Leadership Jam Session

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Hartzler, a dynamic leader with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, to delve into the nuanced differences and practical applications of inspiration versus motivation in leadership. Drawing from roles that span sales, market access, leadership development, and commercial operations, Jeff brings forward a wealth of personal stories and actionable strategies to help leaders at every level connect more deeply with their teams.Together, we debunk common myths about motivation—including the belief that all team members are driven by the same incentives—and explore why a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. Jeff shares eye-opening examples, such as the pitfalls of public recognition for certain personalities, and highlights the importance of understanding each individual's unique motivators and inspirations. We also discuss tools leaders can use to uncover what truly drives their people and why these motivators might change over time.Key takeaways:Motivators are often short-term and can be misjudged; working to understand the long-term inspirations rooted in personal values and purpose drives deeper engagement and trust.Building meaningful one-on-one relationships and regularly revisiting what drives each individual fosters a culture of trust, partnership, and sustained performance.Avoiding blanket approaches and assumptions about what drives team members—such as assuming financial incentives or public recognition work for everyone—can prevent costly missteps.Leaders should recognize that as their team members’ professional and personal lives evolve, so too will their sources of motivation and inspiration.Managing by fear or relying solely on incentives might produce temporary results, but only genuine partnerships and authentic understanding lead to long-term success.The way leaders are described at the dinner table by their team members’ families reflects the real impact of leadership—and offers a unique lens for self-reflection and improvement.Whether you’re a new manager worried about your ability to inspire your team or a seasoned leader looking to deepen engagement, this episode offers essential insights to move from motivation to true inspiration in your leadership journey.

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Pawless, Vice President of Sales for a leading medical device company, to explore his people-first leadership philosophy and approach to developing talent at every stage of a career. Ryan draws on more than a decade of management experience—including leading global teams—to share his insights on balancing empathy and accountability, cultivating authentic relationships, and driving performance through intentional development.We dive into Ryan Pawless’s practical strategies for identifying and nurturing the hidden potential in individuals, managing large teams across multiple time zones, and designing effective development plans regardless of tenure or ambition. Listen in to hear real examples of career growth, promotional success, and the role of managers in actively supporting employees' ongoing learning—whether moving up the ladder or simply being the best in-role.Key takeaways:People-first leadership means prioritizing investment in team members, understanding what motivates them, and creating environments for success.Development is not just about career advancement, but also building new skills, behaviors within current roles.Authentic relationships—knowing employees beyond their work—are essential to effective coaching, retention, and performance.Intentional, regular development discussions (not just annual reviews) promote continuous growth and support business results.Balancing empathy with accountability is crucial: leaders must recognize when supportive conversations turn into unhealthy patterns and address them constructively.Leaders actively contribute to building each employee’s brand and influence, helping them embrace risk, learn new skills, and refine behaviors for career longevity and fulfillment.Whether you manage six or nineteen direct reports, this episode offers actionable advice and reflection points for leaders at every level seeking to inspire, grow, and empower their teams.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Scott Hutcheson, biosocial scientist and senior lecturer in engineering and technology leadership at Purdue University, to dive into his new book, Biohacking Leadership: Leveraging the Biology of Behavior to Maximize Your Impact. Dr. Hutcheson brings decades of leadership development expertise and shares a science-based perspective on how leaders can align their biology with their leadership behaviors to foster greater connection, influence, and performance in their teams.Scott explains the concept of “biohacking leadership,” drawing on both his professional research and personal experience with a diabetes diagnosis. He reveals how small, intentional tweaks to daily habits—such as sleep, exercise, and stress management—can have profound effects not only on personal health but also on leadership behaviors and team outcomes.Key takeaways:Leadership is a biological phenomenon: How you feel physically and mentally directly influences your communication, decision making, emotional regulation, and ability to connect with others.Small behavioral “biohacks”—such as consistent exercise, quality sleep, and stress management—can significantly improve a leader’s presence and impact.The three biodynamic channels—warmth, competence, and gravitas—define the core behaviors that signal leadership and inspire followership.Leaders have the power to shape their team’s ecosystem, much like a keystone species shapes its environment, regardless of their place in the hierarchy.Self-awareness and reflective experimentation are essential—leaders should assess their strengths, seek feedback, and make incremental changes to their behaviors.Genuine human connection, through simple daily check-ins and personal validation, is fundamental to building trust and high-performing teams.Even leaders who feel less “naturally warm” can make subtle shifts, like open body language or intentional silence, to dial up connection and influence.Every interaction is an opportunity to experiment with leadership behaviors and observe their impact, continually refining your approach for greater engagement.Listen for evidence-based insights and practical strategies to unlock your biology and amplify your leadership—one intentional behavior at a time.Pick up Dr. Hutcheson’s book.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Linda Henman, trusted advisor to senior leaders and nationally recognized expert in strategy, decision making, and organizational effectiveness. Linda joins the Leadership Jam Session to discuss her new book, Healthy Decisions: Critical Thinking Skills for Healthcare Executives, and shares timely insights drawn from real-world healthcare scenarios, including how leaders at systems like Mercy and the Cleveland Clinic navigated unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.Linda and I dive deep into the essential role of critical thinking for healthcare leaders, particularly when navigating unexpected and unwelcome change. She breaks down how organizational culture is shaped by leaders’ decisions, and why tolerating toxic behavior is a long-term threat to team performance and reputation. Linda also shares powerful stories from her consulting work—both in healthcare and other industries—highlighting the importance of making tough calls, even when short-term results tempt leaders to look the other way. We tackle common traps such as over-analysis, reckless decision-making, and the limitations of coaching narcissistic leaders. Linda offers actionable advice for new and emerging leaders on avoiding decision pitfalls and building strong cross-functional relationships, emphasizing the value of balancing instinct and data.Key takeaways:True leadership emerges in times of crisis, requiring rapid, accurate critical thinking rather than just tactical skills.Organizational culture is shaped at the top; leaders set the tone by the behaviors they model and what they tolerate within their teams.Tolerating toxic or unethical behavior—even from high performers—can erode team trust, morale, and ultimately threaten leaders’ own reputations.Effective leaders are able to discern when to make fast decisions and when to pause for deeper analysis, especially under pressure.Analysis paralysis can stifle momentum; Linda recommends that, in most arenas, leaders move forward when 80% ready to avoid missing opportunities.Coaching and development have their limits: Narcissistic or toxic leaders are unlikely to change, and organizations must address such issues head-on.Newly promoted leaders should resist the trap of “that’s how we’ve always done it,” actively seek out diverse perspectives, and build alliances across functions.Decision-making in healthcare—and beyond—benefits from balancing data with the instincts and experience of trusted experts, especially under uncertainty.Whether you’re in healthcare or any field navigating change, Linda’s stories and advice provide a candid roadmap for making better decisions, shaping healthy cultures, and leading with resilience when it matters most.Pick up Linda’s book.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Calvin Lawrence—motivational speaker, leadership consultant, and author of the newly released book, The Happy Leader. Calvin brings over 40 years of experience in educational leadership and administration, offering a wealth of wisdom and heartfelt stories from his journey. We dive deep into the essential role that relationships, mindset, and authenticity play in effective leadership, as well as the power of choosing happiness—even during challenging times.Calvin shares the inspiration behind The Happy Leader, emphasizing that “relationships matter” and exploring how mentorship, learning from failure, and busting through stereotypes have shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses the importance of being an authentic leader, recounts lessons learned from his own missteps, and highlights practical ways to build trust and connection with your team. Calvin and I also talk candidly about the realities of leadership, including managing personal setbacks, balancing pressure, and the crucial practice of celebrating wins—big and small.Key takeaways:Leadership starts with the quality of your relationships—getting to know your people, learning their names, and treating each individual uniquely.Authenticity is vital; people will see through “phony” leadership. Real influence comes from being yourself and building trust over time.Happiness is a choice, especially for leaders, and is often fueled by your intent to be a calming, inspiring presence for your team—even in times of chaos.Learning from failure is essential. Mistakes are opportunities for growth when leaders are willing to reflect and adjust.Breaking through stereotypes, both external and self-imposed, is critical for personal growth and for creating inclusive, empowered teams.Leaders should celebrate even the smallest wins, as recognition and genuine positivity help foster a culture of engagement, trust, and performance.Great leaders listen more than they speak and cultivate meaningful conversations—connection is at the heart of leadership.Trust is hard to build, easy to lose, and must be nurtured constantly in all relationships, both professionally and personally.Join us for an inspiring, story-filled conversation that will leave you with practical strategies to cultivate happiness, authenticity, and stronger connections as a leader.Pick up Calvin’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Leader-Relatable-stories-influence/dp/B0DWJXPLMP

