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047: Recognizing Red Flags: When to Have Bold Conversations with Your Boss

Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Release Date: 08/08/2024

100: Hope Is Not A Strategy (5 of 6 Part Series) show art 100: Hope Is Not A Strategy (5 of 6 Part Series)

Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In this milestone 100th episode, Tammy J. Bond tackles one of the biggest lies leaders tell themselves: that hope is a strategy. She celebrates the podcast's journey and shares why consistency and intentionality, not hope, are what keep a vision alive. This episode, part 5 in the 6 part series, powerfully debunks the myth that optimism or hard work will magically fix dysfunction. Tammy reveals how relying on hope leads to passivity, sets teams up for disappointment, and creates a culture of reaction instead of intention. She provides a clear, three-step toolkit for replacing passive hope...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In this powerful episode of the "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy tackles a hidden saboteur in every team: employee baggage. Your team members aren't just bringing their skills to the table; they're bringing their past fears, limiting beliefs, and insecurities. Tammy busts the myth that it's a leader's job to fix this. Instead, she provides a clear, three-step framework to name it, frame it, and lead through it. This isn't about being an "accidental therapist"; it's about setting strong boundaries and creating a culture of accountability where insecurity doesn't become the...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In the third part of our "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy tackles one of the most common myths leaders tell themselves: "I'm a good listener." She powerfully argues that listening is not just about having an open-door policy. It's about seeking to understand from the other person’s perspective. Tammy breaks down the three levels of listening—transactional, active, and transformational—and challenges leaders to move beyond simply hearing words. The true measure of a leader's listening skills isn't their intention; it’s whether their team feels seen, heard, and...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In this episode of The Leadership Sandbox, Tammy dives into the recent Cracker Barrel rebranding debacle. This corporate misstep, a $700 million gamble aimed at attracting a younger demographic, led to a 14% stock drop and a massive customer backlash. Tammy dissects the four major lies leaders told themselves that led to this catastrophic failure. You'll discover why a brand's most valuable asset lives in the memory and emotion of its customers—and what happens when you strip that away. This isn't just a story about a failed rebrand; it's a critical leadership lesson on the dangers of...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In the second installment of the "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy J. Bond tackles a myth that keeps countless leaders "stuck": the lie that giving direct feedback makes you mean. Tammy powerfully argues that direct feedback doesn't make you mean—it makes you a manager. This episode is a call to courage for every leader who has let their discomfort drive silence. Tammy shares how this avoidance leads to resentment and underperformance and provides a practical framework, the SBIE model (Situation, Behavior, Impact, Expectation), for delivering feedback that is both direct and...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Welcome to the start of our SIX PART SERIES, "Communication Lies Leaders Believe." In this episode, Tammy J. Bond tackles a common and costly workplace myth: the idea that an employee who says they're "overwhelmed" simply needs more support. Tammy reveals: when a direct report can't articulate their workload, they're not overwhelmed—they're underperforming and avoiding accountability. Tammy provides a practical, no-nonsense strategy to get to the root of the problem. She introduces the "Squeeze Technique," a method to transform excuses into ownership. It's about providing the clarity,...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Are you struggling to build the vibrant culture you want because you're still clinging to old habits? In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond directly challenges leaders to stop "babysitting dysfunction" and confront the "pink elephant" in the room. Tammy argues that you can't build a bold new future by dragging around yesterday's playbook. Culture doesn't change by decree; it changes by disruption. This episode is a call to action for leaders to stop over-analyzing their culture like a crime scene and start renovating it for the future. Tammy provides a clear-eyed look at how...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Are you constantly chasing perfection, or are you truly celebrating progress? In this insightful episode of the Leadership Sandbox podcast, Tammy J. Bond challenges leaders to shift their focus from the dreaded "gap" of what hasn't been accomplished to the powerful "gain" of what has. Tammy passionately advocates for a gain-driven mindset, urging leaders to move beyond self-sabotage by acknowledging every step forward, learning from failures, and fostering a truly positive team environment. Discover how conducting a "gain audit" can transform your perspective, enhance motivation, and...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Ever feel your thoughts getting hijacked by tension in a tough conversation? In this transformative episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond explores the profound impact of simply taking a moment to pause in communication. Discover how this seemingly simple action can unlock clarity, deepen understanding, and lead to significantly more effective conversations, even in high-stakes situations. Tammy delves into how emotional awareness allows you to apply the power of pause to avoid being reactive and move toward solutions. Learn how a well-timed pause gives you the space to regulate your...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Are toxic behaviors holding your organization back? In this impactful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond reveals the crucial link between addressing workplace toxicity and cultivating a thriving, healthy culture. She highlights the astounding financial and productivity benefits of actively eliminating negativity – showing that eliminating toxic behaviors can save two to four times more than hiring a superstar! Tammy champions the power of a "call-out culture" (in the best sense!) where leaders proactively address issues, establish clear ground rules, and reclaim valuable time...

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What are the signs that you need to talk to your boss? In this episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I share five red flags that it’s time to have a bold conversation with the one you report to. Grab your pen and paper to learn these workplace strategies and boost your career development.

1. Recognizing the Need for Career Advancement

  • Feeling stuck: This is a clear signal that it’s time to have an open conversation with your boss.

  • Lack of career progression: The absence of opportunities to grow your skills can cause you to feel as though your hard work isn’t appreciated. 

  • Pay the wave: Speaking up about your concerns can lead to career advancement and uncover new possibilities for growth within the organization.

2. Addressing Overwork and Restoring Work-Life Balance

  • Overwork causes stress: Working long hours without breaks, drowning in an endless sea of tasks, and struggling to find time for yourself and your loved ones will easily destroy your overall well-being.

  • Make a difference: If you’re stressed, talk with your boss. Share specific examples of how overwork affects you with your boss to spark necessary changes, helping you rediscover balance and boost productivity within your work.

3. Reconnecting with the Company's Mission 

  • Goal disconnection: Feeling disconnected from your company’s goals can leave you feeling undervalued and unappreciated. 

  • Clear the air: Talking with your boss about how your role fits into the company’s mission can bring the clarity you need. This conversation can help you align your tasks and projects with the company’s vision, giving you a clearer sense of purpose. 

  • Why it helps: Understanding how you contribute to the company’s goals can lead to greater satisfaction and fulfillment in your work.

4. Bridging Team Disconnection Through Open Communication

  • Team disconnection: Feeling left out from your co-workers can make you feel like you’re not a team member. 

  • Why it happens: These feelings might stem from unclear communication, changing responsibilities, or a lack of feedback, leading to anxiety and a fractured team spirit.

  • Bring positive changes: Expressing these concerns to your boss can help create a more supportive and understanding environment.

5. Addressing Unresolved Workplace Conflicts

  • Toxicity: Unresolved conflicts in the workplace are deep red flags that can seriously affect morale and productivity. These conflicts can fester and create a toxic environment.

  • Solution: Bringing these concerns to your boss in a solution-focused conversation can help highlight the impact of these conflicts and outline steps for resolution. 

Go to https://www.tammyjbond.com/podcast  to change your mindset and behaviors so you can elevate your communication and leadership! We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Amazon Podcast, or Spotify and subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios."