Tag Archives: Leadership

How to Be a Balanced Leader

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One of the most important skills we need to learn as leaders is how to balance things effectively. This week I have the perfect guest to help us with that: keynote speaker and author Rocky Romanella.

On today’s podcast:

  • We’re all leaders
  • What is balanced leadership?
  • What are you trying to accomplish?
  • We need to think about our legacy

Links:

We’re all leaders

Rocky believes that we’re all leaders. Sometimes we can get caught up in titles, but at the end of the day we’re all leaders at one time or another.

For him, leadership is leaving things a little better than you’ve found them. Are people better after they’ve interacted with you? Then you’re a leader.

What is balanced leadership?

Rocky noticed that great leaders always keep things in balance. Extremes are generally no good on either side. So how do you find this balance?

When you swing one way too far as a company or a leader, you get out of balance. Rocky began to develop the concept of balanced leadership.

Every time you need to make a decision, challenge yourself with three questions:

  • Am I thinking like a customer?
  • Will my people understand the role that they play and why we’re doing what we’re doing?
  • Am I acting like an owner?

What are you trying to accomplish?

Ask yourself “What is it that I’m trying to accomplish? What are the things that are important to me?”

Each one of us show take inventory of three key things:

  • Who am I?
  • What do I stand for?
  • What won’t I compromise?

Great leaders understand how to accept and handle bad news, they know when to apologize and when to move forward.

We need to think about our legacy

As a leader, you have to believe in your people many times until they’re ready to believe in themselves.

For Rocky, leadership is ultimately about legacy. Things are better because of you and people will remember you for the good things you’ve left behind.

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How to Master the Skill of Active Listening

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My guest today is author and coach Denise Dudley, here to share with us her expertise on the art of active listening. It’s important that we all become aware of the fact that by fully listening to what someone has to say we honor that person. Active listening sounds like a tough job, but once we commit to it, we will almost instantly improve our relationships on a noticeable scale.

On today’s podcast:

  • Always watch for cues to make sure your listeners are still there
  • Commit to actively listen
  • Listen without formulating a response in your head
  • Paraphrase more

Links:

Always watch for cues to make sure your listeners are still there

Listening seems to us like a very passive activity. Research has shown that when you’re truly listening, many parts of your brain lighten up. There is a lot going on, but physically it feels like we’re just sitting there.

Part of your job as a speaker is to always be listening and watching for feedback in your listener(s). Watch for cues to make sure your listeners are still with you and they haven’t become bored.

Sometimes it’s important to sit still when we’re listening so that we can send the message of “I’m with you, I’m not thinking about anything else.”

Commit to actively listen

If you are going to really listen to someone, go to a quieter, neutral room. Make sure you also avoid distractions.

We try to have our most important conversations in person, because we get to have these visual cues.

The first step in any journey towards becoming better at whatever it is you’re interested in is to actually make a commitment.

Listen without formulating a response in your head

Sometimes people may have different views. It’s hard to suspend your immediate judgment, but it’s really important to do it if you really want to listen to what that person is saying.

Suspending your immediate judgment has to do with listening without formulating a response just yet and staying open enough.

It’s important to make a commitment not to interrupt. Wait because people need to feel that they are heard. Only interrupt someone if they’re being offensive or abusive.

Paraphrase more

Paraphrasing is really the best first thing that you can say once you’ve been listening to a segment of someone’s story.

When you hit it right, you see the other person lighten up. If you hit it wrong, you get a red light.

It’s also important to “listen” to nonverbal communication.

Brains don’t really love to multitask. Many people actually resist multitasking. You are multitasking if you’re listening and considering what you’re going to say next. Wait until the person is finished and then formulate your response.

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How to Launch Your Own Video Show

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My guest today is video marketing strategist Sheryl Plouffe. Sheryl shares with us her expertise on how to create your own video show from scratch. Tune in and if you launch your show anytime soon, make sure to let us know!