In this episode, I sit down with Dre Baldwin, CEO and founder of Work on Your Game, former professional basketball player, and four-time TEDx speaker. Dre shares his unique journey from sitting on the bench in high school basketball to a nine-year international pro career, and how the lessons he learned on the court translated into his impactful work with leaders and entrepreneurs.Author of the book, “Work on Your Game”, Dre dives into his signature “four pillars” framework—discipline, confidence, mental toughness, and personal initiative—explaining how these core elements of mindset underpin professional performance and success in any industry. We explore practical strategies for building mental toughness without risking burnout, the crucial importance of understanding and connecting with individual team members, and the realities of leadership challenges at all levels, from new managers to experienced mid-level leaders.Dre offers candid stories about his own missteps—especially around hiring and team management—and provides actionable advice for navigating common leadership pitfalls. We also discuss the dynamics of leading diverse teams, including the nuanced differences between male and female leaders, and why the ability to truly listen and communicate effectively is the most valuable skill for leaders in the modern workplace.Key takeaways:Leadership is deeply rooted in mindset, with discipline, confidence, mental toughness, and initiative serving as critical pillars for success.Effective leaders invest time upfront to understand their people, recognizing that each team member requires a unique approach to motivation and feedback.Communication is more than what you say—it’s about listening, understanding non-verbal cues, and making others feel heard and valued.New leaders should seek real-world experience and mentorship, learning not just the “what” but the “why” behind effective leadership practices.Navigating middle management requires mastery of upward and downward communication, and a clear understanding of the “game” you’re playing within your organization.The best leaders proactively build trust and show genuine care for their teams, which unlocks higher engagement and performance.Replacing or motivating unengaged employees often comes down to connecting with them personally and aligning on shared goals, rather than relying solely on authority.Communication and people skills will continue to grow in importance as automation and technology accelerate, making human connection a powerful differentiator for leaders.Tune in for an episode packed with practical wisdom and real-world advice you can bring to your leadership journey today.Pick up Dre’s book 

In this episode, I sit down with Rutherford Pascal, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author of “The PID System: Preparation, Intentionality, and Differentiation.” Rutherford brings a wealth of leadership experience, having led teams of over 600 people and developed more than 70 leaders. He shares his proven framework for standing out and achieving transformative results—whether you’re looking to get promoted or become invaluable in your current role. Rutherford dives into the core elements of the PID system, emphasizing how leaders can leverage their unique strengths—their “zone of genius”—to add outsized value to their organization. He illustrates, through compelling real-life stories and practical examples, how mastering just one or two key skills can distinguish you in a sea of sameness, and how being intentional and prepared every day leads to consistent high performance. Rob and Rutherford also discuss the often-overlooked importance of valuing everyone in the organizational ecosystem, aggressive listening, and building a reputation for reliability and collaboration—both internally and with customers. Key takeaways: Lasting career success isn’t about reinventing the wheel, but intentionally doubling down on what you do best and aligning it with organizational needs. Standing out requires consistent preparation, purposeful action, and meaningful differentiation—mastering your “zone of genius.” Adding value isn’t just external; supporting internal team members and cross-functional partners helps elevate everyone’s performance. Building a reputation for reliability, follow-through, and being “easy to work with” can have a massive impact on how you’re perceived and rewarded. The most effective leaders genuinely listen, aggressively seek feedback, and deliberately value every contributor in the organization—not just their direct reports. When facing difficult managers or environments, focusing on consistent, excellent performance and broadening your internal influence ensures your contributions don’t go unnoticed. Leadership is about long-term, intentional investment in your growth and in those around you—separating those who simply do the job from those who build lasting, meaningful careers. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or an experienced manager, this episode offers actionable strategies to elevate your impact and get recognized for the value you bring to any organization. Check out Rutherford’s book here.

In this milestone 100th episode, the Leadership Jam Session turns the mic around as Executive Producer James Christie interviews the show’s usual host, Rob Fonte, founder of Sarto Leadership Group. Rob shares his candid leadership journey, revealing formative experiences—from his first intimidating management role to the biggest mistake he ever made—and the lessons that have defined his philosophy and approach. Rob and James also discuss the origins and evolution of the podcast, the power of learning from both great and not-so-great leaders, and announce the upcoming public launch of the Sarto Leadership Academy, designed to help leaders continue their personal and professional growth.Key takeaways:Every leader has a unique story and something valuable to share; continuous learning is fundamental at every stage of leadership.Foundational leadership principles—such as building trust, listening, and reflecting on the basics—never go out of style, regardless of role or experience.Early mentors and personal influences, including family and courageous managers willing to take a chance, can have a profound impact on a leader’s career trajectory.Learning from mistakes (like accidentally emailing a team ranking to the entire team) can be transformative and lead to greater humility, caution, and personal growth.Supporting structures—both at work and at home—are crucial; leaders often rely on unseen partners in their journey.Bad leadership can teach as much as good leadership if you’re attentive and reflective.Leaders don’t have to have all the answers and should give themselves grace—seeking feedback, relying on others, and staying curious are strengths, not weaknesses.Continuous development is vital; initiatives like the Sarto Leadership Academy are designed to create community, provide real-world resources, and help leaders stay “off the rails” in the best way possible.Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this episode is filled with honesty, humor, and hard-won wisdom—perfect for listeners seeking practical advice and inspiration to grow their own leadership journey.nterested in learning more about the Sarto Leadership Academy? Click here to sign up for upcoming communications.

