Life + Leadership

Welcome to the Life + Leadership podcast, which explores how leaders can leverage business challenges to fuel their personal growth. This podcast is for any senior leader looking to grow in their day-to-day work and drive strategic impact. Hosted by Bright Arrow Coaching founder and CEO Tegan Trovato, Life + Leadership features interviews with executives, experts, authors, and innovators about their leadership journeys both at work and in their personal lives. We’ll discuss the human factors influencing business outcomes and we’ll show you how standout leaders develop better strategies — and activate them. Plus, we’ll explore the sophistication of leadership teaming and how working on a healthy team catalyzes personal development and business results (in tandem). Life + Leadership host Tegan Trovato, a seasoned leader herself, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having held executive and leadership team positions at renowned companies like Levi Strauss, Zynga, Xerox, and Cielo, Tegan understands the intricacies of leadership in diverse environments. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this podcast is your go-to resource for inspiring ‌growth in both your professional and personal life. Tune in to Life + Leadership and fuel your journey to becoming an extraordinary leader who makes a lasting impact.

REVEALED Unlocking Your Full Potential (and Compensation): Executive Coaching Series 04/21/2025

Human Leadership in the Age of AI: Oliver Smith on Ethics and Transition 03/31/2025

The Business Case for Equity: How Inclusive Workplaces Drive Success 03/17/2025

Building Uncommon Coalitions to Tackle Complex Problems with Dr. Kelly Firesheets 03/03/2025

Reframing the Future: A Data-Backed Look at Human Potential 02/17/2025

Bringing Curiosity into Leadership with Dr. Russell Robinson 02/03/2025

The Future of Work and How to Fix It with Josh Allan Dykstra 01/21/2025

The Future of Leadership with Rebecca Ryan 01/06/2025

Neuroscience and Change Leadership with Dr. Elizabeth Moran 12/02/2024

Neuroscience and Change Leadership with Dr. Elizabeth Moran You’ve heard the adage “the only constant is change.” That couldn’t be more true than within an organization. And that means leaders are tasked with getting teams on board with and motivated to enact these changes—when change is almost always seen as a threat. On this episode of the Life + Leadership podcast, hear from Dr. Elizabeth Moran who also helps humans and organizations change. Her career has taken her to ADP, Bloomberg, Lehman Brothers, Getty Images, and Time Inc. Dr. Elizabeth took her experience and research and published her book Forward: Leading Your Team Through Change. In this conversation, she shares what makes her approach uniquely effective, if it’s possible to lead through change even when you’re not fully bought in, and how to utilize neuroscience as a leadership tool. In this episode, we cover: Why Dr. Elizabeth’s approach to change management is so unique Why she focused on neuroscience very early on in her book, Forward What leaders need to know about the neuroscience of change How to effectively communicate change to your team so they’re motivated A high-level overview of negativity bias The importance of authenticity to leaders as they’re navigating change If it’s possible to lead through changes even if you’re not fully bought in What switch costs are and how it applies to change leadership For leaders navigating organizational change, Dr. Elizabeth brings the topic of neuroscience forward in a way that’s energizing and intellectual. This episode is a valuable resource for deepening the understanding of neuroscience and how it can be used as a tool during times of uncertainty. Continue the conversation with us on LinkedIn! More About Dr. Elizabeth Moran Dr. Moran is an experienced leader, consultant, and speaker, providing neuroscience-based guidance to successfully navigate change. Partnering with business and HR leaders from Fortune 500 companies to technology start-ups, she has successfully supported large and small-scale transformation efforts through practical advice and actions that simplify change leadership and management. She is the author of the Amazon Bestselling book Forward: Leading Your Team Through Change (2023), designed to make her practical approach accessible to all people leaders globally. Prior to starting Elizabeth Moran Transformation, she was Vice President of Global Leader, Team & Organization Development at ADP. She also held talent development roles at Bloomberg, Lehman Brothers, Getty Images, and Time Inc. She holds a masters and doctorate in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, a PCC-level coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation and a certification as a Neuro-Transformational Coach. Links & Mentioned Resources Connect with Dr. Elizabeth Moran: Connect with Tegan: /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/34155260

