist that I use and you can download and keep handy for when you’re engaged to do your next workshop. You can access the checklist at the bottom of this post. Let’s break this down in stages from when you are first contacted to what you can do in the days after you’ve delivered the workshop. Workshop discovery phase: from first communication to proposal submission Be professional and timely in all your communications with your contact for the organization. This impacts your credibility. You always want to make a good impression and protect your reputation as a professional. Give them reasons to rehire you and also promote you to other people they know who could potentially hire you. Provide any materials and resources on you and your business (CV, resume, brochures, web pages, LinkedIn profile) that will help them find out more about you. Likely, by the time you’ve been contacted they’ve already done their homework but making the offer to provide more information doesn’t hurt and may actually boost the likelihood that you get hired. They may not have seen your slick brochure. Schedule a meeting to discuss and uncover what all their needs are. You are an expert at what you do and you may see solutions and opportunities that the person or people working for the organization have not seen yet. It’s not uncommon that I might be contacted to deliver a team building workshop and I ultimately recommend they do my workshop on Your Stress Personalities instead. Don’t be afraid to recommend different or additional work that you can do for them if it’s in their best interest. Find out the number of participants who will be doing the workshop. For maximum effectiveness and engagement, I typically do not do workshops with any more than 20 people so I may need to do the same workshop for an organization more than once to accommodate the number of people they want to participate in the workshop. Find out the location where you’ll be delivering the workshop. It may be at their local office or you may need travel. If you need to travel a distance to deliver the workshop, that may incur added costs for gas, tolls, hotel stays and meals while you are traveling. Make sure there is an agreement on who is covering these costs along with how they will be covered. I’ve had some organizations take care of all of that ahead of time and others that asked me to submit receipts after the workshop was done and I had returned home. Traveling gets pricey so make sure this is clear before you commit. Inquire if they will need you to do additional tasks before or after you deliver the workshop. Depending on the time or complexity of the task it may incur an additional cost. Find out who is expected to print the materials, and provide flip charts, markers, or anything else you are going to need to do your thing. If they have that all covered, great! If not, add it as a line item to your proposal. Printing and flipcharts are not cheap. You don’t want to find out you didn’t make much money for the time invested because the materials ate up your compensation. Find out who is providing the food and beverages. Food and beverages are a must! Workshops go much more smoothly when beverages and snacks are provided. If it’s a full-day workshop, are participants expected to bring a lunch or is that being catered and by whom? Be clear if you are the one bringing these items in and add it as a line item to the proposal. More often than not this is being taken care of beautifully by the organization but don’t assume it is. After you’ve done the needs assessment put together a proposal that outlines what you will provide along with the cost. Be sure to include what the organization is providing so you have it recorded on a document that a representative from the organization is signing. If a couple days have gone by and you haven’t gotten an acknowledgment of the email, send a polite follow-up inquiring if they saw it. Sometimes people are so busy they open your email quickly, close it, and then get pulled in too many different directions. Sometimes your email ends up in Spam and sometimes it’s not a priority for the receiving party. However, it becomes more important once you’ve followed up and you’re in their inbox once again. Again, continue to be profession, supportive, and timely on your end. Your reputation is everything and how you conduct yourself is what your reputation is built on. I love the memes you see on social media that say something to the effect of, “Always be kind because you don’t know what the other person is going through.” This rule of thumb makes it so much easier to maintain your professionalism even if the other person is dropping the ball or not communicating well. After you’ve gotten the answer to your proposal If you hear back from the organization and it’s a “No” you’ll probably hear something like: “We decided to go in a different direction”. Thank them for their time and end things on a positive high note so if that “other direction” should not work out, now or in the future, they think of you and how great and professional you were receiving their “no”. I’ll tell you, there have been service providers I’ve had to say “no” to after considering hiring them who were cutting and unprofessional in their parting communication. Even when I had the budget to hire them later, I didn’t go back to them. They aren’t the kind of people I want to do business with. They have already given me the impression they would not value me or treat me well. “Staffing changes have changed our needs”. Ask about their changing needs to see if you meet those new needs. If so, give some bullet points on how you can help and see if the proposal can be modified to meet their changed needs. You may also hear, “we just don’t have the money in our budget at this time”. Ask what their budget is and offer to scale your services to meet their needs within their budget. Note, I’m not saying give a discount or give away part of your services for free. I’m saying, offer to scale down what you will provide so that it can come within their budget. If you hear back from the organization and it’s a “Yes” express your gratitude to that connection and to the universe. Find out who your contact will be for coordinating the logistics. It often is not the decision maker or the person who you’ve been working with in the discovery phase. Who is booking the location, the hotel and your travel, if necessary? Who will need to get your workbook and slides, if they want your slides pre-loaded on their computer? Who is coordinating the A/V for the room? Who is coordinating the food and beverages? Who is communicating with the participants? Are you sending pre-work? When do they need all of this? If you’re lucky it’s all one person and you can filter everything through them but it may be multiple people. Who are your participants? Can you get information on the participants in advance? If this is something you require you will have already asked this in the discovery phase. Ask if they will be conducting a satisfaction survey immediately after the workshop. If so, can you get access to that information for your own development. If not, can you bring your own survey to have the participants fill out. If you are playing an audio or video make sure the room has a sound system or bring speakers that hook up to your computer or the computer being provided, if that’s the case. I bought Logitech speakers that were not cost prohibitive so do a little research and make sure you have speakers on hand if you need them. Most locations have a projector. I have yet to do a workshop where I need to have my own projector and if push came to shove, most of my workshops don’t need slides. They’re a nice to have, not a need to have. Make sure you are prepared to the point that you will have fun doing the workshop rather than stressing out about whether or not you’re ready. This includes creating a flexible timeline that includes everything contained in the workshop. Design your workshop based on the time of day. Generally, workshop participants are more focused and engaged in the morning. They get lively mid-morning and have a dip as they are starting to get hungry before lunch. Right before and right after lunch you and your participants will be happiest if they are moving around, engaged in partner or group work, and don’t have to just sit and listen. They may get another boost after they’re done digesting their food but near the end of the day, they’ve given it their all, had a great time doing it, but they need to switch gears. I find group reflection work right before lunch and in the last 30-minutes of the workshop (if it’s an afternoon or all-day workshop) goes beautifully. It also helps the participants retain what they’ve learned. Practices for the day of the workshop you are paid to deliver Arrive early because there’s a lot of boxes to check before the first participant arrives and you want to be there well before any participants arrive. You need to meet your contact, get yourself set up, make sure the A/V equipment is working properly, that the room is configured in a way that suits your goals, lighting is sufficient, the air conditioning is working properly, workbooks are passed out, name tags or name cards are ready to be filled out. Make sure you have your beverages and snacks ready and in easy reach. Make sure snacks and refreshments are available for the participants. A note on your snacks, I would keep caffeine and sugar to a minimum. You get an immediate energy boost but then you’re dealing with a crash an hour or so later. And if you keep putting caffeine and sugar in your body to keep your energy up, you’ll pay a big price at the end of the day. Everyone’s body is different so you need to figure out your nutritional needs but if energy crashes or body aches are something you’ve dealt with, try it out to see if it makes a difference. Take pictures of the room as “before” pictures. You can use these on social media to promote your services. I only mention the company I’m working with on social media if I’ve gotten explicit permission to do so. I may take pictures during the workshop but it will usually be from the back of the room and I don’t post pictures of the participants faces to use in my promotion.   Lastly, make sure you are ready to greet your participants with a smile as they walk through the door. Before you fully dive in, introduce yourself and go over the logistics. People are more relaxed when they know exactly what to expect and have a sense of their environment. If you are meeting at a location the participants are not familiar with, tell them where the bathroom is. Tell them what time the breaks and meals are roughly going to be, and what time you’ll be ending. Give them a sense of the kinds of activities they’ll be engaging in so they can mentally prepare for them. Do an activity to warm the group up. If time is tight have each person introduce themselves and identify something they are looking to gain from the workshop, or share something they struggle with in regard to the topic of the workshop. This serves to also give you an even better sense of who is in the room and what they need from you. Use the timeline you created in advance even if things aren’t going exactly according to plan. I am nearly always running tight on time so the timeline helps me to be nimble if I need to allow more time for this or take out that based on who is in the room and what their immediate needs are. Be structured but also be ready to be flexible. Read the room! Pay attention to the overall energy of the room to sense if you need to calm the group down or get them re-energized. You can turn a writing exercise into a group activity on the fly, or take an unscheduled break. I’m not opposed to having everyone stand, stretch and take some deep breaths if I think that will do the trick. Also, be sure everyone has a chance to speak and get their questions answered. If someone is dominating the conversation you need to manage them so others don’t shut down or get resentful. If someone seems withdrawn find an opportunity to check in with them on the next break. Don’t take it personally or make it mean anything until you know exactly what’s going on. Sometimes the content of the workshop triggers an old wound or provides a revelation that causes someone to go into a reflective mode on the spot. As long as they are getting what they need there’s nothing wrong. Have fun! As I mentioned in the last episode on workshops released October of 2019, to deliver high-quality workshops you have to love it. Let your love for what you are doing come through! Your participants, unless they are just determined to have a bad time, will find your enjoyment contagious. This also means you’re likely more yourself than you would be otherwise and this also allows the participants to make a human connection with you. When that happens, they are more open to learning and being in a discovery process with you, and that means they will gain more value from the content you are delivering. Before you finish up have the participants complete a feedback form or survey to get feedback on the different aspects of the workshop. This is worth its weight in gold. Sometimes it’s hard to read critical feedback but I know I make the biggest leaps in my own development as a workshop facilitator when I get critical feedback. This is one of the ways we get to mastery. Thank the participants wholeheartedly for their time and contributions to the workshop. They may have been told they had to be there but that doesn’t take away from the attention and effort they put in to participate. If okayed by the organization you may offer your contact information and handles on social media platforms to the participants so they can reach out to you if they would like to, follow you, get to know you better, or inquire into your products and services.  Lastly, freebies that require an opt-in email. Typically, if I’m getting paid by an organization to deliver a workshop it’s not appropriate to ask their employees or members for their email addresses in exchange for a freebie. I’m either giving it to them or I’m not. I may say something like, if x, y, z, is something you’re working on I have a downloadable on my homepage if that interests you. However, if you’re going to send them to a specific page that will require their email or a coupon code, ask for explicit permission from the organization before creating any slides or materials that reference this. Again, this is your professional relationship you’re playing with. All that being said, by this point you are probably both physically tired but soulfully energized from the experience. Let’s get into best practices after the workshop. Best practices for after the workshop you are hired to deliver I leave it all out on the field when I’m delivering workshops. The participants get my best and that has an effect on my physical and mental bandwidth. If I’m delivering a workshop in the morning, I keep my afternoon clear of anything that would require me to be at optimal. Instead, I will typically clean out easy emails and messages, and respond to comments and questions that come through social media platforms. I will also do rudimentary tasks like bookkeeping or entering the information from business cards I’ve collected recently into my Google Contacts. If it’s an all-day workshop I’m wiped out at the end of the day so it will be an evening in. Be mindful of what you need to recover and do what you can to take care of yourself. Within a day or two send a thank you to the person or people at the organization you had contact with, whether it’s the decision maker, the committee, or the coordinator. Let them know it was a positive experience for you, if that’s true, and that you are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve them. [This is a new practice I’m taking on], in that communication offer to do a follow up meeting to see if the workshop did its job and to see if there are other services or workshops you can provide to continue to serve them. If you are still listening at this point, I’m assuming you either get hired to deliver workshops or you’ve attended workshops that someone was hired to deliver. Let me know if I missed anything. What would you add to this list of best practices to make the workshop more effective or an even better experience? Here is the checklist of these best practices which you can use the next time an organization reaches out to you to see what you would charge to deliver a workshop for them. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank you to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!

Dr Tarryn MacCarthy is a Business Owner, Orthodontist, and Empowerer of women and men. She is the leader of her family, her team, and her community. She speaks to the strength of acknowledging our core values and honoring authenticity. Her goal is to empower leaders like you to live your very best lives. In this episode Tarryn and I discuss... Why it’s so important to examine, challenge, identify and live by your Core Values to find satisfaction and success in your business, career and family. The tendencies that will have you compromise your values and take you away from being your best and achieving your goals The need to redefine work/life balance and recognizing it’s not a one-size-fits-all. How self-evaluation is the beginning to all of this but low self-worth can sabotage this exploration because you many not think yourself worthy of taking the time to give yourself special attention. That taking care of ourselves is initially a brave thing and becomes a gift to others. Links Embrace the Lead on Facebook Embrace the Lead on Instagram Thank You to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop-down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me! It is a sunny and crisp October day here in Maine and I hope you are enjoying the current season you are in wherever you are in the world. I had an opportunity recently to deliver a couple of full day workshops for a local organization and I was struck again by how much I love delivering workshops. High-quality workshops are a fantastic way to deliver training in a way that allows the participant to start playing or grappling with the concepts you’re teaching. The workshop format is ideal when you’re working with a group that will benefit from learning side by side, such as a team from the same company. The workshop format is also ideal when the group would benefit from learning from each other. This could be a mix of people from different industries, backgrounds, level of experience, etc. The workshop can act as a conduit to exchange knowledge and provide feedback. Workshops are one of my favorite ways to teach because the attendees get involved and start making the content meaningful for them. I will often turn a presentation into a workshop and it is always well-received. When I think of workshops, I think interactive and engaged: workbooks, or worksheets, paired sharing, small group exercises, and whole group discussions. In fact, as the person leading the workshop, the more I can minimize my time talking and maximize the time the participants are talking, the better. Public versus Private Workshops I’ve been asked to do workshops for organizations and I’ve also organized workshops for the public. Both of these can be gratifying and they each have their pros and cons. When an organization asks you to do a workshop, they are going to take care of most of the logistics, marketing, and other communications. They are also going to pay you an agreed upon amount of money so even if some people need to back out, you don’t have to issue refunds. This situation takes a lot of work off your plate but you don’t have a lot of control either. You may not have any say in the location, the skill or knowledge level of the participants, choices for refreshments, etc. The one thing you do want to make non-negotiable, if this applies to the workshop you are doing, is the limit to the number of participants in the workshop. Much like a classroom there is ideal ratio of facilitators to participants for maximum learning and engagement and that number will usually fluctuate between 16-20 participants to one facilitator. It all depends on the content of the workshop and the skill level of the participants with the particular topic you are addressing. You don’t want to set yourself up for a situation that could be frustrating and disappointing for both the participants and for yourself. For an organization there’s also more work leading up to being asked to do the workshop. There’s likely been networking, an exploratory meeting to assess the specific needs, proposal writing and negotiation of the fine details before you even know you’re doing the workshop for sure. And there’s no guarantee you’ll get to deliver the workshop. All your effort may be for naught if they determine that now isn’t the right time or you are not the exact fit they are looking for. You can usually earn more money doing workshops for organizations but also consider the amount of time you’ll invest before you get paid to deliver the workshop. Now, if you are going to do a workshop yourself that is open to the public, you have much greater control over all the details of your event. You get to pick the location, the food and beverage choices; you can set criteria around who can attend based on skill level, and you have much more control over the date and time. However, the marketing, sales, communications, and all the minute details are on you or a person you are paying to take on these tasks. It’s not unheard of for someone to register and pay for you event only to realize they have a conflict and cannot attend. Know that they will likely ask for a refund even if you have clearly communicated a no-refund policy. Also keep in mind, if your workshop doesn’t sell out in advance, you will be continuing to put time, energy and possibly money, into marketing your workshop and doing sales calls right up until the day before the workshop, or whenever your hard stop is. You have much more control in this scenario but you also have a lot more work or have to pay someone to take on that work. To be honest, I love both types of workshops. I love the whole process of getting to know an organization, their people, and their needs. I love being able to arrive with the majority of the details taken care of. I can then focus on giving the best I have to give. I also love offering what I have to give to those who are working for themselves, or whose organizations don’t offer the type of training that I do. Even though it’s more work and often doesn’t pay as much as delivering a workshop for an organization, I find it to be incredibly gratifying. If you’ve been delivering workshops in either scenario you know exactly what I’m talking about. Qualities that will Serve You in Delivering Workshops To truly deliver a high-quality workshop you have to love it. Don’t get me wrong, there are components of the process that are not my favorite, like getting into the nitty-gritty of the timeline, but overall you need to have a passion for teaching and learning, and you have to be a bit of a performer. Depending on the length of your workshop you may need to keep the energy of the room within a range that is conducive for learning. To do that, you need to keep the attention of the attendees on the topic at hand. I’m not saying you have to do a song and dance and some cartwheels to keep everyone focused on the matter at hand, but you do need to be interesting, engaging and bit entertaining. There’s no getting this perfect. There are going to be times of the day when it’s easier to do than others and there are going to be some topics that are more challenging for some of your participants and their natural inclination will be to check out. You need to know how to read the room and meet the needs that are before you. This may mean going back to the drawing board on a particular segment of your workshop to work on making it easier to digest or injecting more humor into it to keep everyone interested. It may mean taking an unscheduled break so everyone can stand, stretch, move around or refill their beverages. Also, your own enthusiasm for teaching and the learning environment will infuse your participants with energy. If you’re having a good time, they are more likely to have a good time. People can tell if you’re having a good time or not and they use this to determine whether or not they are having a good time. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment may not win over ALL participants but you will win over most. Now, private workshops may have one or two participants who didn’t want to be there and don’t initially see the value. But if you are good at your craft, and you don’t take their attitude personally, they will usually walk away saying they did pick up one or two new things that will be valuable to them. I, personally, do not deliver any content that I don’t believe in or believe will be of value to anyone who attends my workshops. So, when someone arrives thinking they are wasting their time and they give me the opportunity to change that perspective, I feel so gratified. I’m not going to lie; it gives me a natural high. Alright, we covered the difference between private and public workshops and the qualities that will make for a high-quality workshop. In the next episode I’m going into some best practices for planning and preparing your workshops. If you’ve been doing workshops, I’d love to hear from you. What have your experiences been? The workshops I do regularly are listed at womentakingthelead.com/workshops. If you have a need, whether your inquiring for an organization or you’re doing some research for yourself, I’d love to hear from you.  As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success!

Jill Salzman is currently growing her third entrepreneurial venture, The Founding Moms, where she helps mom entrepreneurs build better businesses.  A graduate of Brown University and law school, she started a music management firm and then launched and sold a baby jewelry company before creating her current venture. She’s the author of  The Best Business Book In The World and the best-seller, Found It: A Field Guide for Mom Entrepreneurs. Jill is a co-host of Inc. Magazine’s top-rated entertaining business podcast, Breaking Down Your Business, gave her own TED talk on 11/11/11, was dubbed a “mommy mogul” by CNNMoney, a “ Cool Mom Entrepreneur We Love” by MSN Live, and she was recently named one of the Top 50 Women to Watch In Tech as well as a Top 100 Champion Small Business Influencer after Forbes’ named The Founding Moms one of the Top 10 Websites For Entrepreneurs.  She’s shared the speaker stage with Richard Branson, Sheryl Sandberg, Daymond John, Marilu Henner, and Desmond Tutu and she regularly appears on ABC7’s Windy City Live TV show. In her spare time, Jill enjoys kloofing, baking, and erasing her daughters’ crayon artwork from the kitchen walls. In this episode Jill and I discuss... How much simpler life becomes when you do the bold and daring  How she's running her third business spending as much time as she can NOT overdoing it and overachieving and making sure things are perfect Her book, The Best Business Book In The World* (*according to my mom) That you are not alone, that there is a community out there to support you (like The Founding Moms!) and that you should go find one. Links The Founding Moms Instagram Facebook Twitter Breaking Down Your Business Podcast  Thank You to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop-down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Equal parts teacher, connecter, and founder, Darrah Brustein stands for entrepreneurial empowerment. In the fall of 2018, Darrah launched "Life by Design, Not by Default" sharing stories with visionaries like Deepak Chopra, Adam Grant and Jen Sincero in a 45-speaker online summit reaching over 7,000 people. For the past 10 years, she founded and scaled two businesses in tandem: a networking events company serving 30,000+ people and a payment processing company spanning 38 states. A prolific writer and interviewer, Darrah's thought leadership articles on lifestyle design have been read by over 1 million people across Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Thrive Global. Her motivating motto "build a life of your own design, a career to fund it, and a network to support it" has inspired thousands to reach higher and dream bigger. She was even named “#1 to follow” by BossBabes. Most recently, Darrah launched the video series “Diving Deep With Deepak & Darrah” to make deep topics relatable and translatable into your life. In this episode Darrah and I discuss... What to do when you sense it's time for a change. How to genuinely build a network that will happily work for you. Relationship building tools to achieve the success you're hoping to (and how to connect with anyone you want to meet). Action steps to take you from an ordinary existence to living the life of your dreams. Links Website: Darrah.co Instagram: @Darrahb Thank You to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop-down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Founder and CEO of “Sales Maven”, an organization dedicated to authentic selling, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”. With 24+ years of experience selling to such prestigious organizations as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, and NASA, Nikki shattered sales records in many industries, receiving multiple “top producer” awards along the way. Today, entrepreneurs and small business owners from a wide range of disciplines hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically, without being pushy or “salesy.” An engaging and sought-after speaker, she shares the secrets of her sales success through illuminating keynote addresses and business-changing workshops. Her robust Sales Maven Society, a membership program, ignites game-changing outcomes for clients. Nikki’s books are available at Amazon. “Buying Signals: How to Spot the Green Light & Increase Your Sales” and “Six-Word Lessons on Influencing with Grace” Free Gift: Closing The Sale eBook, www.yoursalesmaven.com/ebook Do you struggle with the sales process? Do you get turned off by the sales conversation when you are talking to a prospective client? Are you wondering why you are not closing more sales even though you know you are offering an incredibly valuable product or service? If so, this episode is for you! In this episode Nikki and I discuss... How someone can build rapport with a prospect that has a very different style than theirs. What the difference is between a Sales Funnel and The Selling Staircase. What The Selling Staircase is and why it's vital not to skip a step What the most commonly missed step in the Selling Staircase is and what should someone say when they’re on this step. A state that you can bring about that will create an amazing experience for you and your prospective clients. Links Free Gift: Closing The Sale eBook, www.yoursalesmaven.com/ebook Website: www.yoursalesmaven.com Thank You to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop-down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Bobbi Palmer, founder of Date Like a Grownup, is an internationally recognized expert who teaches over-40 women how to finally find peaceful, passionate, grownup love. Bobbi has lived your story. She worked her butt off to figure out ‘the love thing’ and became a first-time bride at age 47. Joyfully married since 2006, she walks her talk every day and, with compassion and a side of sass, she helps women do what she did. If you’re frustrated and confused about dating, Bobbi wants you to know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. No one ever taught you how to date like a grownup, right?? There are just some things you don't yet know. Bobbi has been featured on The Today Show, Huffington Post, NPR, Women’s World magazine, Match.com, eHarmony.com, AARP and numerous other TV, radio and print outlets. Want dating help that actually makes sense? Find her recipe for grownup dating at www.datelikeagrownup.com/blog.  Bobbi and I discuss... Why men do this or don't do that can be confounding to women. Whether he's a colleague, client, boss, lover, brother or father...men can be your pain in the butt and rival...or they can be your joy and strongest supporter. In this episode you’ll learn surprising things about men that are sure to get you what you want and need while strengthening the relationship and leaving him smiling!  (Yes. These can all co-exist.) Some things you’ll learn: The 3 principles to date like a grown-up The biggest mistake women make with men that can destroy any relationships. 3 ways men are scientifically different than women and the communication hacks that will bridge the gap. The One Simple Thing you can do to earn trust and create a bond with any man. (This is going to be a huge surprise!) Links Website: https://datelikeagrownup.comFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/DateLikeaGrownup/ Thank You to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop-down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Allison is a financial coach in Portland, Maine.  She's been a CPA for more than twenty years, first working in forensic accounting, and then tax preparation.  Her experience in preparing people's taxes really demonstrated for her the lack of basic financial literacy and discomfort around money many people have.  She realized her calling was to educate people about financial literacy, and in the fall of 2015 she started her financial coaching business so that she could sit down with people on an individual basis to help them make informed and purposeful decisions that support their financial goals. Allison lives just outside of Portland with her husband and four children.  She spends her free time hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, snowshoeing, doing yoga, and voraciously reading. Allison and I discussed: Her experience taking the Energy Leadership Assessment A new program she is currently developing for a younger demographic The fear that has been keeping her from taking actions that will launch this program Tapping into one's resources and not going it alone The power in even taking simple action to move forward   Links Website: https://allisonbishop.com/LinkedIn – Alisson V. BishopFacebook – Allison V. Bishop, CPA - Financial Coach Thank You to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop-down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me! Today I am continuing the conversation I started in the last episode on the various levels of leadership as related to the workplace. This is such an important topic because there are nuances to leadership that you may not be aware of and continuous growth and improvement are required if you want to make the impact you dream about. Your awareness of the different levels of leadership and what’s required at each level will affect your ability to get promoted and your ability to be successful after you’ve been promoted. I was promoted five times within 6 years and I learned a lot about how and what I needed to develop within myself and some of it was baptism by fire because of the pace I was promoted at. It pains me to see others struggle unaware that if they took a different approach to their role as a leader they would get much better results, experience less frustration and they wouldn’t have to work so hard to get those results. I’ve heard too many of you reporting struggles that were due to not knowing how you needed to shift your leadership as you rose through the ranks. I’m going to go through some common leadership levels and talk about the skills and mindsets you need to take on if you want to achieve them and be successful in that position once you get there. In the last episode we talked about the Entry Level Leader/Individual contributor and the Frontline people leader. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to that episode go back and listen to Levels of Leadership Part I. In this episode I’m going to talk about another two levels of leadership: leading other leaders and leading volunteers. Thank you to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Close your online marketing skills gap, learn how to remain relevant in a quickly changing marketplace, and get ongoing support in promoting your businesses online. Stay ahead of the game by signing up for these Digital Marketing Forum. Go to womentakingthelead.com/zebraworkshops to register. Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me! Today I want to start a conversation with you about something that is near and dear to my heart, the various levels of leadership as related to the workplace. This is such an important topic and even if you have career growth and promotions on your mind you may not be aware of all the nuances of taking on a higher level of leadership. This can impact your ability to get promoted and your ability to be successful after you’ve been promoted. I was promoted five times within 6 years and I learned a lot about what I needed to develop within myself and how to do it, and some of it was baptism by fire because of the pace I was promoted at. I’ve been thinking about doing an episode on this topic for some time but recent experiences have made the delivery of this information more urgent. What I find is that if something is coming up for my clients and the people I’m casually chatting with day-by-day it’s likely also a big topic for you as well. I’ve heard too many of you reporting struggles that were due to not knowing how you needed to shift your leadership as you rose through the ranks. I’m going to go through some common leadership levels between this episode and the next, and I’m going to talk about the skills and mindsets you need to take on if you want to achieve higher levels of leadership and be successful in that position once you get there. In this episode I’m going to start at the beginning with the first two levels of leadership. Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!

Recently I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Mark Taylor of the Education on Fire podcast network for his Learning on Fire podcast. One of the questions he asked me was in regard to advice I would give to my younger self. I gave a concise answer on his show but his question got my mind going and before I knew it I was opening a word document to capture all the things I wish I knew, and understood, and lived when I was younger. What stood out for me, and I shared this on the Learning on Fire podcast, is that this is the same advice I would give myself today because these are things I know but need to be reminded of because I can fall back into my old patterns. The mind has a negativity bias. To rewire the brain we have to consciously put our ah-ha moments into practice and set reminders. I’m sharing these with you just in case you want or need reminding as well. Here’s what I would say to you and my younger self… Lastly… You don’t need to do more to achieve your goals and be more successful, you need to do less. It's about changing your mindset around "work" so that instead of taking massive action that produces a few results you are taking key actions effectively to produce greater results. For instance, would you rather make 100 cold calls to set up two meeting with prospective clients or would you like to have an enjoyable coffee date with two connectors in your network who could introduce you to four prospective clients. Making 100 cold calls will certainly yield you some results but you're going to burn a lot of time and energy to yield those results. This example applies across the board in your life: in many areas of your work, health, finances, relationships - you name it! You think you need to work really hard to get what you want. It's not true. This is precisely what my Accomplished Coaching System is based on. The process I take you through, starting with the Energy Leadership Assessment, gives you the awareness to identify all the areas where you are working too hard with little result. You then have the ability to make changes, internally and externally, to free up your time and energy all while gaining greater results. It is why I am so in love with the work that I do. If you’d like to get to know yourself better and find out where and why you are working so hard with little effort go to womentakingthelead.com/assessment/ to get started. There is tons more I’d love to chat with you and my younger self about but I’m going to leave it here for now. I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank you to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me today. This episode is coming out a bit later than I promised. The reason for that is that I have been battling with myself about what I want to share with you, how much I want to share and how I want to share what’s in my head. I finished up last year feeling like I was going through the motions. I gave you my last update on my 2018 goals but I wrapped that episode knowing I could have said so much more about my experiences in the last year. I will say the appreciation you all showed me in spite of that feeling overwhelmed me to the point of tears. I felt such gratitude for all of you and especially to those of you who commented and sent messages. You touched my heart and called me to step up and be the leader that I am. Appreciation Makes All the Difference Here are some of the comments that were posted on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram: "It's been awesome to follow your journey the past couple months, Jodi! Congratulations on all your success so far, and keep it up!" ~ Maddie Purcell, Founder of Fyood Kitchen and Experience Maine "Hi Jodi, your year-end post is articulate, inspiring and relatable. Good job letting go of the pull ups!  You set aggressive business goals and your progress was amazing! Keep up the momentum and thanks for sharing!" ~ Holly M. Smevog, Talent Development ✻ Performance Assessments ✻ Career Coaching at Drake Inglesi Milardo, Inc. "I started to listen to this episode yesterday, and immediately stopped and went back to all your previous updates - thank you for being so open, honest and vulnerable! I was going to make goals for myself anyway, but you inspired me to do it today (even though my kids are running around me in circles)." ~ Allison Bishop, Financial Coach "I just want to say thank you for being a leader to all of us. Your podcast is the one I turn to when I am facing struggles and I truly appreciate you!!!! Here’s to making 2019 one for the books!" ~ Katie Robins, Mommy. Wife. Motivator. Beauty Enthusiast This feedback hit me and I was humbled by it because of a tendency that is typical of overachievers: that mindset of, “It’s not good enough. It doesn’t matter how much you did, ultimately you failed because you are not good enough.”  Although I’ve come a long way to ignore these messages and see them for what they are – my inner critic wanting me to play it safe – these messages can blindside me if I’m not taking good care of myself or not being aware of what is going on. December was in fact quite hectic and had some twists and turns and I allowed myself to become depleted and that was all my inner critic needed to step up and take the microphone so to speak. It’s laughable now as I look back on it but at the time it was no fun.   However, when I started reading some of the feedback on the episode it snapped me out of it, so THANK YOU to those of you who without knowing it got me out of the spiral my inner critic was sending me into. Message on Failure This whole experience had me wondering how you ended the year. Did you accomplish all your goals, did you accomplish none of your goals, or did you have a mix of success and failure like me? Were you peacefully accepting of your results, did you whoop it up to celebrate, or did you beat yourself up for not checking off all the boxes. Personally, I celebrate you for what you achieved, for the work you put in; for the battles you may have had with yourself to overcome self-doubt or a lack of motivation, to ask for help when needed, and for sacrificing short-term pleasures for long-term satisfaction and fulfillment. I want to celebrate you for what you did not achieve. I want to honor you for being “in the arena” as the Theodore Roosevelt quote goes, for facing your demons, for getting back up time and again only to end the year short of goal. I honor you for looking failure in the face and my hope is it has not changed how you see yourself, unless it is to recognize how strong and powerful you are in the face of failure. There is nothing you are missing internally. You may need to line things up externally but you already have within you all you need to be successful. Your task is to find out how to draw it out of you; how to peel back the layers of “who you are not” so you can finally see clearly who you really are and let yourself, your true self, play in the world. Our Work Continues... In the episode I'm outlining what's coming in 2019 Tools that will Enhance Your Success The other thing that helped me last year with my health and fitness goal that has already helped me to drop my holiday weight and a little bit more is my spiritual practice. Doing A Course in Miracles for the past nearly year and half has helped me to find more peace in my day. And when I have more peace I also have fewer cravings and more discipline. Given that, my spiritual practice will be something that will be contributing to my health and wellness goal. A spiritual practice, whatever that looks like for you, and getting help from others is something I would absolutely recommend for you if you are struggling with achieving your goals. I would also recommend gaining more awareness of yourself, how you interact with others, and what you believe about the world and what’s possible for you. To this end I’m going to recommend, if you haven’t already, doing the Energy Leadership Assessment. This attitudinal self-assessment is where I start all of my clients because it brings them bulls-eye to exactly what is keeping them from achieving what they want to achieve and having the life they want to have. Whether it’s having enjoyable personal and work relationships, having the energy and focus to make progress in their business or career, or having the freedom to go after something they’ve always wanted but didn’t think they could have. This new sense of freedom has allowed many of my clients to stop tolerating what’s not working in their life and to start making the changes required to have the life that they want. What I want to underscore is the awareness you gain from this process makes it easier to make these changes. It’s not that you suddenly have the ability to muscle through making changes; you suddenly don’t need to muscle through because you no longer experience what keeps you from taking decisive action. Those things may include fear, anxiety, burden, dread, exhaustion, confusion, self-doubt, etc. With a new awareness of who you really are and what shapes your experiences, those debilitating feelings fade away and in their place is a quiet certainty of what you want. The Energy Leadership Assessment will help you gain your personal power to direct your own life and confidence to make your moves. As one client put it, “I finally got permission from the only person I needed permission from: me.” Many of my clients say that this process was the turning point for them. They can see a clear difference in their experience of life before and after the assessment. If you have been at a loss for why you are not satisfied with your life or work, or if you have been dreaming about a life you know can be yours but you’re struggling to make it a reality, the Energy Leadership Assessment will get at the heart of what’s keeping you from it. Let me assure you, the success and satisfaction you are looking for comes much more easily once you know what’s preventing you from having it. I invite you to go to womentakingthelead.com/assessment to take the first step. As I learned last year, success comes when you stop trying to figure it out all on your own and accept some help. I would love to help you. As I bring this episode to a close I want to let you know I will be scaling back a bit more on new content for the podcast. I am committed to immersing myself in the writing of my second book and I need to allow some space for that. However, I will be releasing episodes occasionally so if you want to be certain that you get those episodes when they are released be sure to subscribe to the Women Taking the Lead podcast if you haven’t already. Also, I’ll be sharing snippets from the book, as well as leadership tips, tools and practices with my email list so if you’d like those particular updates be sure to opt-in to the newsletter. I’ll leave you by repeating Katie Robins’ message, “Here’s to making 2019 one for the books!" As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! ButcherBox delivers healthy 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage breed pork directly to your door. For FREE Bacon and $20 off your first box, go to ButcherBox.com/lead and enter lead as the promotional code at checkout. Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

From co-founding Climate Ride in 2008 and scaling the socially-conscious company to a seven-figure budget, to biking alone across southeast Asia, to coaching entrepreneurs on how to achieve their own lofty goals, Geraldine Carter loves finding practical, efficient solutions to complex challenges. After directly experiencing the value of outside perspective and mentorship, Geraldine began sharing her 10+ years of business experience and mindfulness training through coaching. An ICF accredited Associate Certified Coach, Geraldine takes pride in challenging herself and her clients to reach higher and find bolder ways forward. More about Geraldine and how she sees herself Note how much Geraldine has done and accomplished and how difficult it was for her to talk about it. Where did it all start, specifically where did you get the notion that you could not only think big, but that you actually had it in you to accomplish big things? Geraldine has been blessed with adventurers in her family that served as role models for her. In her family going on an adventure is as natural as going to grammar school. Also, her curiosity spurs her to see what she is capable of. Lastly, Geraldine isn’t afraid to make a mistake, fail, or make a mess of things. What have you learned from your travel, business, and physical adventures? There are painful moments when you go after your big dreams but they don’t last long. What’s important is you have to pay attention to your inner guidance when making big decisions. If it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t right. Also, it’s important to hyper-focus on what’s important and remove low-value distractions from your schedule. There is a trifecta of things that are scaring Geraldine right now as she continues to grow her business. Do you share any of these fears? What does your system contain that you are consistently applying to yourself and sharing with your clients so they can get to where you are in their own development? I am very aware that I have developed my coaching system for myself. “We teach what we need to learn.” Or rather, we teach what we need to be reminded of. I have a coach-friend who introduced me to the phrase “new level, new devil.” Meaning when you break through obstacles you achieve new levels of consciousness, performance and success. But waiting there to greet you at that next level are the new obstacles you have to overcome of you want to continue to grow and evolve. Geraldine has a very supportive yet direct approach to help her clients play bigger. We are all eager to be where you are, playing full out, thinking big, playing big. Describe for us what life is like when we live that experience. Geraldine acknowledges she is not in this head space all the time but she has the tools to get herself there. Playing big is not a comfortable space but she accepts it and embraces it. What are your hopes for your podcast, She Thinks Big? Geraldine’s hopes her podcast is used as a tool by millions of women around the world to help them develop, grow, gain confidence, trust themselves; become the full powerful women they are fully capable of being, so that they can do whatever it is they were put on this planet to do. What are some of the baby steps we can take right now to get there? Become aware of your own internal dialogue, how it makes you feel and react, and then develop a dialogue that will help you to get where you want to be. Want to know more about working with Geraldine? http://focusedbizcoaching.com/business-coaching/ Or find her episodes here: http://shethinksbigpodcast.com/ Thank You to Our Sponsors! ButcherBox delivers healthy 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage breed pork directly to your door. For FREE Bacon and $20 off your first box, go to ButcherBox.com/lead and enter lead as the promotional code at checkout. Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Shutting down: Cocooning Imagine you are going about your day when suddenly, something happens. No matter what it is, it occurs to you as bad news. In the moment it feels like the worst news. The last thing you needed right now. The straw that broke the camel's back. It could be a change to your carefully laid out plans, an unpleasant conversation, a flat tire, burnt toast...whatever. It really doesn't matter what it is. What matters is it's something you don't like and you feel like it's out of your control. And then you feel the energy drain out of your body. You're tired, defeated and you start to wonder why you try so hard. It's already X o'clock in the morning and you feel like you need a nap. Over-reacting: The Amazon Warrior Similar to the previous situation something happens but in this instance your alter-ego's faulty radar picks up something different. Rather than sensing a situation where there is nothing you can do you're alter-ego picks up a threat. That change to your carefully laid out plans, the unpleasant conversation, the flat tire, the burnt toast - they are now perceived as putting something at risk, something important. This creates conflict. The alter-ego is now charged up and ready to do battle! Rather than turning into the Incredible Hulk (we're women, after all) you become The Amazon Warrior. Realize that a large percentage of the threats you perceive are just that, perceived threats. They are not real and if you can stay in current reality you can keep yourself from turning into The Amazon Warrior. If you know one or both of these stress reactions are holding you back in your business or professional life reach out to me. This is how I serve my clients best and when they are able to manage their alter-egos and choose their response consciously they are able to keep stress away and stay focused on their goals. As always I hope with was of value to you and here's to your success! Thank you to Our Sponsors TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!  

