Career Blindspot

Know Talent. Know Culture. No Excuses. The Career Blindspot Podcast, a show for leaders of ever changing work environments and the talent that grows within them. Each episode takes on workplace concepts such as HIRING, DEVELOPMENT, and LEADERSHIP, then offers unique insights for listeners to use today! Insights, Interviews, Ideas for the workplace.

Remote Round Two, Fight! 06/23/2025

Remote Round Two, Fight! "We’re supposed to not agree on everything — otherwise it’d be really freaking boring to be married to you." CBQ: … What percentage of remote employees do you think are 80% accountable? This episode dives into the ongoing debate around remote work, accountability, and productivity, with Courtney arguing that most remote workers are highly effective when given autonomy and trust. The conversation challenges assumptions about office culture, onboarding, generational differences, and the real-world complexities companies face when implementing remote or hybrid models. 00:05:55 The Office Debate 00:02:33 Fewer Distractions, More Productivity? 00:04:58 Are Employees Slacking Off? 00:10:20 Embracing Passionate Differences in Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and → Your listening perspective matters - . /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/37114085

Entrepreneurs Watch Sinners 06/19/2025

Entrepreneurs Watch Sinners “If you actually believe in commerce and hard work and community and, and letting people be free, go see the movie." - Drew Shaw CBQ - As an entrepreneur, why is Sinners so amazing? Episode Summary In this episode, Juan and guest Drew Shaw dive deep into the layers of Sinners — a film that masterfully weaves identity, community, entrepreneurship, and culture. Through the lens of this powerful story, they explore what it teaches about leadership, commerce, creativity, and DEI done right. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or just someone who loves good storytelling, there’s something here to spark reflection and challenge your perspective. Highlights [~00:06:50] “I think a lot of the fun I have anyway of being an entrepreneur is you're breaking the rules.” [~00:23:05] “The goal is to set a culture in place so that the goal isn't necessary anymore… if the work is being done, we should care less about the actual words and names that are attached to it.” [~00:25:25] “But you know what's really gonna make me uncomfortable? If I couldn't choose. Yeah. And so why would I wanna oppress someone else with that?” [~00:31:00] “DEI is like, you can come into a space and be recognized, appreciated, and acknowledged for who you are without having to sacrifice your culture and who you are in your space.” Drew Shaw | A Taste of Melanin | Voyce Threads | Follow Juan on Follow on and → Your listening perspective matters - . /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/37084425

Creatively Annoying 06/16/2025

Creatively Annoying CBQ - Courtney, does your creativity drive you crazy? Episode Summary In this episode, we explore the double-edged sword of creativity in the workplace. Courtney and Juan unpack how creativity can fuel innovation — but also drive us (and our teams) a little crazy. From perfectionism and procrastination to embracing imperfection and experimentation, we talk about finding that sweet spot where creative energy is productive, not paralyzing. Highlights [00:01:00] “We encourage creativity — but in the workplace, sometimes it’s annoying… and sometimes we annoy ourselves.” [00:06:30] “You can be creative in ways you don’t even realize — like building experiences, designing flows, or crafting how others interact with your work.” [00:12:10] “When you’ve built a process or flow and someone comes in to change it, it can feel like they’re calling your baby ugly.” [00:18:45] “You don’t have a paint-by-numbers path when you’re creating something new — and that’s part of the challenge.” [00:22:15] “If you’re not driving yourself a little crazy with your creativity, you’re probably not being that creative.” Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and → Your listening perspective matters - . /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/37032750

Buzzword Cringe 06/09/2025

Buzzword Cringe CBQ - What workplace buzzwords make you cringe? Episode Summary In this episode, we unpack the workplace buzzwords that make us cringe — and why they matter more than we think. From “rockstar” to “game changer” to “take it offline,” we explore how language shapes culture, signals unintended messages, and can alienate teams. Leaders, tune in to sharpen your communication and connect more effectively. Episode Quotes [00:01:18] “True high performers are out on vacation or crushing their goals — they’re not the squeaky wheel.” [00:02:52] “You keep using that word — what do other people think it means?” [00:05:17] “If your words are making people cringe, what aren’t they hearing that you intended?” [00:06:52] “As leaders, it’s not about banning words — it’s about whether they’re helping you communicate effectively.” [00:07:26] “I would love to invent software that automatically mutes you after 3 buzzwords in 5 minutes.” Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and → Your listening perspective matters - . /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/36912410

Red and Green Flags at Work 06/02/2025

Red and Green Flags at Work CBQ: What are your red and green flags at work? "...be blunt with a trusted resource who knows your environment and share these flags and where you would like to see them." - JK This episode discusses workplace dynamics, focusing on red and green flags such as the traditional two weeks' notice, vacation usage, and conflict. The conversation highlights how these indicators reflect leadership effectiveness and employee engagement, emphasizing the importance of genuine feedback, strategic time-off, and constructive conflict in a healthy work environment. Highlights: 02:56 Questionable Oversight 03:53 Same-Day Quits May Be Good! 05:29 Skipping Vacation Doesn't Make You a Hero 06:26 Leaders, Take That Vacation! 09:37Job Fit & Sick Days Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and → Your listening perspective matters - . /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/36807790

Go to Sleep Baby 05/26/2025

Go to Sleep Baby "...they were the first parents that I saw that genuinely loved being parents that didn't really complain about their kids..." CBQ: Why was sleep training our kids so important to you? [* - Sleep Training Course, thank you!!] Highlights: 00:57 SLEEP - The Unfakeable Metric 09:51 Choose Your Mentors Wisely! 12:36 The Reality of Sleep Deprivation 13:37 Struggle for Self-Care 18:46 The Best Advice Coutney comes to terms with how much PROJECT MANAGEMENT, MENTORING and EXPERIMENTATION went into her mission of sleep training her kids. Highlighting the meticulous preparation, experimentation, and collaboration involved in sleep training and draws parallels to leadership by emphasizing the value of self-care and effective teamwork. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of finding personalized solutions and the mutual benefits of helping others while taking care of oneself. Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and → Your pod opinions matter to us - . /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/36704520

Managers of TVs Severance S2 05/19/2025

Managers of TVs Severance S2 "Severance: Your cloned work-life self in a perfect sci-fi drama!" CBQ: What the hell is severance about? → Your listening perspective matters - . In this episode, the Courtney and Juam discuss the TV show 'Severance,' focusing on its unique workplace environment where employees split into separate personal and work identities. They delve into the character dynamics, the unsettling management figures, and the show's blend of sci-fi and drama. The discussion also touches on the psychological and corporate implications of the series, along with spoilers from season two. Highlights: 05:57 Inner conflict 07:33 Compassion versus command 09:05 Setting boundaries at work 10:40 The high-performance dilemma 13:39 The work persona Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/36600155

Unflattering Constructive Feedback 05/12/2025

Unflattering Constructive Feedback CBQ - Courtney, have you ever been told you had a bad attitude at work? In this episode, hosts Courtney and Juan discuss the importance of receiving unflattering but constructive feedback in the workplace. Courtney shares her experience as a 'toxic, miserable employee' and how being told she had a bad attitude by her manager led to positive changes in her career. The conversation evolves to include personal anecdotes, such as a childhood memory of a friend pointing out a booger in Juan's nose, highlighting the value of honest feedback from those who care. They emphasize that while such feedback is uncomfortable, it is ultimately beneficial and necessary for personal and professional growth. The episode concludes with advice for leaders on addressing toxic and burned-out employees proactively rather than waiting for issues to escalate. 00:40 From Smart to Struggling 04:51 The Hidden Challenge of Fulfillment 05:27 The Risky Truth About Fulfillment 06:16 Leaders, Don't Wait for Burnout! 08:32 The Leadership Dilemma Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and → Your listening perspective matters - . /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/36528195

See You Mondays! 05/09/2025

See You Mondays! CBQ - When, where, how and what podcast do you listen to? - Help us by sharing a little about your podcast tastes! In this brief episode, host Juan Kingsbury announces a shift to a consistent Sunday release schedule for their podcast. Juan reminisces about his long history with podcasts and highlights their commitment to making the show relatable and personable. With a goal of offering valuable, yet digestible content, they invite listeners to provide feedback and share the podcast. Stay tuned for new weekly episodes starting this Sunday. Follow Juan on Check out Follow on and Image Credit - Makayla Rainville /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/36504030

Juan's EQ 05/02/2025

Juan's EQ "I always don't fit in... being "Juan Kingsbury", so I always fit in." - JK *Longest CBQ ever!! CBQ: Juan, you have an incredible ability to diffuse tense situations, especially when emotions are running high. You also navigate difficult conversations, like those about race, with a calm and thoughtful approach. How do you do that? What’s your mindset in those moments? What skill are you using that helps you handle those situations so well? Juan and Courtney discuss strategies for managing tense situations and difficult conversations, particularly focusing on emotional intelligence. Juan shares how he handled a real-life incident involving a racial slur and reflects on his ability to deescalate conflicts. They also explore personal anecdotes around conflict resolution and the importance of self-regulation in achieving constructive outcomes. Highlights 3:40 Handling Unexpected Racism - A Tough Conversation 9:31 The Fight That Never Happened 1:18 True Leadership Being Real Even When You Don't Have All the Answers 11:20 Confronting Ignorance A Childhood Memory 5:58 The Professional Risks of Casual Slurs Follow: Juan on Courtney on | | /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/36381710

2Babies 2Curious 03/13/2025

2Babies 2Curious CBQ - “Do you still want to be a stay at home parent?” “I like the external validation and gratification I get from my job, and the energy I bring home from that.” - Courtney Kingsbury On this episode, Courtney shares why, despite loving their newborn, she has no desire to be a stay-at-home parent. She opens up about the pressure moms face to “want it all” and why embracing her career ambitions makes her a better parent. Together, they discuss balancing work, identity, and parenthood without guilt or outdated expectations. Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and Image by | Greg Jeanneau /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/35667580

When Remote Don't Work 02/27/2025

When Remote Don't Work CBQ - “Why were you such a bad remote employee?” [*Warning some more explectives than normal.] “I’m a lot better at not worrying if I’m bothering somebody by reaching out and asking for help.” - Courtney on improving her remote communication Remote work has been around for a while and yet still a divisive topic. I catch Courtney off guard (as she asked) and have her reflect on her struggles and growth today. Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/35466335

Leadership Deathzone with Dr. Tiffany Brandreth 02/20/2025

Leadership Deathzone with Dr. Tiffany Brandreth Check out the ! CBQ - “What does a healthy executive ego look like? And why is that NOT the default?” “Purpose did not protect leaders from their ego when their sense of stability was at risk.” - Dr. Tiffany Brandreth. Dr. Tiffany Brandreth, Organizational Transformation Consultant & Coach , joins us in person (and on Youtube!) to talk about ego, purpose and power dynamics in the workplace. Transform your Senior Leadership Team - Follow Juan on Check out Follow on and /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/35342470

Don't Sleep On Your Sleep 02/13/2025

Don't Sleep On Your Sleep CBQ - “How many hours of sleep did you get last night?” Courtney is here for her recurring guest co-hosting role. This episode we talk about sleep and the challenge so many people have in improving it but why everyone deserves to improve their situation. Follow Juan on Follow Courtney on Check out Follow on and Image by Annie Spratt /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/35267145

Luka Trade Lessons with Aaron Calafato 02/06/2025

Luka Trade Lessons with Aaron Calafato CBQ - “What could be learned from the Luka Dončić trade?” “When you work for someone there is no such thing as security” - Aaron Calafato NBA fan or not, glean some career lessons from the unpredecent professional sports trade of young superstar, Luka Dončić. He just led the Dallas Mavericks just shy of a championships one year ago only to be shockingly traded to the Lakers. Returning guest and Storyteller of the 7 Minute Stories and Co-host of Glassdoor's The Lonely Office Podcast, Aaron Calafato joins us to harness this into something useful for you talented folks out there! ---- Check out Follow on and Follow Juan on /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/35183265

False: Starts, Summits, & Stories 01/28/2025

False: Starts, Summits, & Stories CBQ - What lie is ruining your day? "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald Your ability to discern and put yourself in situation and connection with others who support you is what truly matters in the long run. We hope others figure that out for themselves, meanwhile how you engage your own circumstances is the difference maker every time. Follow Juan on Check out Follow on and /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/35055950

Professional Isolation 12/18/2024

Professional Isolation CBQ - When people say “I’m so busy” are you impressed? “Technology made it easy for us to stay in touch while keeping a distance/Til we juststayed distant and never touched/Now all we do is text too much" - Best of Times, Sage Francis Lets challenge the notion of being "busy", and use it as an opportunity to re-align with quality work and real connections that matter. What kind of energy are you giving your relationships, what you gain from them, and what you give. Next year, next month, or next Monday—be more you in the work you show up for. Follow on and Follow Juan on Art by /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/34515825

Inappropriate Authority and Expectations 11/12/2024

Inappropriate Authority and Expectations CBQ - Why was it okay to work for a leader who regulalry hits on you? Juan and Courtney discuss workplace expectations of leaders. What's inappropriate, realistic and most importantly what are we expecting today. Not just of others, but ourselves as leaders. /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/33901352

What If Trifecta 11/05/2024

What If Trifecta CBQ - “What if you’re right about everything, are you ready for the truth and outcomes? “Everyone is stupid except me.” - Homer Simpson What would happen if everything aligned with your beliefs on how things should work, questioning whether you're truly ready for the consequences. Juan discusses the "trifecta" of decision-making - what's convenient, legal, and ethical - and how these factors rarely align perfectly. “What’s convenient isn’t always legal. What’s legal isn’t always ethical. What’s ethical isn’t always convenient.” ⁃ JK /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/33793382

Joy & Impact with Carrie Masters 10/30/2024

Joy & Impact with Carrie Masters “What I know is, in order for me and my team to succeed, I needed to build a culture that allowed everybody an opportunity to make an impact.” - Carrie Masters CBQ - Relative to your not for profit mission what does it mean to be work ready? Carrie Masters, CEO of St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) in Phoenix, AZ discusses her leadership approach and the organization's mission to help work-ready individuals through barriers to employment. Carrie emphasizes the importance of a strong leadership team, cultural overhaul, and employee appreciation. *** If you know someone in Phoenix who is work ready and open to a hand up, connect them to SJW here - or 602.755.JOBS. SJW - or Carrie - /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/33664062

Parental Paradox 10/29/2024

Parental Paradox CBQ - What’s the difference between a good parent and a happy parent? Even if you are not a parent, someone likely raised you and that was your first experience with a leader. Showing up and caring for someone else is significant, but it's a whole other thing to show up for others AND be happy while you do it. Is that even possible? /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/33663902

Tapped Out, Back At It 10/29/2024

Tapped Out, Back At It CBQ - "Have you ever tapped out?" I did... and now I'm back. This short episode just shares what happened, why the pod is back and what you can expect for future eps! /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/33411772

160 MASSIVE Systemic Change with Justin Foster 12/27/2022

160 MASSIVE Systemic Change with Justin Foster “We’re not going to work with anyone who’s not actively in therapy or in some sort of mindfulness practice.” - Justin Foster CBQ - What does it mean to take on systemic change? Returning guest Justin Foster, is Co-Founder of Massive, a coaching practice that supports business leaders called to take on systemic change. What it means, what it takes and some boundaries and expectations he has for his clients. /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/25442652