Charting Your Course from VP to the C-Suite with Suzanne Coonan and Lars Schmidt 11/25/2024

Embracing Authentic Leadership with Kisha Wynter: A Guide to Overcoming Barriers and Thriving at Work 11/11/2024

Embracing Authentic Leadership with Kisha Wynter: A Guide to Overcoming Barriers and Thriving at Work In today’s fast-paced corporate landscape, authenticity is a powerful tool that can set leaders apart. Yet, many professionals face internal doubts, unconscious biases, and societal pressures that hinder them from fully embracing their unique leadership styles. On this episode of Life + Leadership, Tegan Trovato, Founder and CEO of Bright Arrow Coaching, is joined by Kisha Wynter, CEO of Wynter Rich Enterprises, to discuss her journey, her DIVA Method, and her new book, Kisha's insights are rooted in over 20 years of corporate experience and a commitment to empowering leaders to break down barriers. Together, Tegan and Kisha explore actionable strategies for building self-awareness, navigating biases, and enhancing career advancement. Key Highlights: Self-Doubt as a Growth Opportunity Kisha dives into the idea that self-doubt and fear are natural when pushing beyond comfort zones. By reframing these feelings as indicators of growth, leaders can learn to embrace new challenges rather than shy away from them. Understanding Perception Gaps in Leadership Leaders often face "imposter treatment" or perception gaps that arise from unconscious biases. Kisha emphasizes the need for leaders to be aware of their impact and to create psychologically safe spaces where all voices can be heard and valued. The DIVA Method for Career Advancement Kisha introduces her four-part DIVA Method, which includes delivering results, cultivating a personal brand (image), gaining visibility with decision-makers, and building an advisory network. Each component is designed to empower leaders to strategically advance in their careers. Curious about the DIVA Method? The Role of Allies and Sponsorship Allies and sponsors play a vital role in advancing equity within organizations. By creating inclusive environments and advocating for diverse voices, senior leaders can help bridge gaps and support meaningful career growth for underrepresented groups. Intersectionality and Inclusion Kisha underscores the importance of recognizing intersectionality—the idea that gender, race, religion, and other identities shape unique workplace experiences. Leaders who seek to create inclusive cultures must be willing to adapt and accommodate a range of lived experiences. Why Listen?For leaders looking to deepen their self-awareness and elevate their impact, Kisha’s insights offer both inspiration and practical guidance. This episode is a valuable resource for understanding how authenticity and courage can transform personal and professional success. Key Takeaway You don’t need to change who you are to be successful—authentic leadership comes from understanding and leveraging your unique strengths while supporting an inclusive environment where others can do the same. Tune in to hear more from Kisha on embracing your authentic self and overcoming barriers to success. Don't miss out—subscribe to Life + Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music today! /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/33851997

Enriching Your Executive Team’s Peer Relationships with Cheryl Schofield 11/04/2024