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. I hope you are enjoying the holidays and have a safe and happy New Year. The end of November and December were very active. I was surprised at how busy I was with meetings right up to the weekend before Christmas. That is unusual but a good sign that you all are ready to create some big things in 2019. The Create and Achieve Goals that Are Worthy of You workshop was so much fun and the feedback was incredibly helpful. What was clear was that we needed more time - duly noted! I also attended and conducted round tables at The Massachusetts Conference for Women. With over 12,000 people in attendance that day it made for a high energy event. As someone put it, “It was overwhelming in all the good ways.” What was really gratifying for me was, as a speaker, I was invited to have my books sold in the bookstore and they sold out. I can’t tell you how amazed and delighted I was. Many things validated for me that I was with my people. Not just women, but go-getting women who are eager to participate fully in their growth and development. Now I’m spending some time unplugged with my family and friends. I’m spending some time resting and finalizing my goals for next year and I’ll share more about that in the next episode which will be releasing in a couple weeks. For now, let’s get caught up on how my 2018 goals landed. To catch up anyone who is new to the Women Taking the Lead podcast, last December I did a series of episodes to walk everyone through my goal setting process and I used myself as an example to take you through all the steps. I promised during that time that I would keep you updated on my progress toward my goals in the hope that it would be helpful for you as you work toward accomplishing your goals. This episode is the progress report on my goals through December. During the Goal setting series I identified four focus areas that were important to me this year and each area has a specific goal assigned to it. Focus area #1 Increase profitability in my business Goal: have a net income (earnings minus expenses) of $80,000 minimum this year. Because I was struggling a little bit with this goal I also created 4 sub-goals in June. These sub-goals are, by year end: Have had 12 new Executive Leadership Coaching clients. This is coaching that focuses on leaders within organizations to help them with their performance as well as happiness and fulfillment at work. I had a total of 8 clients who fell into this category and 3 more clients signed on before the end of the year. While I am one client shy of this goal I still feel successful in this area because of the progress I made in such a short time. Do 10 corporate workshops. I have done 5 this year with one pushed out to January. I am four short of my goal of doing 10 and I’ll be giving this area of my business more love in 2019. Promote the DIY products that are on the Women Taking the Lead website. This category has not gotten much movement and I mentioned last month that I may have to hire a marketing person to help with this. Do two more group programs by the end of the year. The virtual program was a non-starter but as I mentioned earlier my goals workshop, Create and Achieve Goals that are Worthy of You was a success and I’ll be looking forward to doing more local workshops in 2019. November’s Profit and Loss report showed a net profit of $1822.98. I did not meet the average $6800 net profit I’m was looking for each month this year and I’ve been reflecting on this and actively talking to coach colleagues of mine about this concern. There were some things missing in the attainment of this goal but it was not a lack of effort or activity that was the problem. I worked HARD to achieve this goal and applied many strategies that got some traction, but not enough. There were 3 things missing that got in the way of my achieving this goal. I was working too hard and not asking for help. Some expert support would have been very helpful, especially when it comes to the marketing of my business. I focused more on what I could do and not enough on who I was being. Because of some tight deadlines I became focused on getting things done and out rather than taking a step back to get into an experience of being of service and support. This definitely impacted how I was marketing my products and services. Lastly, and this was an interesting insight, although I know what I do and provide is incredibly valuable, I’m not always present to it when I talk to others or as I’m creating my marketing collateral. One of my mastermind members is often pointing out I don’t get detailed enough about the benefits of my services and as we got deeper into the conversation I got really uncomfortable thinking about changing this mentality and state of being. This definitely needs to change in the New Year. Focus area #2 Build more strength and endurance Goal: do 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form within one workout by the end of October. Separately, do an unassisted pull-up before the end of this year. I accomplished my goal to do 1000 chest-to-ground burpees back in October but I have yet to do the unassisted pull-up. Although I have continued to do pull-us with a band as a part of my workout I was not driven to accomplish this goal by year-end. I did not have the same drive and passion for the pull-up that I had for the burpees. This tells me that this goal was chosen more for my ego than to be in alignment with living the life I want to live. I’ll continue to incorporate pull-ups in my weekly routine but I’m likely going to let the task of doing the unassisted pull-up go. Who knows, this may come back sometime in the future and if I happen to hit the goal in the course of getting more fit, I will let you know. Focus are #3 Romantic Partnership Goal: Be in a committed monogamous relationship with a man. Although I did not accomplish this goal this year, working toward this goal definitely got me out of my comfort zone and caused a lot of growth for me. I am much more aware of what I am looking for in a partner at this stage in my life and just recently I had a huge “ah-ha” seeing myself falling into a now-familiar pattern of settling for something casual, hoping that something will change in the near future. It never does. Note to self: If they are not in, I’m out! As my sister reminds me, “stay open, stay available, stay vulnerable. There is someone out there for you.” I believe that, and that it’s only a matter of time and as hard as it can be to remain open, available and vulnerable, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to focus on being me and having fun. That’s actually what my focus for 2019 is going to be. Being me and having fun with everything I do. Focus area #4 Live Events Goal: Do a live workshop in the 4th quarter of this year. Success! I checked this goal off this month and am considering some smaller workshops in the future. Quick Update on my Mom My Mom is doing much better now that the chemo is working its way out of her body. She is getting her strength and appetite back. She will be having Lasik surgery on both eyes and once she is healed from that her radiation treatments will begin. Oy! As always I hope this update was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me. I have a special episode for you this week. As we are heading into the New Year and you are visualizing and commenting to what you want to create in the coming year I thought we could get some inspiration from some of my recent guests. I hope you are as energized and inspired by their words as I am.   201: Dana Malstaff on Seeing Your Value as a Mom and Businesswoman “Ah, but a man's [or woman’s] reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?” ~ Robert Browning boss-mom.com   202: Elizabeth Williams-Riley on Being Open to Loving Everyone “You never know how much your past will affect your future until it shows up in your present.” ~ Elizabeth Williams-Riley americanconferenceondiversity.org   203: Rene Brent on Happiness & Subconscious Mind “Do something every day that scares you.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt PracticeHappyNow.com ReneBrentHypnosis.com   204: Tara Lynn Foster on Situational Confidence “Fear is stupid, so are regrets.” ~ Marilyn Monroe “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipains 4:6-7 taralynnfoster.com   205: Lee Hews on Leading with Action “It’s all about balance.” ~ Lee Hews mainewomenmagazine.com   206: Kara Lamerato on Owning You are a Leader “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” ~ Rosa Parks weddingplanningpodcast.co   207: Ariana Sylvester on Not Wanting to Be a Burden “Be the kind of leader that you would follow.” serialstartups.co/join   208: Jen Hecht on Similarities Between Business & Dating “Let’s get it together, sisters!” thedatingadvisoryboard.com   209: Lolly Daskal on How Curiosity & Self-Reflection Can Set You Free “Greatness is a destiny that is available to anyone. We just have to choose it." lollydaskal.com   210: Erin Robbins on How to Give So Everyone Wins “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” ~ Thomas Edison ginzametrics.com/   211: Kara Snyder on How to Overcome Type-A Burnout “You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.” ~Colette vitalcorpswellness.com   212: Jen Glantz on Creating a Unique Business “Never, never, never give up” jenglantz.com   213: Lindsey Anderson on Being Truthful with Yourself “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”  ~ Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple. oneclicklindsey.com   214: Andi Simon on Making Change a Doable Opportunity “We take observation into innovation.” simonassociates.net/   215: David Lee on Creating Safety in Conversations “Better results require better conversations.” humannatureatwork.com/   216: Stephanie Breedlove on Turning Point Moments “Never allow a person to tell you no who does not have the power to say yes.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt stephaniebreedlove.com/   217: Lynda Adams on Being Mindful of Those Who Influence You “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 successfulbalancedliving.com   218: Diane Gardner on How to Stop Believing the Lies “Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” taxcoach4you.com   219: Maggie Patterson on the Value of Unplugging “I run this day. This day does not run me, because otherwise, chaos will ensue.” scoopindustries.com   220: Joe De Sena on How to Begin Believing You Can “It could be worse.” spartan.com   221: Alison Cardy on Walking Toward Fear “Your real life, your whole life is worth getting your heart broken a few thousand times.” ~ Martha Beck cardycareercoaching.com   222: Rita Morales on Leaping to Big and Scary “You are enough.” ritamorales.com   223: Naomi Amat on the Need to Nourish Yourself “By nurturing you, you can better nurture your family too.” livinglifeonthespectrum.com   224: Lisa Woodruff on Leaning In To What You Are Good At “Done is better than perfect.” “Progress over perfection.” organize365.com   225: Megan Kelly on Creating the Experiences You Want to Have “Better to ask forgiveness than permission.” “Nevertheless, she persisted.” honorsociety.tv   226: Jenn Aubert on Identifying How You Want to Be of Service “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” learnsavvy.co   227: Elizabeth Moss on Challenges Creating Opportunities for a Thriving Art Gallery “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”  ~ Benjamin Franklin elizabethmossgalleries.com/about   228: Amanda O’Brien on Being a Leader Who Serves a Community “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed in the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.” takeflyte.com   229: Kelly Roach on Respecting the Stages of Entrepreneurship “Be the best that you can be in everything that you do.” kellyroachcoaching.com   230: Carol Mitchell on Breaking Female Stereotypes “What do you care what other people think?” ~ Richard Feynman tsphr.com   231: Jen Brown on Making Moves When You Feel It “You aren’t pizza. You won’t please everyone.” theengagingeducator.com   232: Christina Vinters on What’s Possible When You Shed Self-Limiting Beliefs “If you want to fly, give up what weighs you down.” ~Toni Morrison modernseparations.com   233: Katie Krimitsos on Becoming the Version of You Who Can “Stay in your lane.” bizwomenrock.com   234: Katie Allen on Being Both Planner & Risk Taker “The two most important days of your life are the day that you’re born and the day you figure out why.” ~ Mark Twain viaONEHOPE.com   235: Hira Ali on Believing “You’ve Got This!” “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford advancingyourpotential.com   236: Maegan Watson on Evolving Your Business “We are not given dreams or ideas without the ability to create them. We are not given the vision of ourselves without the bravery to being this vision to life. All you have to do is tell yourself that you are worth it, over and over.” watsonstylegroup.com   237: Melissa Hereford on How to Get What You Want “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” ~ FDR “You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the slide, overthinking it. You have to go down the shoot.” ~ Tina Fey MelissaHereford.com   238: Sari de la Motte on Trusting Your Gut “People won’t remember what you said, but they’ll remember what they felt.” ~ Maya Angelou nonverbalforte.com   239: Giovanna Capozza on Finding Your Meaning of Happiness “You’re not doing this alone.” sherisespodcast.com   240: Lynette Delane on “You Don’t Need that Piece of Paper!” “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.” ~ Brene Brown kitsandbits.com.au   241: Anne L’Heureux on Empowering Those You Lead “Do and believe that which leads you to your goals.” ~ Tom Bilyeu fueltrainovercome.com   242: Alissa Daire Nelson on Not Feeling Good Enough “Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” daire2succeed.com   243: Elizabeth Ross Holmstrom on Using Mindfulness to Combat Stress “There’s no such thing as a weird human being, it’s just that some people might require more understanding than others.”  ~ Tom Robbins breaktogether.net   244: Suzanne Anderson on the Evolution of Women “The place life calls you to, where the most aliveness is, is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” ~ Frederick Buechner mysterialwoman.com   245: Brian Ligotti on Rethinking What You “Have To” Do “I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think” ~ Rumi dirigofitness.com   246: Kristy Wallace on Finding Balance by Releasing Perfection “Love what you do.” facebook.com/EllevateNetwork/   248: Angela Lussier on Speaking Your Voice “Stop waiting. Start creating.” angelalussier.us   249: Keisha Reynolds on the Valuable Risk to Be You “There is something inside of us that transcends the human experience of race, and culture, and class, and for me that’s the human spirit.” keishareynolds.com   250: Alexa Gilmore on Coming Back to Your Body “Be the first. The first to say hello. The first to compliment the other person. The first to give credit. The first to say sorry. The first to offer to help. The first to show up for someone else. The first to set an example. The first to offer hope. The first to shine. Be the first.” ~ Chris Winfield atxacu.com   251: Kelly Gushue on Helping Women to Succeed “Carpe Diem.” ~Horace PersonalFinanceWarrior.com   252: Randi Levin on Living Your Legacy “We tend to think of our legacy as something we leave behind at the end of our lives, but what would you do differently today if you believed that you had the choice to carve out exactly what you wanted that legacy to be in real time? Manifest that concept and magically you do have that choice. You are your own GPS in your life. Start by having a voice. Say yes by listening to that voice. What’s next? Now is your new next.” randilevincoaching.com   If you loved this episode you are also going to love The Quotes From the First 100 Episodes and Another 100 Quotes to Take on the Go. If you listened to this episode and got fired up to make things happen in the coming year but you are feeling lost or doubtful around how to make it happen, reach out to me. You can find me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you and help you to achieve all your goals this year. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here's to your success. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

There is a lot of competition in the online space and in the current job market. It can be difficult to distinguish yourself from others using the same strategies that have been around for decades. Even with the growing number of podcasts being launched daily there is still a barrier to entry and sustainability – making it the PERFECT way to stand out of the crowd if you’re willing to apply tried and true methods that simplify the process and attract the perfect audience for you. Questions to Ask Yourself Take some time to consider the following questions and journal your answers. 1. What do I want to be known for? Before you can amplify your personal brand be very clear on what your personal brand is all about. This information will give you topic ideas and narrow the focus of what you cover so you are know for exactly what you want to be known for. WTL example: I want to be known as a woman that helps other women own their power, step up as leaders in their own life, and go after what they want. 2. Who do I want to reach? Who is my ideal audience? Is your audience the movers and shakers in your industry? Are you trying to reach your ideal customers? Are you looking to develop those who will come after you? Being very clear on who you want for your audience will help you to customize information and develop a format that will engage the people you want to engage. WTL example: My ideal audience is women who are Type A. They are the ambitious entrepreneurs and the high performers within organizations. They've had a successful career but they are working really hard and getting burnt out by all the work; they long for success to be easier. 3. What is my message? What do I want people to know? What do you want to add to the space? You have a unique perspective that no one else has. WTL example: I want these women to know that there is a different way to have everything they want. I want them to know that there is a way to achieve more while doing less. I have the tools that can make that happen. 4. What format(s) will I use to deliver this information? (Interviews, audio blog, on-air coaching, news story, etc.) Information can be delivered in a variety of ways. Which format would you enjoy most? Which format would your audience enjoy most? Which format would be best for you to accomplish your goals stated in questions #1 and #3? WTL example: The Women Taking the Lead podcast started as interview format only. Since then I have expanded to doing audio blog episodes and "on-air" coaching episodes. 5. What would be the frequency of my podcast? (daily, weekly, monthly, in seasons, etc.) The frequency of your podcast doesn't matter so much as setting a clear expectation for your audience. If I am listening to a weekly podcast I get disappointed when an episode doesn't come out each and every week. However, some of the podcasts I listen to are released in "seasons." I enjoy the episodes that are released and I know there will be a time lapse in-between seasons. It's also okay to change the frequency of your podcast but be sure to inform your audience ahead of time so they know what to expect. WTL example: Women Taking the Lead started as a bi-weekly podcast and transitioned to a weekly podcast after 2 years. This summer I let my audience know my mother had been diagnosed with cancer and because of that I would be releasing episodes less frequently. I did promise I would have my "month-end update on goals" episode out the last week of each month. 6. What do I want people to do as a result of listening to my podcast? (Hire you, engage you as a speaker, join your mailing list, attend you event, join a cause, etc.) You may have a variety of actions you want your audience to take. However, be sure each episode focuses on one call-to-action (CTA) or your audience will get overwhelmed. Your CTA may simply be to email you with any questions or feedback. Don't skip over having a call-to-action in your episode or it will be a missed opportunity. Women Taking the Lead Best Practices Time block: block out time on your calendar for working on your podcast. Don't leave it to chance and don't give this time away. Especially if you are doing interviews. Pick a set time and day to do your interviews back-to-back. If you are doing interviews set your guest up for success. Let them know what you expect of them and what they can expect from you in regard to preparation, sound quality, and marketing. Make sure they have a quality microphone before you do the interview. Do not waste your time recording if the sound quality is bad. You will hurt your reputation and their's if you release the episode. Also, let them know when the episode will go live well in advance of the release date. Make sure the content of the episode is relevant for your audience. Don't throw something together just to stay on schedule. Better to miss a release date than to put low quality content out. You're audience is loyal to you because they've been impressed by what you have been delivering. Don't abuse their trust. Check in with your audience. Ask for feedback. Some of the best ideas I've gotten for my podcast have come directly from my listeners. Give yourself permission to pivot. The content you want to share, how you want to share it, and whom you want to share it with may all change over the course of time. Just as you are not the same person you were a year or two ago, your podcast will also grow and evolve over time. If things are feeling stale try changing it up a bit. Your audience will grow with you. Podcasting Hardware for Women Taking the Lead I'm sharing my very basic set up with you so you realize this is not a barrier to entry. PC - Dell Latitude E5430 $220.00 Microphone - Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone $69.08 Microphone Stand: Hamilton Nu-Era Tabletop Mic Stand $15.12 Pop filter: Dragonpad USA 6" Microphone Studio Pop Filter with Clamp - White/Black $13.38 Pop filter: On Stage Foam Ball-Type Mic Windscreen, Black $2.95 Webcam for "On-Air" Coaching episodes: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, 1080p Widescreen Video Calling and Recording $49.99 If I had to rebuild my "studio" from scratch today it would cost me $370.52. If you don't need to see the person you are interviewing or coaching you would save $49.99 on the webcam. Podcasting Software for Women Taking the Lead Skype - for audio-only interviews (Free) MP3 Skype Recorder - recording software for the interview (Free) Zoom - for "On-Air" Coaching episodes. Recording capabilities included $149.90/year. I use Zoom for business meetings and client calls as well so this expense works for me. Audacity - editing software (Free). Both pictures you see in this post... that's Audacity up on the computer screen. The Levelator - for leveling the sound, especially with episodes that include other people. I use this and then Auphonic to get a better sound quality. (Free) Auphonic - high quality software for leveling sound. (100 minutes a month are free) Libsyn - podcast hosting/syndicating service. (There is a variety of plans and pricing based on your needs) As you can see there is a low barrier to entry in podcasting but effectiveness of your venture into the audio space will depend on your preparation and creativity. If you'd like to dive deeper into the realm of podcasting you can do this Free Podcast Course lead by my friend, John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire. He gets into the nitty-gritty of what can make or break your podcast and gives you tips and tools to take you from concept to launch. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here's to your success! TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Women Taking the Lead Resources Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me. On the day this episode is releasing I am in full swing preparing for the Create and Achieve Goals that are Worthy of You workshop which is happening tomorrow. I am so excited about this. I am in my zone when I am leading workshops and I’m thrilled to be with the women who are attending. I cannot wait to lead them through a process that will help them craft the perfect goals for them, as well as create the plan and begin executing on it. I am also psyched because I will be going to see Jen Sincero tonight. She is the author of the book, You Are A Badass, and she is doing a book signing in Boston for her latest book, You Are a Badass Every Day: How to Keep Your Motivation Strong, Your Vibe High, and Your Quest for Transformation Unstoppable. So, I’ve got the Jen Sincero event tonight in Boston, the goals workshop tomorrow in Portland, Maine and this Thursday is the Massachusetts Conference for Women and I’ll be leading a few roundtable in the technology pavilion on how to use podcasting to amplify your personal brand. And then on Friday I’m going to sleep in and play with my sister’s puppy. How’s that for a week? Enough about me, we are back to talking about Playing Bigger, the awesome book by Tara Mohr. We are diving into chapter 3…A Very Old New Way of Looking at Fear. Having a toolkit to face fear will be priceless to you as there are always new situations that will invoke fear and you don’t want to live a half-life because you can’t manage your fear of perceived danger. Also, since the theme here is playing bigger, make a list of the things that cause you to feel worry, concern, fear or anxiety, when you think about playing bigger. The behaviors associated with this are avoidance or escape. What are you avoiding because you are afraid you will be embarrassed or rejected or not supported? Know that playing big will invoke both types of fear but we need to examine and shift the danger fear into the enlivening fear. If Time is What You Fear In talking with many of you around playing big, or even just playing at where you are now, I know one of your big struggles is managing your time. You may even feel concern, worry or anxiety around your time and if that is the case I have a program that is what you need to free yourself up and let go of overwhelm. In this program I cover 7 different strategies that will help you get control of your time, your calendar, and your peace of mind so you are accomplishing everything you want to be accomplishing with more ease and a sense that there is plenty of time. This program is seriously just $19 and I guarantee you will get results and feel relief around your schedule and your to-dos. To find out more about this program go to womentakingthelead.com/time. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! ButcherBox delivers healthy 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage breed pork directly to your door. For FREE Bacon and $20 off your first box, go to ButcherBox.com/lead and enter lead as the promotional code at checkout. Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. Here in the US we just had our Thanksgiving Day celebrations and I am now in a detox mode. Luckily I had the opportunity to help my brother and his wife move so I’ve burned off most of what I consumed and now I’m just waiting for the cravings to go away. Now we are in full swing for the holidays and I am wishing you all peace, joy, and happiness as you make your plans, do your shopping, wrap your gifts, and make time for all the holiday parties and events that you want to attend. Remember, you don’t have to attend them all. Celebrate the holidays in the way that fulfills you. Last December I did a series of episodes to walk you through my goal setting process and I used myself as an example to take you through all the steps. I promised during that time that I would keep you updated on my progress toward my goals in the hope that it would be helpful for you as you work toward accomplishing your goals. I want you to know we are in this together. This episode is the progress report on my goals through November. During the Goal setting series I identified four focus areas that were important to me this year and each area has a specific goal assigned to it. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me! And hello November! The countdown is on to the holidays. When I think of the holidays I think of busy and I want to share with you an insight I had recently around the whole concept of busy. I, like many of you, dream of a time in the near future when things will settle down and there will be an opportunity to move at a slower pace and enjoy a phase where not much is going on. The insight I had was there really is no slow time of year. Sure, certain activities slow down at certain times of year but then other activities creep in to take their place. I remember when I was in my office job summer was a slow time of year in terms of how much mail we were getting, so the day-to-day workload was lighter. However, this was also the time of year many people were taking vacation so it wasn’t uncommon to have weeks where we were staffed at 70% or less. This was also the time of year projects needed to be completed because we didn’t’ have time for them the rest of the year. Now that summertime is over and the kids are back at school and we’re not yet in the thick of the holidays you would think this would be the time of year when things slow down. I don’t know about you but I am as busy as ever. I’ve mentioned before we had our BNI chapter leadership transition and The Maine Women’s Conference has been in a recruiting phase for board members and volunteers. In my business there have been a surge of networking events and meetings because now is the time everyone has the time to give to their businesses. They are typically not distracted by vacations, staffing issues, back-to-school, holiday parties, etc. My point is I’m thinking we need to give up the notion that there will be a time when we are not busy. This may sound like bad news but it actually gives you some freedom. Knowing you will always have things that will occupy your time you now can make a choice on what will take up your time. Use your time for the things that bring you satisfaction, fulfillment and even enjoyment, and don’t give it to things that feel like a burden or an obligation. Also, you and I have choice in how we feel about how we are spending our time. There is nothing inherently wrong with being busy if you like what you are spending your time on. Busy is only a negative if what is keeping you busy is taking you away from what’s important to you. If that resonates, you my friend, have some decisions to make. If it doesn’t feel in alignment with who you are and how you want to live, change it. And you know what? This isn’t even the topic for today’s episode. It’s just my random thoughts. However, it’s not a bad lead in because today I’m continuing my review of Tara Mohr’s book, Playing Big. I don’t even know if review is the right word. Rather, I’m listening to the audio version of Playing Big and sharing some of the content that jumped out at me and my thoughts on it. This time I wanted to talk about chapter 2, titled… The Voice of Inner Wisdom You can also tap into your inner wisdom to help craft your 2019 goals and if you’re at the workshop I’m doing on December 4th in Portland, Maine, you will definitely be accessing your inner wisdom and that of the 32 other women who will be there. If you want to come out strong in 2019 you’re going to want to set your goals for next year before the New Year starts. December is the perfect time to plan, prepare and get excited about the year to come. For me, goal setting is the process that gives me more clarity and structure around what is going to bring me to life. That’s why I call my goal setting process “creating goals that are worthy of you.” Goals that are worthy of you are exciting and feel good. You are called and compelled to achieve a goal that is worthy of you. It gives you that extra bounce to do what needs to be done. Goal setting is the support system to playing big. It is because of my ability to set these personalized goals that I’ve been able to run a marathon, start a business, launch a podcast, write a book, become a national speaker and workshop facilitator, as well as do 1000 burpees in one workout, increase the profits in my business and do a live event. My goal setting system is very personalized because the goals that have brought me to life are not the goals that will bring you to life. This process will help you to create and achieve goals that are a perfect fit for you. It’s time to toss out the old arbitrary formula for setting goals and create goals that not only represent who you are and the life you want to live, they will guide you to let go of who you are not and old patterns that do not work for you as you move toward your goal. In this workshop you and I will: Explore what has worked and not worked for you in the past Create goals that are what you want for yourself, rather than what others want for you Learn how to leverage your superpowers in the attainment of your goal Create a way to track your progress to sustain momentum Identify who you need to be to achieve your goals (missing from most goal setting systems and yet so crucial to your success!) This process is going to reveal your Highest Self. If you are done with suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with the heartbreak of an unattained goal this workshop is for you! Date:  Tuesday, December 4, 2018 Time:  9:00 am-2:30 pm, Doors open at 8:30 am. Location:  CoworkHERS, 411 Congress St, Portland ME Parking:  All-day parking at the Temple Street Garage included in the price of the workshop. Price: $175, Early bird price of $125 until 11/23/2018 However, this space can only hold 32 participants and tickets have already been sold so don’t wait for the last minute to register. Get signed up now. Go to womentakingthelead.com/goals2019 and reserve your seat! As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. We are solidly in the 4th quarter of 2018. Can you believe it? This is the time we all typically have a wake-up call when it comes to our goals. Are we going to achieve them? Do we need to adjust them to make a realistic motivated push between now and the end of the year? Or are we going to throw in the towel on our goal. Unless you realize you set a goal you don’t give a care about I am always going to encourage you to adjust instead of throwing in the towel. Throwing in the towel will leave you feeling defeated and as the next couple of months will also be focused on setting goals for 2019 you don’t want to go into that process with a defeated mindset. There’s nothing wrong with adjusting so that you’re still stretched a little bit, yet don’t feel so overwhelmed you don’t know where to begin or start to feel like, “what’s the point? I’m not going to achieve this goal anyway.” Remember, achieving goals is largely due to your mindset. Do what you need to do to get a positive and willing mindset. You can do this! Last December I did a series of episodes to walk you through my goal setting process and I used myself as an example of what the process looks like in real life as it plays out. I promised during that time that I would keep you updated on my progress toward my goals in the hope that it would be helpful for you as you work toward accomplishing your goals. I want you to know we are in this together. During the Goal setting series I identified four focus areas that were important to me and each area has a specific goal assigned to it. Focus area #1 Increase profitability in my business Specific Goal: have a net income (earnings minus expenses) of $80,000 minimum this year. Focus area #2 Build more strength and endurance Goal: do 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form within one workout by the end of October. Separately, do an unassisted pull-up before the end of this year. Focus area #3 Romantic Partnership Goal: Be in a committed monogamous relationship with a man. Focus area #4 Live Events Goal: Do a live workshop in the 4th quarter of this year. The Creating and Achieving Goals that are Worthy of You workshop is going to happen on December 4, 2018 at the CoworkHERS co-working space in Portland, Maine. All-day parking at the Temple Street garage is included in the price of the workshop so you don’t have to worry about finding a spot or any additional out-of-pocket expenses for parking. I am also running an early bird rate for this event but here’s the thing: space is limited to 32 participants and tickets have already been sold. Buy your ticket now because I have a feeling something is going to click and all of sudden the tickets are going to be gone. Go to womentakingthelead.com/goals2019 to reserve your seat! I am looking forward to seeing you in-person and introducing you to all the other amazing women who will be attending this event.  Quick Update on my Mom My Mom has had her third chemo treatment. Her hair had started to fall out so this past month she went to her hair stylist to shave it all off. There were some tears while it was happening but the family was sent two pictures right after the appointment; one of her with a cap on and one of her completely bald. She was beaming. In both pictures she was absolutely beaming and I had the thought, “I hope when I grow up I can face life with the same attitude she brings.” Although she is more tired and the side effects of the chemo and steroids increase with each treatment she is still in good spirits. And my sister and sister-in-law who are nurses are helping her to regularly take her anti-nausea medication and are checking with the doctor for possible alternatives. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and messages. They make a difference and I am grateful to you for taking the time because I know you’ve got your own stuff in your life you are dealing with. I truly appreciate you. As always I hope this update was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Over the summer when I shared my Mom’s cancer diagnosis I asked this community to help support me in doing the Women Taking the Lead podcast by giving me some ideas for future episodes. I knew I wouldn’t have a lot of creative energy so your suggestions would take a couple things off my plate. I have to thank Geraldine Carter of the She Thinks Big podcast who sent me voice recordings that she created while she was out for a walk with ideas for future episodes. On idea was to talk about Tara Mohr’s book, Playing Big. We talk a lot on this podcast about playing small so this is not the first time I had heard of Tara’s book or gotten the suggestion to read and possibly review it. This time, however, I was ready and an open recipient for the suggestion. Geraldine, thank you so much for the support you have been to me. Let me dive into some of the underlying premises of Tara Mohr’s book, Playing Big. Women Are Playing Small and They Don’t Like It Women work really, really hard to deliver value and then undervalue their own work. This leaves them behind men who are not as critical of their own performance. In a survey Tara Mohr put forth to her community, to ascertain what type of content and programming she should create for them, she created a long list of multiple choice options. The “largest number of survey responses from women deemed their most significant problem, ‘I’m playing small.’” Playing small ranked higher than work/life balance, stress and relationship issues. It is my opinion through my own experience, and I put it forth confidently, that most of you who are listening to this know you are playing small and it makes you unhappy when you think about it. I’m going to do a few episodes on the concepts in the book, Playing Small, because I want to make you aware of what is going on for you and some steps you can take to stop playing small in your own life. Even though I’m going to review this book I recommend you buy it as well because: Tara Mohr is amazing and you’ll want to experience her more fully and You’ll get more detail from the book. I don’t know exactly what concept will create the “ah-ha” moment you need to get out of the spiral of wishing you were playing bigger, but not. The concept I’m covering in this episode is only chapter one of this book so much like a book turned into a movie, there’s a lot that didn’t get included. Here we go...The Inner Critic As always I hope this is of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

As I’m recording this it is a rainy Sunday morning, I’m sipping my hot beverage looking out the window at the trees that have started to change colors. It’s a very relaxing picture but let me warn you this is not going to be the tone of this episode. The pace so far today is giving me an opportunity to reflect on the past week and this past week was anything but tranquil. I was already a little off balance when something good happened and yet it sent me into a spiral. Let me set the scene. Last weekend I drove my friends to the airport in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday and that began for me a week of house sitting and doggie sitting. My friends have two dogs and one is a one-year-old Australian Shepard. He requires a lot of attention and engagement and will get in trouble if you don’t wear him out. This was also the week the BNI leadership positions transition over and as the incoming Secretary/Treasurer of my chapter there were a lot of things that needed to be requested, communicated, decided, put in place and prepared for. I have also taken on being Vice President of the board for the Maine Women’s Conference this year and we have been in a recruiting phase for the board for the past month. All of a sudden this week there was an influx of emails with nominations and applications to review as well as attempts to schedule interviews for the candidates. While all these things were not necessarily meant to happen all at the same time they did. It made for a hectic week but I’ve seen weeks like this before. Sunday and Monday were very productive days for me so I felt really good heading into the week. What I also had on my calendar was a large time block on Tuesday for training for my goal of 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form in one workout. As I’ve mentioned on the podcast previously, I recognized I needed some expert help on this goal so I began working with Alex who is a personal trainer and nutrition coach in August. Alex put together a training and nutrition plan for me that we execute and review on a weekly basis. To save my joints in my weekly burpee workout Alex had me doing no more than 500 burpees in these weekly workouts. The focus of those workouts was initially getting down the proper breathing and form and once I nailed those the focus was to try to do the workout a little faster each week. Based on the times I was hitting Alex and I guessed that it would take me about 4 hours to hit 1000 burpees if I could stay at a steady pace. This week the training plan was to do burpees slowly and steadily for 4 hours just to get my mind wrapped around how long it was going to take. The best day for this workout was Tuesday as I didn’t have any meetings in the afternoon. I knew I wasn’t going to be good for much than basic activity after doing any kind of a cardio workout for 4 hours. So Tuesday morning I began doing burpees slowly and steadily figuring I’d hit around 900. What happened occurred to me like good news and bad news all at the same time. The good news is on Tuesday, October 2nd at 11:41 am ET, after doing burpees for 3:38:34 I hit 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees done in good form and achieved my goal. I shared with a friend that it was a little tacky to share that “I did intend to but I ended up doing 1000 burpees in my last workout.” She responded that there is a saying, “practice hard so game day is easy.” I completed 1000 burpees so easily because I was prepared for it; better than I realized. I also joked with Alex that I think he used reverse psychology on me. By telling me to go slow and just do burpees for 4 hours with no goal he made it easier for me to hit 1000 because there was nothing riding on this workout; there wasn’t any pressure. I settled into a kind of meditative state just focusing on breathing in, breathing out, awareness of my form and keeping count. The bad news is I’ve been in a bit of a funk about it ever since. After some contemplation I hit on the pitfalls that created this experience for me and I'm sharing these in the hopes that if you ever find yourself feeling let down rather than joyful at hitting a big goal you can find your way out of the funk. As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode this past week was a perfect storm of things that are important to me requiring a lot of attention all at once.  You need to know that as much as you and I plan, as much as you and I prepare, it doesn't stop "life" from coming at us. Sometimes, even when we've done all the clearing away of what’s not important to us, so we can focus only on what is important those things suddenly have needs at the same time. Don't judge yourself and your life too harshly. All you can do is your best. However, the work that can be done now in preparation for the next time is to move the needle on what your best looks like. Can you practice more awareness, presence, patience and listening? Can you take better care of yourselves so your body is better absorb brief periods of living at full speed? It is no mistake that I am choosing mid-October as the time to do The Accomplished Course Part I: Energized and In-Control. We’ve just gotten through the busy end of summer beginning of fall period and the holidays are coming. Now is the time to change your perception of what you can and cannot handle. What will you focus on to prepare for the next active wave? In The Accomplished Course I’m going to give you some insight into how you are handling stress right now and the tools to manage what is coming at you more effectively so you actually decrease and even remove the experience of feeling stressed. Imagine having life coming at you full speed yet you still remain calm and in-control. When you can remain calm and in-control you will be more productive, more effective, more enjoyable to be around and you will hit your goals more quickly. I hear people say all the time, “I know what to do I’m just not doing it.” It’s always a stress reaction that is keeping them from it. If you’ve been thinking that you would like to work with me this is one of your best opportunities to do so. Go to womentakingthelead.com/energize to find out more and get yourself registered. This round of The Accomplished Course will close to new registrations on Friday, October 12 so take the step and get yourself registered now. One last thing… You guys, I did 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form in one workout and I did it in the month I said I would do it, October. Thank you for being a part of my journey and supporting me along the way. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. Can someone please tell me where September went? With a couple trips home to Worcester, The Maine Women’s Conference board and activity surrounding next year’s event ramping up, the BNI Maine Leadership Team training and transitions going on, as well as my October group program joyfully on the calendar, the month of September seemed to go by in a blink! However, I made peace many years ago that September is a very active month. And although we’ve had some wacky weather here in Maine it has now settled into the mild days and cool nights that I enjoy the most. I’m releasing this episode late on a Sunday because I was determined to get the month-end update on goals episode out by month-end. Last December I did a series of episodes to walk you through my goals process and I used myself as the Guinea pig for that purpose. I promised during that time that I would keep you updated on my progress toward my goals in the hope that it would be helpful for you as you work toward accomplishing your goals and this is the September update. During the Goals series I identified four focus areas that were important to me and each area has a specific goal assigned to it. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