In this episode, I sit down with Larry Freedman, an accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including nearly three decades in sales leadership. Larry shares the guiding principles behind his highly effective “success sequence”—a stepwise approach he developed for leading teams—and describes how building authentic, trusting relationships serves as the foundation for long-term results.Through engaging stories and practical examples, Larry illustrates the importance of making personal connections with team members, including traveling to meet them face-to-face and intentionally getting to know them beyond their professional roles. He underscores the deliberate and organic process of relationship building, noting its critical role in shaping a positive team culture and enhancing performance. Larry also discusses the power of investing in team capabilities before focusing on driving results, stressing that sustainable success is rooted in trust, meaningful feedback, and discretionary effort.Key takeaways:Building genuine, trust-based relationships is the crucial first step for new and established leaders alike.Intentionally investing time—such as visiting team members in person—sends a strong, positive message and lays the groundwork for effective leadership.Culture is shaped by how people feel about their work; leaders have significant power to influence and create a supportive environment regardless of broader organizational challenges.Enhancing capabilities and providing candid feedback is most impactful when rooted in strong relationships and trust.Focusing solely on results without investing in people and culture often leads to high turnover and unsustainable performance.Leaders should strive to “lead two levels down,” creating connections that reach deep into teams and leave a lasting legacy.Leaders rent—and don’t own—the title; it’s the positive impact and relationships you leave behind that truly matter.Reach out to Larry to gain actionable strategies for building winning teams and creating lasting impact—one relationship at a time.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/inspire-impactEmail: [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with Cindy Fairless, a Sarto Master Facilitator, who passionately shares her extensive insights on the importance and value of mentors in career development. Cindy dives into how mentors can accelerate career growth by offering not just their expertise but also invaluable feedback, expanding your network, and pushing you to explore new opportunities outside your comfort zone. We also unpack some practical strategies for successfully finding and approaching a mentor, highlighting the need to identify individuals whose career paths and values align with your own aspirations. Cindy emphasizes the critical role of the mentee in driving the relationship, from setting clear goals to consistently engaging with their mentor. In addition, we touch upon the importance of having multiple mentors and how mentorship can foster a mutually beneficial dynamic, where both mentors and mentees grow from the experience. Through personal anecdotes, Cindy illustrates the rewarding nature of mentor-mentee relationships and how they can lead to unforeseen career trajectories and leadership opportunities. Key takeaways: Mentorship offers multifaceted benefits including the sharing of expertise, confidence building, and expanded networking opportunities. Mentees must take the initiative in the relationship, from seeking out potential mentors to setting clear agendas and regularly communicating. Constructive feedback from mentors is crucial for professional growth and should be actively sought and applied by mentees.  Finding the right mentor involves aligning career goals, values, and work habits, often requiring a thoughtful and strategic approach. Effective mentorship can significantly influence career paths, opening doors to new opportunities and leadership roles. Both formal and informal mentorships are valuable, and multiple mentors can provide diverse perspectives and guidance. Mentorship is a two-way street, benefiting both the mentor and mentee and contributing to a culture of continuous learning and development.  Listen in as Cindy offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help you harness the full potential of mentorship for your career development. For more details and to learn about Cindy's workshops or other workshops from the Sarto Leadership Group, please reach out to us: [email protected]://sartoleadershipgroup.com/services/

In this episode, I chat with Charis Sugden, MS, CCRP, Director of Clinical Research and Operations, who brings over 18 years of experience in clinical research, including 10 years in management. Charis shares her leadership journey, emphasizing the evolution of her guiding principles, which focus on building trust and respect, setting clear expectations, and empowering her team through coaching and support.Throughout our discussion, Charis reveals the significance of empathy in leadership, recounting how her understanding and practice of empathy have deepened over time. She also delves into the challenges and strategies of adapting her leadership style to different personalities within her team, utilizing personality assessments like Insights to enhance communication and effectiveness.Key takeaways:Leadership involves cultivating trust and respect, and clearly setting expectations for both team members and oneself.Empathy is vital in understanding team members’ diverse perspectives and motivating them effectively.Leaders should continuously stretch and adapt their style to fit the needs and strengths of their team members.Regular reflection and feedback are crucial for personal growth and team development.Effective communication and genuine connections within the team are key to a cohesive and motivated unit.Networking and building strategic support systems are essential for personal and professional growth.Sharing personal stories and vulnerabilities can accelerate trust-building and foster a supportive team environment.Join us as Charis provides invaluable insights into her leadership journey and shares practical advice for both new and experienced managers.

In this episode, I take you back to the middle of a conversation I had in 2023 around the intricacies of career development with distinguished guests, Mark Jarvis and Brian Reardon, who both hold leadership roles in learning and development.  This was a conversation full of insights for those navigating the complexities of building a rewarding career in today's dynamic corporate landscape. We tackle the often overlooked value of lateral moves, the critical importance of self-awareness, and the undeniable benefits of embracing flexibility in your career path. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an aspiring professional, this episode offers valuable lessons on personal growth, strategic career planning, and the art of seizing opportunities for development beyond the traditional climb up the corporate ladder. Key Takeaways: Embrace Lateral Moves: Encourage employees to consider lateral moves as opportunities for growth and learning, not as setbacks. Self-Awareness is Crucial: Promote self-assessment among team members to identify skills gaps and career aspirations. Value of Diverse Experiences: Highlight the importance of gaining a broad range of experiences to enhance versatility and adaptability in the workforce. Long-Term Perspective: Foster a culture that values long-term career planning and development over immediate upward mobility. Importance of Flexibility: Encourage flexibility in career paths to allow for unexpected opportunities and personal growth. Training and Development: Recognize the critical role of training and development roles in building foundational leadership skills. Personal Life Considerations: Acknowledge and support the integration of personal life considerations into career planning and decisions. Mentorship and Recognition: Actively seek and nurture potential in employees, recognizing talents and competencies that individuals may not see in themselves. Promote Skill Acquisition: Support initiatives for employees to acquire new skills that align with industry trends and organizational needs. Encourage Documentation of Achievements: Advocate for the use of tools like brag books or briefing documents to highlight accomplishments and skills relevant to career goals. 

In this episode, I sit with Melanie Lennear, a seasoned healthcare professional with 18 years of experience and a track record of managing an award-winning sales team. Melanie shares her guiding principles of leadership, emphasizing faith, family support, personal growth, and maintaining a growth mindset. Transitioning from a peer to a management role, Melanie discusses how transparency and vulnerability have been crucial in her leadership journey. Key takeaways: Effective leadership involves transparency, vulnerability, and a growth mindset, particularly during transitions from peer to manager roles. Navigating difficult conversations with openness and respect can lead to significant personal growth and stronger team relationships. Thorough preparation and the use of open-ended questions are essential for understanding different perspectives and facilitating effective dialogues. Practicing the "stop, start, continue" exercise and welcoming team feedback promotes continuous improvement and mutual trust. Maintaining separate channels for professional and personal communications can enhance focus and reduce distractions within a team. Sharing personal experiences in conversations can help break down defensiveness and encourage positive changes. Intent, timing, and awareness are crucial when engaging in critical conversations, ensuring that discussions are productive and empathetic.  Melanie emphasizes the value of caring individuals and personal experiences in leadership, reiterating the importance of an open door policy for feedback and personal growth. Her methods and principles have not only led to her success but have also contributed to fostering high-performing, resilient teams. 

In this episode, I sit down with Jovan Antunovic, an international business leader with over 25 years of experience across the specialty pharmaceutical, medical device, medical equipment, and diagnostics industries. Jovan brings a wealth of global insights, having led cross-functional teams in the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Jovan shares his guiding principles of honesty, transparency, and "walking the talk" in leadership, explaining their critical role in building trust and effective teams.Jovan recounts pivotal moments from his career, such as advocating for a valuable team member against initial directives and the integrative approach of incorporating cultural sensitivities into leadership. He also emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting leadership styles to suit various cultural contexts.Rob and Jovan further discuss the value of international experience in accelerating personal and professional growth, and how these opportunities shape more adaptable and knowledgeable leaders.Key takeaways:Honesty and transparency are paramount in leadership, fostering trust and genuine communication.Adapting to cultural differences is crucial for effective global leadership.Mentorship and the ability to make and learn from mistakes are invaluable components of career growth.Engaging team members and involving them in decision-making processes enhances trust and productivity.International experience not only broadens personal perspectives but also enhances professional capabilities and adaptability.Understanding and addressing the needs of your team members leads to better engagement and improved organizational outcomes.For those considering international assignments, the support of family is vital, as their adaptation plays a critical role in overall success.Tune in for an insightful jam session on navigating the complexities of international leadership and cultivating a growth-centric mindset in challenging environments.Contact info:[email protected]://strat2tact.com/

In this episode, I sit with Rob Carman, Senior Director of L&D for NASCAR. Rob shares his insights on leadership, team development, and the importance of emotional intelligence in fostering a positive and productive work environment. He emphasizes the crucial role of trust, honesty, and passion in leadership, likening emotional intelligence to "the force" in Star Wars, highlighting its power to guide and influence.Rob shares personal anecdotes to illustrate his leadership journey, including mistakes made and lessons learned, underscoring the importance of understanding and adapting to individual team member's needs and strengths. Rob also discusses strategies for effective change management, the significance of leading by example, and the power of positive influence over authoritative power in motivating teams.Key takeaways:Leadership is fundamentally about building trust and fostering honest, transparent relationships.Emotional intelligence is a critical skill for leaders, enabling them to connect with and understand their team members' motivations and needs.Effective leaders lead by example, demonstrating the behaviors and attitudes they wish to see in their team.Adapting leadership style to individual team member needs and strengths is crucial for maximizing team performance and development.Engaging in regular, constructive feedback and open communication helps prevent surprises and facilitates continuous growth and improvement.Change management should be approached proactively, involving team members early in the process to mitigate resistance and foster buy-in.Recognizing when to exercise authority and when to leverage influence is key to effective leadership and team motivation.

