262: Mary Fran Bontempo: Stop Talking Yourself Out Of Your Own Brilliance
Release Date: 07/18/2019
538: How to Lead in High-Stakes Environments with Jeffrey Sanow
Leaders Of Transformation
How do you lead under pressure—when the stakes are higher than ever? Join host Nicole Jansen as she welcomes Jeffrey Sanow—a highly decorated former senior CIA intelligence officer and social skills instructor—for a rare, behind-the-scenes exploration of negotiating, leading, and communicating in the world’s most demanding environments. Drawing on decades of experience from covert missions to boardrooms, Jeffrey shares hard-earned lessons in the art of human intelligence (HUMINT), the nuances of managing high achievers, and the subtle balance between respecting authority and staying...
info_outline
537: Cultivating Servant Leadership in Sales with Max Cates
Leaders Of Transformation
What if sales could be transformed from a high-pressure, toxic grind into an uplifting, collaborative, and deeply rewarding experience? In this insightful episode of Leaders of Transformation, host Nicole Jansen welcomes Max Cates—award-winning author, nationally recognized sales leader, and founder of Servant Leaders in Sales—for a powerful conversation on revolutionizing the world of sales through the principles and practices of servant leadership. Drawing from 37 years of proven sales management success, Max reveals how empathy, sacrifice, teamwork, and accountability can supercharge...
info_outline
536: Navigating Leadership Shock with Pete Steinberg
Leaders Of Transformation
What if the key to thriving in leadership isn’t doing more—but leading with greater intention and authenticity? In this compelling episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with executive coach and former USA Women’s Rugby head coach Pete Steinberg, author of Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success. Drawing on decades of elite coaching and executive leadership, Pete introduces the concept of “leadership shock”—those jarring moments when once-successful strategies suddenly fail you. Pete unpacks the turning points he’s witnessed and lived...
info_outline
535: Unbreakable Spirit: The Inspiring Journey of Martial Arts Grandmaster Lawrence Stone
Leaders Of Transformation
What could you achieve if you let go of all excuses and limiting beliefs? In this deeply motivational episode, Nicole Jansen welcomes Lawrence “Stoney” Stone—a remarkable martial arts grandmaster, published author, stunt coordinator, rock band singer, and cancer survivor whose life story is anything but ordinary. Born with congenital hip problem, later with CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy) a degenerative nerve disease, Stoney has faced significant physical challenges since birth, yet has refused to let them define or limit him. From building future champions in his dojo to serving as...
info_outline
534: Anchored Leadership in a Shifting World with Rusty Rueff
Leaders Of Transformation
What if lasting success isn’t about what you achieve—but who you become? In this powerful episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Rusty Rueff—renowned tech executive, startup advisor, philanthropist, and co-author of Faith Code—to explore how inner purpose and spiritual identity provide the only truly unshakable foundation for life and leadership. Drawing from two decades of reflection, Rusty shares a compelling metaphor: Are you building your life on a solid platform (faith, values, purpose), or just stacking up flashy but fragile apps (titles, possessions, roles)? In this...
info_outline
533: Distributing Hope to Over a Million Children Every Year with Lynn Margherio
Leaders Of Transformation
What if unlocking a child’s full potential began with something as simple as a clean, well-fitting set of clothes? In this inspiring episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Lynn Margherio, the visionary founder of . Each year, Lynn’s organization provides over a million packages of essentials—clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies—to children living in poverty or crisis, completely free of charge. But this isn’t just about meeting material needs; it’s about addressing the often-ignored crisis of clothing insecurity, which impacts over 20 million children across the U.S. Join...
info_outline
532: From Invisible To Unstoppable: Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders with Dr. Abraham George
Leaders Of Transformation
What does it take to break the cycle of social discrimination in India? In this inspiring episode, host Nicole Jansen is joined by the visionary philanthropist and social entrepreneur, Dr. Abraham George. As the founder of the in India, Dr. George has dedicated his life to empowering children of the most marginalized communities by providing opportunities through education. Over the past 27 years, the school has changed the lives of over 15,000 children. 98% of its students are college graduates, with many making it to Ivy League institutes like Stanford, Dartmouth, and Princeton. Discover...