158 Creating Better Business with Rebecca Clyde 12/19/2022

158 Creating Better Business with Rebecca Clyde “It [diversity] has nothing to do with equality… we will ultimately make better products." - Rebecca Clyde CBQ - Why is it so important to make healthcare more accessible? Today's guest is Rebecca Clyde, Co-Founder and CEO of BOTCO.ai, conversational ai or chatbots. She's talkng about building better business through leveraging diverse boards, UX, and her remote team success. /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/25373376

157 Are Your Workplace Expectations Unrealistic? 12/12/2022

157 Are Your Workplace Expectations Unrealistic? “All jobs look easy when you’re not the one doing it.” - Psychology of Money CBQ - Are Your Workplace Expectations Unrealistic? Seems like the wild west of workplace expectations, a one size fits all no longer applies. So when's the last time you've asked yourself if what you're asking for and expecting is feasible? CTA - Write down, regarding your current work experience, 5 opinions and 5 facts. Focus on what you can change/impact and be clear about your own expectations. /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/25313694

155 Do Our Assessment Results Change? 12/05/2022

155 Do Our Assessment Results Change? CBQ - Do our assessment results change? Let's briefly discuss SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL EVENTS, aka the cause of why our assessment results can and are likely to shift over time. To be clear, results changing isn't a complete overhaul. While it may be, usually it's subtle, your DISC style becomes less or more intense. Or the order of your motivators shifts. Not good or bad, but definitely significant! Take inventory of the last 2 years or even how work has changed in the last 6 months... and reflect on how that has impact your natural style aka YOU. /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/25244415

156 Mental Wellness IS Business Wellness with Dr. Justice 11/07/2022

156 Mental Wellness IS Business Wellness with Dr. Justice "Resilience is your brains reaction to a current stimuli with a positive response." - Dr. Justice CBQ – What's the average person have in common with a 1940s schizophrenic? Today's guest Chief Neuroscientist at Neuro580, Dr. Justice. With over 30 years experience in the human capital/performance industry Dr. Justice founded Neuro580. Giving the world a language and simple tools to understand the one part of themselves that they use all the time - their brain - and optimize it for a better life and performance. Dr. Justice | Neuro580 | EQ Health | ______________________________ Get 20% Off! /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/24924570

154 Scribe Shares Knowledge with Jennifer Smith 04/28/2022

154 Scribe Shares Knowledge with Jennifer Smith “So much of the learning that happens in a job is informal, it’s peer to peer learning.” - Jennifer Smith CBQ - What is most crucial and undervalued in remote onboarding? CEO and founder of Scribe, Jennifer Smith joins us to share her expertise in onboarding new people. Scribe is a Saas that helps you shares knowledge. Scribe | PromoCode - "CareerBlindspot” Jennifer Smith | /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/22948994

153 Leader's Deep Dive 04/20/2022

153 Leader's Deep Dive “Clear eyes, full heart, can't lose." - Coach Taylor CBQ - When can leaders be vulnerable? Let's break down why a leadership deep dive is a great way for leaders to better understand self, others and course correct. Conflict Opportunity | 20% Off | /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/22859963

153 Level Up Team Meetings with Catherine Lethbridge 04/14/2022

153 Level Up Team Meetings with Catherine Lethbridge "A pointless meeting is a meeting that has no outcomes whatsoever.” - Catherine Lethbridge CBQ - What makes a meeting pointless? Let’s talking meetings, from pointless to expert level. Catherine Lethbridge, Head of Marketing and Communication at Workfacta. Workfacta is a next-generation solution for managing workflow, strategic planning outcomes & organisation cadence. Workfacta | Catherine | A New Work Mindset | /episode/index/show/careerblindspot/id/22798514

Career Blindspot

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