Playing in the Sandbox
Playing in the Sandbox is a Podcast that will inspire action in today’s leaders who are committed to cultivating excellence and increasing performance (in their teams.) Host Tammy J. Bond is an Author, Top-Ranked Keynote Speaker, and Fortune 500 leadership consultant who will help you to harness the power of asking better questions that will move you boldly through difficult conversations on your way to accelerating your leadership excellence. Each episode will give you practical, hands-on tips, tools, and strategies to accelerate your personal leadership - episodes will tackle real-time issues in the workplace from leaders like you who are struggling with people management, leading teams to better performance, motivating others around them, and navigating the importance of accountability at every level.
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Unmasking Leadership Myths: The 5 Assumptions You Can't Afford to Make | Tammy J. Bond - 039
04/11/2024
Unmasking Leadership Myths: The 5 Assumptions You Can't Afford to Make | Tammy J. Bond - 039
Leadership success isn’t just about our actions; it’s about the assumptions we challenge. In this episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I take you through 5 assumptions that hold leaders back and keep teams from reaching their potential. To those leaders out there looking to self-reflect and break down the thought patterns that limit creativity and hinder growth, this episode is for you! Assumption #1: “I know best.” This mindset builds resistance to feedback and alternative perspectives, which shuts down your personal growth, your team’s creativity, and innovation overall. Try asking yourself, “Do I always know best? Every time?” Assumption #2: “This is how it’s always been done.” Resistance to change like this breeds stagnation, a lack of progress, and inefficiency. Try opening up a short 7-minute conversation about what can be done differently on a given project (even if you end up sticking with the old way). Assumption #3: “I don’t need feedback.” Leaders who reject feedback discourage open communication, which can lower the team's morale. This assumption often stems from fear, so try digging deep to understand the source of it. Assumption #4: “Success happens overnight." Unrealistic expectations can create pressure, anxiety, and fear of failure. If a leader expects too much too quickly, this can discourage persistence. Assumption #5: “I can do it all alone.” This will lead to burnout and drive the team away. When you rely only on your own expertise, you lose the perspective of others who can help you and provide valuable insights and you rob them of the chance to help you! Go to to change your mindset and behaviors so you don’t become a quitter! We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Your Management vs. Leadership Questions Answered | Tammy J. Bond - 038
03/28/2024
Your Management vs. Leadership Questions Answered | Tammy J. Bond - 038
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3 Key Missing Ingredients in Your Leadership | Tammy J. Bond - 037
03/14/2024
3 Key Missing Ingredients in Your Leadership | Tammy J. Bond - 037
Great leaders always look for ways to improve themselves and unlock their potential. In this episode of Playing In the Sandbox, I take you through the three key ingredients that might be missing from your leadership style. Whether you’re a new leader or you think you have it all figured out, listen in! I know you’re going to learn something new. The best leaders are vulnerable and authentic in how they approach and communicate with their teams. 2. Our culture is obsessed with flawlessness, but projecting flawlessness can come across as inauthentic. Embracing vulnerability as your superpower can help you build trust within your team! 3. Another ingredient in leadership is visionary curiosity. Asking questions and exploring trends can help us with being proactive and “future-proofing.” 4. After asking great questions, great leaders experiment without fear of failure. Taking sensible chances can help you build your creativity and resilience. 5. Hold the eye-roll - as leaders, it’s important that we build empathy and emotional intelligence. If you’re not sure where to start, try journaling to develop your self-awareness! 6. If we don’t understand our own triggers, it’s hard to see when emotions come up in other people. When we know how to manage our emotions, we can model that for others. Go to to learn more about the three missing key ingredients in leadership. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios
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Leadership vs. Management: The Drawbacks & Rewards | Tia Boatman Patterson - 036
02/29/2024
Leadership vs. Management: The Drawbacks & Rewards | Tia Boatman Patterson - 036
Today’s guest has worked at many levels of different organizations and brings a wealth of knowledge to the topic of leadership and management! In today’s episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I’m so excited to bring you into my most recent conversation with Tia Boatman Patterson, the President and CEO of the California Community Reinvestment Corporation. We talk about the importance of communication, expectation-setting, and building management skills at all levels of an organization! A good manager is aware of their organization's operations, processes, and procedures and understands how to create and implement them to get things done. 2. A good leader can motivate, drive, and inspire - and may not be in a “leadership” position! 3. Having a vision on a leadership level is important, but having strong management is critical to bringing that vision into reality. 4. “Fake it till you make it” does not make a good leader or manager. Hold off on leading others until you know how to lead yourself well. 5. Management isn’t easy. From having bold conversations to maintaining open communication between different levels of an organization, there is a lot to balance! Our managers need access to education so they can build those skill sets. 6. One management skill leaders must embrace is communicating to all levels of their organizations. If they don’t, they risk their big messages getting watered down. Go to to learn how to build up your management skills. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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The Line in the Sand | Tammy J. Bond - 035
02/08/2024
The Line in the Sand | Tammy J. Bond - 035
I’m not afraid to have bold conversations, and this may be my boldest episode yet! Today on Playing in the Sandbox, I take you with me as I draw a line in the sand - if we want to improve company culture, we can’t just focus on leadership… It is so important that we also empower and educate our amazing managers! Positive change happens at all levels, so listen in to hear how leadership and management can work together to help an organization thrive! 1. We, as a culture, have overemphasized the role of leadership in building healthy business cultures, while undervaluing and underutilizing management. 2. Middle managers have one of the toughest jobs - they communicate both up to leadership and down to team members. 3. Problems with company culture often come from communication breakdowns between leadership and the front line staff. 4. “Title envy” can be a big problem for managers. They may envy the prestige of leadership titles - but when we focus on titles, we lose sight of the importance of the work itself. 5. Comparing titles often creates unnecessary friction and undermines collaboration, whether one person is belittling themselves or others. 6. Studies show that organizations with a balance of leadership and management qualities thrive. 7. Sweeping positive cultural changes can only happen in an organization when leaders check their egos at the door and work in collaboration with all levels of the team. They have to roll up their sleeves and get out there! Go to to draw a line in the sand - we need to emphasize management, not just leadership! We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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One of These Things Just Doesn't Belong | Tammy J. Bond - 034
01/25/2024
One of These Things Just Doesn't Belong | Tammy J. Bond - 034
Who are you as a manager? In today’s episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I will take you through the 3 M’s of management. And, spoiler alert, one of these things is not like the others! So grab your pen and paper, write down some takeaways, and figure out which one of the 3 M’s just doesn’t belong in your management style! Mentoring is an amazing tool that can elevate the success of your team. Spreading your wealth of knowledge strengthens your organization at all levels. Effective mentoring empowers people through building supportive relationships. Mentors build trust with their mentees, encouraging them to be curious, ask for help, and reach their potential. Mindset influences everything you do, for better or worse! Through your actions and behavior, your mindset is transferable to your team. If you want to develop your team culture, evaluate and define your mindset. Embracing a growth mindset will encourage continuous learning and resiliency on your team. Micromanaging is something that many managers do. In short-term situations, micromanagement can be okay. In the long term, however, it leads to burnout, loss of trust, and team turnover! Part of the manager’s job is to keep their eyes on the big picture. When you focus on the day-to-day, you can’t focus on outcomes, leading to big-scale problems! Go to to learn more about the 3 M’s of management. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Don't Be a Quitter | Tammy J. Bond - 033
01/11/2024
Don't Be a Quitter | Tammy J. Bond - 033