In this episode, I have a dynamic conversation with Dr. Robert DeFinis, exploring various aspects of leadership, generational dynamics, and the unique qualities of Generation X (Gen X) leaders. Dr. DeFinis, who has worked with children, athletes, coaches, leaders, and organizations for over 20 years has a diversified background with extensive experience in education, leadership, law enforcement, and behavioral analysis. We get into his book, Gen Exceptional, How the Unique Traits of Generation X Can Transform Leadership.&nbsp;The discussion begins with Dr. DeFinis sharing insights into Gen X leadership; highlighting the adaptability of Gen Xers to change and addressing stereotypes about Millennials.We also delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by Generation Z. Dr. DeFinis discusses the digital native status of Gen Z and suggests addressing gaps in their entry into the workforce. The conversation concludes with advice for leaders, urging Gen Xers to lean in, practice kindness, and cultivate talent across generations. Throughout the episode the key takeaways are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, autonomy, and bridging generational gaps for effective leadership in the ever-evolving corporate landscape.Key TakeawaysGen X·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the forgotten generation, holds a unique position bridging baby boomers and millennials in leadership.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;can play a crucial role in facilitating the transition of leadership from boomers to the emerging generations, bringing a balanced approach to work dynamics.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;autonomy and adaptability are defining traits of Gen X, shaped by their experience as the latchkey generation.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;can play a crucial role in facilitating the transition of leadership from boomers to the emerging generations, bringing a balanced approach to work dynamics.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the importance of work-life balance is highlighted, with Gen X understanding and emphasizing personal responsibility in achieving this balance.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gen X bridges the gap between baby boomers and millennials, offering valuable adaptability and autonomy in leadership.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gen X leadership style emphasizes hiring and retaining talented individuals while allowing them the autonomy to excel.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gen X's potential Achilles heel lies in skepticism and reluctance to engage actively, hindering representation in leadership roles.Millennials·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;loyalty may manifest differently, with conscious decision-making based on environmental and social impact; leaders should recognize and appreciate these differences.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;may benefit from space and opportunities for independent decision-making, counteracting the effects of helicopter parenting.Generation Z·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They are the digital natives, and leaders need to address gaps in their entry into the workforce.Contact:Book: https://www.amazon.com/Gen-eXceptional-Unique-Generation-Transform-Leadership/dp/B0CNJDDCZ9/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?crid=1Q0YTOXDDX1ME&amp;keywords=Dr.+robert+definis&amp;qid=1705968653&amp;sprefix=dr.+robert+definis%2Caps%2C111&amp;sr=8-1-fkmr1<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertdefinis?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BufHdOHnvTHO5DqqqDQG0rg%3D%3D"...

In episode 91 of the Leadership Jam Session, I sit with the King of Clarity, Steve Woodruff, to talk about his new book titled "The Point: How to Win with Clarity-Fueled Communications." The book is an expansion of Woodruff's previous work, "Clarity Wins," and it offers a practical and universal formula for clear communication applicable to any type of communication within an organization. The key focus is on overcoming common communication challenges, such as information overload and the need to engage the human brain effectively.Key Takeaways:A Universal Communication Formula: "The Point" provides a practical and universal formula for clear communication that can be applied across various contexts within an organization.Four Rules for Effective Communication:1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Have a Point: Clearly define the purpose and focus of your communication.2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Get to the Point: Quickly convey the relevance of your message to the audience.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Get the Point Across: Ensure shared meaning and memory by engaging the audience.4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Get on the Same Page: Aim for alignment, agreement, and shared action.Eight Communication Tools for Leaders:1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Simple Statements2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Snippets3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Specifics4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stories5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stakes (Emphasizing the risk and benefit)6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Symbolic Language (Using symbols, illustrations, analogies)7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Side by Sides (Comparisons)8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Summaries (Condensing information into brief points)Leadership Communication: Leaders should focus on providing a clear and tangible focus, emphasizing the purpose and mission, and being specific about expectations to avoid ambiguity.Repetition for Clarity: Leaders should repeat their vision and mission at least five times more than they initially think necessary to ensure understanding and retention among team members.Communication Design: Woodruff introduces the concept of communication design, emphasizing the importance of structuring information effectively through stratification, starting with the most critical points.Competing with Noise: Acknowledge the constant competition for attention, especially in a world where people spend significant time in front of screens. Communication needs to be compelling to cut through the noise.Application Across Teams: Encourage teams to standardize around good communication practices, starting with clear communication during development days or team retreats.Impact on Project Management: Highlight the impact of clear communication on project management, emphasizing its role in preventing costly misunderstandings between stakeholders and vendors.Clarity as a Leadership Virtue: Woodruff emphasizes that clarity is a virtue, and lack of clarity can be considered unkindness. Leaders should prioritize making their communication clear to avoid misunderstandings and wasted time.Contact:Book: https://www.stevewoodruff.com/booksLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/swoodruffhttps://www.stevewoodruff.com/

In episode 90 of the Leadership Jam Session Podcast, I sit with Jonathan Cinelli, a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Jonathan is the host of the People First Then Construction podcast and is also the author of Kick Your Ego Aside and Put People First. He shares his leadership journey and transformation after adopting a people-centric approach as well as the importance of coaching, self-improvement, and setting clear boundaries and expectations.The interview touches on topics such as avoiding burnout, effective communication, and the power of curiosity in leadership. Jonathan highlights the role of coaching in changing his perspective and improving team dynamics, advocating for a more intentional and empathetic leadership style.Key TakeawaysPeople-Centric Approach:Lead with a people-centric approach to bring about positive transformation in team dynamics and overall successUnderstand that employees genuinely care and empowering them with information leads to successCoaching for Leadership Growth:Embrace coaching as a tool for personal and professional developmentAsk thought-provoking questions that lead to insights and encourage a culture of continuous learningSetting Boundaries and Expectations:Establish clear boundaries for focused communication and avoid distractions that disrupt workflowCommunicate expectations openly, allowing team members to contribute autonomously and take responsibilityAvoiding Burnout:Recognize that avoiding burnout requires personalized approaches, considering individual uniquenessPrioritize boundaries and expectations, fostering a healthy work-life balanceLeadership Evolution:Acknowledge the transformative power of intentional leadership, emphasizing personal growth and being the best version of oneselfApproach leadership with curiosity, consistently seeking to understand and improve interpersonal dynamicsContact:Book: Kick Your Ego Aside and Put People First &nbsp;Podcast: People First Then ConstructionLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cinelli-pmp-acc-103b841ba