Jen Benz on Leading With Clarity: How Communication Transforms Teams 10/01/2024

Rethinking Wellness in Leadership With Maggie Gough 07/25/2024

How to Connect Your Daily Work to Your Passion With Jess Von Bank 06/25/2024

How to Build Real Human Connections at Work With Jason Lauritsen 06/11/2024

Normalizing Conversations Around Grief at Work With Jason Seiden 05/28/2024

The Life + Leadership Podcast Is Returning With New Episodes! 05/22/2024

What Skills Does the Leader of the Future Need to Be Successful? 04/06/2022

What Skills Does the Leader of the Future Need to Be Successful? Leadership has become something different. In light of the pandemic, political turmoil and socioeconomic changes over the last two years, leaders are being asked to develop brand new skills. Employees want us to take a stand on social justice issues and be more emotionally available at work. So, what does the leader of the future look like? That's the central question of my new podcast, Workplace Forward. Today, I'm discussing where the idea for Workplace Forward came from and considering what skills the leader of the future needs to be successful. I name drop some of the authors, thought leaders, innovators and C-level executives I'm interviewing on the new show and share some of the leadership topics covered in both live and upcoming episodes. Listen in for insight into the themes of embracing desirable difficulty, storytelling to drive action and the business case for empathy we explore on Workplace Forward. Themes explored in this week’s episode: Where the idea for the Workplace Forward podcast came from How leadership is evolving in light of the pandemic, political turmoil and socioeconomic changes in the last 2 years The central question of Workplace Forward: What behaviors, practices, beliefs and skills does the leader of the future need to be successful? The authors, thought leaders, innovators and C-level executives I'm interviewing for Workplace Forward Some of the topics covered in my live episodes of Workplace Forward—embracing desirable difficulty, leading through liminal space and storytelling to drive action What you will learn from Workplace Forward about the business case for empathy and how relationship drives innovation Ideas around decision-making, managing risk in crisis and creating psychological safety we explore in upcoming episodes Resources from this episode: Learn more about desirable difficulty with Explore the business case for empathy with Develop your insight muscle with consumer anthropologist Discover the transformative power of liminal space with Find out how relationship drives innovation with Leverage business storytelling to drive action with Learn more about high-profile leaders , and Get to know thought leaders , and I would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want me to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with me! Tweet me Email Follow me on Facebook Follow me on Instagram Connect with me on LinkedIn: Download free tools and sign up for my newsletter, coaching and workshops at /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/22703096

Mentoring & Sponsorship—Bringing Others with You 08/05/2020

Mentoring & Sponsorship—Bringing Others with You We all need support and guidance in our personal and professional lives. But how do you build a network of people who will lift you up when you need it? How do you know if your current situation calls for a mentor, a sponsor or a coach? And what if you’re ready to BE an advocate for someone else? Today on the podcast, we’re sharing the distinctions among mentoring, sponsorship and coaching and describing how to build a network of supporters who can solve any problem that might come up. We explore what makes an effective mentor and why it’s crucial to define what you want the mentoring relationship to look like. We go on to discuss the connection between doing your job well and finding a sponsor who will advocate on your behalf. Listen in for insight on when it’s appropriate to seek help from a mentor, sponsor or coach and learn how YOU can benefit from being a champion for others. Themes explored in this week’s episode: The distinctions among mentoring, coaching and sponsorship What an effective mentor looks like and why it’s important for mentees to be clear on what they need How to find mentors based on specific needs + how we each select and serve mentees The three primary types of mentorship—traditional, peer circles and reverse mentoring Why it’s crucial to agree on what you want the mentoring relationship to look like The relationship between doing your job well and finding a sponsor willing to advocate for you Keeping the person you sponsor top-of-mind and speaking up on their behalf When you might need a mentor, a sponsor or a coach How to build a network of supporters who can solve any problem that might come up Resources from this episode: Watch this episode of the show on the Read Tegan’s blog, Learn in Tegan’s Forbes article Explore Find out in Carolyn O’Hara’s HBR article Learn more about reverse mentoring in this Understand how coaches, mentors and sponsors differ via this And just for fun, listen to We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/15330743