This year, we’re not just celebrating the New Year, we’re celebrating NOT quitting on Quitter’s Day! In this episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I’m digging into Quitter’s Day and how we can shift our perspective toward behavior changes that stick. On that note, we’re going to talk about framing our yearly reviews to help our team members get excited about changing their mindsets so they can accomplish great things. Coming up with a “New Year's Resolution” isn’t enough. We have to create a clear vision of the outcome we want to achieve over a longer timeline. Don’t fall victim to the “new year” hype! Get excited about changing behaviors and mindset - that’s an excitement that lasts. It’s time for our yearly reviews. When we set clear expectations and KPIs, we can help our team members grow, strengthening our team. Most people think that meeting all their needs will help them feel “free,” but there is a lot of freedom in embracing your “wants.” Don’t forget to look inward! When you’re being held back, look into your past to help open up your future. Go to to change your mindset and behaviors so you don’t become a quitter! We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Best Listener Questions of 2023 | Tammy J. Bond - 032
12/28/2023
Best Listener Questions of 2023 | Tammy J. Bond - 032
Welcome to the final episode of Playing in the Sandbox for this year! I'm thrilled to bring you a special Q&A episode crafted entirely from the questions you, our amazing listeners, have sent in. We will break down the problems so many of us face as leaders while we celebrate curiosity and our amazing community! When you want to see behavior changes in your team, set expectations, model the changes, and hold check-ins for support and accountability. When you approach teammates about sensitive topics, approach with kindness and share your good intentions. Don’t forget to hold HR accountable! Don’t be afraid to stand up to teammates who spew negativity. If your team is underperforming, take accountability! Bring awareness to the issue with your team members and be direct! Go to to learn how to meet your fear of failure head-on. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Leadership Teaching Moments in 2023 | Tammy J. Bond - 031
12/14/2023
Leadership Teaching Moments in 2023 | Tammy J. Bond - 031
Leaders, we have had so many learning moments on this podcast throughout 2023. For this episode, we’re looking back over the year to celebrate our wins and leave behind the things that no longer serve us. The best leaders use the “Power of Regret” to move forward and make big changes. Instead of wallowing in it or pushing it away, confronting regrets can help leaders take action. (Thanks, Dan Pink!) If you’re ready to see change but don’t feel like it’s happening, look at what you’re tolerating in your life. Ask yourself - why aren’t you willing to address these things head-on? As leaders, we often have high expectations of ourselves and others. But perfection can never be the goal because it’s unattainable - instead, learn how to measure your improvement and celebrate your successes! Setting expectations is important, but we must prioritize our people over process. Involving team members in the process will help them buy-in and be more accountable, too! “Active Listening” is so much more than just smiling and nodding while team members talk. As a leader, you must stay focused and engaged - DON’T get distracted by your thoughts and reactions. Go to to dive deeper into all of these incredible learning moments. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Stop Story Telling and Bottom Line it! | Tammy J. Bond - 030
11/23/2023
Stop Story Telling and Bottom Line it! | Tammy J. Bond - 030
One issue many people have when it comes to storytelling is getting to the main points. The whole point of using storytelling as a leader is to make your team members take action. But how can they act when they do not understand what you’re trying to convey? In this episode, we’ll discuss five key ways leaders can become bottom-line communicators. Listen to this insightful episode to help you develop an essential leadership style. 1. As leaders, it’s vital for you to understand your audience. Some members may need you to display a more colorful approach to your story, while others prefer a more direct approach. Understanding your audience will help you decide how to communicate with them best. 2. Start with clarity when balancing the fine line between storytelling and bottom lining. Decide on your story’s point and the action you want your audience to take action. 3. To help get your points across in storytelling, add context. This is where you can add more depth to your story to help your audience understand its message. 4. As you’re telling your story, be able to adapt to changes to help your audience understand your message. Storytelling embraces emotions; some members may be unable to handle certain emotions within a story. 5. Leaders should always encourage a two-way conversation when using the storytelling technique. Some members may have questions or don’t understand the points you’re trying to convey. Creating an open environment will make them comfortable speaking with you as you share your story. Go to to learn how leaders can become bottom-line communicators. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Why Leaders Need to Be Better at Asking Questions | Tammy J. Bond - 029
11/09/2023
Why Leaders Need to Be Better at Asking Questions | Tammy J. Bond - 029
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Are You a Pot Stirrer or a Leader? | Tammy J. Bond - 028
10/26/2023
Are You a Pot Stirrer or a Leader? | Tammy J. Bond - 028
If your team is operating in chaos, you may have a pot-stirrer in your midst. In this episode, I’m sharing some insights into the inner workings of the pot-stirrer’s mind. Strong leaders have a responsibility to help their teams see their way through tough situations - it’s time to stop stirring the pot and start stepping up. Pot-stirrers thrive on chaos and tension in the workplace. They manipulate and strong-arm people into unstable situations to gain power and control. The first step to making a change is recognizing pot-stirring behavior patterns in yourself or others and making the decision to adjust the team’s path. Be open about the negative impacts of pot-stirring. Low morale, low productivity, high turnover rates, and employees feeling stifled are all symptoms of having a pot-stirrer in your organization. The majority of employees experience stress in the workplace, and there is a correlation between traumatic workplace experiences and counterproductive behaviors. We have to understand the root causes of pot-stirring in ourselves and others to help unpack where those behaviors come from. Go to to learn how to manage the pot-stirrer in your organization (even if it’s you). We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Fear of Failing is Failure at Its Finest (One year anniversary of podcast!) | Tammy J. Bond - 027
10/12/2023
Fear of Failing is Failure at Its Finest (One year anniversary of podcast!) | Tammy J. Bond - 027
The fear of failure can be a self-fulfilling prophecy if you let it. It’s time to leave the fear behind and break through your barriers. In this episode, I’m here to tell my own personal story of MY fear of failure and share ideas for how you can overcome what holds you back. If you are becoming stagnant, look inward to discover the truth of why it’s happening. Stagnation can cause us to be afraid to step outside of our comfort zone and try new things. Look back and think about the potential regrets from not taking that risk - do they outweigh the feeling of fear of the unknown? Leaders who are afraid to fail are often risk-averse. If you’re so risk-averse that you miss out on opportunities, think about bringing someone you trust onto your leadership team. Teams that display growth and adaptability have leaders that welcome innovation and change. If you can’t see how to execute new ideas and that makes you shoot them down, empower your team members to plan, try, and fail. Fear of failure is often linked with low self-esteem or self-worth. Get educated and connect with others (like mentors, coaches, therapists, etc.) who can help you understand your self-esteem or self-worth. When we focus too much on what others will think of us instead of looking in the mirror, we can end up with anxiety about losing our status or reputation. Go to to learn how to meet your fear of failure head-on. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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So What If You Are Wrong? | Tammy J. Bond - 026
09/28/2023
So What If You Are Wrong? | Tammy J. Bond - 026
It happens to everyone, so why are we so afraid of being wrong? In today’s episode, I’m diving into the power you gain when you stop fearing failure. Owning your mistakes strengthens your integrity and creates opportunities to learn more about yourself, your work, and your team. Leaders and team members need to get over the fear of disappointing others and ourselves. Keep your integrity and self-respect by taking personal ownership of mistakes. No blame shifting! 2. Making mistakes can trigger feelings of embarrassment and shame. Most people don’t learn how to move through those emotions which can lead to withdrawing and an unwillingness to take risks. 3. The fear of being wrong can undermine our relationships. When leaders get defensive or shift blame off of themselves, it makes team members feel like they can’t come forward to discuss what isn’t working. 4. Leaders often dwell too long on what’s wrong and don’t move forward to the next steps quickly enough. Focus on failure as a learning opportunity. 5. Reflect and analyze what happened and why. Encourage your team to do the same. Don’t focus on “who”, focus on “how” and “why” things went wrong. Go to to learn more about how to overcome the fear of being wrong. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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The Power of Pause | Tammy J. Bond - 025
09/14/2023
The Power of Pause | Tammy J. Bond - 025
Navigate team meetings, bold conversations, and tense moments with ease through well-timed pauses! In today’s episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I want to share the Power of Pause with you. When you have the emotional awareness to know how to apply it, you can avoid having your thinking hijacked by tension or frustration. Even though “hitting the pause button” might seem simple, simple actions can be the most powerful. When emotions are high, taking a pause gives you an opportunity to ask questions that helps you unlock why you are triggered and how to move toward a solution. Taking a pause can give you time to reevaluate your perspective – you might realize you agree on more than you thought. A pause gives you a moment to take a breath to help regulate your brain. When you’re dysregulated because of frustration or irritation, you might be more reactive than usual. You are responsible for your behavior – even when you’re triggered! Slow things down or the people you connect with might leave that interaction feeling confused, bruised, and misused. Go to to learn more about how the power of pause can improve communication in times of conflict. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Exerting Your Influence as a Leader | Larry Brey - 024
08/24/2023
Exerting Your Influence as a Leader | Larry Brey - 024
No matter what kind of organization you lead, the way you support others and support yourself determines your team’s strength and success. In this episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I interview Larry Brey (“LB”), the Associate Pastor at Elevation Church. We discuss how LB builds leaders and helps them understand a vision greater than themselves. What makes you unique is what makes you powerful. Embrace “the DNA” of who you are and build that up in yourself rather than trying to become the person you think people want you to be. As a leader, your vision can either become polluted or diluted. It can be polluted by others injecting their vision into yours, or diluted when you become too apprehensive to have big, tough conversations. There will be moments when you don’t think you’re strong enough to keep going. Know how you’re going to handle that moment in advance because if you wait until that moment to figure it out, you’ll probably get it wrong. As a leader, your silence can be louder than your words. When people don’t know how you feel, they’ll fill in the blanks with their own insecurities. Let your team know how you feel about them (not just their performance). When leading others, encourage them to talk about what works and what doesn’t. Agree upon safe language so that no one feels like they’re under attack. New employees need four relationships in an organization - a supervisor (who helps them understand their job expectations), a friend (who laughs with them as a peer), a mentor (someone who helps them improve themselves), and a pastor (someone who will carry the burden of life with them). Go to to learn more about building leaders. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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What is Your Inconsistency Costing You? | Tammy J. Bond - 023
08/10/2023
What is Your Inconsistency Costing You? | Tammy J. Bond - 023
If you’re worried about the state of your team, it might be time to hold up the mirror and see if the inconsistency in your leadership is the culprit. In this episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I’m going to walk you through the costs of inconsistency so you can understand the significance of being consistent and increase the overall health of your team. Here are a few of the topics we’re going to cover: Consistent leadership promotes team accountability, enhances communication, improves team performance, and encourages feelings of safety and trust. Inconsistency leads to a lack of clarity. Communication breaks down, expectations aren’t understood, and team members can often feel like they are in a toxic environment. If you’re making decisions based on personal preferences or whims rather than objective criteria, others may lose confidence in your decision-making abilities. Your fear of losing quality employees may be driving your inconsistency, but this may be, in fact, causing the problem you’re trying to avoid. If your lack of confidence is driving your consistency, this trickles down onto your employees, causing stress, lack of motivation, and poor morale. To cultivate consistency, embrace an agile leadership style, ask members of your organization about your actions, cultivate a growth mindset, and harness available data to influence and empower you. Go to to learn more about improving trust, accountability, and performance in your team through consistent leadership. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Has the Workplace Really Become That Evil? | Gary Campbell - 022
07/27/2023
Has the Workplace Really Become That Evil? | Gary Campbell - 022
After the upheaval over the past three years, the workplace has emerged as an enemy. It’s time to unpack what happened and create a path forward. In this episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I sit down with Gary Campbell, the Founder and Owner of Impact to Lead LLC and CEO of Johnson Health Centers. Together, we talk about the importance of leadership when rebuilding trust and navigating an uncertain world. During and after the pandemic, some leaders handled aspects of their workplaces poorly, which has caused burnout among employees. This gets shared on social media, especially among millennials and Gen Z. Leaders have to listen and seek to understand employees before they seek to be understood. Then they can ask employees what kinds of solutions they are looking for and help develop some options. When employees feel safe in the workplace, they’ll feel comfortable bringing their issues up to managers. Creating a safe space is crucial. Mindset is important. As leaders, what we focus on matters. If we have a negative outlook, that will bleed into our employees’ experiences. Build trust with employees by being visible and available. Try communicating changes or current events in the business or offering a forum for employees to ask questions or raise concerns. Go to to learn more about shaping your workplace. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Creating YOUR Pattern Interrupt | Tammy Bond - 021