In this episode, I sit with Kim Catania, a successful strategic and leadership development consultant, to discuss the challenges and nuances of coaching and leading the younger generations in the workforce, specifically Millennials and Generation Z. Kim is member of LTEN, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, and is a guest lecturer at Sacred Heart University.We dive into the distinct characteristics of each generation, emphasizing the impact of technology on Gen Z's learning style and preferences. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting coaching approaches to align with the preferences of these generations, emphasizing open-ended questions, quick and efficient communication, and the incorporation of technology in learning and development. The discussion also touches on the evolving concept of work-life balance and the need for leaders to understand and accommodate the expectations of the younger workforce.Key Takeaways:Adapt Coaching Styles: Tailor coaching approaches to suit the preferences of Millennials and Gen Z, incorporating open-ended questions and interactive methods rather than a directive style.Embrace Technology: Leverage technology in coaching and learning programs, recognizing the preference of younger generations for quick, bite-sized information and interactive platforms.Prioritize Work-Life Integration: Recognize the shift from traditional work hours to a more flexible and 24-hour approach, understanding the importance of work-life integration for the younger workforce.Encourage Continuous Learning: Foster a culture of continuous learning and development, acknowledging the rapid pace of change and the desire of Millennials and Gen Z to acquire new skills and knowledge.Build Emotional Intelligence: Emphasize emotional intelligence in leadership, as younger generations exhibit heightened self-awareness and a desire for meaningful, well-rounded success.Acknowledge Diversity and Inclusion: Address the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, recognizing that these aspects hold significant value for Millennials and Gen Z.Provide Immediate Feedback: Align with the preference for quick feedback, incorporating timely and constructive feedback into coaching sessions to keep younger employees engaged and motivated.Encourage Patience and Perseverance: Recognize the importance of instilling patience and perseverance in Millennials and Gen Z. These generations, accustomed to quick information and feedback, may benefit from understanding the value of experience and learning through challenges over time. Encourage them to embrace the journey, make mistakes, and grow from experiences, emphasizing that success often involves patience and the ability to navigate setbacks.Contact:[email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-m-catania-1312196?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B75JTOYyAQiOxG3OwhUShUA%3D%3D

In this episode, I sit with Dr. Yvonne Bleam, Senior Director of Training and Development at Geron Corporation and author of "A to Z of being the best leader you can be, leading through the alphabet," discusses the importance of teaching leadership concepts to children. Yvonne emphasizes that adults have a responsibility to raise tomorrow's leaders and that her book is a valuable tool for this purpose.The book introduces leadership concepts in an easy-to-understand A to Z format, with colorful illustrations and relatable characters. Yvonne highlights the significance of teaching children about bravery, courage, and empathy. She also shares how these concepts can benefit adults by reinforcing positive behaviors and encouraging emotional intelligence.Link to book: A to Z of being the best leader you can be, leading through the alphabetKey Takeaways:Teaching leadership concepts to children from a young age can shape them into better leaders in the future.Embrace the concept of bravery and have the courage to stand up and make the right choices in both personal and professional life.Leadership is about influence, and teaching children how their behavior and decisions can influence others is crucial.Use Yvonne's book as a tool to encourage children and adults to develop emotional intelligence and social skills.Encourage risk-taking and learning from failure, as it's essential for personal and professional growth.Model positive leadership behaviors for children to learn from, as actions speak louder than words.Recognize that leadership skills, such as bravery and vulnerability, apply to both parenting and corporate leadership.Never stop learning and improving as a leader, as even experienced leaders can benefit from revisiting essential concepts.Explore the book "Leadership and Self-Deception" by the Arbinger Group as a valuable resource for personal and professional growth.Encourage team members to take risks, be courageous, and leverage each other's strengths to collectively succeed.

In this episode, I sit with Tim McElderry, a Director of Commercial Leadership Training in the biopharmaceutical industry. Tim shares his leadership journey, including the creation of his personal leadership model, and how he intends to apply his expertise in leadership in a bid for public office.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Tim's leadership journey started with a transition from a successful commercial sales leader career to commercial leadership developmentHe created a personal leadership model based on qualities (work ethic, humility, attitude, team first) and behaviors (caring, clear expectations, higher purpose, lead by example, connecting)Tim emphasizes the importance of connecting with individuals to understand their intrinsic motivators, a skill he has honed in leadership.He sees running for public office as a growth opportunity and a way to apply his leadership skills to benefit his communityTim's leadership model serves as the foundation for his campaign platform, focusing on connecting with constituents and addressing local issues with a leadership-oriented approach

In today's fast paced and ever evolving world, the success of any organization hinges on the skills and expertise of its employees. But how can organizations ensure that their workforce is equipped with the right knowledge and abilities to thrive in a highly competitive landscape?That's where training and coaching come into play. Joining me today are two exceptional guests who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of learning and development and sales leadership. Mark Jarvis and Brian Reardon both hold Director of Commercial Training and Development roles in their respective organizations, and have guided numerous individuals towards reaching their professional goals while fostering a culture of continuous growth and improvement, accountability, and trust.&nbsp;Together, they shed light on the value of training employees and the art of distinguishing when coaching or training is the ideal solution.KEY TAKEAWAYSAs a leader, it’s your job to coach, teach, guide, and pull through what the training team has developedThe training team is not responsible for the execution, i.e., what happens in front of customers. That’s the responsibility of the front-line leader – it’s a coaching issue&nbsp;Through coaching, the identification of behaviors, gaps in skills or capabilities are surfaced. Then the training team can be called in for help with skills and capabilities training to enact change in behaviorsAlignment between and across relevant stakeholders is paramount and be sure to identify and align on behaviors that are needing changeTraining solutions should not be “one and done”. They should be a journey that takes place over time with pre, event, and post-event activities for learning sustainmentIf you want better training solutions, involve the leaders early on and include a coaching element. Front-line leader pull through is the key to any successful training journey

This is part two of a two-part recording where I sit with several coaches that participated in a recent Emerging Leaders program that I create and facilitate. These are seasoned leaders, hand selected by the organization to help coach assigned participants throughout the entire duration of the program. You'll hear perspectives around the importance of people development, different approaches, timing, etc.If you haven't listened to the previous episode, episode 84, I would encourage you to listen to that one first as this episode dovetails on that conversation where I sit with participants, a.k.a., emerging leaders who went through the program and shared their leadership development journey. Below are key takeaways from the coach’s perspective.KEY TAKEAWAYSThere’s a misconception that leadership is about having direct reports; it’s really about your ability to influence and coachLeadership skills are developed and cultivated. No one is born a natural leaderCoaches and mentors are also on a continuous learning journeyThere’s tremendous value in have a cross-section of employees in a leadership development program. The varied perspectives from people in different roles is pricelessIf you’re going to build a leadership development program, make it an imperative to have seasoned leaders be part of the program to help shape and mold the next set of future leaders

For many of my clients, I create and facilitate what's called an Emerging Leaders program. It's designed to prepare emerging leaders for their first management positions. Participants learn and apply foundational leadership skills throughout a multi-phased experiential journey.At the core of the program is the use of internal managers to serve as coaches and mentors. These are seasoned leaders, hand selected by the organization to help coach their assigned participant throughout the entire duration of the program.As a two-part recording, joining me today are Scott Dumler, Josh Key, Brian Fagan, and Elizabeth Martin, who went through my program as participants and are now leading people. You'll get to hear leadership development from a learner's perspective, and what a participant is going through during their leadership development journey, their ‘aha’ moments, etc.In the next episode, you'll hear from the coaches who helped shepherd the participants to gain their perspective on mentoring these emerging leaders during the program.KEY TAKEAWAYSAdapt to different styles when communicating. The same conversation with two different people has a dramatic impact if you’re not meeting their style and what they’re looking to get from the conversationUtilize your peer set and other leaders to gather insight and advice. No one person as all the answersIt’s ok to say, “I don’t know”. You can always figure out how to get the best answers for your peopleConsider developing people by giving them exposure to other teams, functions; people who are not in the same role. This makes the practice of leadership the common denominatorSelf-awareness is key

In this episode, I sit with Rob DiTota, vice president of US commercial for a large medical device organization and has over 25 years of healthcare experience with 15 years of leadership experience. Rob has a unique background where you will hear him talk about his leadership experience as an officer in the fire services, as well as his leadership experience in the corporate world. I think you'll find tremendous value in hearing him talk about his thoughts on team culture and his approach to how he turned around challenged cultures into great ones.KEY TAKEAWAYSCulture is your values and behaviors. It drives the vision and mission of the organizationTo diagnose cultural issues, first ensure that everyone is on the same page with your definition of cultureTransparency and trust is critically important in building teams, building a culture, and driving performanceWhen working through tasks of turning around culture, decentralize the command. This means give your team the autonomy to make decisions on their own; to leadKeep things simple. The more complexity you add to your strategy and leadership style the higher the likelihood things don't get doneDon't be afraid to own your mistakes. You don't become a strong leader without challenges, obstacles, and failuresAct as one team!&nbsp;

In this episode, I sit with Michael Lyons, who serves as president and general manager of oncology at Myriad Genetics, where he brings over 20 years of experience in the biotech, MedTech, and pharmaceutical space. Michael was recognized by PharmaVoice Magazine as one of the top 100 most inspiring global leaders, and Pharmaceutical Executive Magazine also named him as one of the top emerging leaders in the world.KEY TAKEAWAYSTo have leadership, you need to have followership. And that doesn't mean that people report to you in an organization. It means that they'll follow you from organization to organizationWhether there's a reporting structure, dotted line, straight line, up, down, left, right, leadership is about taking the time to listen to your colleagues, making certain that they're okay, being empathetic, understanding their challenges, etc.&nbsp;Our job as leaders is to clear hurdles and have everyone operating at their very bestHave strong work ethic, treat people fair, remain humble, and focus on what's most important&nbsp;Vision and culture can never be just words on a page. It can never be the aspect where you forget about it, or you just say it at your quarterly business reviews. You need to hire against it. You need to onboard against it. You need to do merit evaluations against it. Because if that piece becomes compromised, then everything will fail

In this episode, I sit with Sandy Black who’s Vice President of North America Commercial Operations at LivaNova, a global medical technology company. Sandy's responsible for several departments within the commercial side of the organization including commercial data and analytics, sales incentives, commercial excellence and training, customer service contracts and pricing, as well as case management and clinical nurse education. Sandy shares her journey how solving problems in R&amp;D led her to leading commercial teams.KEY TAKEAWAYSSeek to understand, ask questions, and don’t make assumptionsYou can't make assumptions about teams just sitting in your office. You must get out there and connect with peopleUsing questions during heated conversations can help deescalate situationsIt's OK to allow teams to fail especially when the decisions aren't business critical. &nbsp;It can be a great learning experience for allWhen leading large projects, it's critical to have advocates and buy-in at all levels to not only support your mission, but to help with pull-through at the ground level

In this episode, I sit with Edgar Butler Jr. Edgar is a seasoned leader with a background in the insurance industry. Edgar is also a leadership and employee development coach and author of Clarify, Construct, and Control Your Career. We discuss Edgar’s early days that shaped and molded his leadership style with great tips and a framework for leading your people.KEY TAKEAWAYSManage process. Lead peopleHelp your teams by putting them in the best position to create success for themselves while achieving company goalsYour team, individually, wants to know you care about themThe words you use with your team, and about your team, really do matter so choose wiselyWe’re pouring (ourselves) into individuals because we want to understand who they are as peopleWe’re pulling the ‘greater’ out of people especially when they may not be hitting the markWe’re pushing because we see the potential in them to go on and become successfulLEADERSHIP RESOURCESBook: Clarify, Construct, and Control Your Career: Practical Principles To Help You Develop And Advance Your Careerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-butlerhttp://edgarbutlerjr.com/

In this episode, I sit with Dr. Calvin Lawrence. Dr. Calvin is a motivational speaker and a leadership consultant. He has over 40 years of experience teaching and leading in the educational system at the high school and collegiate level. He also has a doctorate in educational leadership and administration. We discuss the successes and mistakes learned and earned in mentor and mentee relationships.&nbsp;KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;“Going across the room” – as a mentor, you shouldn’t wait for people to come to you seeking mentorship. Proactively meet others and you’ll see who could use mentoring or should be mentored based on potential&nbsp;Be intentional with your leadership and mentoring role. Same goes for being a mentee&nbsp;Having an ‘open door policy’ is not enough. The door can stay open, but what good is it if no one walks in?&nbsp;As a mentee, do not assume that leaders are too busy to mentor. If you’re in a mentorship, leadership has accepted the role of mentoring and they are ready to support you&nbsp;Mentorship is a two-way street. As a mentor, you may feel you are the only one ‘giving’ in the relationship, but remember, you are also learning from your mentee&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinlawrence-edd&nbsp;calvinlawrencespeaks.net &nbsp;

In this episode, I sit with co-authors Sean Georges and Dr. John Buford to talk about their recently published book titled, On mission: Your Journey to Authentic Leadership. The book serves as a resource for personal leadership development, crafted by Sean and John, two former marine officers with a combined 80 years of leadership experience in military, business, nonprofit, and education.&nbsp;&nbsp;KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;Authentic leadership is both authenticity in the human being who is influencing another person in the direction of a shared mission and authenticity in who they are and how they engage&nbsp;Leadership does not work the way an org chart looks. It is relationship driven, mission focused, and can work in any direction within a hierarchy&nbsp;If you want to gain commitment, influence others, and change ways of thinking, your people must know you care for them. We call that leading with love&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;On Mission: Your Journey to Authentic Leadership

In this episode, I sit with several leaders during a Leaders Jam Session monthly call. Our discussion focused on employees who tender their resignation because they’ve received an offer for another job that pays more. How would you handle this situation?&nbsp;KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;Very rarely does someone leave a job strictly based on money. Ask good questions to understand motivationsKeep in mind, while this is about them, it may also be about you, so take time to reflect when appropriateConsider how this event will impact the rest of your teamApproximately 50% of employees who accept a counteroffer leave their job within 12 monthsLEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;https://hbr.org/2016/09/why-people-quit-their-jobs

In this episode, I sit with Dr. Matt Sowcik, Assistant Professor of Leadership Education at the University of Florida, and author of a new book titled, “The H Factor: The intersection between humility and great leadership”. Dr. Matt and I talk about humility as key factor in leadership, some of its underpinnings, and how to overcome the widely felt notion that having humility in leadership is a sign of weakness.KEY TAKEAWAYSThree things can fly in the face of humility – our apprehension to be imperfect, to be incomplete, and that we are permanentThere is a sweet spot where we can be seen as not overconfident as leaders, but we’re not underconfident eitherHumility is that characteristic that brings us to the middle. It’s our counterbalancing traitThings that help us develop humility is our experiences and our ability to reflect, make changes, and growHumility helps you realize the importance of othersLEADERSHIP RESOURCESBook - The H Factor: The intersection between humility and great leadership”, Matthew Sowcik, Ph.D.&nbsp;https://www.amazon.com/H-Factor-intersection-between-humility-leadership-ebook/dp/B0B5FSSVCY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QBN401U36BGZ&amp;keywords=the+H+factor&amp;qid=1657370968&amp;sprefix=the+h+factor%2Caps%2C82&amp;sr=8-1&nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sowcik-192b236/&nbsp;

In this episode, I sit with the Chief of Police for the Yardley Borough (Pennsylvania) police department, Joe Kelly. Prior to joining the Yardley police department, he spent 23 years with the New Jersey transit police retiring at the rank of a deputy.&nbsp;Chief Kelly and I talk about his leadership journey, his approach, and what leadership looks like within the police organization. I think you might be surprised to hear some of the similar approaches and challenges that we come up against in the private sector. His leadership journey also includes how he survived a shooting incident last year.&nbsp;KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;Center all discussions, both positive and negative, around your organizations’ core values, as they will be your guiding light&nbsp;The job of a leader is to make people better. If your employee is operating at 65%, get them to 75%. Don’t push unrealistic expectations&nbsp;Care for your team as individuals, not just as co-workers&nbsp;Understand that the difference between supervision and leadership takes time and experience to develop&nbsp;&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;&nbsp;linkedin.com/in/joseph-kelly-iii-39677249&nbsp;