Wayfinding for the Weary Entrepreneur, with E. Keller Fitzsimmons 07/01/2020

Wayfinding for the Weary Entrepreneur, with E. Keller Fitzsimmons It’s easy for entrepreneurs and leaders to get so caught up in the day-to-day that we fall into a kind of sleepiness. And for many, it takes a dark night of the soul to wake us up to what’s really important. But what if we’d rather not wait for a crisis to find our way? How can we develop the self-awareness to lead with intention and follow our calling? Today, we’re joined by E. Keller Fitzsimmons, the author of . An accomplished tech entrepreneur and artist, she earned the Silvertip PwC Entrepreneurship Award and Speech Technology’s Luminary Award. Kelly’s VR production company, , premiered its first two projects at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, and her work has appeared in Network Computing, InformationWeek and Inc. Kelly begins by sharing the health crisis that inspired Lost in Startuplandia and helped her step into her role as a creative. She explains how she learned to appreciate her strength of positivity and challenges us to own our strengths—and accept our shadow side. Listen in for Kelly’s insight on why entrepreneurs and leaders need support from a ‘triad of truth tellers’ and learn how to cultivate the self-belief it takes to move through heartbreak and live your purpose. Themes explored in this week’s episode: How curiosity + creativity serve as the through line in Kelly’s eclectic career The health crisis that inspired Kelly to write Lost in Startuplandia and redirected her to a path more in line with her purpose How Kelly learned to appreciate her strength of positivity and understand how it gave her the fortitude to be an entrepreneur The dark night of the soul that helped Kelly get in touch with her shadow side How we fall down as leaders when we make decisions to make ourselves look good Kelly’s strategies for cultivating self-belief through little acts of courage and turning down our inner critic Knowing when to ‘stay in the game’ and when to take a step back and heal Why we all need to establish a triad of truth tellers who help us make important decisions Kelly’s current work with artists and musicians + how she is leaning into her own creativity Resources from this episode: Watch our conversation with Kelly on the Learn more about Kelly’s work at Connect with Kelly on or Get your copy of Explore or Discover the Reframe your inner critic with Katie’s + Elizabeth Gilbert’s Listen to Find out more about the Explore Read about decision-making in Annie Duke’s We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/15023585

Creating Superb Teams (Using 6 Team Conditions), with Dr. Ruth Wageman and Dr. Krister Lowe 06/03/2020

Creating Superb Teams (Using 6 Team Conditions), with Dr. Ruth Wageman and Dr. Krister Lowe Most of us involved in the practice of leading and coaching teams take a relational approach, focusing on group dynamics and resolving conflicts as they arise. But what if we’re treating symptoms without getting to the root cause? All the conflict resolution in the world won’t help if a team lacks the underlying conditions necessary to be successful. So, how do we create an environment that puts our teams on a positive trajectory from the start? Today, we’re joined by Dr. Ruth Wageman and Dr. Krister Lowe, part of the core team of and co-hosts of the . Ruth is one of the creators of the and . She is one of the foremost scholars in the field of team performance, having led original research programs as a professor at Columbia, Dartmouth and Harvard Universities. She co-authored . Krister is an organizational psychologist and team coach. He is the founder of the professional training platform . As a 20-year veteran of the team coaching space, he has developed an expertise in providing learning and development solutions for leading organizations around the globe. Ruth and Krister begin by walking us through the 6 Team Conditions Framework, explaining what makes their design more effective than a relational approach and what teams can do to assess their standing in each of the 6 areas. Ruth and Krister discuss the most common dysfunctions they encounter among the wide range of teams they coach and share what they are ultimately trying to accomplish through this work in fostering true collaboration. Listen in to understand what trends Ruth and Krister notice in their work with teams, what they are doing to support team leaders in meeting these challenges, and how YOU might benefit from a deeper understanding of the 6 Team Conditions Framework. Themes explored in this week’s episode: The 3 essentials and the 3 enablers that make up the 6 Team Conditions Framework Why conflict resolution fails when we don’t create the conditions for a team to be successful Ruth and Krister’s advice on defining a clear, specific purpose and making sure the whole team is on the same page The wide range of teams Ruth and Krister have worked with + the most common dysfunctions they encounter What issues SHOULD drive the agenda for senior leadership team meetings (and why it is NOT updates) What Ruth and Krister hope to accomplish through their work around team collaboration Redesigning organizations around collaboration and distributed authority How we can leverage the 60-30-10 Principle to meet the challenge of leading effective teams and bring more joy into the collaborative process The trends Ruth and Krister notice around team leaders and why the popular 1:1 management style doesn’t promote collaboration Who might benefit from pursuing certification in the 6 Team Conditions Framework Resources from this episode: Learn more about the framework at Follow Ruth and Krister’s work on Connect with Ruth on + Krister on or Read and Listen to or Get more information about Explore the work of Get certified in the Enroll in the Learn more about Revisit our discussion on community with We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/14417822