07/13/2023
Creating YOUR Pattern Interrupt | Tammy Bond - 021
For better or worse, the patterns you embody have brought you to where you are today. I’m here today to invite you to examine your patterns and identify the ones that no longer serve you. In this episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I’m going to discuss the importance of interrupting harmful patterns and give you tools on how to step into new habits that align with the person you know you can become. A pattern interrupt is a cognitive strategy for disrupting patterns of behavior and thought. This can look like mindfulness, meditation, or changing your self-talk. As leaders, the patterns that shape us will inevitably shape our teams. It’s our responsibility to cultivate awareness and choose our patterns wisely. A pattern interrupt challenges our beliefs about ourselves and our lives. This gives us an opportunity to break free from our self-imposed limitations. Pattern interrupts can bring on personal growth, transformation, and increased adaptability. Try different pattern interrupt methods! “Start, Stop, Continue” is a great one for interrupting negative self-talk. Work with an accountability partner. Find a coach, mentor, or peer who will help you stay on track. Go to to learn more about how pattern interrupt can help you and your team. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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How to Dominate your SLEEP for Leaders | Chris Warnes - Part 2 - 020
06/22/2023
How to Dominate your SLEEP for Leaders | Chris Warnes - Part 2 - 020
Lead in all areas of your life, not just in the office. To be a productive, effective leader, you need to be strong, healthy, decisive, and disciplined. Getting enough sleep is the foundation for all of these things. In today’s episode of Playing in the Sandbox, I meet with Chris Warnes (C.W.) to talk about how revolutionizing his sleep habits has helped him build his success. Here are some topics C.W. shares to give us a deeper understanding of sleep: Getting enough sleep is the key to being able to do lots of quality work over a long period of time. Reading revolutionized his sleep habits. If you’re struggling with your physical health and performance, you might need more sleep. To be a true leader, you have to lead in all areas of your life. This includes your family, health, etc. Setting up a routine is incredibly important for leaders to focus, be productive, and recharge. Schedule your sleep just like you schedule your work time. Go to to learn more about taking your sleep seriously as a leader. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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How to Dominate Your Personal Leadership | Chris Warnes - Part 1 - 019
06/08/2023
How to Dominate Your Personal Leadership | Chris Warnes - Part 1 - 019
Being a leader is one thing. Being a leader who understands their personal leadership style and can effectively use it is another thing. In today’s episode of Playing in the Sandbox, in the first part of a two-part episode, I meet with Chris Warnes (C.W.) to discuss how leaders can dominate their personal leadership. Here are C.W.’s lessons to help you dominate your personal leadership: Don’t be afraid to go through dark times. Be willing to struggle. Be accountable and responsible for yourself before trying to lead others. Don’t view mistakes as bad. View them as learning opportunities. Talk with your team clearly, concisely, and directly. Go to to learn more about dominating your personal leadership. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Get Ready to Tackle Hard Conversations | Tammy Bond - 018
05/25/2023
Get Ready to Tackle Hard Conversations | Tammy Bond - 018
If you’ve been avoiding a difficult conversation with someone in the workplace, this episode is for you. Today on Playing In The Sandbox, I’m sharing some specific, actionable tips that can give you the confidence to walk into a bold conversation from a place of strength and respect. Great communicators are responsible for what they say, how they are understood, and listening with a sincere intent to understand the other person. Here are 10 tips for making hard conversations productive and solution-based: Recognize when a conversation is becoming difficult or unproductive. Set the ground rules at the beginning. Be honest and open about your feelings. Practice active listening so you understand the other person’s position and body language. Stay oriented to the topic, not the other person. Take notes during the conversation. Ask clarifying questions. Summarize what is said and make sure everyone is in agreement before moving on. Think outside the box when finding mutually beneficial solutions. End the conversation on a positive note. Follow-up after the conversation. Go to to learn more about How to Tackle Hard Conversations at your workplace. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Playing NOT to Lose with Your Money | Melissa Houston - 017