In this episode, I sit with leadership expert and organizational psychologist, Dr. Ciela Hartanov, who was part of the founding team of the Google School for Leaders as well as Head of Next Practice, Innovation and Strategy at Google, where she developed projects designed to shape the future of leadership and work.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr. Ciela currently runs humcollective, a boutique strategy and innovation firm that helps companies, executives, and teams make sense of the forces, shaping the future and helps them prepare strategically. Her book, Reclaiming Sensitivity, will be out in 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;Leadership is an act, and not a personality. It’s the act of wayfinding&nbsp;&nbsp;Sensitive Leadership – the ability to sense and respond to emergent terrain in a more humane way; one that isn’t always driven by data&nbsp;&nbsp;Sensitive leaders are those who lead from behind, step forward when required, but are not the center of attention&nbsp;Become great at asking effective questions. If you’re not questioning then you’re just stating, and then you only know what you know&nbsp;Become a sense giver – share something that the rest of your team isn’t always privy to and help them make sense of the information with the right context. This helps others also become sense givers&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/in/cielahartanov/&nbsp;humcollective.co &nbsp;

In this episode, I sit with experienced neuropsychologist Dr. Julia DiGangi, who shows you how to expand the power of your nervous system to hold more emotional voltage. As a brain scientist, Dr. Julia knows that your nervous system is your portal to power. She will show you how to take the pain in your life - your stress, your struggle, your suffering - and transform it into your power.&nbsp;Dr. Julia brings tremendous expertise and decades of applied experience serving leaders at the highest levels of power, including The White House, top leadership at global companies, and Special Forces.&nbsp;Having worked with leaders who’ve endured some of the highest-stakes, highest-stress situations on the planet, Dr. Julia will show you what it takes to unlock new dimensions of your emotional power as you face defining challenges in your own life.KEY TAKEAWAYSWe know, scientifically, that the brain wants to avoid the very thing that will set you free. To overcome our experience of emotional pain, our anxiety, or fear of stress, etc., we must do the counter intuitiveEmotional Intelligence first starts with understanding yourself and how you might react or behave in times of uncertaintyIf you want to be a strong, emotionally intelligent leader, figure out how to work with your triggers until you aren’t triggered anymoreIn times of leadership uncertainty, contextual cues have gone away, so all eyes are always now on the leaderThe days that make you grow are the same days that put you in your ‘pain’LEADERSHIP RESOURCEShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/juliadigangi/www.neurohealthpartners.com

In this episode, I am in the middle of a Leaders Jam Session – a monthly group jam session that I host where participants get to share and learn from one another on how to tackle daily leadership challenges. Here, we’re talking about best practices for how to plan and run a successful team meeting, whether it’s a one or multi-day meeting.&nbsp;Key Takeaways&nbsp;Today, there’s even greater value in bringing everyone together&nbsp;Set Goals and Objectives, for example, 1) build team bonds, 2) learn from each other, and 3) have fun&nbsp;Get feedback on your agenda from your team, including your boss&nbsp;Include just the right amount of content for the length of your meeting. Trying to cram too much into your meeting will make you run over on time, potentially wear people out, and have an opposite effect on what you’re trying to accomplish&nbsp;Guests – consider having them, but keep in mind, will the guest fit into the overall meeting objectives, or will this idea be disruptive&nbsp;Team building activities – you want to have them, but you also need to know when to push back on ideas that your experience says ‘maybe we shouldn’t do this’&nbsp;&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;&nbsp;HBR article: Off-sites that work. https://hbr.org/2006/06/off-sites-that-work&nbsp;

In this episode, I sit with two-time guest Major General (ret.) Craig B. Whelden. General Whelden spent 30 years in the U.S. Army, followed by seven in the private sector, and another nine as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the U.S. Marine Corps. General Whelden has had a very interesting military career including being present when the Berlin Wall fell. We spend some time talking about the war between Russia and Ukraine, where he provides an interesting perspective.General Whelden is also a motivational speaker on leadership and performance excellence, and an award-winning, best-selling author of Leadership: The Art of Inspiring People to Be Their Best. General Whelden is also President at Velontra, a company focused on transporting satellites into Low Earth Orbit.LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;Leadership: The Art of Inspiring People to Be Their Best, by Craig B. Wheldenhttps://www.craigwhelden.com/Andy Milburn, Chief Executive Officer at The Mozart Group, https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2020/Debtbook Diplomacy - https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/debtbook-diplomacy

The topic of work-life balance is always top of mind for new and tenured leaders, and it means something different to all of us. In this episode, James and I tackle this topic which was inspired by some dialogue from a LinkedIn post I was tagged in.&nbsp;Tune in for a tips and advice on how to encourage work-life balance with your teams (and with yourself)!KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;&nbsp;Lead by example and sending the right message to your people (2:14)&nbsp;We all think about work-life balance differently so do what works for you (3:51)Two questions you can ask yourself as a leader; what do I control, and can I mitigate burnout with what I can control? (5:31)Get to know your people, both personally and professionally (6:06)Pick up on the flags that say your people take on too much (10:33)Take a beat; re-evaluate your priorities and implement changes (11:05)&nbsp;&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;Episode 27: Do Less and Think More, with Tracey DeSilva

In this episode I sit with Brad Dalton.&nbsp;Brad is a motivational and inspirational speaker, an empowerment and success coach, and a lifelong educator. We discuss his best-selling book DNA of a winner, eight steps to building the soul print of a winner. Warning - Brad’s positivity and energy are contagious!KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;&nbsp;Great leaders are great teachers (5:02)&nbsp;Stay out of the weeds and feed the P’s; positive people (11:46)&nbsp;Success is a choice (13:55)The importance of positive communication (16:14)&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradtdalton/Book: DNA of a winner, eight steps to building the soul print of a winner

In this episode, I sit with previous guests Kim Metcalf and Paul Catanzaro to discuss leadership lessons from the hit series, Ted Lasso. There are so many leadership learnings and awesome quotes from this show, we thought we should take the time to unpack a few.Key Takeaways:Know and respect your people (3:29)Trust and Accountability (5:17)Competence and Commitment (6:33)Optimism and Positivity (8:46)Don’t treat everyone the same (11:22)Why every leader needs a Coach Beard (12:09)Motivation (13:38)Creating Psychological Safety (15:44)Active Listening (20:14)Authenticity (20:43)Favorite Ted Lasso quotes (26:52)

In this episode I sit with Martine Kalaw, MPA.&nbsp;Martine is an Organizational Development expert, author, speaker, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant and trainer for corporate executives with more than a decade of experience increasing the performance and productivity of fortune 500 companies and tech startups. We discuss her latest book, The ABCs of Diversity: A Manager’s Guide to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the New Workplace.KEY TAKEAWAYSChallenges Human Resource departments have with DEI (1:53)Why DEI has to a business imperative (3:20)Much of DEI is already being done by you, the manager, and it starts with the basics of leadership (11:46)Widening your talent pool (19:30)LEADERSHIP RESOURCEShttps://martinekalaw.com/Free DEI Masterclass for Human Resource professionals: https://martinekalaw.com/masterclass/Book: The ABC’s of Diversity: A Manager’s Guide to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the New Workplace

Looking to create a strong bond with your team?&nbsp;&nbsp;In this episode I sit with Andrej Baranek, a Vice President of Strategic manufacturing and tenured leader of global teams. We discuss Andrej’s leadership journey as he shares several useful tips and advice for creating high-performing teams, including an initiative he launched during the pandemic called “Sparkles of Curiosity”.&nbsp;KEY TAKEAWAYS&nbsp;&nbsp;Building a Bond – how a simple carpool became the catalyst for building strong bonds (5:40)&nbsp;'Sparkles of Curiosity' – a non-work-related initiative that brought colleagues together through learning about one another (15:31)&nbsp;HBR Article - Ferguson's formula (17:41)HBR Article - How will you measure your life? (19:44)&nbsp;LEADERSHIP RESOURCES&nbsp;&nbsp;HBR Articles: &nbsp;https://hbr.org/2013/10/fergusons-formula&nbsp;https://hbr.org/2010/07/how-will-you-measure-your-life&nbsp;