I chose the topic today because I noticed a lot of activity lately on a post I first released in 2014 titled, 5 Reasons Why Having Clear Goals is Critical for Your Business. It being September, the other New Year, and just before the beginning of the 4th quarter of 2018 I’m thinking it’s not a bad idea to go over some of the reasons why you would want to have clearly stated goals. For those of you who have been listening to Women Taking the Lead on the regular, you know I love setting and accomplishing goals. In fact, if someone asks me what my hobbies are or what I do in my free time the answer I give, a bit tongue-in-cheek but  also true, is I set and accomplish goals. Some of the questions that drive me and I want to explore in my lifetime is, “Who am I? What am I capable of? What can I accomplish when I put my mind to it?” As a side note, if you are someone who doesn’t have hobbies because any hobby you take up either begins to bore you or becomes a pursuit, don’t feel bad and stop judging yourself. Many of my Type A clients don’t have hobbies because we can’t stand to “waste time” or we turn a hobby into something we want to conquer. If you want to accomplish something don’t be shy about it, make it clear and document it. Here’s the thing, you would never dream of building a house without a blueprint, a plan for what it would look like once it was built. You would never hire a contractor who didn’t know the materials, manpower, and time it was going to take to build that house. Is your business or career less important than the house you would live in? Why, oh why, would you be a leader in business and not have a clear picture of what you are building and what it’s going to take to build it? Goals, like proper nutrition, are often seen as additional work, but I’ve got five reasons why goals are actually the fuel to your success. 1. Goals Help You To Focus Your Attention When you have clearly stated goals, preferably written and posted somewhere you can see them, your attention is brought back to what you are trying to accomplish. Shiny Object Syndrome is common. I can’t tell you how many people I meet who believe they have a touch of Adult ADD. They don’t have Adult ADD; they’re not clear on what they should be focusing on in any given moment because everything seems important. As a result, everything gets a little bit of their attention and progress on any particular project or initiative is slow. If you don’t state what’s important EVERYTHING will seem important. 2. Goals Give You A Clear Sense Of What To Say “Yes” And “No” To If you are someone who has a hard time saying “no”, having goals is definitely in your best interests. Whenever you are approached to give of your time, or resources the request is measured against your stated goals. You want to ask yourself, “Does this move me closer or further away from my goals?” If it does not move you closer to your goal the answer is, “no, for now.” It’s not to say you will never help the person who is approaching you; it just means that at this time you cannot commit your time and resources to their initiative because you’ve got your own. We are all busy. The question is what are you busy doing? 3. Goals Allow You To Measure Your Progress This is probably one of the most important reasons for having goals. Having goals, setting milestones and timeframes gives you an opportunity to gauge how you are doing against goal. Rather than having a vague notion of how you’re doing (I’m really busy) you have a realistic picture from which you can make decisions. From here you can assess what’s working, what’s not working, where you may need some help, or perhaps you realize you need to tweak the goal. Having these measurements can also give you sense of accomplishment. Because you have documented where you started from you can also see how far you’ve come. This can keep the motivation up when working toward the goal becomes hard and I did several episodes on “The Dip” that you can refer back to. 4. Goals Can Be Communicated To Employees, Partners, Contractors and Vendors People want to help, they want to contribute. More often than not they don’t live up to this desire because they are not clear on where they can make an impact. Help them help you by sharing your goals and why you want to achieve them. If the goal is vague (increase business, improve net profits, increase productivity) there’s not much there for people to get inspired by nor is there a clear idea of how they can help. Clearly crafted goals and objectives motivate other people to see where they can make a difference for you in achieving your goals. 5. Bonus: Having Documented Goals Triggers the Unconscious Mind On Your Behalf Your unconscious mind is always working. Having defined goals allows the unconscious mind to work on them, even when you are not. Your mind will constantly be looking for solutions and creative ideas to move you closer to your goal. The more clearly the goal or the “problem” is stated, the better able the unconscious mind is at finding solutions. These solutions usually come while doing a mundane activity like washing the dishes, brushing your teeth or going for a walk. Be ready when inspiration hits. To Sum It Up… Goals, though they may seem tedious and stress-inducing, are beneficial to you, your business, and the people around you. If you have not done so already, take some time to jot down what you want to have accomplished by the end of the year. If you are struggling, reach out to me, a counterpart or a friend to help pull out the concept and get it down on paper. And if you’re not 100% happy with your goals or your progress I’m going to suggest doing my goals mini-course. You can find out more about it at womentakingthelead.com/goals. And as a thank you for being a listener of this podcast you can use coupon code goals10 to get $10 off. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Emi Kirschner, speaker, coach, and author masterfully combines her deep intuitive abilities with her analytical sense to help creative entrepreneurs double and triple their revenue. Committed to impacting 1 million entrepreneurs over the next 5 years, Emi teach the leadership skills necessary to help you to confidently step into the CEO role in your business. She is known for giving meaningful tools, not just theory, to implement marketing, sales and operational strategies that result in increased profitability and more freedom in the rest of you life. Zone of Genius Emi believes that when you aren’t working in the zone of your genius, you aren’t able to grow. People tend to get stuck on things that aren’t bringing clients in, and that is where she comes in to help out. Changing the Belief Emi encourages her clients to bring along team members to start off-loading their tasks to. Emi also has them put their planning and development into their calendars, including eating and exercising. Having your week laid out on the calendar takes the guess work out. Confidently Stepping into CEO Emi finds people often struggle to price their products, but she knows the market can bear confidently what you ask for. Emi also believes that getting yourself hyped up before a possible proposal or phone call can make all the difference. Teach What You Need to Learn There were times when Emi was not working inside any of her zones of genius. She struggled with SEO for weeks without reaching out for help, did not want to be structured by her calendar, and was not charging what she should have been. Aha Moment Emi had really great coaches that helped her reach her aha moment. The book, “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero, had a huge impact on her as well. Emi was done playing small. She now asks herself how she can go bigger. The Next Horizon Emi is starting a podcast, and is developing a membership site that will hopefully launch early 2019. Emi currently has an 8-week course that helps create a roadmap to success. If you’re feeling stuck, the program covers life and business, leadership and mindset, operating state and where your zone of genius is, marketing and sales. Links Website: emikirschner.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Emi-Kirschner FB Group: Lifestyle for Leaders https://www.facebook.com/groups/LifeStyleforLeaders/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+EmiKirschnerCHHC Twitter: https://twitter.com/empressemi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emi.kirschner/ Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. Can you believe this is the 8th monthly update on goals? We are 2/3 of the way through 2018! Here in the US we’ve also got Labor Day next week which is our unofficial end to summer. This is also when all the kids go back to school, if they haven’t already. September is also known as “the other New Year” so this is great time to set new goals or recommit to the goals you’ve been working on. Times of transition are great times to make changes or start something new. Our brains have an easier time accepting change during transition so take advantage of this if you been meaning to change some habits or take up anything new! Okay, on to what I’ve been up to in the month of August in regards to my goals. I have four focus areas and each area has a specific goal assigned to it. Focus area #1 Increase profitability in my business Goal: have a net income (earnings minus expenses) of $80,000 minimum this year. With the help of my mastermind group and going through my goals review back in June I have created 4 sub-goals for this goal. These sub-goals are, by year end: Have had 12 new Executive Leadership Coaching clients. This is coaching that focuses on leaders within organizations to help them with their performance and happiness at work. Since setting this sub-goal I have gained two new clients who fall in this category, have one more starting in September and I am having ongoing conversations with 5 other individuals with varying degrees of potential for the immediate future. Do 10 corporate workshops. I have done 4 thus far this year and at this point have 4 potential workshops coming up but still no movement. I am within a week or two of launching my postal mail campaign to businesses in Maine so I’ll be looking for movement in this area in the next couple of months. Promote the DIY products that are on the website. I just met with my Virtual Assistant last week to put together a marketing plan and now we are beginning to execute on this plan. Again, I’m hoping to have some more results-driven progress to share with you next month. Do two more group programs by the end of the year. I’m planning to do a virtual group program in the fall and will also be doing a live workshop that will likely occur late November after Thanksgiving or the first week in December. Now, June’s Profit and Loss report showed an abysmal net profit of $922.38, way far off from the average $6700/month required to see a net profit of $80,000. However, July’s Profit and Loss report showed a net profit of $5,788.76. Still $1000 away from the $6700 I’m shooting for but I will take it. This is the closest I’ve gotten to goal and I am pleased with the progress. Focus area #2 Build more strength and endurance Goal: do 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form within one workout by the end of October. Separately, do an unassisted pull-up before the end of this year. Two Fridays ago I did 800 burpees in 3:02:31. The Monday after my 800 burpee workout I also began training with Alex. Alex is the Personal Trainer in my BNI group. He is certified as a Person Trainer and Nutrition Coach and has experience working with endurance athletes. That first workout was eye opening and as Alex put it, “you’re strong enough to do 1000 burpees but you are working way too hard.” I really haven’t had to change what I’m eating too much but I’ve changed the frequency in which I consume food. I was eating 3 meals and 3 snacks a day (consumed about every 2-3 hours) and now I’m eating 4 meals every 3-5 hours. In one week I’ve already lost .7% body fat and gained .8 lbs. in muscle mass. Not too shabby. Alex also recommended, in an effort to save my joints from wear and tear, changing up the burpee workout I do once a week. He suggested doing my burpee workout quicker rather than trying to do more burpees. For instance, last week rather than striving to do 850 burpees I’ll did 500 burpees striving to beat the time of my last 500 burpee workout. This I did. The last time I did 500 burpees was in April and it took me 1:43:49. This time it took me 1:36:15, shaving 7 minutes and 34 seconds off my original time. Focus are #3 Romantic Partnership Goal: Be in a committed monogamous relationship with a man. I have to laugh a little bit at this goal because while sometimes it is the most enjoyable goal to work towards it also challenges my Type A, need to know, need a plan, need to be in control tendencies. They are getting a workout, for sure. And they are at odds with the qualities I identified that would take me toward my goal; namely, being aligned, feminine, social, focused, disciplined and committed. When I feel uncertain and like I don’t have control it takes work for me to feel and exude those qualities. While being on a dating app can be compared to being on a rollercoaster the experience I had last month has continued. I am making more quality connections and overall enjoying myself more. Every man I’ve had the fortune of getting to know briefly has helped me to be clearer on what I’m looking for at this stage of my life from a romantic partnership. And oddly enough each month I meet a new man who is closer to what I’m looking for. That being said I don’t want to sugarcoat this either. I get more feedback and commentary on my burpee goal than any of the others. To most people that is the goal that is the most challenging on my list. But for me dating is more challenging because there’s only so much I have control over, pretty much just myself: who I’m being, how I show up, how I communicate, my appearance, my boundaries, etc. Nearly every other aspect of dating is out of my control. Through the dating app I recently met a very handsome man who has intelligence, wit and a similar sense humor – which means in my world he has a great sense of humor. He is very close with his family, devoted to his teenage son and in a profession that contributes to the community. All pluses. All awesome. The caveat is that we met while he was vacationing in Maine and he lives about 700 miles away. Queue the wah-wah. If we were local to each other this would be a no-brainer but we don’t live local to each other. The other thing is we have different perspectives on this. I have 7 siblings, 5 of whom have gotten married thus far. Of those 5 marriages 3 of them started as long distance relationships where they didn’t live together until after they were married. And to give you some perspective on the distances, one couple lived in Texas and Florida, another lived in Toronto and Cuba, and the last was Washington State and the Philippines. We’re talking long, long distances. In my paradigm distance is a challenge but not an obstacle. My handsome new friend, however, does not have the same paradigm as I so he is taking some time to mull it over and decide if he believes long-distance relationships are possible and if this is worth a try. And I, little Miss Type A, am practicing patience in the face of the unknown, uncertainty, no decision, no plan, and no deadline. I’ll end with this coach-like thought because in my heart of hearts I am a coach. This is an amazing opportunity to have a mirror held up for me to see how much my need to be in control and to have all the answers holds me back and keeps me from being at my best. Luckily I sorted my way through and am feeling more peaceful than I was at first. Focus area #4 Live Events Goal: Do a live workshop in the 4th quarter of this year. This goal is on the back-burner as I am focusing on the mail campaign that is coming up and then I’ll be working on the virtual group program which will start in October. I am committed to doing a workshop in the Portland area the last week of November or first week of December and I will keep you posted on how that is coming about. How are your goals coming along? If you’re not 100% happy with your goals or your progress I’m going to suggest doing my goals mini-course. You can find out more about it at womentakingthelead.com/goals. And as a thank you for being a listener of this podcast you can use coupon code goals10 to get $10 off. Update on my Mom I shared in the last month-end episode that my Mom had been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. She had the surgery to remove the cancer and take lymph nodes to rule out stage 2 breast cancer. Overall she is recovering very well from her surgery. Everything has been routine thus far and she didn’t need to take anything to manage pain afterward, not even an Advil. But this is also a woman who delivered 6 of 8 children via natural child birth. However, they did find cancer in one of the lymph nodes taken and so her diagnosis has been changed to stage 2 breast cancer. Also, her hormone test indicated she has an aggressive form of cancer so she will be taking Herceptin, will have chemo followed by radiation treatments. My entire family is rallying to keep everyone updated, update plans for the holidays, and we are choosing treatment dates to keep my Mom company while she gets the Herceptin and chemo treatments. I asked my Mom if she wanted to share anything and she wanted you to know that prayer is important. She is counting on it like medicine so please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She also wanted to thank family and friends who have been important and have provided tremendous support. I asked her last week how she was doing and she said that while this is upsetting overall she feels relaxed because she is getting so much support and being well taken care of. I wish for all of us that no matter what life throws at us that we can stay relaxed through it all because we are so supported by those around us. As always I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

I've been administering the Energy Leadership Self-Assessment tool I use with my clients more often lately and because I tend to work with perfectionists and "recovering perfectionists" quite a bit there's something that has been coming up quite often: the fear of failure. Perfectionists HATE failure and will employ nearly any strategy to avoid it. The strategy can range from not trying at all to running yourself into the ground to ensure success. But if you avoid trying at all you also keep yourself from some of the sweetest moments life has to offer. According to Robert F. Kennedy, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” And if you are sacrificing your health and well-being to avoid failure you won't be in a state in which you can appreciate your success once you've achieved it. I know this feeling myself and many of my clients know it too. The empty feeling you have when you've achieved something big and you don't feel anything. You are so tired, you are so done that you don't want congratulations, awards or a pat on the back - you just want to crash because your body is shutting down. I'm going to throw you for a loop because I'm going to declare that there is nothing wrong with failure. In fact, it's a good thing. Here we go... What’s Your Concept of Failure? Many of us are taught from a young age that failure is “bad”, and perhaps it’s this early conditioning that causes us to make an enemy of failure once we grow up. Some people cringe even thinking about it, others try hard to avoid it, and virtually all of us question ourselves when we do something that’s perceived as a failure. On top of that, failure is often more public than success – or so we perceive it to be. After all, the failures of public figures – large and small – make dramatic media headlines. And as we all know, drama sells so their failures get more play than their successes. Yet, whether we like it or not, failure is a part of the journey to achieving our goals. You, like many of my clients, may have a tendency to beat yourself up over past failures - some may have even occurred decades ago. A sudden flash of a memory has your body cringing even though there's nothing in your immediate environment that you have to protect yourself against. That's how powerful those memories can be. And to make sure you never make that mistake again you castigate yourself - for what, the hundredth time? - for having been so naive, stupid, blind, arrogant...you name it! You think by mentally beating yourself up you're helping to make sure you never make the same mistake again. But the truth is you won't the same mistake again and all you're doing is hurting your self-image and undermining your confidence. There's a better way! Gain Wisdom by Learning from Failure If you’re willing to change how you perceive failure, you might just change your life. Renegotiate your concept of failure by considering four of its benefits: One: Failure is a catalyst for change. Think of failure as the result of an experiment. You tried something out and it didn't go as expected. This is your chance to assess what happened, face the facts, and creatively plan how you’ll move ahead. After all, it took Edison around 10,000 attempts to invent a light bulb. If you give up too soon, you won’t be able to leverage the failure to your advantage. I've been struggling to achieve my monthly profitability goal and that struggle has been energizing for my business. I've made a lot of changes due to the wake-up call of these failures and there are some exciting things starting to happen as a result of those changes. More to come in the month-end episode! Two: Failure = freedom? You bet it does! Failure does one thing well – it shows us that we’re not invincible. Be willing to own your failure. Doing so will help you release the belief that you “must” be perfect – and that’s a pretty freeing feeling. If you can change your expectations that it has to be dead-on on the first try you will give yourself the space to play, be creative and test what's possible. This is the part of the reason children learn so fast. It's not just because their brains have plasticity. Adult brains have plasticity too. Young children aren't afraid to mess up. They do it all the time and so they are more open to trying something, taking risks and hitting that button. It's the reason why they figure out how to use your smart phone faster than you do. You're afraid you'll blow it up; they're not. Three: You learn who your friends are. Failure brings clarity on many levels, and as anyone who’s failed before knows, you’ll quickly discover who your friends really are. True friends will stick by you when the going gets rough. If you have a "ride or die" friend, that friend who will stick by you whether you're on top of the world or hitting rock bottom, then you are truly blessed. Your failure can be a great way to thin the heard so you are focusing your precious time and energy on those who are truly there because they love and believe in you. There are always people in our lives that we generously give to whether they have the capacity to give back or not, but at least you'll know who is who and you won't rely on someone in a time of need who will suddenly have no time for you. Four: You can bounce back, better than ever. Failure is possibly your #1 opportunity to build resilience like never before. This key trait of successful people is all about recovering quickly from what shuts you down and what set you off. One of the strategies I use to recover quickly from a failure is to have a sense of humor. Although I take my work seriously and I have some big goals to change the world, I don't take myself too seriously. Or, at least I strive not take myself too seriously. My inner critic has an insidious way of working it's way into my internal dialogue at times. Look for the ridiculous and absurd in a situation and have a good laugh. If this is hard for you make a point to watch some comedies with friends. It has been proven that we find things to be funnier and laugh more when it's a shared experience. One of my favorite movies of all time is Elf with Will Ferrell and Zoe Deschanel. The lines, "Son of a nutcracker!", "He's an angry elf" and "Does somebody need a hug?" get me every time and I quote them often. I'll leave you with this quote by Henry Ward Beecher. "A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road." I'll be back in a couple weeks for the month-end episode on goals update. I hope this was of value to you and here's to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Randi Levin, founder & CEO, Randi Levin Coaching – is a nationally recognized transitional life strategist, Fortune 500 keynote, author, & reinvention expert. Randi supports women in becoming legends in their own lives through redefining legacy as a power tool for change and redirection TODAY. You may have seen her featured in Thrive Global, HuffPost, Better After 50, Reader’s Digest, Working Mother Magazine, American Express Open Forum, or The WSJ. Randi is also contributing author in Get RESULTS! Playing Small Moment Randi was convinced that she had to choose one thing or another in life. She thought her kids would be her legacy, until she realized that her legacy wasn’t just what she was leaving behind, but what she could create in the current moment. Once Randi embraced the use of and instead of or, her life changed. Style of Leadership Randi leads by example. Once she commits to something, she is all in, and wants others to do the same. What Are You Excited About? Randi is thrilled to be hosting her first retreat in April 2019 that will take 10 women on a personal and cultural journey in Italy. Current Business Challenge Randi will be downsizing her home and relocating. She plans to document this journey to provide relatable content for her audience that may help someone in the same situation. Leadership Practice When Randi was just starting out, she was told to “Just start.” So, she goes through life saying yes now, and figuring out all the details later. Randi believes there is no one right way, but you have to take that path forward to the thing you want without overthinking it. Advice For Younger Self Randi would tell her younger self, “Believe in yourself.” Success is a three letter word, and that word is now. You’ve got this. If this doesn’t work out, there will be something else, but don’t hold yourself. Be curious about the things you most want. Inspirational Quote “We tend to think of our legacy as something we leave behind at the end of our lives, but what would you do differently today if you believed that you had the choice to carve out exactly what you wanted that legacy to be in real time? Manifest that concept and magically you do have that choice. You are your own GPS in your life. Start by having a voice. Say yes by listening to that voice. What’s next? Now is your new next.” Links Website: https://randilevincoaching.com/Email: [email protected] giveaway: https://randilevincoaching.com/balance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandiLevinCoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randilevincoachLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randiclevin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/randilevincoachYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9GYtxz1RRqAl5g39kuXJ-Q Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. As I mentioned in the June month-end update on goals episode, I took myself through my goals process to see if I my goals are still in alignment with what I’m really trying to accomplish in my business and my life and there were a few tweaks. And there are some more tweaks this month which will also drive the theme of this episode which is going with the flow with what life is presenting to you. Let’s dive in to the progress I’ve made on my goals so I can explain everything that is going on. Focus area #1 Increase profitability in my business Goal: have a net income (earnings minus expenses) of $80,000 minimum this year. With the help of my mastermind group and going through my goals review I have 4 sub-goals for this goal. These sub-goals are, by year end: Have had 12 new Executive Leadership Coaching clients. This is coaching that focuses on leaders within organizations to help them with their performance and happiness at work. I already have one new client that fits this category and have the potential for another next month. To do 10 corporate workshops. I have done 4 thus far this year and at this point have 4 potential workshops coming up. Promote the DIY products that are on the website for sale. I’ll be working with my VA in the coming weeks to put together a marketing plan to see this through Do two more group programs by the end of the year. I’m looking to do a virtual group program in the fall and will also be doing a live workshop – half-day or full-day, I haven’t decided yet. June’s Profit and Loss report showed an abysmal net profit of $922.38, way far off from the average $6700/month required to see a net profit of $80,000. As I am bringing on more organizations as clients I’m also experiencing more delays in payment. I invested more time in proposal writing and follow-up meetings and communications and I’m realizing my prices for organizations are also going to need to reflect the larger investment of time and travel required. It has been a really good learning experience and I’ve already changed some of the language in my documents to reflect the expectations. Focus area #2 Build more strength and endurance Goal: do 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form within one workout by October. Separately, do an unassisted pull-up before the end of this year. This past Friday I did 750 burpees in 3:10:55. I’m still on track to complete this goal by October but in the last month I experienced pain in the back of my knees a couple days after my burpee workout and I hit 750 burpees in my second attempt, not my first attempt. The first time I tried I got to 705 and had to stop. I lost good form and I was completely spent. For the pain in the back of my knees I consulted the Personal Trainer in my BNI group and we figured out what was causing it and the solution – I need to have a wider stance when I jump in and out of the push-up position and pay attention to keeping my feet straight. My heels have a tendency to come together causing my feet to form a V-shape when I jump out of the push-up position and into the squat. For this and several other reasons I’ve decided to hire Alex as my personal trainer and nutrition counselor. His certifications and experience working with endurance athletes made this decision easy to make. The only thing I have to figure out is timing and schedule as the gym he works out of is 30 minutes away from my home and as you can imagine I have a wonky schedule at times. As for my failed first attempt at 750 burpees, there was a reason for that too: my mental attitude. You’ve heard me talk about this before. If you don’t have the right mental attitude you will be working against yourself and your goals and that was true for me that day. There have definitely been things going on in my life that my brain noodles over. However, the day of my workout it was like my brain couldn’t let any of it go. I was having arguments in my head with people who weren’t in the room. I was getting annoyed with myself because I knew what was happening and what the consequences would be if I didn’t change my attitude. I had small victories and then would realize I was doing it again. Half way through my workout I was exhausted – not from the workout, from the war that seemed to be raging in my head. My second attempt, even though the temps and humidity were higher I was in a different place mentally and I achieved my goal. The lesson for me here that I keep learning and practicing over and over again is to always work on my mental game. For me that looks like meditation, walks and runs in nature, taking really good care of myself physically, making time to nurture my relationship with loved ones and frankly, letting go of the things I don’t have control over. That was the mental angst I was experiencing that day. There are some things I do not have complete control over and I need to accept that because resisting it is only causing me stress. Getting clear on what is and is not in my control will help me to take on going with the flow. From that place I have more peace and more power and can stop wasting my energy and mental space on trying to change what is. I think I may have to go back and reread Byron Katie’s book Loving What Is. For pull-ups I have not get graduated to a lower weight pull-up band but instead of stepping into it I’m now putting a knee in so that’s a little bit of progress. I let Alex know I also have this goal so we’ll be working on my pull-ups as well. Focus are #3 Romantic Partnership Goal: Be in a committed monogamous relationship with a man. To recap, when I did my goals mini-course I identified qualities that would help to take me to my goals. Those qualities are being aligned, feminine, social, focused, disciplined and committed. Then I identified the daily practices that would help me to develop these qualities. Many of the practices had to do with my self-care: sleep, a lighter schedule and transition time between meetings and activities. I set the intention to take better care of myself this summer so my best self and the self that enjoys being feminine and social can come forth. And guess what? It’s working. I am meeting more men that I had before, making more quality connections and overall enjoying myself more. It doesn’t hurt that my burpee workouts are making me feel more confident overall and more present in my body as well. Focus area #4 Live Events This goal has changed as I am having a hard time connecting with Emily leRoux and it was getting to the point that pulling off this event in only 3 months was going to take such an enormous effort it would have likely ended up hurting me and my business rather than helping. Go with the flow, right? I am still going to do 1000 burpees by October but the completion of this goal will not be tied to an event. I am also still committed to doing a Women Taking the Lead branded event this year. In doing the goals mini-course as a part of my review process I realized how important live events are to me. This is an area where I shine and I feel an enormous connection with the participants of the workshops that I do. Goal: Do a live workshop in the 4th quarter of this year. I haven’t committed to any particular topic yet but given that time of year a workshop on creating and achieving your 2019 goals would not be inappropriate. How are your goals coming along? If you’re not 100% happy with your goals or your progress I’m going to suggest doing my goals mini-course. You can find out more about it at womentakingthelead.com/goals. And as a thank you for being a listener of this podcast you can use coupon code goals10 to get $10 off. Before I go I want to share with you something very personal that is going on in my life and may impact the release schedule for this podcast. It’s also part of the reason I’ve made some changes to my goals. A little over a month ago my mother was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and will be having surgery to remove the lump in her breast next week. My mom is positive and optimistic but after a hormone test her treatment was changed from surgery and radiation to surgery, chemo, radiation and pills. It’s a little disconcerting. I’m still trying to understand everything and will hopefully be chatting soon with my sister-in-law who has been an oncology nurse. My family is rallying together so I’ve got a lot of support but for me there’s still some confusion and uncertainty so it’s a little draining. However, I am taking control where I have control and working on letting go of the things I don’t have control over, and there’s a lot of things I don’t have control over in this situation. This was one of the things going through my mind during my failed burpee workout. I am committed to continuing to bring you great content, though it may not always be each and every week. If you have any topics you would like me to cover please let me know. I am always looking for fresh ideas and this is a way you can support me and the other women listening to this podcast. Please keep me, my Mom and my family in your thoughts and prayers and know that you are in mine. As always I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success!

I don't know about you but I feel like this season is going by at lightning speed. There's so much I'm doing and accomplishing and yet there's so much more I want to do and accomplish that I'm finding I have to be very intentional about taking breaks to do nothing. In fact, when I realized it had been years since I'd read a fiction novel I committed to read at least one this summer. I got my Portland Public Library card and by recommendation from the Women Taking the Lead private Facebook group I checked out The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley and it is so good! I've also discovered the podcast Binge Mode Harry Potter and that is just a pure pleasure. Warning: it is not for children or for someone who has just started getting into the Harry Potter series. They swear and their conversations contain adult content and they tie themes between all 7 books and all 8 movies in any given episode. The Mists of Avalon and Binge Mode Harry Potter, that's what I'm up to right now in my down time and transition time. In my business I've also been working on putting my presentations and workshops into DIY formats that you can purchase right from this website under the Products tab at the top of the page. I've also been working on polishing the marketing materials and documents for the Executive Leadership Coaching arm of my business. That has been very gratifying and fun to work on. Overall the summer has been a nice mix of business and pleasure and I'll give more updates in next week's month end update on goals episode. Today I want to talk about the connection between your sense of self-worth and your ability to achieve a goal. I want to start with this quote by Brené Brown. You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging. ~ Brené Brown From the moment we’re born, we’re taught the importance of achieving in life. Parents, teachers and coaches counsel us that setting goals and striving for them is what life is all about. And it's true, achieving goals is an integral part of a successful personal and business life. But too many times along the way, we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. And when we can’t meet those exaggerated or mismatched goals, our self-worth plummets. We beat ourselves up, forgetting that we aren’t perfect. We decimate our own self-worth. Forgiving others is important. But forgiving ourselves – that’s essential. Do You Think You’re Worthy? If you don’t think you’re worth it, you won’t invest in what it will take to be happy in your career. Career happiness takes effort – you can’t set it and just forget it. How we value ourselves determines if we’ll take the risks or make the investments necessary to succeed in both our business and personal lives. Sadly, if we don’t respect ourselves, that self-defeating philosophy affects our entire life. When our self-worth takes a nosedive, we often try to overcompensate in other ways. This is also where perfectionism will take over. We will try too hard to show we are worthy and valuable – over-promising or making too many commitments at once - and end up running ourselves into the ground to keep up appearances. Or, we may give up too soon, never living up to our true potential. The result is frustration, overwhelm, and a whole lot of unnecessary stress. It doesn’t have to be that way. Improve Your Self-Worth: Appreciate Your Value You are responsible for naming and achieving your own success. Each person has their own innate gifts and talents that can enhance their career. Follow your path - not someone else’s. Stop being influenced by what other people do or think. To give your self-esteem a boost, try these practices: - Forgive yourself for past mistakes. Recognize that at that time you were doing your best, you learned a lesson and now you can give yourself permission to move on. - Identify your strengths and how you can incorporate them into your life. This is a vital exercise I take you through in my goal-setting product because when we leverage our strengths we make achieving a goal so much easier. That sounds like a no-brainer but often we are not present to what our strengths are and we dismiss them as common when they are far from common. - Develop a mindset that validates you, not diminishes you. Our brain has a negativity bias and if left untrained it will mainly focus on what's wrong, what has not been accomplished yet. That causes you to lose sight of what is going well and what has been accomplished thus far. Make it a practice to think about how far you've come in the past 5, 10, 20 years and all the things you are doing right to move yourself closer to your goals.   Self-Compassion – A Key to Success? Research by Juliana Breines and Serena Chen at Berkeley suggests self-compassion may be the key to your true potential. “Self-compassion is a willingness to look at your own mistakes and shortcomings with kindness and understanding — it’s embracing the fact that to err is indeed human.” Hundreds of years ago when Alexander Pope wrote “To err is human, to forgive divine,” he had a good understanding of human behavior. It’s hard to forgive ourselves when we’ve made a mistake; after all, we’re groomed throughout life to try to be perfect. Reality check: no one is perfect. Do you set expectations for yourself that no one could achieve only to berate yourself for having failed? Start Increasing Your Self-Worth Today There are many ways to help you increase your self-worth - some are simple things we may have forgotten to do: Be honest with yourself about everything, including your expectations. Listen to yourself – and silence the inner critic who tells you you're not good enough. Take a chance on something. Quit gossiping – you know you have better ways to spend your time. Never let anyone attempt to change your core values. Reward yourself for your achievements – no matter how small. Reach out to others when you need help. Make a list of your best attributes. Ditch the negative naysayers who are pulling you down. Remind yourself that you have the power of choice. Many of my clients suffer from setting unrealistic expectations for themselves. The remedy? I recommend a good dose of self-forgiveness for any perceived mistakes - and tons of self-care. For one person in particular, I suggested she imagine herself as her 3-year-old self – and speak and relate to herself as that child (to curb self-abuse). You would be amazed at how this simple practice can work wonders for your overall self-worth. Self-worth doesn’t come from something outside yourself. It comes from within. Why not try to make every day Thanksgiving? Be thankful for the talents you have. Be thankful for each day that you can truly live and learn. Re-discover what brings you peace, joy, and fulfillment. Your self-worth has nothing to do with your craft or calling, and everything to do with how you treat yourself. ~ Kris Carr As always I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Deb Elbaum, MD, PCC, is a neuroscience coach, author, and speaker, who works with women and professionals during times in their lives when they feel ready for a new challenge personally or professionally. She brings enthusiasm and a wide-ranging toolkit that incorporates the best of neuroscience and intuitive coaching to help clients break though mental blocks, spark new connections, and take action. Deb facilitates workshops around how Think Positively and Effectively, and was a recent presenter at the Maine Women's Conference. Topics We Discussed: We all have times when we lose our composure, or feel overwhelmed and stressed. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help us return to calm, clear thinking and leading. Deb will share some brain concepts and tools that you can use right away to start building awareness of your patterns and how to shift them. These concepts include: The amygdala and prefrontal cortex The left and right brain hemispheres Networks in the brain for different types of thinking Links Website: www.debelbaum.com Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.   Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