Mental Health for All, with Alexa James of NAMI 05/06/2020

Mental Health for All, with Alexa James of NAMI We all assess how we’re feeling physically on a daily basis and use that data to inform our decisions. (If our knee hurts, we don’t run that day.) But we don’t do that with our mental health. Despite the fact that it drives our physical health and the way we see the world, we tend to consider mental wellness a luxury rather than a foundational piece of our wellbeing. Today, we’re joined by Alexa James, the Executive Director of the , an organization dedicated to providing hope and improving the quality of life for people affected by mental health conditions. A licensed clinical social worker with Master’s Degrees in Social Work and Child Development, Alexa has devoted her professional life to serving people living with mental illness as well as those impacted by poverty and trauma. Alexa begins by explaining how biology, genetics and environment impact our mental health, offering insight into what a toxic community looks like and what we can do to create communities of wellness. She introduces us to the idea of proactively asking employees what accommodations they need to navigate stress and describes how she set the tone for her team by prioritizing her own mental health. Listen in for advice on using person-first language to talk about people living with mental illness and learn what YOU can do to remove the stigma associated with mental health. Themes explored in this week’s episode: How Alexa defines mental health as the ability to manage stress in a way that doesn’t interfere with our relationships, our work or our sense of self How our mental health impacts our physical health and guides the way we see the world How biology, genetics and environment contribute to the development of mental illness The idea of creating treatment declarations around what accommodations we need when we get stressed Alexa’s insight on what a toxic community looks like Alexa’s understanding of wellness as the responsibility she has to set the tone in the organizations she works with Why NAMI focuses on resources and environment to create communities of wellness Alexa’s take on the unique mental wellness needs of high-profile leaders and why it’s powerful when they acknowledge their challenges How the media and our healthcare system perpetuate the stigma around mental health Why sharing our lived experiences is the first step in removing the stigma associated with mental illness Using person-first language to talk about people living with mental illness Resources from this episode: Learn more about NAMI Chicago at Reach out to the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Read E. Keller Fitzsimmons’ Find your local chapter of NAMI at Explore resources on + Get more information about We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/14036411

Anger: What It Is and How to Use It for Good! 04/01/2020

Anger: What It Is and How to Use It for Good! “Anybody can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose and in the right way? That is not within everybody’s power—and is not easy.” —Aristotle We’ve been socialized to see anger as a bad thing. So, we ignore it and let it fester. Or we lose control and unleash it. But what if there’s a third option? What if we can learn to work WITH our anger and channel it to, say, solve problems or fight for justice? What if we can use our anger for good? Today, we’re discussing where anger comes from and what purpose it serves. We address the stigma around anger in our culture, reframing it as a neutral emotion that has benefits when we can choose it as a response. We go on to explore the relationship between the way anger is modeled for us as children and our ability to name and express it as adults. Listen in for insight into the research on gender differences and anger at work and learn how to leverage your anger to take action for the greater good! Themes explored in this week’s episode: The definition of anger and what inspired Tegan’s deep dive on the subject The stigma around anger in our culture and why so many of us try to pretend it doesn’t exist Where anger comes from and the purpose it serves in removing obstacles The questions around whether anger is a primary or secondary emotion How the way anger is modeled for us as children impacts our ability to name and express it as adults The benefits of anger in terms of motivating us to solve problems and fight for justice Choosing anger as a response rather than a reaction that is out of our control How our biological perception of men’s vs. women’s faces influences the way we receive anger based on gender Why female leaders who express anger at work are perceived to be less competent than their male counterparts Our top strategies for working with your anger and leveraging it for good Resources from this episode: Watch this episode of the podcast on the Learn more about the Review the Read J. Ruth Gendler’s description of anger personified in Explore Dr. Ursula Hess’ Discover Check out the on the topic of anger Look at in The Positive Side of Negative Emotions Study the positive side of anger with these articles in , , and We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/13426589