In this episode I sit with Aric Burkhart, who is a senior national sales director, with over 16 years of healthcare industry experience and more than 12 years of leadership experience. We discuss Aric’s leadership journey as he shares several useful tips and advice for leading teams, including an initiative he launched with his team called ‘Chase the Why’.&nbsp;Key Takeaways&nbsp;&nbsp;Learning from setbacks (9:58)&nbsp;Taking inventory – how are you investing your time and reflecting on the impact your having (11:34)&nbsp;Telling a top performer, they’re not great all the time (13:11)&nbsp;The importance of creating a shared vision and expectations (18:03)&nbsp;‘Chase the Why’ program (21:46)&nbsp;

How can leaders become better communicators?Steve Woodruff is a well-respected speaker and workshop facilitator, known as the 'king of clarity' throughout the business world. Steve has over 25 years of consulting experience in the life sciences training industry. He is also the author of the Amazon best-selling book "Clarity Wins. Get Heard. Get Referred".Steve joins me to discuss the challenges of good communication, how to network through ‘story-asking’, and the importance of personal branding.Key Takeaways&nbsp;- How to communicate with clarity (00:00)- The inspiration behind Steve's best selling book (01:37)- The importance of personal branding (04:07)- Essential networking techniques (17:45)- The biggest challenge for communicators (23:37)- How to secure your listener's attention (30:23)Leadership ResourcesEmail: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swoodruff/Clarity workshops: https://impactiviti.com/get-training/Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swoodruff/detail/recent-activity/posts/ (click on one to see the Subscribe button)Facebook (professional): KingOfClarityBook: https://www.amazon.com/Clarity-Wins-Get-Heard-Referred-ebook/dp/B07KLR233R/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=clarity+wins&amp;qid=1640870464&amp;sr=8-3

As 2021 comes to an end, I wanted to thank my audience and guests for their support and valuable contributions. To discuss some of the essential leadership themes we covered on the podcast, I welcome James Christie, my podcast producer. Tune in to learn our top leadership tips and lessons from 2021.We also discuss the challenges leaders will be facing in 2022 and the tools and skills required to tackle them.Key Takeaways&nbsp;- Leadership lessons from 2021 (00:00)- How to know if you’re a good leader (03:40)- Leadership lessons from my time as a firefighter (04:07)- Top tips from the Coach’s Jam Session panel (08:09)- The challenges leaders will face in 2022 (13:35)Leadership ResourcesHow are the leaders at all levels of management tackling the toughest challenges each day? Learn more at: https://sartoleadershipgroup.com

How can leaders keep their vision alive and consistent with their teams?In our latest Coach’s Jam Session, we discussed the best techniques and approaches to keep your vision alive throughout the year. Tune in to learn our tips on creating an impactful and purposeful message for your vision.We’ll also discuss the importance of understanding different learning styles and leveraging technology to reinforce your message.You’ll learn why a strong vision statement is the foundation that ultimately gets teams through difficult times.Key Takeaways&nbsp;- How to keep your vision alive (00:00)- Creating an impactful message (01:56)- The anchor metaphor (02:36)- How to get your team on board with your vision (08:45)- Why repetition and reinforcement is crucial (17:44)- Leveraging technology to keep your vision alive (19:32)Leadership ResourcesHow are the leaders at all levels of management tackling the toughest challenges each day? Learn more at: https://sartoleadershipgroup.com

What is the difference between managing field-based vs. home office teams?In our 'Ask Rob' series, people reach out to me through my website asking for leadership advice. To help me tackle this particular question, I sat down with James Christie, my podcast producer. Tune in to learn our tips on how to manage teams in both scenarios successfully.We discuss why the fundamentals of leadership apply in both field and home office management. You'll also learn the tactical differences you'll need to consider when managing in both environments.&nbsp;Do you have a question or challenging scenario you'd like to run by me?&nbsp;Go to https://sartoleadershipgroup.com/leadership-jam-session-podcast/. Click on 'Ask Rob' and send your request. I'll respond with some guidance on your scenario!Key Takeaways&nbsp;- Managing field-based vs. home office teams (00:00)- The tactical differences you need to apply (03:31)- How to avoid perceptions of favoritism (07:46)- The challenges of managing in a hybrid environment (10:07)- Keeping track of field-based teams (17:23)- Why the fundamentals of leadership remain constant (19:23)Leadership ResourcesHow are the leaders at all levels of management tackling the toughest challenges each day? Learn more at: https://sartoleadershipgroup.com

How can leaders keep their employees engaged during extended COVID lockdowns?During our latest Coach’s Jam Session, we examined the challenges and benefits of working in a hybrid workplace. Tune in to learn how to keep your people motivated in times of uncertainty.We discuss the importance of developing a supportive leadership style and understanding your employee’s needs.&nbsp;You’ll also learn how to provide your people with a sense of belonging and foster professional growth.Key Takeaways&nbsp;- How to keep employees engaged in a hybrid workplace (00:00)- What teams look for in leader during uncertain times (01:56)- The most essential leadership skill to develop in this situation (05:39)- Understanding your employee’s needs (06:30)- How to promote team bonding in a hybrid workplace (12:28)- Why uncertain times provide an excellent opportunity for development (14:52)Leadership ResourcesHow are the leaders at all levels of management tackling the toughest challenges each day? Learn more at: https://sartoleadershipgroup.com

How can you be more effective and impactful in your work?Carson Tate is the Founder and Managing Partner of Working Simply. We discuss her Productivity Style Assessment, designed to help you learn your cognitive style and become more efficient at work. We'll also talk about her view on my scores after taking the assessment!Carson and her consulting firm work with business leaders and employees to enhance workplace productivity and engagement.&nbsp;She's also a best-selling author, and her newest book is called Own It. Love It. Make It Work.: How to Make Any Job Your Dream Job.Tune in to learn the best strategies for your own productivity style, plus Carson's tips on how to leverage your team's diverse styles.Key Takeaways&nbsp;- The productivity style assessment (00:00)- Carson's background and journey (02:04)- The goal of the productivity style assessment (05:05)- The four cognitive styles: How the assessment works (06:31)- Diving into my scores and what they mean (10:06)- Why this assessment is different from other models (16:43)- How to take the assessment (23:20)Leadership ResourcesTake the Productivity Style Assessment here: https://www.workingsimply.com/productivity-training/How are the leaders at all levels of management tackling the toughest challenges each day? Learn more at: https://sartoleadershipgroup.com

What is situational leadership, and what are some of its benefits?I've always been a big fan of the situational leadership model. To me, it's the very backbone of leadership, and in today's 'Ask Rob' segment, I explain precisely why.&nbsp;I break down the model's four stages, and I share a few examples of how it works. I also explain why new managers should learn about the situational leadership concept.Tune in to learn how you can develop situational leadership skills to become a better leader.Do you have a challenging scenario you'd like to run by me?&nbsp;Go to https://sartoleadershipgroup.com/leadership-jam-session-podcast/. Click on 'Ask Rob' and send your request. I'll respond with some guidance on your scenario!Key Takeaways&nbsp;- What is the situational leadership model? (00:00)- Why this model is the backbone of leadership (03:26)- The four levels of the situational leadership model (06:11)- The mistake all leaders do (12:17)- Why this model applies to all leaders (12:23)Leadership ResourcesHow are the leaders at all levels of management tackling the toughest challenges each day? Learn more at: https://sartoleadershipgroup.com