On today’s podcast:

  • The benefits of creating your own show
  • Live vs recorded
  • Tools you might want to use
  • How to promote your show

Links:

The benefits of creating your own show

One of the benefits of having your own show is that it keeps you on track. As entrepreneurs, we need to be creating content.

Another benefit is that it keeps you accountable to your audience. When you tell the world you’re launching a show and that you’re going to commit to that, this keeps you accountable.

A third benefit has to do with consistency. If you commit to a weekly show, it keeps you consistent.

Live vs recorded

If you are thinking about launching a video show on Facebook, do it. It will allow you to better connect with people.

When you put yourself out there on video you’re allowing people into your life.

If you choose a live show, it’s much more authentic. You can’t edit it. A recorded video can be an easier option.

Tools you might want to use

If you’re doing an interview-style show, you should consider using Zoom.

Another good tool is Switcher Studio. It allows you to do a show with prerecorded video. You can switch in between elements, including yourself live.

How to promote your show

There are many ways to promote your show. You can start by promoting your show to your existing email list. You can also include your show in your signature at the bottom of your email.

You can also promote it on your Facebook profile or on other social media.

Don’t forget word-of-mouth. Tell people about it.

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How to Embrace Your Natural Curiosity

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Today’s episode is all about curiosity. It’s important to realize that our natural curiosity changes as we grow older. There are more and more things holding us back. It’s important to acknowledge these things and be proactive. My guest today, Dr. Diane Hamilton, has some fantastic advice to share with us.

On today’s podcast:

  • There are four things holding us back
  • Recognize your fear and do something about it
  • Make yourself a little uncomfortable
  • The dangers of technology
  • Our environment can also hold us back

Links:

There are four things holding us back

There really isn’t a good tool to measure curiosity yet. Diane discovered that there are four things that are holding people back:

  • Fear
  • Assumptions of the way things are or should be
  • Technology
  • The environment

Curiosity can be either positive or negative. Some people get into analysis paralysis, they plan and plan, and don’t get things done.

Recognize your fear and do something about it

There are always fears holding you back from many kinds of decisions. Many people don’t dip their toe in the water because it’s not cool to do so. You think you might look goofy.

Many people fear what other people will think. It’s a very hard thing for us to overcome.

It’s very important to recognize that it’s the fear that’s holding you back and do something about it. Fear really comes down to the stories we tell ourselves.

You have to ask yourself, “What is the value I’m missing because of holding back?”

Make yourself a little uncomfortable

Many people do things because they assume that they should be doing these things. They don’t open themselves up to options because that’s the way it has always been done.

We limit ourselves to this little bubble we think it’s the world. You don’t even know what you don’t know until you get out there.

It’s good to make yourself a little uncomfortable.

The dangers of technology

Technology can be intimidating. You have to learn a new trade and you can feel overwhelmed.

Another type of people feel too comfortable with technology and allow it to do everything for them.

Sometimes technology keeps you from asking the questions, because the answers are readily available. Eventually you might end up not knowing what you might be missing, because technology has already figured out all the steps along the way.

Our environment can also hold us back

The environment can also seriously hold us back. Some of our natural curiosities can be cut out at school or at home.

Our family might not even know that they are holding us back.

Now with social media, we also have a new environment of people expecting us to behave in a certain way.

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How to Create More Success by Changing Our Relationship with Failure

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One of the most important things we can do as leaders is to create a safe environment where our team members know that they can make mistakes. My guest today is executive coach Christine Springer, here to share with us her expertise on how to build resilience and self-compassion.

On today’s podcast:

  • Using setbacks to come back stronger
  • Feeling safe when making mistakes
  • The two biggest myths about resilience
  • Having a fixed vs a growth mindset
  • The first step to take in order to build resilience

Links:

Using setbacks to come back stronger

Being resilient is having the ability to handle change and setbacks. You use those setbacks and failure to actually come back stronger.

Why does adversity keep us from moving forward? What are we afraid of? The number one reason why people struggle to be resilient is that we judge ourselves. We take it personally.