Habits That Make You a Better Leader 03/04/2020

Habits That Make You a Better Leader A habit is not something you do sometimes. Even something you do ‘most of the time’ doesn’t qualify. To be a true habit, the practice has to be a part of you. Something you do so regularly that it’s hard to give it up. And the quickest route to being a better leader is to establish habits that support the way you want to show up for your team. Today, we are sharing the five areas of habit development that have the greatest impact on leadership prowess. We discuss the communication habits you can use to inspire employees, explaining how storytelling and emotional language expand our ability to communicate effectively and guide a team. We introduce you to the power of planning to set boundaries around your time and energy and explore the tactical leadership habits that make for more meaningful and efficient meetings. Listen in to understand how being present with your people benefits both you and your team—and get our advice on how to cultivate new leadership habits that align with what matters to you! Themes explored in this week’s episode: The five areas of habit development that afford the greatest impact for leaders Leveraging storytelling and a coaching approach to communicate effectively How to inspire employees with vision casting and speaking greatness over your team The power of short- and long-term planning to set boundaries around your time and energy How emotional intelligence informs our ability to lead and what we can do to develop greater self-awareness The tactical leadership habits that make for more effective meetings How setting intentions around being present with your people benefits both you and your team The practice of updating your calendar retroactively to become a time management ninja What gets in our way as we work to develop new habits Our advice on how to cultivate a true habit Resources from this episode: Look behind the curtain at the Learn more about forming new habits on our podcast re: Read about the art of storytelling in and Revisit our podcast episode on Explore James Clear’s approach to forming habits in his book Check out Tegan’s blog posts on , and We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/13221323

The Future of Work: Millennials as Managers, with Lindsay Boccardo 02/05/2020

The Future of Work: Millennials as Managers, with Lindsay Boccardo By 2030, millennials will make up 75% of the global workforce. So, how do they differ from Gen Xers and boomers? And what can companies do to accelerate millennial leadership development? Today, we’re joined by Lindsay Boccardo, the founder of , a practice dedicated to helping companies understand how generational differences among employees impact their relationships at work. A highly sought-after professional speaker, Lindsay travels the US educating organizations seeking to maximize the talent of multiple generations in the workforce. She has been a professional iPEC Coach since 2012, supporting millennial clients in their transition to the ‘real world.’ Lindsay starts by sharing the differences among boomers, Gen Xers and millennials in terms of their expectations around work. She offers her take on what’s behind the ‘Okay Boomer’ meme and why it’s dangerous to overgeneralize any generational group. Lindsay also discusses how the definition of leadership has changed, explaining the value of qualities like emotional intelligence, in-person communication skills and project planning for millennial managers. Listen in for insight around how your organization can support employees in developing learnability and find out why relevant, high-quality professional training and development is crucial to the future of work. Themes explored in this week’s episode: What inspired Lindsay’s study of generations The differences among boomers, Gen Xers and millennials in terms of expectations around work How boomers, millennials and Gen Z view authority differently based on how they were raised Lindsay’s take on the ‘Okay Boomer’ meme and why it’s so contentious How the definition of leadership has changed + why EQ has become more important than tenure or performance How we can prepare millennials to lead older team members The in-person communication and project planning skills millennials tend to lack How companies can support employees in maintaining a growth mindset What companies are doing well when it comes to accelerating millennial leadership development Why relevant, high-quality professional training and development is crucial to the future of work Lindsay’s insight around owning where you’re at on your journey and taking the next step to get better Resources from this episode: Connect with Lindsay at Follow Lindsay on , or Check out Access Explore Gallup’s Follow Learn more about We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Watch the podcast on the Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/12848273