If you've been following along with the podcast or got my newsletter a couple weeks ago you know I was sidelined with a strained muscle in my lower back and I am feeling so much better now and am back at my burpee workouts and moving toward my goal. This is going to sound strange to say but I am so grateful to be back doing crazy amounts of burpees! I did a lot to care for my injury but the real turning point was when I sucked up the scary and the discomfort and started going for walks, doing light aerobics and then building from there. Go figure, movement is beneficial to the body. Recently I had a conversation with someone about leadership challenges. Her biggest challenge is one we all face – and one that seems so much more overwhelming at this time of year: How to stay focused when you have so much to do – and you feel like all you’re doing is simply putting out fires and keeping up with minutia – and getting nothing of significance accomplished. I know this is an all-too familiar topic for many of you. The good news is that you can stay focused, even when it feels like you have no time to spare and you’re extinguishing whatever fire seems to be burning brightest. Here are my 5 of my favorite strategies for staying focused – try implementing even one and I bet you’ll see noticeable results in your life 1. Turn off the phone, close your email & shut the door to regain focus. Ever hear of a digital detox? I’m sure you have, and right now you’re probably thinking, “What?! Like I can disconnect now.” Don’t get me wrong – I love smartphones just as much as you do. But the importance of disconnecting from technology is even being recognized by hotels, many of which now offer a whole new kind of “detox package”. Instead of the customary offerings that give guests a chance to “cleanse” by dining on a special diet and engaging in a fitness plan, digital detox packages have been called the “next big trend” in the hospitality industry. No need to spend days detoxing – a mini-detox can be just as effective. Close out that email, turn off the phone, and shut the door to focus on what’s really important (and it’s not that Facebook post from your friend detailing what she made for dinner last night). We all have the same amount of hours - so instead of trying to use your energy on dozens of tasks, target your energy on a limited number. Focus on what will give you the biggest bang for your energy buck! 2.  Renegotiate commitments. Did you say “yes” to something when you should have said “no”? Many people say yes to avoid confrontation or maintain and image of themselves as giving, capable and in control. You can take the middle of the road option: the neutral no. “A neutral no is steady, uninflected, and clear. It is mostly notable for what it is not: harsh, combative, apologetic, reluctant, or overly nice.” Saying “yes” to everything is one of the fastest paths to burnout. It is perfectly ok to say “no”; in fact, you owe it to yourself to be honest about what commitments you can – and cannot – handle at a given time. Practice makes perfect on this one, and for some people, saying “no” can be really hard. Just keep practicing until it becomes comfortable for you. Oh, and there’s a bonus here: when you do this, you’ll gradually feel more and more empowered and confident. If you absolutely hate to say "no" I recommend using the phrase, "That's not going to work for me." It's a way to say "no" without shutting the other person down. 3. Take a deep breath when you see something on “fire”, then take a closer look. There’s another fire burning somewhere right now, just waiting for you to come put it out. Wait – is it really something that needs your attention now? Has it turned into a total conflagration, or is it just a “flare-up”? I like to take a closer look at the issue and see if it’s actually something that can wait, even if it’s just for a little bit. That little extra time may allow for the fire to burn out on its own…and if not, that bit of added time allows me to look at the issue with a clearer mindset. When we are overworked or overwhelmed we don't see things clearly. We lose our ability to rank need and so everything feels urgent. Taking that deep breath and calming down before making a decision will give your brain some time to turn those capabilities back on. 4. Reset your expectations. Sometimes, because we have such high expectations of ourselves, we assume other people have the same expectations of us. Oftentimes, however, it’s our own expectations running the show - and rarely do we live up them. According  to Eckhart Tolle,“The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation - but your thoughts about it”. Reset your expectations and be real – and by taking an unbiased second look, the situation can end up looking totally different. I often remind myself that if I'm the one who set the deadline then I'm the one who can change it. I look at whether it was an arbitrary deadline or if it is tied to something time sensitive. If it was an arbitrary deadline I chalk it up to a bad guess and move the date. Being overly stressed can impede your ability to get tasks done in a timely manner. If by changing the due date on some less import tasks allows you to give your biggest priority more mental bandwidth, all the better. 5.  Free yourself by delegating! This strategy is unfortunately often under-utilized by many people who think they have to “do it all”. Amy Gallo in Harvard Business Review says if you’re working long hours and feel you’re the only one who can do the job while your staff keeps regular work hours, you may not realize that you’re hoarding your work. Don’t make excuses by telling yourself training someone will take too much time. Keep a checklist and see exactly how your time is spent. “You’re likely to find that a lot of time is spent on low-leverage activities that can be delegated,” says Jeffrey Pfeffer, author of What Were They Thinking?: Unconventional Wisdom About Management. There you have it – my 5 favorite strategies for keeping focused when it feels like the fires are burning all around you. And don't forget the Create Goals that are Worthy of You Mini-Course has exercised in it to help you identify your Superpowers as well as qualities that, once developed, you can leverage to get things done more quickly and effectively. This mini-course is $29 but as a listener of the Women Taking the Lead podcast you can use coupon code goals10 to get $10 off at checkout. I hope this was of value to you and here's to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the drop down list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Kelly Gushue is Founder & CEO of Personal Finance Warrior. She empowers women all over the world to claim their financial power inside their business and in their personal life through her online programs and coaching. She also holds live workshops for companies, women's groups and alumni groups. Kelly has worked in several areas of finance including portfolio analysis, research and investment management. She holds a BA from Harvard College and an MBA from the Booth School of Business at The University of Chicago. Playing Small Moment After living in Shanghai for 3 years, Kelly returned to the U.S. and took a job as a financial advisor. When she received the job offer, she was told there was no room to negotiate, so Kelly took the first offer. After a few months, a female manager pointed out to Kelly that she should have negotiated for more. Kelly now uses that experience to teach other women to stand up and ask for the pay they deserve. Style of Leadership Kelly leads with enthusiasm, which is one of her natural abilities. She talks with her team and gets them pumped up for the vision she has in store, while also paying attention to their ideas as well. Candid and meaningful feedback is also very important to Kelly. What Are You Excited About? Kelly loves talking about money and encouraging other women to stand up and have that conversation as well. In her latest project, Kelly is taking the information she gathered from 24 entrepreneur women and turning it into a helpful tool for women. She is hoping that women can learn from this instead of making the mistakes themselves. Current Business Challenge Kelly finds it challenging to offload more work to the people on her team in an effective way. She wants her team to take on more tasks, but she isn’t sure if they can. Leadership Practice Kelly goes to the gym every morning to start her day with a clear mind. She likes to be part of a physical gym and be around people. Advice For Younger Self Kelly would have told her younger self to share more of her wild interests and wacky ideas. She was always concerned people would think she was a little nutty. Inspirational Quote “Carpe Diem.” ~Horace Links Website: www.PersonalFinanceWarrior.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/claimyourfinancialpower/ Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

In this review I have narrowed down my focus areas from 5 to 4, removing outsourcing as a focus area. Outsourcing is still going to happen and will occur as a part of my overall plan; it just won’t be something I focus on or measure for progress. Focus area #1 Increase profitability in my business Goal: have a net income (earnings minus expenses) of $80,000 minimum this year. With the help of my mastermind group and going through my goals review I have 4 sub-goals for this goal. These sub-goals are, in the next 6 months: Have 12 new Executive Leadership Coaching clients. This is coaching that focuses on leaders within organizations to help them with their performance and happiness at work. To do 10 corporate workshops. Promote the DIY products that are on the website for sale Do two more group programs by the end of the year. May’s Profit and Loss report showed a net profit of $1658.40, down about 39% from April’s profit and still far off from the average $6700/month required to see a net profit of $80,000. The good news is I have a new client, the potential for a couple more in the coming weeks and 2 corporate workshops in July so next month things should look a lot better. If you know any ambitious overworked women who would like to make more money and achieve their goals while doing less, please send them my way. Thank you! Focus area #2 Build more strength and endurance The original goal for strength and endurance was to do 300 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form in one session by June 30 but I completed that in February. Goal: I had updated my burpee goal to do 1000 burpees at the Burpees for Boobs event I’ll be planning to occur in October. Separately, I have a goal to do an unassisted pull-up before the end of this year. With this new review I’ll stop talking about the original goal of 300 burpees and only mention the goal of 1000 burpees going forward. If you receive my newsletter you know I strained a muscle in my lower back putting a dish into the dishwasher and this is an injury that got worse before starting to get better so I have not been able to do my normal workouts this past week. However, I always plan a cushion. Knowing it was possible to get sick and/or injured during the 9 months I would be training I built in a 4 week cushion in case I needed to take a  break. Pray that my back is well enough to begin training again soon and this will not be a concern. For pull-ups I now have the reminder on my to do list every day so I’m getting them done. Starting to see some small progress and I’ll be looking to see what I can do when I’m no longer so uncomfortable. Focus are #3 Romantic Partnership Goal: Be in a committed monogamous relationship with a man. I am continuing to meet people, continuing with first dates but not seeing a lot of progress in this area. While doing the goals mini-course I identified qualities that would help to take me to my goal. The ones that I specifically want to develop are being aligned, feminine, social, focused, disciplined and committed. Then I identified the daily practices that would help me to develop these qualities. I was not completely surprised to see that many of the practices had to do with my self-care, especially sleep, a lighter schedule and transition time between meetings and activities. This past week being injured and not feeling like my usual self, never mind feminine, it was hard to be engaged on the dating app. When you’re sick or injured it is natural and appropriate to be focused on healing and so you need to be self-focused. For me, it was taking so much energy to just compose messages back on the dating app it was ridiculous. And not surprising the men I matched up with were also self-focused. We had the same vibe going on; I was just pretending that it wasn’t the case for me. My intention this summer is to take excellent care of myself so my best self and the self that enjoys being feminine and social can come forth. It’s a new strategy for this goal but it’s a good one. Focus area #4 Live Events Goal: Plan and execute the Burpees for Boob event in October in partnership with Marie Sola of Daughters of Change and Emily leRoux, the Spartan Women Global Leader and Global Partnerships. In October, which is breast cancer awareness month, we will partner for a “Burpees for Boobs” event. I am going to coordinate the event here in Maine and Emily will coordinate these events globally. Also, as a part of this focus area, though it is not technically a goal, I will continue to serve on the board for The Maine Women’s Conference to develop this start-up entity and plan the conference for 2019. In doing the goals mini-course as a part of my review process I realized how important live events are to me. This is an area where I shine and part of the reason I chose to have workshops be a part of my plan to increase profitability in my business. Have you reviewed your goals yet to see if they are still serving you and in alignment with your values and superpowers? Do you know what qualities will help you to achieve your goal and do you know how to apply your superpowers to get better results? Did you not set goals at the beginning of the year and your thinking now is as good a time as any. Because now is as good a time as any. We still have 6 months left in 2018 and you can make a lot of progress in that time. This entire mini-course is only $29. If you are interested in finding out more and accessing this mini-course go to womentakingthelead.com/goals. And as a thank you for being a listener of this podcast you can use coupon code goals10 to get $10 off. As always I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

I was thinking about last weeks episode and how it was all about getting out during the summer months to network and continue to meet people. The following is a keynote address I delivered to the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce in January of 2016 on the power in community. Having shared it with some friends I was encouraged to re-purpose it for the Women Taking the Lead podcast. I hope you enjoy it. It’s no secret that business owners like their independence. They like to set their own hours, be the ultimate decision maker and forge their own destinies. The same holds true for those shooting for the top levels of their organizations. They tend to be the people who want to be in the know and be the decision makers. However, rather than a state of independence, it is a state of interdependence that has worked to grow economies and organizations. It takes a village to raise a business In my corporate career I was absolutely the benefactor of mentoring and partnerships. But, much like how a grammar school child makes friends, these relationships came naturally and developed through forced interaction, from working in close proximity with others. When I started my business, however, the game changed. I had to seek out interactions and work at building business relationships. Working for myself, there is no such thing as a forced interaction. One of the greatest challenges my small business clients report is a sense of isolation and loneliness. If you are a business owner most people in your life cannot understand your challenges or even your work day. A few summers ago my sister, who lives over two hours away in Massachusetts, started a topic of conversation with the question, “you can work from anywhere, right?” I responded flippantly with, “That’s the goal"…and "Why are you asking?” Her husband would be travelling to Kenya for a month and my sister, being a mother of 3 and a nurse who works the night shift, needed someone to spend an extensive amount of time with them through the holidays to help. With the holidays typically being slow for coaching I agreed and scrambled to prepare to work a few less hours per day during the holidays. Now, during this time my sister would also be hosting 8 people on Christmas Eve, 24 people for Christmas and my brother and his family, a family of 5 travelling from out of state, would be staying for six days bringing the total living in the household to 10 for that time. After arriving I found out my sister, without consulting me, had changed her schedule so she could have the days my brother’s family would be staying off. This meant working double shifts of 3-11 and then 11-7 twice within the first 4 days of my arrival. I was shell-shocked by the amount of work I was not able to accomplish for my business. It didn’t occur to her to inform me of the change because my work schedule was flexible and I could "get it done at any time." I’ve joked about my flexibility in the past by saying, “this week I can work 50-60 hours whenever I want to.” On Christmas Eve she also informed me she hadn’t been able to get any of her wrapping done yet and she was going to be up all night getting it done. Since I would be bunking with her that night due to the arrival of my brother and his family, my brain froze with that information. I had already determined I was going to need to get up at 4 am to meet the deadlines in my business before the household woke on Christmas Day. At 12:30 am we finished wrapping and 3.5 hour later at 4 am I woke to complete my tasks. I kept reminding myself of the quote, “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” Sometimes that thought helped. Sometimes. The next weekend it happened again, without consulting me two of her work shifts I had been unaware of were on the schedule requiring two double shifts in one weekend. I kept feeling like figurative bombs were being dropped on me. I didn’t know what was going to come at me next. It was with gratitude I returned back in Maine to happily work my own schedule but a lot of it was catch up and l think I continued to be shell-shocked from the whole experience for some time. I tell you this story for two reasons: To underscore that most people in your life likely have no idea the blood, sweat and tears that have gone and continue to go into your business and That we all need a community to thrive. Even with all the challenges faced, I know I made the right decision. The good experiences in Massachusetts far outweighed the bad and when I left everyone was happy, healthy and sad that I was going. And to put it in perspective this was the same sister, when I contracted the flu and bronchitis at the same time when we were away at college, came to my room every day to help me to the bathroom, help me to eat and give me my medication. We all help others and are helped by others in our turn I am reminded of a poem I read in high school by John Donne. No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thy friend's Or of thine own were: Any man's death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind, And therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. Soon after I started my business I was invited to a networking group. One of the members introduced me to another woman whom she thought would be helpful to me in my business. I met with this woman and she spent the entire meeting brainstorming with me on how best to get the word out about my new business. I was so blown away and so thankful, and somewhat embarrassed that I wasn’t asking her how I could help her until the meeting was nearly over. She replied, “When I started my business someone did this for me, now I’m getting to do this for you, and someday you’ll do this for another.” I will never forget her generosity nor will I forget her message. The help we receive is meant to be passed on. It’s not for one it’s for all. By lifting each other up we create an environment in which we can all succeed. According to Vince Lombardi, “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.” In March of 2014 Tom Post contributed two articles to Forbes Magazine based on data collected by Radius. In his articles, The Surprising Secret Behind Small Business Success and Why Small Business Communities Grow In Clusters. Tom reports that the most hospitable locations for small businesses is “not based on their economic growth, but on factors that predict community engagement and access to resources. It turns out that small businesses tend to attract other small businesses, creating their own, distinct ecosystems." By connecting and collaborating with one another they create an environment in which they can all thrive. The statistics are grim for the 10 year survival rate of a new business. Tom Post postulates that "aside from manic drive, moxie, hard work, creativity and luck" that perhaps "a sense of connectedness to a community" - local and global, on and offline - is what gives a company the edge. Another quote I keep close by and read on occasion is by Margaret Mead. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” I’m going to offer you 6 good reasons not to go it alone that I found in an article by Jen Waak: "Access to experts. No one person ever has all of the answers, and regardless of your ability to use Google, consulting with experts is always going to give you better information. Pushing our limits. When working alone, it’s oftentimes too easy to give up when things get hard. By surrounding yourself with others working toward a similar goal or objective, you’ll get motivation, support, and friendly competition to push yourself just a bit further than you would have done on your own. Support and belief. Some days those big goals just seem impossible. On those days when you most want to give up, you need to lean on your community the most. They believe in you—probably more than you belief in yourself. New ideas. I truly believe that when you are working within a community of like-minded people that the wisdom of crowds is considerably greater than any one person working alone. Our divergent world views and lenses mean that we all approach the exact same problem in a slightly different way. Borrowed motivation. Even on those days when your belief in yourself isn’t waning, doing what needs to get done can seem overwhelming. Look around your community and be inspired! Accountability. If you’re an uber-responsible person, you may not want to admit to people you care about who are pulling for you that something didn’t get done. There’s nothing like having to be accountable to others to up your game." Allowing others to help is hard, but it ultimately raises everyone’s game. I encourage you to introduce yourself to one or two people you have not met before and find out more about them. When you are networking in the coming week, find out what problems the other person is experiencing and ask how you can be of service to them. Make it a goal to get out in your community and find out how you can contribute, even if in a small way. Another saying I absolutely love is, “Many hands make light work.” And lastly, look for the good in people. Recognize that we are all going through something and could use some compassion. I will leave you with an African Proverb that sums it all up… “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Knowing how great it is to work in groups I considered running my group program again this summer but ultimately decided against it. Summer schedules tend to shift week by week based on vacations, events, visitors, childcare, etc. Not many people can commit to two group calls a week for 5 weeks. Instead for the summer I am offering quick-hit coaching sessions. Quick-hit coaching sessions are 30 or 90 minute coaching sessions that allow you to get what you need to get over any humps and keep making progress in the summer without a big time or money commitment. If you've been considering coaching but the commitment has been holding you back this is a great option for you. You can find out more at womentakingthelead.com/quick-coaching. As always I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Summer is just about here and we've actually passed Memorial Day in the U.S. which marks for us the unofficial start to summer. You probably know all too well about the “summer slowdown” – that time of year when everyone seems to be on vacation or planning one. So big plans are tabled until fall, and unless you are in a seasonal business and this is your time of year it’s easy to feel like your business or career growth is in a bit of a slump. Now I know not everyone listening to this podcast is in the northern hemisphere so if you are living somewhere and it's getting colder outside keep this episode in your back pocket as a future reference. What I want to offer you in this episode is some reasons why it’s important to continue to network through the summer and some ways you can do it without feeling like you’re missing out on enjoying the gorgeous weather. Networking in the Summer is the best! What better time than during the longer sunny days to be face-to-face networking? In fact, recent economic downturns have caused many shifts in how we do business. Customers today are now significantly more cautious when making decisions to buy anything, and there is a continuing – and growing – push to “buy local”. And how does this compare to social networking - making connections with others via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or any of the many social platforms? You might be wondering how in-person networking opportunities measure up against online social networking. Here’s the thing: social networking is an awesome tool for your business that you can use to connect with people anywhere, anytime –virtually every successful business owner knows that. However, it is most effective as an awareness tool to be used to create more touchpoints before someone is willing to take a meeting or buy a product or service. If you want to really accelerate your business or career growth – make more sales, hone your in-person communication skills, and even get new inspiration for your business – face-to-face networking is the answer. Fun Networking Ideas to Spice up the Summer 1. Schedule 1-2-1 meet-ups at establishments with outdoor seating. Who said you had to sit indoors for the meeting to be more professional? Enjoy your meeting outdoors while you take in the beauty of a summer’s day. I love the idea of chatting with like-minded people in a friendly, open-aired environment. Bonus tip: schedule these for mid-afternoon on Friday and call it your "last appointment." The pleasant meet-up and knowing you'll be starting your weekend early will motivate you to get work done in the morning. 2. Network while doing a summertime activity that you enjoy -Whether it's hiking, golfing, sailing or walking a nature trail you can network and enjoy the beautiful weather. Again, networking is not limited to sitting indoors. Let’s change our paradigm to suit the summer season. 3. Attend a conference to get involved in your field and make the connections you need to grow your business or your career. Here, you can connect with potential referral partners, joint venture partners, and connectors. This may involve travel to some cool places or at the very least get you out of your normal environment for a little while. Perhaps even be a tourist or a tour guide in your own backyard as you plan activities with other conference goers. 4. Volunteer - at fundraising walks, 5Ks, triathlons, or for any cause that resonates with you. Put some of the time you have this summer to good use by giving back to the community. Plus, you’re likely to meet a diverse group of people from all walks of life who share a common interest with you - or perhaps who will need your services or could offer you your next big opportunity. 5. Just be social! After all, it is summer – the time of backyard BBQs, endless youth & church events, annual picnics, college (and family!) reunions...you name it! Yes, these events may seem more “personal” rather than “business”, but who knows who you might meet up with? Remember What Networking Is Not… No matter what summer networking opportunity you decide to take advantage of, remember my #1 tip... Don’t network specifically to “make a sale”. You are there to meet people. Is every single person you meet able to provide you a new opportunity? Of course not – but it doesn’t mean they’re not worth getting to know! If you’re new to networking, I know how frustrating this can be. Over time, you’ll be able to polish your networking skills and reap the benefits of quality relationships. It’s summer – use this season to your benefit by taking advantage of all the great networking opportunities that exist beyond the confines of your office. Get out there, start shaking hands and making eye contact – with real people – not with your computer screen! Lastly, I would like to make a request. If you find value in this podcast please share it with your like-minded friends and colleagues. I am so grateful to the people in my life who shared their favorite books, courses and podcasts with me because they changed my life. And I remember exactly who shared those resources with me. Let’s continue to share the love and pay it forward. As always I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Alexa Gilmore is a vitality warrior who takes a stand for your fullest potential. As an acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, bodyworker, and coach, she takes a no-nonsense approach to the healing arts and expects positive outcomes: function rebalanced, harmony restored, resilience renewed. She welcomes guests from around the county to her clinic in Portland, Maine, where she specializes in chronic illness, women’s health, and skin disease, but her passion is to use optimal health as a vehicle for personal transformation. Playing Small Moment After months of seeing her maximum amount of patients each day, Alexa suddenly realized there was more she wanted to accomplish. Alexa knew that if she could get her hands on people uninterrupted for as many hours per day, magic would happen. So, why did she feel that it wasn’t possible? This helped her come to a realization about who she was and what she wants to offer the world. Style of Leadership Alexa starts off as a guide for her clients and patients, to help lead them back into their bodies. Then, there is a shift and she is leading the leader to help themselves. Alexa uses her enthusiasm to get her patients and clients excited about taking back power of their own body and health. What Are You Excited About? Alexa wants to take the information that she knows about Chinese medicine and make it mainstream. If you aren’t coming into her clinic, Alexa still wants you to know the information she has about how to take care of your body and the things you should or shouldn’t be doing to live a healthy life. Current Business Challenge Transitioning from a clinical space to an online space has been challenging for Alexa. She wants to stay fully present and one-on-one in her clinic, but also have time to create her online presence without feeling overwhelmed. Leadership Practice Alexa makes sure to carve out time each day to get some quiet time in, usually through yoga and meditation. That time gives Alexa the space she needs for her inner wisdom to come forward. Advice For Younger Self “Oh honey, it’s going to be okay.” Alexa would also give her younger self the book, The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. Inspirational Quote "Be the first. The first to say hello. The first to compliment the other person. The first to give credit. The first to say sorry. The first to offer to help. The first to show up for someone else. The first to set an example. The first to offer hope. The first to shine. Be the first." ~Chris Winfield Links Website: http://www.atxacu.com Website - Specifically for Skin Disease: http://www.atxskin.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atxacupuncture/ Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women in the community! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