05/11/2023
Playing NOT to Lose with Your Money | Melissa Houston - 017
An issue a lot of entrepreneurs and leaders face when they begin to make money is playing with that money, then subsequently losing it. In today’s episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I meet with Melissa Houston to talk about her experience with money and how you can avoid those pitfalls. Here are some key takeaways to prevent you from losing your money: Be willing to negotiate with your salary. Don’t undersell yourself. Build up your financial assets instead of wasting your money. Have strong financial goals. Go to to learn more about playing smartly with your money instead of losing it. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Why Your Communication Failed Again | Tammy J. Bond - 016
04/27/2023
Why Your Communication Failed Again | Tammy J. Bond - 016
Leaders often wonder why their communication is failing, even though they think they’re doing everything right. The truth is, we teach people how to treat us. In today’s episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I’ll discuss how you can make sure your communication is effective. We train people on how to communicate with us. If there’s an issue in communication, you have to find out what you’re doing wrong, and how to fix it. Here are 6 potential causes of ineffective communication: A lack of clarity. Poor listening skills. Making assumptions. Issues with technology. A lack of feedback. A lack of follow-up. Go to to learn more about improving communication with your team. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Hey Leader! Be Better, Not Perfect | Tammy J. Bond - 015
04/13/2023
Hey Leader! Be Better, Not Perfect | Tammy J. Bond - 015
Often times, leaders put unrealistic expectations on their team members and expect perfection. Then they become frustrated when their team falls short of this. In today’s episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I’ll be discussing why team members should focus on being better, instead of perfect. Striving for perfection will only lead to disappointment. Here’s how leaders can focus on improvement instead of perfection: Set realistic goals. Learn from your mistakes. Prioritize self care. Embrace a growth mindset. Go to to learn more about improving yourself instead of focusing on perfection. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Rules of Engagement for Healthy Teams | Tammy J. Bond - 014
03/23/2023
Rules of Engagement for Healthy Teams | Tammy J. Bond - 014
We learned how to engage with others in a healthy way as children, but when we entered the workforce as adults, we seem to have left those rules of engagement behind. In today’s episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I’ll be discussing how to build a healthy set of rules for you and your team. Without clear rules of engagement, you probably don’t have a healthy team. Here’s the rules of engagement in the sandbox, for healthy teams: Don’t throw sand. Don’t be brazen or rude to other people. 2. Don’t steal the shovels. Make sure everyone has access to the tools they need. 3. Don’t knock over someone else’s castle. Don’t create problems for team members. Go to to learn more about creating healthy rules of engagement for you and your team. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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How to Navigate Conflict with Your Team | Tammy J. Bond - 013
03/09/2023
How to Navigate Conflict with Your Team | Tammy J. Bond - 013
Too often, business leaders and managers aren’t comfortable handling conflict. Although dealing with conflict can be scary, knowing how to is CRUCIAL for managing a team. In today’s episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I’ll be going over how you can effectively manage conflict. The KEY thing to know about navigating conflict is: Have a plan beforehand. If you have a plan before conflict arises, you’ll be FAR more successful at actually managing it. So, how exactly do we navigate conflict in our team? The first thing to know about navigating conflict is: Everyone has to recognize there’s conflict. Conflict doesn’t necessarily mean arguments or fights, but could be just mistrust or a lack of cohesion. The first step to solving any problem is admitting there’s a problem. 2. The second step to navigating conflict is: Get everyone’s input. Ask your team members what they believe the ROOT cause of the conflict is a way where everyone feels comfortable sharing. Simply allow your team to digest the information at first. 3. The final step is: Identify what behaviors you want to replace the negative ones. Whatever is causing the conflict in your team has to be changed to something more productive. Identify what that something is with your team, and work to implement it. Go to to learn more about how you can set goals and improve your team through the start, stop, continue method. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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How to TEE Up Excellence in Service at Every Level | Rich Acosta - 012