info_outline
531: Leveraging the 3 Mega Forces in Business Today with John Rossman
Leaders Of Transformation
How Can Leaders Prepare for the Next Era of Business Transformation? In this high-powered episode, host Nicole Jansen dives into the dynamic forces shaping American business with distinguished guest John Rossman. As a former Amazon executive and author of the acclaimed "Amazon Way" series, John Rossman brings a wealth of knowledge on innovation, leadership, and digital transformation. With a focus on his latest book, , John shares valuable insights, drawing on his extensive experience at Amazon to discuss the top three mega forces impacting businesses today. Key takeaways include the critical...
info_outline
530: How to Land Your Next Perfect Job with Stephanie Brown
Leaders Of Transformation
What if losing your job is the key to unlocking your next perfect role? In this encouraging episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with Stephanie Brown, the dynamic founder of Creative Career Level Up. As a former senior marketing executive at Nike and Apple, Stephanie’s journey is a testament to resilience, transformation, and finding purpose. She provides invaluable insights on how getting fired became the catalyst for discovering her true calling and empowering others to secure their next perfect role with increased confidence, promotion, and salary. Join us as Stephanie unfolds her personal...
info_outline
529: Ending the Cycle of Poverty with Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene with Shilpa Alva
Leaders Of Transformation
What can we do to help end the cycle of poverty in the world? In this compelling episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Shilpa Alva, founder and executive director of Surge For Water. Committed to breaking the cycle of poverty, Shilpa shares how her organization delivers safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions to communities worldwide. Through her inspiring journey from management consulting to non-profit leadership, Shilpa demonstrates the significant impact of investing in fundamental human needs and championing women's voices. Discover how prioritizing clean...
info_outlineMary Fran Bontempo is a two-time TEDx speaker, author, and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, She’s written for multiple online platforms, including The Huffington Post and Thrive Global. After thirty years’ experience as owner of a full-service recruiting firm, and finding herself in the middle of a perfect life storm—turning 50, a crashing economy, and most devastating, a son with a heroin addiction—she created the blog, Not Ready for Granny Panties, authoring two books in the series and developing a life-affirming brand full of practical wisdom and wit. She proves small changes in self-talk yield big life changes, allowing individuals to redefine their lives both professionally and personally in a rapidly changing world.
In today’s conversation, Mary Fran shares her personal story and how she was able to navigate through the perfect storm that had been stirred up in her life. Reframing words and getting back to their root definitions, Mary Fran enlightens us to the power of words and how even seemingly negative words to be used to move us forward with confidence, clarity and freedom.
Key Takeaways
- You can’t be married to an outcome. You have to be willing to start something and just see where it’s going to go, be willing to evolve with it, and sometimes be willing to jettison if things don’t work out.
- You are not going to defeat the negative voice in your head by learning something new. You’re going to defeat it by remembering what you already know about yourself.
- Many of us do not work in our area of brilliance, because we believe there is not enough struggle in that.
- Recognize that you’re already a change expert. You rebuild every day.
- The word “NO” can be both a weapon and a savior, it just depends on how we use it.
- Stop saying no to your possibilities. Say no to your presumed obligations, which are mostly self-imposed.
- Not everything has to be awesome. Sometimes it just has to be done.
- You need to learn to embrace intentional ignorance and use that as a way to de-clutter your life, de-clutter your mind, and learn how to focus on what’s really important.
- Practiced intentional ignorance can truly be bliss.
- Turning your preconceived notions upside down.
Episode Show Notes: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/mindset/262-mary-fran-bontempo-self-talk
Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com
________
📣SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast
👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media
▶︎ YOUTUBE
▶︎ INSTAGRAM
▶︎ FACEBOOK
▶︎ LINKEDIN
▶︎ TWITTER