This is the month-end episode; that means an update on goals. This month I’m going to review my goals from the perspective of being vs. doing. Many of us believe that if we are not getting the results we are looking for it means we have to work harder. Although there are some cases where this might be true I believe, especially in this community of go-getting women, more often than not it means we have to shift who we are being as we take action toward our goals. It’s more than just “work smarter not harder” but that can be a part of it too. It’s about the attitude you bring, your self-awareness and your presence as you do what needs to be done. Or – hold onto your hats – it’s who you are being as you step back and allow others to take action on your behalf. I’ll go through each of my goals and explain it more as I talk about the progress or lack of progress I’ve made in the past month. May was a busy month with The Accomplished Intensive wrapping up the first week, The Maine Women’s Conference happening the second week, a slew of corporate training in the third week and all the meetings that could not happen in the 2nd and 3rd weeks landing in the fourth week of May. Even with all the craziness I feel like I’ve made progress and it definitely has helped to keep my goals top of mind even as I’m working on other things. Goal #1 Build more strength and endurance The original goal for strength and endurance was to do 300 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form in one session by June 30 but I completed that in February. My burpee goal is now at 1000 burpees. Separately, I have a goal to do an unassisted pull-up before the end of this year. I have not done a great job of incorporating the pull-ups into my workout so I’m adding a task to my calendar each day to prompt me to at least do a few assisted pull-ups with the band. As of the day I’m recording this episode I have completed doing 600 Spartan-regulation burpees (chest to ground) in good form in one workout session. Doing so many burpees in one workout each week has been a little hard on my body. I recently remembered that when I was training for the marathon the program I used had the long run scheduled every other week and on the weeks in between the distance would be half what the previous long run was. For instance, if my long run of 14 miles happened today, next week I would run 7, and the week after I would run 16 miles and the week after that it would be 8. After I remembered that I decided that is how I am going to do my burpee workouts. Rather than add 25 burpees to my workout session each week I’ll add 50 burpees every other week and half the burpees on the weeks in between. This will give my body more time to recover after pushing my wall. I did 600 burpees in one session 2 weeks ago, 300 last week and this week I’ll do 650. This is an example of working smarter. The added benefit of doing these halved workouts on the weeks in between is I can compare my current time with my original time. For instance, when I did 300 burpees in February it took me 56:36. Last week it took me 52:22, shaving 4:14 off my time. That felt good to see and showed the progress I’ve made with my fitness. Another thing that has made a difference in my workouts was my mentality. Who I “Be” during my workouts is “this is happening and I’m lucky I have the ability to do this many burpees.” This impacts my presence creating one of calm confidence as I’m doing the burpees. Full transparency: this is not the presence I wake up that morning. I’m usually feeling a little anxious about what I’m going to put myself through. But if you’ve ever trained for an endurance event you know how critical it is to have a positive frame of mind. Did you know your body responds to your frame of mind? When I work out, if I start thinking about the things that are stressing me out or my mind starts floating toward negative thoughts I immediately have a harder time catching my breath and my muscles start to cramp up. It’s amazing biofeedback and it is fascinating! So, as I’m preparing to do my workout I shift my attitude and I get it done without any mental suffering. Attitude and presence impact your ability to take action toward your goals. Keep that in mind! Goal #4 Do a Women Taking the Lead branded full-day event in the summer or fall In October, which is breast cancer awareness month, I will be collaborating with Emily leRoux, the Spartan Women Global Leader of Spartan Races, Inc. to do a “Burpees for Boobs” event. I am going to coordinate the event here in Maine but the intention is to have these events happening globally in October. Now that the work for The Maine Women’s Conference and the corporate workshops has slowed a bit I’m shifting my focus to this event. I am currently in the process of scheduling a call with Emily leRoux to begin coordinating this event. I’ve also aligned with Marie Sola of Daughters of Change to make this event happen. We are both excited. Marie says she’s never done a burpee in her life but she is looking forward to learning. I hope she’s still in after she’s done a few burpees. I’ll admit, in the time I’ve had to put this goal on the backburner, I have had random defeating thoughts like, “can I really make this happen?” and “what if this completely flops?” I’ve come to realize I need to take the same attitude I’ve taken on for my burpee workouts, “this is happening and I’m lucky I have the ability and the network to make this happen.” That feels better! Goal #3 Increase profitability in my business Goal: have a net income (earnings minus expenses) of $80,000 minimum this year. April’s Profit and Loss report showed a net profit of $2730.41, slightly lower than March’s profit and still far off from the average $6700/month required to see a net profit of $80,000. In June I’ll be participating in two strategy sessions with my mastermind group to take a look at this goal and what it’s going to take to achieve it. I realize I still have stories around selling and conveying value. One of my struggles is my ideal client is a busy, overworked woman. It is not uncommon for someone to reach out to me to explore coaching, they want to work with me but then all the things I can help them with come up and cause them to put coaching on the back burner. It’s tragic when I hear back from some of these women a little further down the road and nothing has changed. Or more gut-wrenching, things have gotten worse. There are definitely some actions I can take to tweak my packages, offerings and my website but I know the big piece of this is going to be shifting who I am being when I am chatting with a potential client. I know there are instances when I am so conscious of not coming off salesy or pushy that I undermine my own calm and confidence. I know when my coaching process is the solution to someone’s biggest problems and I have to be very clear about that and also clear about the cost of putting off the solution. It’s a dance but I know that by shifting who I am being in those conversations I can do it gracefully and be a support to the women whom I most love to help. Goal # 5 Outsourcing Goal: (contingent upon profitability goal) to outsource social media content creation and email inbox management. I’m going to hold space for this goal. I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself because I know without a doubt that once my profitability goal gains some traction this is a done deal! Who I am being in regard to my outsourcing goal is “This is happening. Oh yes it is!” Goal #2 Be in a committed monogamous relationship with a man I’m still doing the do. Most traction is happening on the dating app – no surprise there. I’m making connections and planning dates. I’ve also got a couple of friends who know someone they want to fix me up with and I have granted my permission for them to coordinate introductions. You have to be careful with this because sometimes who your friends see you with is not the person that you see yourself with. I’ve been on some odd blind dates in the past and I am typically not a fan of blind dates. However, given the conversations I’ve had with my friends I’ve felt comfortable giving the “go ahead.” With this goal I am staying in the arena, as Brené Brown has described it, and seeing it through even though it is difficult for me. I had an experience this past month that played into all my old stories about men: that they are not straightforward, they don’t tell the whole truth and the truth they leave out is the truth that would have been REALLY important for you to know. This one shook me to my core, partially because I was worn out from a couple other things pulling at my energy, and partially because the man was a person I thought would be completely honest with me. For about a week up was down and down was up. I questioned how much I could trust my own judgment in people because I’d had complete faith in this man to be a friend and be completely honest with me. I’ve mostly made peace with it and energetically forgave but talking about it even vaguely with you is causing some emotion to come up again. Historically this is when I would check out and decide finding a partner was not important to me.  I would decide it was not worth the negative impact is was having on my energy and mindset which would have a ripple effect on my career, my business and my overall wellness. So, I’m in the arena. I’ve been knocked around a bit but I’m still in the game and I’m proud of myself for that. Who I am calling myself forth to be is soft, open, loving, calm, confident and playful. It is a practice but it is worth it. One thing that has helped me with my stress level, my self-awareness, my attitude and my presence is the work I’ve done with the Energy Leadership Assessment. This is a vital tool I use for myself and in my business to get to the heart of what keeps me from naturally expressing who I am: calm, confident, powerful, playful and loving. The Energy Leadership Assessment is at the heart of the work I do with my clients and is the reason they start having crazy ah-ha moments right away and can see impactful progress within weeks or even days of beginning to work together. If you’ve been spinning your wheels and working harder and harder to make progress toward your goals I’m going to suggest that it’s not what you’re doing or not doing that’s holding you back it’s who you are being, and you are not being your best self. If you are interested in finding out more go to womentakingthelead.com/coaching. There you can also purchase the assessment for yourself which will give you the information you need to achieve your biggest goals with a lot more ease. As always I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Zoe MacLaren is a fundraiser, thought-raiser, and spiritual activist who inspires women to reconnect with the unique difference they were born to make. Over the last two years, Zoe has helped raise over $1M collectively for non-profits, start-ups, and budding visionaries who are making a positive social impact for women, children, and families throughout the world. Zoe was recently named Director of Programs and Development for yogaHOPE, a Boston nonprofit that empowers women to become catalysts for positive change in their lives, families, and communities. She is also a licensed facilitator and trainer of yogaHOPE's revolutionary trauma recovery program, TIMBo, an integrative mind-body method for healing trauma that helps women regain agency over their bodies and empowers them to share what they’ve learned with others around them. Cutting across socio-economic divides, TIMBo has transformed the lives of thousands of women in developing countries like Haiti and Kenya, as well as high-need populations of women in the United States, including prisons, state hospitals, homeless and domestic violence shelters, substance treatment centers, and more.    Zoe and I discussed: Transformation in many forms. Non-profit organizations Authenticity and unlocking potential Presence in the world Self worth Building a personal brand Links Zoe: Instagram – @spiritual_action  Facebook – Zoe LeVan MacLaren Email – [email protected]  Links to yogaHOPE: Instagram - @yhtimbo and @yh_timbo_global Facebook – yogaHOPE  Website: www.yhtimbo.org Thank You to Our Sponsors Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women in the community! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

Last week was such a wild week and I am still absorbing all the goodness. To catch you up quickly a week ago I had a chance to meet Marianne Williamson for the first time and to see her speak. If you don’t know it is her words that I am quoting at the end of every episode of this podcast. I heard that quote almost 20 years ago and it would bring me to tears every time I heard it. It has been hanging in my home and it is at the core of my personal mission. I am talking with someone on her team this week about having Marianne on the podcast so please send some good energy, thoughts and prayers my way. What Happened When We All Came Together Days later an event that I have been involved in creating for the past 2 ½ years came to be. The inaugural event of The Maine Women’s Conference went down on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. I’m getting emotional because as I’m writing this because I am still trying to take in all that happened before, during and after the event and what it means to me. When I look back on my greatest and most meaningful accomplishments there isn’t one that I can think of that I did on my own. It has always been in collaboration that I have produced the things of which I am most proud. I and the other women on the board for The Maine Women’s Conference knew we had poured our hearts and souls into this event, we knew we were being supported by amazingly talented women on our committees and other volunteers who wanted this day to be something special. We knew all the details, and there were thousands of details, and we knew there was a growing curiosity and excitement for this event. What we didn’t know was how blown away we were all going to be on the day it all came together. The board, the vendors, the speakers, the sponsors and the attendees experienced a day of energy, support, encouragement, celebration and a call to something greater. At one point in the morning it was all starting to seem so surreal I didn’t know what to think or feel anymore and I had to consciously stay in a state of both service of the women in attendance and in receiving as woman after woman wanted to congratulate me, thank me and tell me how this event had exceeded their expectations. Now, were there somethings that could have been better? Yes! Things can always be better - it's no reason to declare failure There’s always room for improvement. Something we already knew going into the event that we wished we had had the time, money, energy and other resources to make happen and there were somethings we learned as we were executing the day. We are also collecting some great feedback and suggestions for next year from those in attendance. If you were at The Maine Women’s Conference and you haven’t filled out the survey you would have received via email please fill it out! We want all voices to be heard. As much as I am dancing on cloud 9 and feel so gratified I could cry I know there were hundreds of people, men and women that contributed to the success of this event. Even in the microcosm of the board of 9 women I can clearly see that without the commitment, passion, vision, skills and expertise, willingness at times to voice a dissenting opinion, and willingness at times to concede this event would not have been half of what it was. I also don’t want to gloss over the journey. Day of we were a united team and a force to be reckoned with but it wasn’t always that way. Most of us were strangers to each other when we began working together. And, our board had a rocky start. There was a lot of turnover in the beginning and that lead much of the community at large to believe that we weren’t going to make it. The rumors became so strong at one point that I had several conversations with women in my network who expressed surprise to hear I was still working on the conference because they had gotten it on “good authority” that the conference was cancelled. Team development is rarely a pretty process With any team there are four stages of development. They are forming, storming, norming and performing. Forming is when the group members are identified and come together. Storming is the stage of tension and differing opinions as the group tries to figure out its identity, shared values, common goals, roles within the group and overall team dynamic. Norming is the stage after when all of that has been decided and accepted, consciously or unconsciously, and performing is the final stage when, because time and energy is now freed up to deliver on the purpose of the team. With our turnover and fledgling relationships with each other we went through the first 2-3 stages of team development several times. In the process we also went from being an annual event to needing to become a 501(c)(3) because we could not find a fiscal sponsor to manage sponsorship and donations on our behalf. I say all this because I know there are times when you are going after a big goal and you wonder if it’s worth it. There are times when you leave a meeting where no one seemed to agree and you wonder if you can take it much longer. Maybe you’ve heard through the grapevine that people are betting you’re going to fail. I want you to know that it is all part of it. It is so normal it’s ridiculous. And to keep on a recent theme, it’s all part of The Dip. But there is the other side of The Dip and it is an experience like no other and you can share it with everyone who was with you in The Dip.          In Summation...                                         Don’t be afraid of big goals. The secret to achieving big goals is to surround yourself with other positive doers that would like to join you on your journey. Some may make a small contribution; some may be there for only parts of the journey, while others will be there the whole way with you also pouring their hearts and souls into the work. And to be clear, although I loved the idea of someday attending a women’s conference in Maine, I did not initiate this idea. Someone else came forward and declared they wanted this to be and was I interested in being a part of it. I was recruited but the goal was also my own. That’s how it works and that’s how great things happen. Don’t go it alone. Amazing things happen when we do this together. As always I hope this was helpful to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! TextExpander lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type – using a quick search or abbreviation. Go to https://textexpander.com/podcast and select Women Taking the Lead from the dropdown list for 20% off your first year! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.

Keisha Reynolds is an expert marketer and project management strategist. She developed skills within a 20-year career mastering being a spokesperson, handling media crisis, implementing project schedules, developing strategies, writing speeches and articles, executing events and managing online tools for nonprofits, corporate businesses and government agencies. Keisha uses her skills to coach inspirational business owners and entrepreneurs to “next level” their brands through increased visibility and comprehensive strategies. She lives in Maryland with her husband and son. Outside of spending time with her family, Keisha enjoys creative writing and running her podcast, Global Warriors. Playing Small Moment Keisha had always followed other people’s rules and thought that in order to be successful, she had to follow the path that many others had taken. Keisha was on the path that her parents had wanted her to follow, and was successful by many standards, but realized something was missing. While doing research for a children’s book she was writing, Keisha stumbled upon an internship in Tanzania offered by Jane Goodall. Keisha wasn’t sure if she would be accepted, but the opportunity both scared and excited her and she was determined to apply. Being accepted into that internship changed Keisha’s life. Style of Leadership Like most others, Keisha’s leadership style has changed over time and now that she trusts herself more, she would call herself an intuitive leader. Teamwork has also always been very important to Keisha, and she doesn’t try to hide in the background anymore. What Are You Excited About? In the past, Keisha’s marketing business and spirituality have always been separate. After attending a recent business conference, she was inspired to embrace her spirituality to help change the world. Keisha is excited about her new interview series featuring well-known influencers as they talk about how they are using their message to transform others. Two ideas that were once very separate to her have come together and given her a new way to think about marketing. Current Business Challenge Now that Keisha is working one-on-one with more entrepreneurs and change makers, she struggles with ways to get her message across to more people without taking away from the experience. Family, freedom and travel are all still very important to Keisha, and she doesn’t want to take away from those things, but wants to spread her knowledge. Leadership Practice Meditation is key to keeping Keisha level in her daily routine. When Keisha taps into that divine energy source, she has a better reaction to unexpected things that happen to pop up during the day. Advice For Younger Self “Be authentic.” In the past, Keisha would strive to be what others wanted her to be, but always had the best results when she was true to herself. Inspirational Quote “There is something inside of us that transcends the human experience of race, and culture, and class, and for me thats the human spirit.” Links Website: http://www.keishareynolds.com/ Podcast: http://globalwarriors.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/keishamreynolds Instagram: @keishamreynolds LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-reynolds-80680020/ Thank You to Our Sponsors Lola: Organic cotton feminine care in customized assortments delivered to your door. For 40% off your first shipment use promo code: LEAD40 Podcast Movement: is the world’s largest gathering of new and veteran podcasters, or anyone looking to start their own podcast the right way. For $50 off any level of registration, visit podcastmovement.com and enter promotional code lead. Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women in the community! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!