We sometimes mix up taking responsibility with beating ourselves up.

Feeling safe when making mistakes

When we are young, we figure out the best way to survive in our environment. Many of us grew up with teachers or parents judging us.

One of the most important things we do as adults is learning how to shift the survival strategies we adopted as kids to strategies that can actually make us thrive.

The way we can help kids and team members is to make them feel safe when they make mistakes.

The two biggest myths about resilience

The first biggest myth about resilience is that if you are resilient, you’re going to be immune to feeling disappointment about the setback or the failure. When we feel disappointed about that, you start beating yourself up about feeling disappointed.

The second biggest myth about resilience is the belief that you either are resilient, or you are not. Also, that if you are not resilient, that you cannot develop it. That’s not true.

You need to have the desire to build resilience and to keep practicing.

Having a fixed vs a growth mindset

It’s important to allow yourself to feel whatever you’re feeling whether it’s disappointment or frustration. You have to actually feel it. Your body will store any emotion that you don’t allow yourself to feel fully and let go of.

You need to be able to develop a personal relationship with each of your team members. Develop a plan together of what success looks like.

People with a fixed mindset tend to be less resilient because they take failure very personally. People with a growth mindset are almost kind of curious about failure. They are energized by the idea of solving a puzzle.

The first step to take in order to build resilience

The first step to take in order to build resilience is to recognize the three habits that make us not resilient: perfectionism, personalizing feedback, and persevering on mistakes.

When we’re mindful of these tendencies, we can catch ourselves before they sabotage us later on in the game.

Shift from the three Ps to the three Cs: compassion, curiosity, and confidence.

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Developing a Culture of Learning Within Our Organizations

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One of the most important topics that we often don’t consider is investing in our everyday learning. My guest today, leadership consultant Liz Czepiel, is the perfect person to guide us when it comes to this vital component of every organization.

On today’s podcast:

  • Creating a culture of learning is vital to our organizational success
  • Avoiding the easy approach and going for the bigger picture
  • Being very specific and strategic
  • Knowing your expectations

Links:

Creating a culture of learning is vital to our organizational success

People are an organization’s most valuable asset. How can we get the most out of them? We have to figure out what drives and motivates them.

When we step into leadership roles, part of our responsibility is to develop our teams. A big component of that is helping our teams learn about themselves and the business.

Learning within an organization correlates with innovation. We need to challenge our employees to think bigger and broader, to be better than the competition.

Avoiding the easy approach and going for the bigger picture

When organizations take the easy approach, they invest in the wrong solutions. They should be factoring in what will support organizational goals.

When it comes to learning, we want it to be extremely practical to our employees.

When organizations think about their learning approach holistically, it’s a complete game changer.

Being very specific and strategic

It’s important to expand learning opportunities behind the classroom. Most people learn by doing. Some of the most powerful learning experiences involve practical applications of learning principles.

You also need to be very specific about the people that you are bringing on board. Make sure to bring people who want to innovate.

An organization shouldn’t look to invest in the biggest e-learning system to just check the box for their employees. You need to be really specific and strategic. More isn’t always better.

Knowing your expectations

Learning and development shouldn’t stop once you’re a director. One of the most beneficial that organizations can do is to continuously invest in their leadership.

You need to be super clear on what your expectations are when it comes to learning. Think about how you are going to incorporate them into things like your performance reviews.

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Walking the Fine Line Between Authenticity and Hypocrisy

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There is a fine line between authenticity and hypocrisy. It’s important to be aware of what you are communicating in order to make sure you achieve the best results. My guest this week is Ed DeCosta, a powerful executive coach and an engaging keynote speaker here to offer some important pieces of information on how to make sure you always deliver authentic messages.

On today’s podcast:

  • The quest for authenticity
  • Always defend your point of view
  • If you permit hypocrisy, you promote it
  • Steer clear of acquiescing

Links:

The quest for authenticity

One of the foundations of successful leadership is being authentic.