Year-End Review and New Year Planning: 3rd Edition 01/01/2020

Year-End Review and New Year Planning: 3rd Edition What intentions did you fulfill in 2019? Where did you fall short? Did unexpected circumstances change your plans? As driven, high achievers, we want to be in control of life’s outcomes. But life doesn’t always go according to plan. In fact, the most rewarding parts of life are often the most unpredictable. So, how do we plan for a new year knowing we can’t know everything? How can we set intentions without getting attached to a particular outcome? Today, we are walking you through our process for reflecting on 2019 and creating a vision for 2020. We look back at the last 12 months, sharing what we learned about tapping into a new level of commitment and welcoming the cycles of life—even when it’s painful. And we get real about the challenges we faced in this year’s planning process. We introduce you to the that informed our process and discuss our personal intentions for the new year, describing how unknowns (like becoming a mom!) shift the way we plan and why it’s crucial to appreciate action in ALL its forms. Listen in for insight around focusing on who you want to BE versus what you want to DO and learn our framework for setting intentions in a way that embraces the unexpected. Themes explored in this week’s episode: The distinction between intentions and resolutions How Tegan’s intention to be all-in in 2019 helped her tap into another level of commitment Katie’s transformative and painful year of rest, reflection and healing + what it taught her about welcoming the cycles of life The Life Purpose Readings we used in the reflection and planning process How being an expectant mother shifted the way Tegan thought about planning + the challenge she faces in freeing herself from attachments The temptation to judge or rank your actions and why it’s crucial to appreciate action in all its forms Focusing on who you want to BE versus what you want to DO Katie’s big intentions for becoming a next-level speaker and author in 2020 Tegan’s intentions around postpartum healing, practicing mindfulness and fostering joy and fun in her marriage The power in reflecting on why you didn’t fulfill certain intentions Overcoming destructive historical patterns of limitation Resources from this episode: Look behind the curtain at the Learn more about life cycles with Access Dr. Robert Waldon’s Read re: questions for reflection Discover Revisit previous years’ episodes: and We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/12575381

Making Work More Human with Derek Irvine 10/23/2019

Making Work More Human with Derek Irvine Would you believe that a simple business initiative can decrease turnover by 50% AND inspire double-digit improvements in engagement and productivity? And it all starts with making work more human. Today, we’re joined by Derek Irvine, the Senior VP of Client Strategy and Consulting at , the fastest-growing social recognition and continuous performance management platform in the world. Workhuman is on a mission to shape the future of work by helping organizations connect culture to a shared purpose. In his role, Derek supports clients in leveraging proven strategies and best practices to elevate employee engagement, increase retention and improve bottom-line results. A renowned speaker and author on the topic of making work more human, Derek is the coauthor of and , and his work is regularly featured in the country’s top HR publications. Derek starts by sharing Workhuman’s mission to help people bring their humanness to work, discussing how anyone in an organization can initiate that change. He describes Workhuman’s dual focus on gratitude and employee recognition as well as continuous performance management. Derek also offers insight around how a high frequency of recognition positively impacts other business metrics, including productivity, engagement and employee retention. Listen in to understand what differentiates Workhuman Live from other conferences of its kind and learn how to make the business case for making work more human. Themes explored in this week’s episode: How Derek’s background in performance improvement and brand marketing inform his work at Workhuman The difference between Theory X and Theory Y management styles The toxicity of a work culture where feedback is weaponized Workhuman’s aim to help people come to work as themselves and how anyone can initiate that change in the workplace Workhuman’s dual focus around gratitude and employee recognition + continuous performance management How the concept of social recognition empowers ALL employees to recognize each other How a shift from governance and control to humanness impacts pay equity, diversity and inclusion, and performance management How recognition leads to double-digit improvements in business metrics like productivity, engagement, retention and connectedness The disproportionate focus on constructive over positive feedback in traditional performance management systems What differentiates Workhuman Live from other conferences of its kind and how organizers live the message with unique opportunities for gratitude and recognition Leaning into your values and having the courage to bring them to life Resources from this episode: Connect with Derek at Access the for Case Studies Visit the or attend Learn more about on social recognition Explore the work of , and Meet FOCUS Brands President or Urban Monk Understand Brené Brown’s system for We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/11457341