02/23/2023
How to TEE Up Excellence in Service at Every Level | Rich Acosta - 012
Rich Acosta came from a hospitality background but currently works in a corporate environment, but has maintained the SAME level of excellent service at every level. In today’s episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I’ll be talking to Rich about how to maintain this excellence at every level as a leader. Throughout his years of experience, as well as his experience with switching industries, Rich has continually drummed up excellence. The ways he did this were: Getting excellence begins with time. Leaders can spend their time on training their team, or trying to find the unlikely perfect team member. Instead, leaders need to focus on celebrating their team members and fostering connections. Next up is effort. Leaders have to put in the effort to make sure their team AND clients are happy. This comes from listening to their complaints, internalizing and interpreting the information, and evaluating the information. Leaders should only respond to complaints after putting in the effort, and by then, Rich always has a TERRIFIC solution. Lastly is energy. When customers or team members are frustrated, they want to be heard and understood. Leaders have to use their energy to not only meet these complaints but use the information they’ve gathered to improve on mistakes. Then, good leaders should continually improve on their IMPROVEMENTS. Go to to learn more about delivering excellence to your customers at every stage. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Duck and Cover | Tammy J. Bond - 011
02/09/2023
Duck and Cover | Tammy J. Bond - 011
Some people are coasters and do the bare minimum. These people are in duck and cover mode. In today’s episode of Playing In The Sandbox, I’ll be discussing how you can address duck and coverers if you are one, or one is on your team. Operating in duck-and-cover mode is a HUGE bane for not only your work performance but your mental well-being. You’re NOT achieving the maximum results you could be. So what do we do, once we know we’re in duck and cover mode? If you notice someone is in duck and cover mode, you HAVE to confront it. If you don’t actively address it, you’re allowing this anti-productive behavior to continue. Get to know the person who’s in duck and cover mode. Try and learn whatever is CAUSING them to be in this mode. It may be issues back at home or personal issues. But understand these issues so you can work to correct them, and by extension the duck and cover behavior. If you DON’T have this talk, you’re just allowing the behavior to continue. Whatever you tolerate, you allow it to continue. Have talks with people who are in duck and cover mode, address whatever issues they’re facing, and work to fix said issues. Go to to learn more about how you can address people who are in duck and cover mode, and optimize your team’s performance. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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Start. Stop. Continue. | Tammy J. Bond - 010
01/26/2023
Start. Stop. Continue. | Tammy J. Bond - 010
Whenever you set a goal or plan for yourself, have you ever stopped to think about what you want to start, stop, and continue? This start, stop, continue method is a FANTASTIC way to give your team valuable feedback. In today’s episode of the Playing In The Sandbox podcast, I’ll be going over this method. The start, stop, continue method is a great feedback loop to utilize as a leader. Here are some ways you can use the start, stop, continue method with your team. The start in SSC is all about goal setting. When talking about what to start, it gets your team thinking creatively. Use this creativity to strive for large, profitable goals. The start also can help start creating more positive behaviors in your team members. The stop in SSC is all about efficiency. Think about what NO LONGER serves you and your team and stop it. You can then redirect this energy into starting new, positive behaviors or meeting goals, or continuing good, profitable behaviors. The continue in SSC is all about Just like with the stop, think about what things generated the most success for you and your teams. What specific behaviors and processes led to the most growth. Continue doing them and carry them over throughout the year. Go to to learn more about how you can set goals and improve your team through the start, stop, continue method. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on , , or and subscribe to our . This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.
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