Authenticity is about being real, honest, truthful. The opposite of that is being false, dishonest. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another.

One of the goals of our communications is to evoke emotion.

Sometimes your politeness can be misinterpreted. The same goes for silence.

Always defend your point of view

Situational awareness is extremely important. You should ask yourself:

  • What’s going on?
  • Where am I?
  • Who am I?
  • What is my role? What am I supposed to do?

If somebody confronts you and says, “I believe this about an issue you talk about”, this is a situation where it’s socially acceptable to share your view.

If you don’t share your opinion, and you pretend that you agree, that’s a sign of hypocrisy. You have an opportunity to defend your point of view, but you choose not to.

If you permit hypocrisy, you promote it

If someone behaves out of alignment of what they say their values are, they are perpetuating hypocrisy.

If you permit someone’s hypocrisy, you promote it as well.

Self-leadership is vital. You have to be honest with yourself. You have to realize that you’re either being honest, or you’re not.

Steer clear of acquiescing

Have values you actually believe in. Do whatever exercises you need to do to sink those values deeply into your fabric, your soul. Too many people acquiesce. They don’t say what they were thinking because they believe it wouldn’t have been appropriate. Then they’re full of regret and remorse.

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From Being an Expert to Becoming an Authority

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We are all stuck with each other on this planet, so we might as well learn from each other and be willing to share our expertise. A firm believer in the power of mentorship is my guest and good friend, Simone Vincenzi. Join us as we explore the unlimited possibilities of what a good coach has to offer.

On today’s podcast:

  • Focusing on a good work-life balance
  • The difference between “rubber” and “glass” activities
  • The best ideas come to you in the most unexpected moments
  • Differences between American and European leadership development styles
  • Simone’s principles
  • Simone’s podcast and classes

Links:

Focusing on a good work-life balance

Simone is motivated by serving his clients. He is helping experts become authorities in their fields, and this is what makes him happy.

He doesn’t want to work all the time. His solution to a good work-life balance is focusing on work when he is working, and focusing on relaxing when he is on holidays. Simone also makes sure he carves out pockets of time for his wife.

The difference between “rubber” and “glass” activities

After reading “The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results”, Simone understood the importance of scheduling and prioritizing.

The book talks about different ways of scheduling your time and finding out what’s really important to you. It classifies activities as being “rubber” or “glass”.

Rubber activities can be postponed, they are not made of glass. Glass activities can break, and relationships and family belong to this category.

The best ideas come to you in the most unexpected moments

Entrepreneurs often feel that they never have enough success. Simone has also fought with this feeling for a long time, and he needs to constantly remind himself that he has enough success.

When you’re very passionate about what you do, opportunities open up everywhere. You feel like you don’t want to miss out on anything.

Sometimes you just have to stop for a moment and feel good about your work. We come up with the best ideas when we don’t actively think about solutions.

Differences between American and European leadership development styles

Simone noticed massive differences in leadership development between the US and Europe. In the US, people tend to be go-getters. In Europe, they are more relaxed, sometimes too relaxed.

He moved from Italy to London, because he finds London much more similar in terms of mentality to the US. In Italy, people love complaining, without really seeking a solution to their problems.

In the US, there is an active approach when it comes to leadership development. In Europe, the approach is more reactive. However, the trend seems to be changing nowadays.

Simone’s principles

Simone believes in a few fundamental principles:

  • If you don’t grow, you die.
  • We are in this together. Unfortunately nowadays we are getting more and more isolated. With technology, we have the false feeling that we are more connected, while in reality we are more and more disconnected. Together we can achieve greater things.

Simone’s podcast and classes

On his podcast, Explode Your Expert Biz Show, he interviews leaders and experts and asks them for tips and strategies on how to grow a business, particularly one based on personal brand. The show is full of practical, implementable steps.

If you want to learn more, you can also take one of Simone’s courses. You can find the list here

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