Life as a Futurist with Rebecca Ryan 10/02/2019

Life as a Futurist with Rebecca Ryan Are you curious about how current trends might impact the future? If so, you may be a futurist. In fact, we can all apply strategic foresight to plan for what’s ahead, exploring the current tends in our own lives to think through how the future could unfold—and then building a plan around the things we can control. Today, we’re joined by Rebecca Ryan, the futurist and economist behind , a forecasting firm dedicated to leaving the world a better place for future generations. She also serves as the Resident Futurist at the , Senior Advisor at the , and Board Chair & Faculty at the . A thought leader in the realm of strategic foresight, Rebecca is the creator of and the author of . Rebecca starts by defining what it means to be a futurist and sharing an exercise for becoming the futurist of your own career and life. She explains why technology is making us less human and challenges listeners to a weeklong digital detox. Rebecca also offers her take on the future of truth in a time when belief trumps reason, and she weighs in on what’s in store for the middle class in the years to come. Listen in for Rebecca’s insight around the current period of Winter we are experiencing in America and learn what YOU can do to advocate for others and call Spring forward! Themes explored in this week’s episode: What it means to be a futurist and how the recession inspired Rebecca to dive into the deep end of the foresight pool The powerful glass and rubber balls analogy for guiding your priorities The multistep process for becoming the futurist of your own career and life How to live in the present as a futurist Why Rebecca believes technology is making us less human + her Digital Detox Challenge for Life & Leadership listeners Rebecca’s take on the future of truth and the current assault on science, journalism and the intelligence community The premise that America is in a period of Winter and what we can do to call Spring forward Rebecca’s insight on the future of the middle class The value in thinking through what a direct competitor might do to take your place Resources from this episode: Connect with Rebecca at Watch Rebecca’s TED Talk Follow @rebeccaryanfuturist on , and Help Rebecca workshop ideas through Check out Rebecca’s Access Read Rebecca’s post Learn more about the Study the work of and Revisit Find out if you have futurist traits with the Join the or the View on applying foresight to your own life Review Explore Tristan Harris’ work with the Read by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky Discover We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/11422637

Owning Your Leadership, with Mike Rognlien 09/11/2019

Owning Your Leadership, with Mike Rognlien Work culture is everyone’s responsibility. No matter your job title, your actions have an impact on other people’s experience in the workplace. And your inaction has an impact, too. So, what can you do to get off the sidelines and OWN your leadership? Today, we’re joined by Mike Rognlien, the founder of , a consulting team out of Chicago created to help clients build awesome cultures in every organization, at every level. He has nearly 20 years of experience building learning and development teams in the technology, financial services and management consultancy space. Best known as a founding member of Facebook’s L&D team, Mike specializes in cultural leadership, unconscious bias, and program strategy and design, and he is the author of . Mike begins by defining organizational culture and explaining why it’s everyone’s job. He discusses why neutrality at work is NOT a good thing, describing why simply not contributing to a problem is not enough. Mike also shares the difference between spectator mode and leader mode and offers insight around how you can own your career and be a leader—no matter your role in the company. Listen in to understand the value of showing up as your authentic self at work and learn why quality leadership involves both WHAT you accomplish and HOW you accomplish it. Themes explored in this week’s episode: How Mike got into learning and development + how company culture was the common denominator among the roles he loved Why culture is EVERYONE’S job Why neutrality at work is not a good thing Mike’s idea of organizational Stockholm syndrome How entitlement erodes organizational culture and what you can do about it The difference between spectator mode and leader mode + how to take an active role in the employee-manager relationship How Mike defines quality leadership as a combination of WHAT you accomplish and HOW you accomplish it Mike’s take on emotional intelligence and the value of showing up as your authentic self at work Measuring the health of a relationship based on the lag time between a problem being identified and that problem being discussed Resources from this episode: Connect with Mike at Hire Mike to train your team on Follow @multiplehats on or Get a copy of Mike’s book Access Learn more about the work of Check out the Explore Ken Blanchard’s work on Discover and read We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a podcast or a question you want us to address? Interested in additional support, resources and workshops? Here are all the ways you can interact with us! Tweet us! and Email us: and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram and Connect with us on LinkedIn: and Download free tools and sign up for our newsletters, events and workshops by visiting: and /episode/index/show/lifeandleadershippodcast/id/11151728

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